Teaching siblings about the Bible

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dustdev14

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As the senior of my little brother (he’s 6, I’m 14) he generally looks to me when It comes to advice. I’m the one who taught him to pray before meals and Jesus’ sacrifice when my other family members didn’t introduce the topics to him. He recently has asked me to read the Bible to him, as he can’t read yet. However, the only bible i have is the KJV, and sometimes that flies over MY head. How can I properly read, or at least explain, the Bible to a soon to be 1st grader? Should I start with the Old Testament or New Testament? Any advice is much appreciated!
 
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First of all, the Bible is online in many versions for free; consider downloading one in simpler modern English.

Well done on teaching your little brother. I recommend some Gospel readings, especially Luke, which has a bunch of the best-beloved parables. For the Old Testament, stories about the patriarchs, judges, and kings of Israel are best, maybe with Psalm 23 or some Proverbs.
 
Also, make sure to talk about what you’ve read; ask if there were any words he didn’t understand, and try to get him to recap the story so that you know he grasped it. Point out any obvious messages–like for Adam and Eve, what did they do wrong? What happened because of it? Should we listen to God or not?

Again, I congratulate you for stepping up. Well done.
 
Well you are in control of the situation so have confidence. Pick verses of the Bible that you understand well or research the Catholic interpretation online. Also pray for guidance. Once you know the subject matter well, introduce it to your brother. If he asks questions you will have answers for him.
 
Find a modern translation, and a Catholic Bible. The New American Bible is Catholic, and a paperback version is very inexpensive. You might also find a near-by Catholic Church, explain your need to the priest or even someone on staff, and they might find one just lying around for you.

It is a beautiful thing you are wanting to do for and with your little brother! Pray to the Lord - perhaps He has another way to answer this need. And perhaps also He has more, yet in His mind, for you to do. Pray, and listen.

Oh - by all means start with the New Testament, one of the Gospels, maybe Matthew’s Gospel, starting with the beginning of Jesus’s ministry in ch. 4, and continuing on into the Sermon on the Mount, ch 5 through 7. Go slowly, and talk together about what you each are hearing, a few verses at a time. Blessings and grace to you both!
 
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Hi!

1st, I would get an updated Bible (and a Catholic Bible, unless you are not Catholic, since the KJV, unless it is the original version, does not include all 73 books that the Catholic Bible has); it is an uphill battle to explain things when you yourself may not “get the full picture.”

While it is great to read the Bible from cover to cover, the Old Testament has much too heavy content (both depictions and moral codes) that would tend to hinder/confuse a young mind.

So I would introduce him to the New Testament first (with a few doses of the Old (Creation, the Promise, Prophecies about the Messiah, some Psalms–positive and worship and the one/s retelling of the Relationship of Yahweh God and His people).

As his knowledge and interest peek you can expand into narratives of the Old Testament (Isaac as Christ’s Sacrificial type, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, David and goliath–if he is up to it the Maccabees…) and/or follow back from the New Testament citing.

Don’t rush through things; if you come to issues that you do not understand/evade you, feel free to seek out help (including on this thread) rather than crashing through the next topic/page/book.

I commend you on taking such responsibility so seriously. May the Holy Spirit Bless and your brother and provide fertile ground so that the Word of God may Flourish abundantly in your hearts, minds and home.

Maran atha!

Angel
 
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Tell the Bible as a story and don’t use a Bible. Use good Bible story book with pictures. Read a story or two and always start off with the premise that these are true events. A good Bible story book will include in its narrative simple explanations and lessons.
 
I have enjoyed using this with my young children who generally flail about and ignore me when I try to pre read the mass readings to them in the van before we go in. The style of this book is very engaging.

Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories Amazon.com
 
Why don’t you buy a handbook of the Mass for kids, or a children’s Bible that has pictures.

Anyway, you don’t have to necessarily read the Bible to him, you can TELL him. Genesis is a good place to start, then Exodus and so forth.

Please don’t mention Hell. My sister had nightmares after hearing about it from a bad catechist.

Heck, my sister and I used to play “Mass Mass” and now she’s almost 17!
 
There are Catholic translations of Bibles for children. Tell the shop assistant that your brother is 6 years old so you don’t get one suitable for a 3-year-old. Ask the priest or deacon and some of the parents in the parish if they have one they recommend. There might even be an extra one that you can buy.
 
I agree. Around that age, I was given a copy of Precious Moments Stories from the Bible, and I read it all by myself. I would start with that version.
 
Honestly, at that age, I would stick with a Children’s Bible that breaks the main stories of the Bible into small sections that he can understand and will keep his attention. It’s probably not till about 3rd - 4th Grade that a child can really focus for long enough to really grasp something. And even then, you will want to go through the story, explain it focusing on one or two major points that you want to emphasize, and answer his questions. Kudos to you for trying to be such a positive mentor to your brother by the way. With my kids I generally read the passage we will study ahead of time and pick one or two major themes I want them to walk away and remember. I also try to be repetitive when we discuss the major point.
 
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