3rd grade Bible Presentation

  Our church has a tradition when it comes to 3rd graders and Bibles.  They are each presented with a Bible, monogramed with their name.  It's been a long-standing tradition because Seth received a Bible of his own as a 3rd grader.  The actual presentation of the Bibles has evolved over the years.  Now, it is  a special event with parents fully involved.  First, all the 3rd graders and their parents met together.  We looked up a few scriptures about the importance of God's Word.  There was a funny moment in there when we had to look up Hebrews.  Seth said "It comes right before Shebrews."  And then later the students were asked to name a parable.  And the funny quote that time was "oh, a pair of cows?"  Get it, parable/pair-a-bull?  Anyway, back to the Bible.  

The students left the room to work on a bookmark and the parents took the Bible and wrote in the cover.  We could write something about how special our child is to us.  How important it is to read God's Word everyday.  

We used this verse inside Ephraim's cover: Psalm 119:35

"Direct Ephraim in the path of your commands, for there he will find delight."

(Emmet took this picture).  There was quite a group of us this year, 13 I think.  It's the biggest group in quite a while.  You can see Seth and I in the back row, but Ephraim's right in front me, completely blocked from view :/

There was a short program in church.  We placed our hands on Ephraim and said these vows:

"Ephraim you are my child and I am very proud of you. 

You are a wonderful creation of God who is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

God has a special plan for your life, a plan for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

May this book be a lamp unto your feet (Psalm 119:105).

May it penetrate your soul (Hebrews 4:12).

May it teach you, correct you and train you (2 Timothy 3:16) to be the very person God longs for you to be.  

We love you and present to you your very own Bible."

Then the students held their Bible and said:

"I receive this bible as God's Word for me.  

I will strive to know and understand it 

and through it know God.  

May it shape my character, 

penetrate my soul, 

direct my decisions,

 shepherd my heart, 

be a beacon of truth, and lead my life.  

THIS IS MY BIBLE!"

Later in the service the children were invited up to sing "Days of Elijah."

A nice picture outside with his new Bible.

And a "First day of Sunday School" picture.  We're looking forward to the new Sunday School year.