The Lamb
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A book designed to teach the central message of the Bible to young children.
Description
This book, The Lamb is a hardcover illustrated edition of the audio book also found on this website. It is available in English, French and Spanish language versions. Each colored illustration is a facing page for the text. At the bottom of each text page, one or two Bible verses are given that support the written text. The CD included at the back of the book follows the text of the book word for word. It can be listened to while the children look at the illustrations.
The book is designed for ten separate reading or listening sessions. The goal of the book is to present the Bible’s most important message for children at a very young age. The central teachings found in the Old Testament are centered around Adam and Eve. This was done to keep the text simple and not complicate the message by introducing many different people.
Each lesson begins with a review of all previous material covered. Questions are included at the end of each chapter. The total time for reading or listening to each chapter and for the questions at the end is ten to fifteen minutes.
The Bible’s core message is explained. Subjects such as sin and death are taught in an honest, direct manner. The lesson dealing with death ends with the promise of hope. Every effort has been made to deal directly with the issues. Where a choice needs to be made, that choice is clearly stated. The Lamb Audio Book Reviving the tradition of biblical story telling.
- God Made It All
- What God is Like
- The Bad Angels
- A Wrong Choice
- Who to Trust
- The Rescue Plan
- Right and Wrong
- The Promised Savior
- Our Perfect Lamb
- Alive Forever
At the end of the book are pages that ask the child/children two important questions.
- Do you understand God’s letter? Twenty three questions are asked to check how well the child knows about God’s rescue plan.
- Do you believe God’s letter? This section states that if the children have answered all the questions right, it means that they understand God’s plan. At this point another big question is asked. “Do they believe what God said is true.” It is one thing to understand the Bible. It is another thing to believe the Bible. Seven more personal questions are asked. Then an opportunity and guidance is given for the children to say ‘thank you’ to Jesus for what he did. A suggested prayer is given and the children are encouraged to listen and then pray in their own words.
Another five pages give the questions and answers for each of the ten chapters in the book. It also gives the answers to the two questions: “Do you understand God’s letter? and Do you believe God’s letter?
A final page of end notes try to explain certain difficult Bible words or ideas.
Considerations
The written material is Biblically correct and gives a clear and simple explanation of the plan of salvation. Most children in non-literate language groups should be able to understand the ideas in the written text. Used with children in overseas settings, the target age range could be expanded and even include adults.
- The partly unclothed illustrations of Adam and Eve may cause a problem for some cultures.
- The people in the illustrations are all light skinned Caucasians.
- The illustrations are in color and the color may indicate something different in some cultures.
- Some illustrations may cause confusion and need explanation because they picture things that will be unknown to many children. Some examples are:
- tombstones in a cemetery
- hammer, needle and thread
- automobiles
- doll stroller and broken doll
- angels
- a ghostly hand writing on a stone tablet
- a question mark
- Each chapter begins with a review of previous material and the facing page shows three or four small illustrations. An open Bible is pictured in the center of the page. This will need explanation for children who are not used to looking at pictures.
- Some of the illustrations show partial views of humans, or body parts or scenes. These will require explanation in many cultures that are not used to looking at pictures.
- The illustration of Jesus on the cross between the two thieves will require explanation since the text does not mention the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- In many cultures the book could be presented as either a translated audio-cassette or as a CD.
- The illustrations found in the book could be used as a flipchart or as posters.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Current copyright owner
If you are interested in translating this book or CD for a minority language, contact GoodSeed INTERNATIONAL. Working together you will make a Creative Commons License agreement.
Other Information
Reviewed by
Vida,VMS
Date
2007
