Having taught Sunday school for more than twenty years now, I want to keep not only my students, but my own children and myself engaged when discussing a familiar or seasonal Biblical event.

One of the greatest compliments I received about my book, Little Shepherd, is that it told the Christmas story through the eyes of a child, and therefore, made this momentous event more relatable to children. By adding in fictional characters (eight-year-old Obed and his father) this familiar story was made new.

The past two years I’ve truly focused on new ways to teach familiar Bible stories to my students. One of the books I’ve used is Icky, Sticky, Hairy Scary Bible Stories. Let’s face it, the Bible has so zany stories that are destined to make kids chuckle if told right. Absalom dying when his bushy air gets caught in a tree as he flees from his enemies. Dreams of skinny cows stuffing themselves on a fat herd. King Herod being eaten by worms. Boys mauled by bears for taunting an adult. These stories create some wild images.

I want to meet my students where they are. That means finding out how best to reach them. With many of my students it’s through humor. For others it’s showing them how events that occurred thousands of years ago can apply to their lives today. Sometimes it’s taking a broad lesson and narrowing it down to focus on a particular teaching point.

What are some ways you’ve taught familiar lessons to your children?