Guide magazine managing editor Laura Sámano has compiled 28 true stories, one for each of the Seventh-day Adventist fundamental beliefs, and written Bible study questions for each belief in the new book What We Believe for Guide Readers.
Taken from the weekly magazine for readers ages 10–14, the book’s stories, which include stories of Adventist pioneers as well as contemporary protagonists, introduce kids to each of the Church’s fundamental beliefs. Sámano, who is excited about the soon release of the book, said, “No Adventist publisher has ever produced a book for this age group with the kid-friendly approach of storytelling and study questions.”
Christ’s Method of Teaching
Jesus spent a lot of His time on earth teaching by using parables, otherwise known as stories. “Stories remain the most powerful means of transmitting information,” says Guide editor Lori Futcher. “Barriers crumble as the reader or listener begins to relate with the character and become receptive to the message the story is meant to teach. And when a story is memorable, that lesson may impact the reader for a lifetime. That is exactly what we pray this book will do.”
Some readers in the 10-14 age range haven’t yet acquired the skill of understanding abstract concepts. Storytelling makes abstract concepts easier to understand. The selected stories show how real people practiced or learned to understand their belief.
Simplified Beliefs and Trivia, For Small Group or Individual Study
“Digging in the Word,” the Bible study portion of the book, can be used with a small group or individually. “Not everyone learns in isolation; some [people] want to talk about what they learn. This book allows for that sort of interaction,” says Sámano.
A comprehensive statement of beliefs is included in the back of the book, but in order to help readers remember each belief, former Guide editor Randy Fishell wrote one or two-sentence versions of them with simple, kid-friendly wording. They are included at the beginning of each chapter.
A Time to Teach
“I believe that the Lord is coming soon,” Sámano affirmed. “If we expect to raise kids who love and know their Savior, it’s time to teach them by showing them what a Bible-based life looks like.”
This is best done when they are young. “Although it is possible for Jesus to transform our crooked ways when we get older,” says Carl McRoy, North American Division Publishing Ministries (Literature Ministries) Director, “life is more enjoyable and we are more useful when we’re nurtured in His ways while we’re young. As Fredrick Douglass said, ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’”
“It’s time to teach kids what we believe so that as they grow older they don’t depart from God’s ways,” Sámano said.
Look for this book; it will be available soon at AdventistBookCenter.com.
This article was originally published on the North American Division’s news site