Friday, April 18, 2014

13 Very Bad Days


13 Very Bad Days and How God Fixed Them, edited by Susan Ling, is a book with a unique title. The 13 “bad days” the author is talking about pertain to 13 different Bible characters (some single and others in groups) and the problems they faced. One of them was Daniel, when he faced the lions. Others include Lazarus, when he dies and was buried; Mary, who gave birth to Jesus in a rude stable; Jonah, who was swallowed by a big fish; and Saul, who became blinded. Most of those chosen are from the New Testament, but a few are from the Old.

The book is intended for use as a Bible study guide. The author starts off with an introduction titled “How to Use These Sessions” with tips and ideas on how to use the given information. He then follows a pattern for each chapter. He starts with a “The Point” of the story, a short sentence about what God is trying to teach us with that story; a “Scripture Connect” with a Bible reference for each story; “The Basics for Leaders” with a short re-telling of the story; two options for an “Opening Activity”; a “Game for a Bad Day” with a suggested game for each topic; a “Bad Day Bible Story” which uses a modern-day story to illustrate the point of the biblical one; a sidebar with “Age Alert Tips” giving the instructor tips for using the stories with different age groups; a “Closing Prayer”; and even options for an “Extra-Time Activity”.

What I Like: This is a great, comprehensive Bible-study guide book that’s packed with great stories and wonderful suggestions on how to make the stories relevant to young kids’ lives.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: “adaptable” for 2-12 years

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2009; ISBN: 9780784721223; Paperback, 109 pages, $9.99.



Special Info: Extra resources can be ordered from the publisher to enhance these lessons. This book is one in the publisher’s series of 13 Sessions books.


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