Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Picture courtesy from CDPC Website

The above picture is taken during CDPC Family Camp 2005. Children eagerly listening to stories. This is their natural response. Upon their natural response we must built on it by equipping them well the stories in the Bible and lesson that they can learn from it. Well children are fast learner and response quickly. In my Sunday School class, the stories of Bible especially the story Jesus is at their finger tips. If you tell the story wrongly, children would know it and correct you.

Besides children ministry e.g. AWANA or Sunday School, parental guidance and home disciplines are always the main foundation. Based on Malay saying, "Kesedaran sivik bermula dari rumah ". Home is the main base bringging up children. A good home, where Christ is loved and His word is preached, father and mother loving one another, loving their children is the basic foundation in shapping their children.

Biblical values must be teach to children. Children must be taught well so that they would not forget those lesson which they learned. aAongside with songs, crafts and games can enhanced the biblical teaching into their mind.

I believe both parties parents and church (Sunday School and AWANA) play their important part in upbringing of our children to Christian values.

William H. Parker wrote this hymn in 1885, "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" for his Sun­day school stu­dents at the Chel­sea Street Bap­tist Church, New Bas­ford, Not­ting­ham, Eng­land. He got the inspiration to write this hymn as his students in his Sunday School keep asking him, "Tell us another story". As he reflected, he came out of this hymn. A creful study text shows the important events of Christ from Galilee to Calvary.

Let us pray for our children and also those who are in children ministry that they draw strength from God and to build and impact the lives of children.

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

First let me hear how the children stood round His knee,
And I shall fancy His blessing resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
All in the love light of Jesus’ face.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee;
And how the Maker, ready and kind,
Chided the billows, and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.
One of His heralds, yes, I would sing
Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”

Show me that scene in the garden, of bitter pain.
Show me the cross where my Savior for me was slain.
Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Check tis out:
http://stephentong.org/forums/index.php

Anonymous said...

Heard this song at church the other day and you blogged this entry; sweet coincidence.

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

Refrain

Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

Refrain

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Refrain

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”

jack