Bibles & Balloons

A guest post by Rebecca DeLucia, Next Generation Pastor

I retroactively apologize for the popping, booming, and banging this past Sunday morning. During our BIBLEPALOOZA Sunday, we held what was affectionately dubbed BALLOONAPALOOZA.

On Saturday evening, I blew up and labeled 66 balloons; one for every book of the Bible. The elementary students were then challenged to sort them into the Old Testament and New Testament. I was fairly impressed by how accurate they were, even though some of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament letters can be a bit confusing. Once they finished (and after throwing a few balloons at me so I could help with the sorting), we gathered together to talk about how to look up verses in Scripture.

I was pleasantly surprised that they already knew how to use a table of contents. From there, we discussed chapter and verse numbers. That’s when the popping began.

The students popped all 66 balloons, and hidden inside five of them were Bible passages. Divided into groups, they looked up the following verses:
    Deuteronomy 6:4-5 
    Psalm 23 
    John 3:16 
    Galatians 5:22-23 and lastly
    2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This verse teaches us and taught the kids on Sunday, that the Bible is much more than a collection of books. Every part of Scripture has been given to us by God and has a purpose. It teaches us who God is, helps us learn and grow, corrects us when we stray, and trains us to live lives that honor Him. As we become more familiar with God’s Word and learn how to read and study it, we are better equipped to serve Him and love others well.

While the morning may have been a little louder than usual, it was wonderful to see the students actively learning about God’s Word, working together, and growing in their confidence to navigate the Bible for themselves.

Here are some startling facts about Bible engagement: studies have found that people who read the Bible at least four times a week report lower levels of loneliness, anger, and destructive habits. For a generation often described as the “loneliest generation,” that can make a significant difference.

As we help children build confidence in listening to Bible stories, talking about what they mean, and finding and reading passages for themselves, we are helping lay a foundation for a future marked by faith, security, and lifelong discipleship.    

Grace & peace,

Rebecca DeLucia
Next Generation Pastor