2005/10/14

Favorite Children's Commentary

Really, this is the only children's commentary series I'm aware of. The series, by Nancy Ganz, is called Herein is Love. The commentary is called Genesis: a Commentary for Children.I am using it for Bible this year with the kids and we love it. There is a passage from the book of Genesis to read. Then we read the commentary (about three pages of beautifully written commentary...on a child's level - and mine!). Then we do the craft from the back of the book where the lesson plans are. This commentary, thus far, has been Christ-centered, God-glorifying, and absolutely beautifully written. Nancy Ganz has also written commentaries for the book of Exodus and Levitcus. I hope she keeps them coming. Here is an exerpt from her commentary on Gen 1:26-31; 5:2
Man was created in the image of God, but he was not God. At the appointed time, however, there was born into the world a Man, who was the full "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). The God of heaven, who is Spirit, became flesh and lived upon the earth, being found in appearance as a man. "Although He existed in the form of God, although He was in very nature God...He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men..." (Phil 2:6,7)How extraordinary that man was made in the likeness of God and that God then took for Himself the likeness of man! Jesus Christ - "He is the image of the invisible God...for God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him...In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." (Col 1:15,19&2:9). (emphasis mine)
I love how she makes this connection with Jesus. I would never have thought to teach the sixth day of creation this way. Just thought I'd pass it on!

3 comments:

Briana Almengor said...

This is awesome, laurie. Thanks for always passing onto the rest of us these excellent resources you find. And, thanks for the example you are of a diligent mother planning, researching and working hard in 'training up your children in the way they should go'.

Zoanna said...

I never saw that connection, or at least not the way she articulated it. Wow. Image of God, likeness of Man. I hope I remember to ask you about this resource when Joel is a bit older.

Brian Nash said...

Would I be able to use your comments on my web site Upper Room Christian Books ?