Bible Talks with Dad were another time to not only talk, but also to teach. They were just as the name suggests—times in which the kids and Dad talked about the Bible.
While Malachi Time was usually one-on-one, Bible Talks with Dad were often two or three kids at a time with Dad.
Malachi Time was often picture books or heart talks.
Family devotions and family worship were usually the entire family together studying something or reading aloud from a devotional.
Bible Talks, on the other hand, were just that—talks about the Bible.
Ray would call the kids in, open the Bible (often to the “one anothers” of Scripture), read a verse, and then he and the kids would just talk.
Not a big, elaborate program. Not a lengthy discourse. Just “how can we DO this verse?”
Simple. Doable. Talking.
The reason Bible Talks were often two or three kids at a time is because we began Bible Talks with Dad with the boys when there was a big age/learning level difference between the “olders” and the “littles.” Thus, Ray could talk to the kids at their levels.
Another benefit of Bible Talks is that they did not require any books. As a matter of fact, Bible Talks often took place on the road or all stretched out across the bed. Very informal. Read a verse (or bring a verse on a card) and talk about it. No fancy handbooks or concordances—just what do you think this verse means or how can we apply this to our lives?
Bible Talks are a good way to show kids that the Bible is relevant to our entire lives. That it is something we want to talk about, learn about, and live. That we should discuss applications in our lives all the time. Plus, it’s just another “terrific time to talk” to our kids!
