Bible/English Classes

Our Bible and English classes started in 2018 when all the kids in our neighborhood would come knock on our door every day, asking to use our trampoline. Since we were homeschooling and finished each day at 3pm, that became the official start time for neighbors to come and play at our house. For our own children, every day at 3pm we would make a smoothie and read picture books, and so many of the neighbors would ask to join in and listen to the stories too. Since the same kids were showing up every day, the opportunity presented itself - we should be reading them the Bible! 

When we started classes in January 2018, Melissa barely understood 30% of what she was reading in Spanish, but every Tuesday and Thursday we would read from the Jesus Storybook Bible (the Spanish version) together. The kids would correct my Spanish, and little by little I understood more of what I was reading! We would serve a smoothie to all the students, read the Bible story, and then do a short English lesson, before they were all set free to jump on the trampoline and play at our house. The Jesus Storybook Bible provides the opportunity to share the Gospel in every story, as the focus is showing how every story in the Bible is pointing us to Jesus. 

English lessons focus on pronunciation and phrases they will actually use in class. Once taught something in English, they are required to use it in order to participate in free time activities. Hence, the play time is an important part of class! They learn how to ask for permission to use various toys and games, and to use the bathroom. They learn how to describe people in order to play Guess Who. They learn vocabulary for foods/colors/animals to play Spot It! We also learn many children's songs.This year in 2025, our fifth group of Bible students attended our classes, meeting twice a week for six months. In order to graduate, they must demonstrate good behavior, good attendance, and pass their "final exam" explaining the Gospel to me. During this final meeting, I give each student the opportunity to respond to the Gospel and give their lives to Jesus. Every year, there are students who respond to Jesus and embark on their adventure of following Him.