The following poem was written to be used (by both kids and grownups!) in conjunction with “Questions Raised by the Story: A Narrative Catechism“. This helpful book offers a new approach to teaching important beliefs, presenting 61 questions inspired by “The Story” found in the Bible. The lines connecting with particular questions are noted within the poem (ex: “Q1” means Question One, etc.)…
The Bible’s Story
(a poetic narrative that raises questions for catechism)
SCENE 1:
In the beginning, our God all created (Q1)
Ordered and shaped, and as Good (Q2)
Functional, but also abundantly fruitful
Ready to do what it should
All light and darkness, arriving on time
The land bringing forth all things growing
Creatures that swam, and crawling on ground (Q3)
His goodness abundantly showing
God placed all these things into our care
Female and male, Holy Civilization
Bearing His image, and knowing Him fully
To flourish and bless all creation (Q4, Q5, Q6)
SCENE 2:
All things were given, but we wanted more
Humanity turned from His way (Q7)
By eating the fruit He had forbidden
Our hearts from Him, began to stray (Q8, Q9)
No longer knowing God fully
We ceased also knowing each other (Q10)
Creation itself, filled with unknowns
Led even brother against brother (Q11)
Turning from God as source of all Life
We discovered sources of death
Humanity grew, so also our wounds
Which left us each gasping for breath
SCENE 3:
The heart of our God, the biggest heart, breaking (Q12)
The goodness He’d made, gone astray
He looked on His children, so hurting and sad
Not knowing any other way
So many voices, confusing and scattered
No one could hear from His heart (Q13)
Judgment through flooding, calming the waters
So God could offer a New start (Q14)
SCENE 4:
Our God, so Loving, could not give up hope
He knew His kids could be redeemed (Q15)
Calling a people to obey His Word
His Light through Israel streamed
Abraham, Isaac, and so many others
Those chosen, with whom God would dwell (Q16)
Through Loving them all dearly as His children (Q17)
And lifting them up when they fell
This way all people, could see God’s heart
Holy ways He designed us to live
In union with God, and with one another (Q18)
Receiving from all He would give (Q19)
SCENE 5:
The Lord’s Chosen People, broken and sinning (Q20)
Their hearts so often would stray
Receiving the promise, rescued from slavery (Q21, Q22)
Trusting Him along the way
They wandered in wilderness, with Moses leading (Q23)
The Lord gave commands made of stone (Q24)
Following God and the Way He revealed (Q25)
He would govern and give them a home (Q26, Q27, Q28)
Despite all the good that came from His Ways
The people still chose to rebel (Q29, Q30)
For their sake, God forced them in exile again
He could not pretend all was well (Q31, Q32)
SCENE 6:
God still so loved the people He’d made
All people, and all of creation
So God sent His Son, became human like us (Q33, Q34)
To bring our freedom and Salvation
Born into Israel, those who were chosen (Q35)
Jesus was Loving and healing
Walking the path God intended for all
The Kingdom of God now revealing (Q36, Q37)
Jesus declared, by His Words and Actions
The power of God had come here
Welcoming all, even those cast aside
Inviting them each to draw near
Draw near to the Father, and near each other
United in Love to abide (Q38, Q39)
They formed community of blessing for all
Revealing His arms open wide (Q40, Q41)
SCENE 7:
Jesus, the Cornerstone of coming Kingdom (Q42)
Both Son of God and of man
Revealed our broken condition before Him
Even those who knew of His plan (Q43)
For even knowing the desires of God
Was not enough to choose Right
Our hearts will always choose our own ways
In darkness, apart from His Light (Q44, Q45)
And so it happened, Jesus arrested
Accused and hung up on the cross
Dying because of those He had loved (Q46)
All Creation mourned such a loss
SCENE 8:
The Third Day, Jesus broke loose from the grave
Resurrected, He appeared to His friends (Q47)
An entirely brand New Creation appeared (Q48)
A New Story, as the old one ends
Just as we followed Moses before
Now Jesus, we follow anew (Q49)
Set free from sin, and its’ every impact
To His healing Kingdom pursue (Q50)
United in mission, He’s brought us together (Q51, Q52)
To spread Loves’ redeeming rebirth
Announcing the good news, He’s coming again
Along with New heavens and earth (Q53)
SCENE 9:
As His Resurrection people
Reflecting His image, our Lord (Q54)
Receiving His Spirit, and all He has done
As gifts we could never afford
Equipped, adopted sons and daughters (Q55)
Now serving with God in His ways
Caring for creation He is making New
Guiding all to abide in His grace (Q56)
We invite the world He is loving
To imagine what all might become
To be known fully, and fully Loved
By our Father, Holy Spirit, and Son (Q57, Q58, Q59, Q60, Q61)
words from wick 