Episode 18: Jesus vs the Bad Guys: Engaging children with Bible stories, with Dr Jared Neusch

The Roots for Churches podcast

In a world brimming with imaginative, action-packed stories for kids, what expectations do children have when they hear Bible stories? Melanie welcomes Dr Jared Neusch, a lecturer at St Mellitus College in London, to discuss his new children's book, Jesus vs the Bad Guys, and explore how we can effectively engage young minds with the Bible's complex and sometimes challenging narratives.

Jared shares insights from his theological journey and his passion for making biblical stories accessible and exciting for children. He emphasises the importance of presenting Jesus as the central figure, highlighting his message of enemy-loving forgiveness. The conversation touches on the challenges of introducing children to the Bible's stories and the assumptions they bring to narratives, encouraging an approach that respects their innate sense of good and evil while guiding them toward understanding God's true character.

Jared offers practical advice on storytelling and hermeneutics, advocating for a Christ-centred interpretive framework. He discusses the importance of not oversimplifying Bible stories into neat moral lessons and instead allowing children to explore the narratives' depth and complexity. The episode concludes with reflections on how Jesus' teachings challenge societal norms and provide a model for overcoming evil with love and forgiveness.

An enlightening conversation that promises to inspire parents, educators, and church leaders to rethink how they share the Bible with the next generation.

Jared's book Jesus vs the Bad guys is published by Tyndale Kids and is available online.

www.rootsforchurches.com