Thanks for all the great feedback on What's in the Bible! A number of you have been asking for a bit of a roadmap for the rest of the series, so you have a better feel for how we're moving through the Bible. So here goes…
DVD #4 will be in stores in another week or so, and takes us through the book of Ruth. DVD #5 covers the establishment of the monarchy and the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon (1 & 2 Samuel and half of 1 Kings), and will be released in early 2011.
DVD #6 will cover the divided kingdom and subsequent falls of both. DVD #7 will cover the exile, return, and restoration, taking us through the book of Esther. DVD #8 will summarize all the Prophets, and #9 will cover the Writings. #10 will deal with the four Gospels, #11 with the "outward movement" of the book of Acts. DVD #12 will touch on each of Paul's epistles, and then, last but not least, DVD #13 will cover the general epistles and the book of Revelation.
Whoo! Are you tired?!? I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
You know, a few people have pointed out that we'd probably sell more DVDs if we started with Jesus and didn't spend all this time slogging through the Old Testament. They're probably right. But God didn't start his rescue plan with Jesus. God's rescue plan starts with Abraham, and then slogs its way through the entire history of Israel. Why? Because if we don't see how impossible it was for Israel to live under the Law, we really don't understand why the incarnation was so necessary. We can't please God on our own. Israel tried, and tried, and tried. And failed, and failed, and failed. Man's inability to live up to God's standard is the problem. Jesus is the solution. If our kids don't fully appreciate the problem, should we really be surprised if they fail to fully appreciate the solution?
So… slog away we shall. And we hope you'll come along for the ride!
I love the fact that you are doing the entire Bible! My wife and I have been using them as part of our Wednesday night curriculum… we actual had our senior pastor’s wife watch one, and she couldn’t believe how much she learned!
I haven’t asked, but I’ve been wondering what the plan was. I’ve loved them so far, so I can’t wait to see more. Keep up the great work.
But can’t you put them out faster?
You know, a few people have pointed out that we’d probably sell more DVDs if we started with Jesus and didn’t spend all this time slogging through the Old Testament. They’re probably right.
May I make a recommendation?
After you’re done with the 13 episode DVD series, you might want to make a short “teaser” version that starts with Jesus, and then, during the crucifixion, asks “why was this necessary? Couldn’t we get back to God on our own?”. Then, after you got the audience interested, include clips from DVDs 1-9 that show that no, unaided human beings can’t(1). That might sell better, and what is more important get people interested in buying the whole 13 DVD series.
I look forward to watching #4-#10 with my kids. Maybe #11 too, as history, but I’m not sure about that.
(1) Being Jewish I disagree with that, but that’s irrelevant to trying to get more JellyTelly DVDs sold.
It’s great to hear the plan laid out like that Phil. My Dad was a preacher, and he spent the majority of his time in the Old Testament, plus we’ve long been a fan of the Firm Foundations series that New Tribes Missions pioneered that teaches the Bible chronologically – so it never even occurred to me that some folks might want to start with Jesus and the New Testament. But looking at the curriculum available, I guess there are a lot of folks out there who don’t understand the importance of laying the foundation. It’s funny though Phil – when I read the first four paragraphs of your post, the “voice” in my head was yours, but when I got the fifth paragraph, for some reason, I could only imagine it being narrated by Sunday School Lady…
Phil – I just wanted to encourage you in your work. My 3 year old daughter received the first two DVDs for her birthday, and they ask to see them every day. My daughter likes to pretend she’s Chuck Wagon and plays guitar on various toys, and both of them run around the house doing the Septuagint joke…”Septuagint! Bless you! I didn’t sneeze!” But more than that, they are receiving fantastic teaching and learning about the Word of God in ways they can comprehend, and for that, I am so grateful. It is making an impact on my children, and I just wanted you to know that. I am excited to get the rest of the series. Keep up the good work, and God bless you!
My three year old just became old enough to start attending Sunday School in our church two weeks ago. Unfortunately, he had a bit of a disappointment as he miss understood me. I said, “We are going to Sunday School today.” He supposed I meant: “We are going to see Sunday School Lady today.” He walked around all morning so excited that he was going to get to meet his favorite teacher. He was a bit downhearted when he understood what was really happening. He cheered up the next week when he got to watch Sunday School Lady in Sunday School, though. 🙂
I have to say that I am so very grateful that you are starting in Genesis and going all the way through the Bible (plus throwing in some Big Questions). I love that my son is starting to understand the sequence of the story. When he got in trouble at school, he knew that he sinned and that sin keeps him from God. And he knows that God has a rescue plan. He wouldn’t have really understood without starting in the beginning. “The world doesn’t make sense unless you’ve read the first 11 chapters of Genesis,” right? The things he has learned from those first three DVDs and Jelly Telly have had an impact on his life. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
The Bible is an entire story! We need the Old Testament just as much as the New Testament! Thank you for this awesome tool to help us teach not just our kids but our entire church! Don’t fall for the “you can sell more…” line; God has given you a ministry and a task; be faithful to that task! After all, you have the Sunday School lady watching out for you!
Yes, totally tired reading that! 🙂 But it’s a list we can refer back to when you say, “We’re starting on DVD number… !!!” So that’s cool.
Slog away! And we shall slog — work diligently — in prayer over you!
Blessings!
Great to hear that things are still chugging away. Could I ask a request though?
Could you post some behind-the-scenes footage from Jellyfish Labs? Like, anything. Photos, YouTube clips, etc. Show us some animators, the green screens, puppets, anything. We always love seeing that kind of stuff.
Hi Phil! I just watched “W.I.T.B 4” and loved it! It cleared up a few things for me as well. For example, if someone would have asked me prior to seeing the DVD why God would allow the israelites to kill all of those people I wouldn’t have known exactly what to say. I hope you have a great day sir!
-David
I am so glad that DVD #4 is on the way! The kids in Sunday School have been asking, since we spent the summer going through the first three. And they want to do their own puppets, too!! God bless you and the gifts he gave you!
-rob
There’s been a lot in the news about the religious survey showing how little Christians know about their own religion. Phil, what you’re doing here is, in my opinion, going to change that. Keep fighting the good fight!
We’re so glad to know you and to know you are following the Lord’s leading in your life, no more no less. Thanks for helping us learn as well!
Pirate Pete in a hot air balloon- Love it! Excellent job in explaining the conquering of the land and your Judges cycle wheel is terrific! Thanks for ending it with “everyone did wht was right in his own eyes”! Keep up the great work and I still want to be the Sunday School Lady when I get old! (good work on Mr. Lunt as Mr. Potter on “It’s A Meaningful Life”, too!)
what is this about? can my 9 and 13 years old children use it
Phil,
I’ve been a fan of your work for years. Thank you for continuing to provide us with wonderful, relevant material to teach our kids. Keep slogging!!! My 2 children are enjoying and learning so much from your new DVD’s. I am also the children’s director at our church and I’m looking forward to using your videos to supplement our large group material. I’m putting together a plan for our parents to encourage them to be more involved in their kid’s spiritual development. We do our best on Sunday am’s but they really need to do their part Mon-Sat. And your videos are at the top of my list of recommended materials for them to use! Thank you again for continuing to use your talents for the Lord. You and your family and the Jelly Telly team are in my prayers! God bless!!!
Phil,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been in seminary classes for the past year and if I wasn’t I would not have known some of the information in WITB. Seminary for Kids man and adults. Regular church and sunday school has never been this in-depth. It is needed for the entire family. Do your thang for the Kingdom man. Our children love them and our church is being blessed by them. We are telling everyone.
AND YOU NEEDED TO START WITH GENESIS… we would not understand Jesus Christ and God’s redemption plan with understanding Genesis 1-11 and the 3 overarching themes of the Bible. The Glorification or Doxology of God, His Salvific/Redemptive plan and The Kingdom of God to come.
What happened with VeggieTales was a set up for this great exploration and experience of the full spectrum of God’s Word. God bless all you put your mind and hand to.
Thank you for your obedience and investment sir.
Warren
Thanks, Phil. I just hope that the rest of the series has The Fabulous Bentley Brothers songs. Pretty pleeeeeeeease? I am confident that neither my kids nor I would have been able to memorize the judges without them. (We are still working on the kings of Judah.)
As a related note, I think that Rhett and Link would really be excellently great and successful in children’s entertainment.
Take care.
Love the last paragraph. Very profound and a good lesson to learn in evangelism.
“But God didn’t start his rescue plan with Jesus. God’s rescue plan starts with Abraham, and then slogs its way through the entire history of Israel.”
Oh Phil! This is SO important!! I am so glad that this theme is woven throughout the dvd’s and you have made it a priority to showcase the ENTIRE Bible. It reminds me of “The Jesus Storybook Bible”–a resource that we have come to love in our house. It has opened my eyes to just how important every single chapter of Scripture is!
Phil, I just read your article on what happened to Big Idea. It reminded me of Joseph’s journey…God didn’t stop satan from attacking him but He did make it for God’s own glory in the end. Personally, while I enjoyed Veggitales, as a parent, I found them lacking in teaching. I mean that to say that they are a great augmentation, but they are not the amazing teaching tool that your new “What’s in the Bible” series is. It’s all that I’ve been hoping for. I’m crazy excited about them, bought two at Mardel yesterday and ordered the rest directly from your site after seeing how awesome they are. You have outdone yourself. I think those Minnesota guys were right, God’s will will be done.
Thanks Phil, I am a children’s pastor and use these videos and bring to life Bible stories on Wednesday nights. I have a lot of kids who haven’t grown up in the church and don’t know a lot of Bible stories. I have been blessed to use What’s in the Bible with the kids. I do add some games, puppet skits and dramas to act out the different Bible stories each week. But there is so much info in the videos we have been breaking down the information and digging into the Bible. The book that tells us all the things God has done for us and His big rescue plan! Well done!
Just discovered this series. I think they are inspired and inspiring. Thank you! I hope my grandchildren will learn about God and his dealings with us through these gems. It is so difficult it seems to compete with “super heroes” “princesses” and movie stars .
I love Jesus!