Graduation and Settling Down

This is always a challenging story, especially given the history of colonization and genocide across the globe and within the US.  The video for students/parents below is worth watching.  For children, this is a time to at least wonder, "Why didn't Jericho and other cities welcome the Israelites in?"  Manna and Mercy also has a worthwhile narrative to consider.  Regardless, war and violence of any kind should be a reason for lament.  May we teach our children the value of equality, inclusion, mutual service, and the ongoing call to share.

Another good option is always the Veggie Tales "Josh and the Big Wall."

*Read along in Whirl Kids Story Bible pgs.66-69, and you can also email tory@phumc.org if you need help following along in a different Story Bible.

Chpt. 5 - Graduation and Settling Down, pgs 16-20. 

Conquest and Settlement are the words I usually use for the Israelites going into Canaan, the 'Promised Land.'  We must be honest with the stories we read, and wonder why the "ugly" stories were kept in the Bible.  Genesis alone, has some of the hardest stories to read of murder, rape, incest, deciet, and genocide.  Yet the writers, editors, and leaders kept all of these stories alive.  May we keep discerning which ones to follow, and which ones to learn from.