Jared Dees's Blog: The Latest from Jared Dees, page 10
February 1, 2021
Jesus Prays in a Quiet Place: A Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in a collection of Bible stories for kids called Pray without Ceasing: Bible Stories for Kids about Prayer.
Mark 1:32–39Jesus taught us how to pray. He said, “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). He also showed us how to pray. As you can imagine, Jesus was very busy. A lot of people wanted his attention.
As you read this story, p...
January 27, 2021
The Chess Board: A Psalm 19 Story for Kids
Two siblings were rummaging through boxes of their grandparents’s house during a weekend stay. They came across a board game they had never seen before. The title on the box read “Chess.”
“Let’s play,” said the boy.
“Do you know the rules?” asked his sister.
“No, but we can figure it out,” the brother replied.
They took the game to the dining room and opened the box. They laid the board flat on the table and took out the pieces.
They each claimed colors. “Ready?” asked th...
January 22, 2021
My 2020 Annual Project Report
Here is a look back on the major projects I worked on this year and the time I spent creating and sharing practical resources as an author and entrepreneur.
This is my fourth annual project report. Here are the others: 2017, 2018, and 2019.
I also updated a full history of the most memorable projects I worked on since 2004. See all my projects here.
I will keep the same format again this year:
How I spent my timeThe progress I made towards my annual goalsWhat to went well, what d...January 20, 2021
The Seagull and the Rock: A Psalm 18 Story for Kids
The larger, stronger seagulls laughed at him. “Fly up here and be free little one! Don’t be stuck to that rock. Get out and enjoy the great world.”
The little seagull ignored them. He flew often to gather food and enjoy the air, but he never went far from the rock.
One day a great storm crept across the ocean. Great winds tossed the seagulls through the air. They had nothing to hold them in place.
The little seagull stood strong on the rock. Water toppled over him. He was tossed ...
January 19, 2021
The Conversion of Saint Paul: A Bible Story for Kids
Acts 9:1-22 and Acts 22:3-16Saint Paul wrote more books in the New Testament than anyone else. He is one of the most important leaders in the early Church and responsible for the foundation of many churches throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Before his conversion to Christianity, however, he imprisoned and even killed Christians for believing Jesus was the Messiah.
As you read this story, pay attention to the transformation Saint Paul experienced after encountering Jesus Christ.
B...
January 15, 2021
December 2020 Project Report
Here is my monthly report on projects, goals, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.
My 2020 GoalsProfessional Goals:100% / Double the number of members of The Religion Teacher (December 2017 to present) (+8%)
441,860/1,000,000 words for kids (A part of my #1millionwordsforkids goal) (+18,432 words)
593/600 Resources (Videos/Worksheets) for Members of The Religion Teacher (+20 resources)
Personal Goals:75/75 Books read (+9 books)
33/73 Books of the Bible read fro...
January 12, 2021
The Apple of His Eye: A Psalm 17 Story for Kids
A father woke early in the morning and went out to the apple tree.
He stood in front of the tree gazing at the apples. They were all precious to him.
He climbed the tree and inspected each apple carefully.
He protected them from the bugs and birds that wanted to eat them.
He returned home later that morning. His family asked him about the apples. Why had he returned without them?
He replied, “They are safe from harm. They are still growing and not yet ready to enter our ho...
January 6, 2021
The Fish Story in "Soul": Meaning and Reflection Questions
(No spoilers.)
Near the end of Disney Pixar’s Soul, the main character listens to a fable about a fish searching for the ocean.
This is the version of the story in the movie:
The Fish and the Ocean Story
I heard this story about a fish.
He swims up to an older fish and says, “I’m trying to find this thing they call ‘the ocean.'”
“The ocean? the older fish says, “That’s what you’re in right now.”
“This?” says the young fish. “This is water. What I want is the ocean!”
...
January 5, 2021
The Baptism of Jesus: A Bible Story for Kids
Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22
We conclude this collection of Advent and Christmas Bible stories at the baptism of the Lord. On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. In baptism, we celebrate a rebirth with Christ. We are born into the family of God.
As you read this story, pay attention to the way Jesus is described after he emerges from the waters of his baptism.
As John the Baptist became famous and gathered many followers in the wilderness, no one had heard of...
"The Wise Men" by G. K. Chesterton: Summary and Reflection Questions
Summary: “The Wise Men” by G. K. Chesterton
Like all good poetry, G. K. Chesterton helps us enter into an experience outside of ourselves that touches our hearts. His poem about the Epiphany helps us recognize that “we are the three wise men of yore, and we know all things but truth.” There are so many things in this world that lead us away from the simple road towards Jesus Christ. Chesterton urges us to look to the humble skies and follow the Star to the manger like little children wal...
