Second Grade Testifies to History and Timelines and Seeing God’s Hand in Our World
One of the most powerful ways to help children grow in their faith is by showing them how God’s story unfolds across time. By studying history, especially the timeline of biblical events, kids begin to see that God is actively involved in shaping nations, families, and individual lives. This perspective helps them better understand how He continues to work in our world today, including in their own hearts and futures.
A wonderful example of this approach is seen in our second-grade class’s presentation at Chapel this week. The class is currently exploring the culture of ancient Egypt and the broader timeline of events described in the Book of Genesis. These young students took to the stage, acting out the story of Israel leaving Egypt after the plagues that moved Pharaoh to let Israel leave under the leadership of Moses. After the multi-act play, the students stood before parents, grandparents, community members, and classmates to display songs, bible verses, and poems they’ve memorized over the past couple of months. Notably, the class sang a song that recounted the major movements of the book of Genesis, from Creation to the formation of early people groups; from the Tower of Babel to the rise and fall of civilizations; from the Flood to the birth of the nation of Israel within the sphere of Egyptian dominance. By connecting these stories to documented historical periods, the second-grade class witnessed how Israel’s experiences fit within and shaped world history.
In class this year, students are observing the rise and fall of nations like Egypt, and seeing that God is sovereign over all of history offers them a deep sense of confidence and assurance. If God was sovereign over the ancient world, then He remains just as active and purposeful today. Recognizing that biblical events align with historical evidence cements their trust in Scripture. They see that the Bible is not a collection of legends or myths; it is a trustworthy account that points to a sovereign God with a grand design for His creation.
Another remarkable outcome of this learning process is the personal transformation kids experience. Understanding how God faithfully guided His people in Genesis encourages them that He does the same for them right now. They realize that the same God who formed civilizations and displayed His power in times past is intimately involved in their own lives. He guides them into confidence, purpose, trust, and conviction through the truth of His Word—and, ultimately, through the power of salvation found in Jesus Christ.
The crowd gathering in Chapel this week saw students express truths they’ve internalized through daily engagement with the historical timeline of ancient Egypt. In studying the world, they’ve gained confidence that God is active in history, and in reflecting on Scripture and sharing in Chapel, they reveal that the lessons learned by Israel and the time period of ancient Egypt interface with their ongoing development in this modern era.