Email: mary@missionbibleclass.org
Thank you for having a look at my website. I have a passion for equipping Christians with simple tools so that they can share God’s Word with children in ways that will shape their worldview and guide them into a life-long faithful relationship with Jesus Christ.
As teachers, we sometimes just need a place to start. With that in mind I have supplied basic information and simple ideas. As you might have already guessed as you’ve scrolled through, this all continues to be a work in progress.
Mission Bible Class began as a collection of my own writings and resources. With the help of generous churches and individuals I have been able to expand this work into a variety of services to help churches and individuals discover ways to share God’s Word with children.
Here is my personal Statement of Faith.
My Teaching Journey
I have been teaching children’s Bible classes for 45+ years. Yes, I am really that old! My first class was a group of 2-year-olds at the Pleasanton Church of Christ in Texas, and I have to tell you that I had no idea what I was doing. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to read about teaching, attend teacher’s workshops, take some college courses, teach children of all ages in various countries, train new teachers, write some curriculum and lead a children’s education ministry in a local congregation.
Hopefully, I’ve picked up a few bits of wisdom over the years. The fact is that every single time I encounter children in their faith journey, I learn something new about God, Scripture, the children and myself.
Although I was born and grew up in Texas, USA, I have been blessed to serve in ministry in several places. In 1978, just before my 18th birthday, I enrolled in the Adventures in Missions (AIM) program in Lubbock, Texas. After a few months of training, I was sent to New Zealand, where I had my first experience in full-time ministry. Since then, I’ve served alongside my husband, David, in ministry in Texas, Michigan, Illinois and New Zealand. I have led and now serve on the children’s ministry team at the Otumoetai Church of Christ, Tauranga, New Zealand and am a regular Bible class teacher for various age groups. David is a teacher at the South Pacific Bible College.
Bible, Glitter and Glue Podcast
My husband, David, and I produce a weekly podcast Bible, Glitter and Glue. Episodes average 25 minutes and provides Bible teaching and creative ideas for sharing the Bible with adults and children. Eventually we will have one to go with every lesson on this website.
When we started, we had teachers in mind, but the feedback is that quite a few people enjoy listening as another way to study the Bible.
Training Others
In addition to working on this website, conducting training workshops and mentoring students, I regularly teach in an online class at Sunset International Bible Institute .
Great Partnerships
Gina Nored has been working with me since February 2025. Gina brings a deep faith and many gifts to this ministry. In particular, she has added reflection thoughts and clearer connections to God to each lesson. I believe teachers and students, alike, benefit from this spiritual formation.
There is no way to properly thank the many churches, schools and individuals who have played a part in making Mission Bible Class what it is today. Every child that I have taught is part of this endeavour.
In particular, though, I want to thank the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have joined with me in the vision of equipping people worldwide to value and spiritually nurture children. Mission Bible Class now calls this church “home”. They are helping me plan for the future of Mission Bible Class so that these resources can continue to be available well past my lifetime.
My Family
The biggest blessing in my life is my wonderful family. In addition to my husband, David, I have been blessed with three wonderful sons. I also have a beautiful daughter-in-law and two lively grandsons.
So now you know a little bit more about me. I’d love to hear about you and how you teach God’s Word to the children in your life.
Thanks for dropping by.
Mary Nelson
Contact Email: mary@missionbibleclass.org
-
Your website is wonderful – thank you for the inspiration for my lessons! I am preparing to teach the life of David to elementary kids and your lessons are such a blessing. Thank you for sharing them!
-
Hi Erin
It’s great to hear that you are able to put these lessons to good use. And thank you for the encouragement.
-
-
Can you please recommend a good children’s Bible for a two-year-old? Thanks!
-
Hello Ibukun
I am so sorry to make you wait for an answer. I’ve been asking the opinions of some young mothers. I think my friend, Kayla, would be able to give you a good overview. Hopefully, she will answer this entry after me.
God Bless
Mary -
Hi, I’m Kayla. I have a busy two year old boy so I am always looking for suitable Bibles I can read with him. The key is to find an interactive young children’s Bible that you can read and interact with them as toddlers are such wriggly little people. Here are my favourites :
-The “See with Me Bible” consists of illustrations only which makes it good for story telling and you can choose how simple the language is. This could be “can you point to Moses?” Or using simple sentences to tell the story. However it only has a few stories and relies on the parent to use it as a tool.
-The “Read with Me Bible” is the next step up on this series and has good follow up questions, activities and prayers. However it isn’t necessarily geared for two to three year olds but better for four to eight year olds.
*Note from Mary: I found this version for toddlers on on Amazon but I haven’t seen it in person. “Read With Me Bible for Toddlers“-The one I use is “My First Hands-on Bible“. It is planned with early childhood in mind. It uses direct scripture from the NLT but only excerpts that briefly tell the story. As you read the story there are little handprints with things to do as you tell it. This is what makes it so usable for teaching toddlers at home. At the end of each story there is a connection to Jesus, activities, songs, question s and a prayer. You do not need to buy special supplies or set things up a lot as it is usually activities from whatever you have at home. Of course not every activity suggested is appropriate for two year olds but then you can do those ones the next time you cover that story. We don’t do the questions yet but we do the read along activities, the prayer and some of the other activities. As a busy mama I don’t have time/energy to plan and prepare a daily lesson but this bible does all the planning for me. I love it and I know I can keep using it daily until my child is about six years.
-Then I plan to move on to the “Jesus Storybook Bible” which is beautifully gospel centred. Best of luck!
-
-
Mary, what a precious resource you have developed! Thank you SO for making it available. I will be using some of your ideas this week at the Woodinville (WA) Church of Christ, half way around the world from you. God’s great blessings on you and your family there in New Zealand.
-
Hi Debbie
Thank you for the encouraging comment. I’m so glad you’ll be using some of the ideas there in Washington. God Bless you as you work with the children.
-
Leave a Reply