Parent FAQ

•How much time per week does Bible Blast take?
This will depend upon the family as well as the age of the children. However, less than 15 minutes a day is average if The Picture Bible is read 5 days a week and the corresponding quizzing questions are covered at that time. If a child is participating in the memory program, this will take longer and will depend upon how quickly the child memorizes.

• What if we can't be there every week?
That's okay. Obviously, your child will get more out of the program the more often he/she can attend.

• We would like to join, but the program has been going for some time. Can we join now? Will my child need to catch up?
A child can join any time during the year. They do not need to go back and do the reading or the quizzing to be able to join. They just start with the Blast that is scheduled for that week.

• What if I can't send money back in the offering the next week?
Bible Blast depends on the parents to support it. This is the same as any program in which children participate. However, if you can't afford to send the money in the offering the next week, send it when you can. If the cost continues to be a problem for your family, talk to the Director about it - something can be arranged to allow your child to continue participating.

• Our family doesn't eat candy. Can't you reward my child with something else?
This is up to the individual Director to decide. In addition to candy in the bowl, pencils or fun-shaped erasers can be added for those families who choose not to eat candy.

• I don't think our children should be rewarded for memorizing scripture. They should do it because it is the right thing to do.
Bible Blast is a rewards-based program. Much the same way as the Israelites put honey on the pages of the Torah and let their sons lick it to teach them to love the scripture, so Bible Blast rewards children to teach them to love learning about God. If this is in opposition to your personal beliefs, then Bible Blast is not the program for your child.

• I don't understand why I am supposed to read to my 5th grader. Can't they do it themselves?
Of course they are capable of doing it themselves, but Bible Blast is based upon the parents being the "head coach". By reading the Bible to your children, regardless of their age, you open the door to conversations about God's Word and its application in our lives. This is a great opportunity to share your faith with your child and allow them to enjoy the time with you.

• Do I have to be a coach for my child to participate in Bible Blast?
No, you don't have to be a coach for your child to participate. However, it takes many coaches to make Bible Blast a success. Instead of a weekly commitment, perhaps you could help with something one time.

• My child doesn't like to memorize. Do they have to memorize to be in Bible Blast?
The memory program is completely optional and up to the families to decide if and when the child wants to participate. It is certainly recommended as it is an excellent way for children to "hide God's Word in their hearts".

• What is a parent's responsibility with Bible Blast?
Parents are crucial to the success of Bible Blast. A parent should read The Picture Bible to their child each week as well as review the quizzing questions and answers. In addition, parents support the program by giving offerings to cover the cost of the prizes their children earn. Finally, Bible Blast can't function without parent volunteers. This program depends upon the parents for their involvement with their children, their time in volunteering and their finances in supporting the rewards their children earn.

Director FAQ

• What is Bible Blast?
Bible Blast is a parent-driven program designed for 4-year-olds through fifth graders. It is a fun, fast-paced, rewards-based program that has a unique blend of both Bible story reading and memory work. Bible Blast is designed to teach children God's Word DAILY.

• What is the focus of Bible Blast?
Bible Blast is based upon the scripture from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which says:
"Love the Lord. The commandments I give are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and your gates."
The focus of Bible Blast is to offer a tool for parents to follow the mandate of this scripture and impress the Word of God on the hearts of their children.


• Who is using Bible Blast?
Bible Blast is designed to be used in many learning environments: school, church or home. Churches all across the nation are using this program for either Wednesday or Sunday activities. There are dozens of ways, places and times to use this flexible material.

• What does each child need for Bible Blast?
Bible Blast is like a course. Just one syllabus and one text is needed per family. The text used is a story Bible, complete with pictures that are similar to comic strips. The Picture Bible, by Cook Communications Ministries, covers the Bible from the story of Creation all the way to Paul's declaration, "I fought the good fight, I finished my course." It is available through Christian bookstores as well as the Internet.

The syllabus that is used is the actual Bible Blast notebook. It is divided into twenty-four "Blasts". Each "Blast" correlates to a certain number of pages read from The Picture Bible and consists of questions and answers that are divided by age. The program covers the entire Bible in one year. In addition, the notebook contains the memory portion of the program which is also divided into age appropriate sections.

• What do you mean by "parent-driven" program?
As stated in Deuteronomy 6, parents are given the commandment to impress God's Word on their children. Thus, parents are to be the primary influence in their children's lives and are asked to read the Bible stories and review the questions with their children during the week. Bible Blast is perfect for those families who were looking for a devotional with the added bonus of a weekly meeting.

• Exactly why are the parents supposed to do the reading at home with their children? Can't the kids read it themselves?
Reading to their child reinforces the parents' role as the spiritual leaders of the family. Parents are responsible for instilling the Word of God in the hearts of their children at any age, allowing them to accomplish the goal of transferring their faith to their children. Let the children relax and enjoy the pictures. God told us to talk to our children about the Word of God. Reading to their child gives the parent the freedom to put down the Bible and share with them how God has impacted the lives of people in their own family as well. Reading together will focus the entire family on what character issues need to be emphasized for their children. Whether they have the Bible with them or not, whether they are driving down the road or lying down or getting up, the parents know what their child is being taught each week. The opportunities are boundless when the family is all on the same page.

• If the parents are doing the reading at home, what happens when the kids come together each week?
Once a week, Bible Blast meets together for the motivational, high-energy, incentive-driven, reward-giving Bible Blast Program. Part of the time is spent quizzing the children on their reading for the week. (Questions and answers for each week are found in the notebook and will have been studied at home.) Each child who "quizzes out" (answers all asked questions correctly) gets to choose a prize from the prize table. If a child misses one answer, they are allowed to choose a prize out of the "Bowl" (a piece of candy, pencil, etc.).

Children are also given the opportunity to recite any memory verses they have worked on. Memory work is also rewarded with prizes that are explained in detail in each family's notebook. These prizes increase in value as the memory work increases in difficulty.

Additionally, depending upon time available, praise and worship as well as a lesson based upon the week's Bible reading can be included. It is at this weekly meeting that the child's obedience and the family's discipline for the week is rewarded.

• How many volunteers will I need to start Bible Blast?
The bare minimum would be three volunteers: a Director and two more needed during the quizzing part of the program. As the size grows, so does the number of volunteers needed.

• How is Bible Blast financed within the church?
In the strictest sense, it is financed by the parents. Whatever the child earns in awards/prizes, the parents are to reimburse through an offering. This is like any other program that children are involved in. Whether it is a sports team, dance class, or music lessons, the parents are ultimately responsible for every reward. The church will initially provide the prizes, but the parents are responsible to reimburse. An example of this is to look at a train. The engine (Director) is provided by the church and the coal car that keeps the program going is the parents.

• How much time should be scheduled for the Bible Blast program?
Within the Director's Manual there are three different schedules that can be followed, each of which meets weekly. Programs can last from one to two hours.

• Does the Bible Blast program detail everything I need so I can begin right away?
Yes, once you choose Bible Blast, the Director's Manual has an easy, step-by-step set-up to follow for the weeks prior to the first meeting as well as through the entire year. Included are things like sample bulletin announcements, parent orientation notes, Bible Blast clip art, resources for ordering prizes, actual room arrangement suggestions, meeting schedules, and much more.

• Can you give me some exact figures on the cost of Bible Blast?
Usually a church is given an initial budget to begin a new program. Several options are listed below that will meet the needs of the Director under a given budget. Another aspect to consider is the Director's time. There are several options to choose from and Bible Blast has everything you will need. It is a turnkey operation.

Organizations fund Bible Blast in many ways. Some cover a portion of the Bible Blast Manual, some cover all of the cost of the Bible Blast Manual or The Picture Bible while others let the parents pay the full cost of both of these on their own.

The Director will need to use the initial budget funds to purchase prizes for the prize table, the Bowl, the ABC and XYZ Memory Verses and eventually the other Memory Level prizes.

Three options:
Option #1 (Bare Bones)
Each family needs (regardless of the number of children):
1 Bible Blast Manual*
1 The Picture Bible

Option #2 (Drive-Thru)
Each family needs: 1 Bible Blast Manual*
Each family needs: 1 The Picture Bible
Director's Manual (for Director)**

Option #3 – (Director's Dream)
Each family needs: 1 Bible Blast Manual*
Each family needs: 1 The Picture Bible
Director's Manual (for Director)**
Bible Blast Director's CD (for Director) ***

*Bible Blast Manuals contain an explanation of the entire program, memory program option and 24 Blasts with age-appropriate questions and answers for four-year olds through 5th graders.

**The Director's Manual has 70 pages of everything the Director will need: every question the Director may have; every resource number available; every suggestion for lessons; every bit of material needed to begin the Bible Blast program. The Table of Contents in the Director's Manual is included in this Interest Packet for you to examine. There are 16 sections that will provide you with the ability to direct your program fully equipped.

***The Bible Blast Director's CD is full of materials that will enhance your Bible Blast program. Simply download from the CD to your computer and print from your color printer. Forms, nametags, promotional materials, etc. are in full color and can be customized to your specifications. Everything is at your fingertips. The contents of the CD are listed for you in this Interest Packet. This is a huge help to the Director. Reinventing the wheel on programs takes so much time for a Director. All is done for you on the Bible Blast CD. Read over the contents and you will see how easy it can be.

• Where do I order Bible Blast?
www.BibleBlast.com/resources.html
or
Mail: 4405 W. 88th St., Tulsa, OK 74132
or
e-mail at orders@bibleblast.com