Amazin' Christy

We're in Aspen for the next couple days, taping 30 verses in sign language with Christy Smith before she heads out on an Asian/Australian tour. If you'd like to see a sample of a Bible verse song turned into sign, CLICK and scroll down to the bottom.

The verses we're doing this week are for our "Word Spreads" and "Songs of Israel" curricula for Bible Song elementary. "Word Spreads" cartoons the book of Acts and teaches a verse from Acts and each of Paul's letters in song and sign. It will be out after Christmas. "Songs of Israel" takes kids through 15 Bible stories and teaches 15 Psalms.

Here's half of what we're taping this week, and the stories I'll start cartooning next week:

Word Spreads Themes

1. Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)     The disciples are meeting in a locked room when the holy spirit comes in the wind, and they have little flames appearing on their heads.

2. Road to

Damascus

(Acts 9:4-5)    Paul's encounter with Christ.

3. Philip & the Ethiopian Eunich (Acts 8:26-39)    Philip is baptizing the Ethiopian official in a river. His chariot and horse are in the background. A dove may be coming down from heaven, or a light breaking forth from the clouds.

4. Paul's Escape (Acts 9:23)    Late one night, Paul's friends help him escape from those who want to kill him by lowering him down the city wall in a large basket.

5. Tabitha Raised from Dead (Acts 9:36-42)    Peter raises the dead woman from her death bed as her old women friends stand weeping.

6. Peter's Vision (Acts 10:9-16)    Peter has a vision of a large sheet lowered from heaven, filled with four-footed creatures, pigs, reptiles and birds.

7. Peter Freed from Jail (Acts 12:6-8)    Peter is in jail, chained between two sleeping soldiers when an angel appears in a bright light shining in the cell and taps him on the side. The chains fall off his wrists and feet and he is freed.

8. Paul Stoned (Acts 14:19) Angry civic leaders pick up stones and throw them at Paul to kill him.

9.

Lydia

and Paul by River (Acts 16:13-14)

Lydia

and her friends wear elegant purple robes and rich golden jewelry. They sit by the riverside as Paul preaches to them. (They wear purple because

Lydia

was a wealthy business woman who made her money by selling purple cloth... made from crushing up snail shells! You might have some snails in the picture for fun and educational interest).

10. The Prison Earthquake (Acts 16:25-31)  Paul and Silas are in chains in prison singing hymns to God with other prisoners listening to them when suddenly there is a violent earthquake. The jail doors swing open and stones in the walls loosen and their chains fall off. The jailer draws a sword to kill himself but Paul holds up his hand to stop him.

11. Sermon at the Greek Theater (Acts 17:22-28) Paul speaks in the theater of Areopagus to Greeks wearing white robes.

12. The Riot at

Ephesus

(Acts 19:23-28) A great riot breaks out in the city of Ephesus when the makers of the silver Artemis statues. Paul and his friend are dragged into the theater.

13. Forty Assassins (Acts 23:12-15) Forty assassins make an oath to not eat or drink until they have killed Paul.

14. Paul Before King Agrippa (Acts 25:23-27) A great king and queen sit on thrones, surrounded by soldiers, beautiful banners, and trumpeters. Paul stands in chains before them to be judged.

15. Paul's Shipwreck (Acts 27:39-43) A terrible storm smashes Paul's ship against the rocks. All the soldiers and sailors are afraid. Paul looks to the heavens with peace and confidence in God.