The Bible For Normal People [Faith] Episode 63: Mariko Clark - Helping Kids Grow an Expansive Faith
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Aug 18, 2025 
Mariko Clark, a Japanese-American author and mother known for her storytelling, joins the discussion on nurturing children's spirituality. She emphasizes moving beyond rigid faith rules by embracing diversity and experiential learning. Mariko shares her insights on creating engaging Bible stories that resonate with young minds, highlighting compassion and open dialogue. The conversation touches on the challenges parents face in faith education and the need for inclusive storytelling to foster a richer understanding of God's love among children.
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Aim For An Expansive Faith
- Mariko wants her children to have an expansive relationship with God rather than a narrowly dogmatic one.
- She aims to open bigger tents of language and imagery so kids can experience God beyond rigid rules.
Raised In A Defensive Fundamentalism
- Mariko recalls growing up in a fundamentalist church where the Bible was taught as a defensive tool and heavy on memorization.
- That upbringing gave her respect for study but felt emotionally and physically limited in experiencing God.
Explain The Thing Behind Rules
- Explain “the thing behind the thing” to children so they understand motives behind rules and stories.
- Anchor choices in core values like loving God, loving self, and loving neighbor instead of simple right/wrong binaries.
