Healing the City #4004 Introduction to Kelly Yepez and NT Wright's God's Big Picture Bible Storybook
Kelly Yepez is a lifelong Tucsonan who quite literally grew up at The Village Church, with some of her earliest memories rooted in the old spaces where kids would run and play after service. Now 25, Kelly brings a thoughtful way of seeing the world, shaped by self-awareness, family insight, and a love for simple, practical creativity. She carries that same posture into ministry, especially in Kids Matins and Kids Vespers, where she helps build curriculum that serves children, supports teachers, and stays grounded in the life of the community.
Why we’re using it: It is written by a lifelong Bible scholar, which helps keep the stories close to the biblical text without adding extra details to force a lesson.
- What problem it helps solve: Some kids’ Bibles add imaginative elements that unintentionally shape the story in ways Scripture itself does not. This approach avoids that.
- Teaching posture: Read the story clearly and let it stir curiosity. Resist the urge to land on a single moral every week. The goal is thoughtful engagement, not quick conclusions.
- Age clarity: The material is designed for ages 3–8, so keep language concrete, sentences short, and explanations simple.
- A realistic scope: With 140 stories, this is meant to be a long, steady rhythm, roughly a two-year journey, not something to rush through.
- Handling harder stories: Some stories are intentionally delayed because they are too intense for younger kids. If a child brings one up, affirm their question and let them know it is a story we talk about when we are older.
- When details feel “missing”: The retellings may be brief by design. If something feels unclear, return to the biblical text rather than filling in the gaps with extra details.
- Teacher confidence: It is okay to say, “Let me check that later.” Careful attention to what Scripture actually says is part of the formation process.
- Village posture: Read together, wonder together, ask a few good questions, pray simply, and send kids home with something they can talk about around the table.
"Healing the City" is a profound and dynamic weekly podcast that dives into the complexities of creating healthier communities. Featuring the voices and perspectives of the esteemed members of the Village Church, each episode is thoughtfully crafted to address the challenges and opportunities for meaningful change in our cities.
With a holistic approach to healing, the podcast explores a wide range of topics, from soul care and spiritual direction to mental health and community involvement. It provides listeners with insightful and thought-provoking perspectives on the issues facing our cities, as well as practical steps they can take to make a difference.
Join hosts Corey Gilchrist, Eric Cepin, Ashley Cousineau, Jessica Dennes, Michael Cousineau, Mark Crawford, and Susan Cepin as they navigate the complexities of our communities with wisdom, grace, and a deep commitment to positive change. Through their engaging discussions, listeners will be inspired to become active participants in healing the city and creating a brighter, healthier future for all.
The Village Church
villagersonline@gmail.com
The Village Church meets at 10a and 5p on Sundays
1926 N Cloverland Ave, Tucson AZ 85712
Mail: PO Box 30790, Tucson AZ 85751