Helping Kids in Limpopo Live God’s Word

In the vibrant heart of Limpopo, South Africa, Ishmael Mutumwa is pioneering a dynamic approach to teaching the Bible to children, using Walk Thru the Bible’s creative, innovative, memorable tool called ntLIVE.

ntLIVE is Walk Thru the Bible’s live event that teaches the big picture storyline of the New Testament, bringing the NT’s key figures, places, and narratives to life in an engaging and memorable way. Mutumwa’s teaching of ntLIVE is reshaping how children interact with the Bible and its teachings.

“I love teaching ntLIVE to children,” Mutumwa shares with enthusiasm. “I am using it to help children see and understand the big picture of the Bible at their own level. Our children need a foundation in the Bible to understand and apply it, and they need to know the Lord as Savior. ntLIVE is helping with this! It is such an effective and powerful tool.”

ntLIVE is more than just a teaching aid; it’s a comprehensive Bible experience from Walk Thru the Bible that combines storytelling, drama, costumes, interactive elements, and more to immerse children in the New Testament. For Mutumwa, this approach is crucial in helping children grasp complex biblical stories and teachings … and remember them. By incorporating drama, he enables children to “live the story” and experience the narratives as if they were there.

Two of the most memorable experiences for Mutumwa and his students were the re-enactment of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and the scenes from the Garden of Gethsemane.

“It is touching to see the children experience the stories personally,” he notes. “This immersive approach helps them connect on a deeper level with the teachings of the Bible.”

The impact of these live events extends beyond just storytelling. Mutumwa encourages his students to read and engage with the Bible for themselves after experiencing the stories through ntLIVE. “I challenge them to go and read the stories in the Bible for themselves. This is helping the kids to get into the Bible,” he explains. This strategy not only deepens their understanding but also fosters a habit of personal Bible study and a lifelong walk with God.

Flexibility is another key strength of ntLIVE. Mutumwa adapts the program to suit different settings and group sizes. Whether he is addressing a large audience of more than 500 children in a single session or conducting weekly lessons for smaller groups that meet regularly,  ntLIVE’s adaptability allows him to tailor the experience to meet various needs. This versatility ensures that children, regardless of their group size or frequency of sessions, receive a comprehensive, memorable, and impactful Bible experience.

Mutumwa’s approach has been further enriched by his recent participation in the Equip and Encourage (E2) training event, hosted by Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa. Our E2 training helps Walk Thru’s instructors with new offerings for their children’s ministries, like otSTORIES and ntSTORIES (a followup resource to the live event that builds on the biblical foundation they learned in the event), and offers additional training to enhance their skills.

“Because of E2, my mind has been opened to different ways of teaching, and I am refreshed!” he says.

The challenge of reaching children who are growing up without the Word of God is significant, but Mutumwa’s dedication to teaching ntLIVE is making a difference. By providing children with a foundational understanding of biblical stories and encouraging them to engage with Scripture themselves, he is helping to shape a generation of informed and inspired young believers.

Ishmael Mutumwa’s use of Walk Thru the Bible’s ntLIVE is bringing the truth and hope of God’s Word to the children of Limpopo. His new teaching skills learned at E2, coupled with the flexibility and impact of ntLIVE, is making the Bible more accessible and engaging for the children in his community.

ntLIVE is making a difference in the lives of children in Limpopo … and in the lives of children everywhere. You can bring ntLIVE to your church, school, or organization. Find out more. 

Walk Thru the Bible is helps kids everywhere live God’s Word. With our innovative Bible events and our deeper-dive followup resources, we are changing lives, changing families, changing communities … changing stories, across the globe. Will you help us Change Their Story?