3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Bible for Your Child
God’s Word tells us to hide Scripture in our hearts (Psalm 119) and to teach it to our children constantly (Deuteronomy 6). As parents, nothing is really more valuable for us to do for our kids, is there? Introducing them to God, the creator; His Son, their Savior; and the truth, His Word, is an honorable job. What’s more exciting than seeing your children grasp the love that God has for all of us? Now, admittedly, this hefty task can be daunting. Here are three things to consider when choosing a Bible for your children.
The age of your children
LifeWay has compiled a list of biblical concepts children can understand at certain ages, and the results are fascinating. It is so important to understand is how your children view God and Scripture as toddlers, preschoolers, young children, older children, and beyond. By understanding what they can grasp at each age, you are more empowered to not only have appropriate conversations with them but also able to choose biblically based products that reinforce your dialogue.
The actual product
It’s no lie that it would be hard to capture the mind and attention of your wiggly toddler if you just opened your Bible and started reading a passage from Leviticus. Needless to say, the age of your child determines which product is best when it comes to introducing biblical themes and stories to your kids. One series offered by B&H Kids, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, The Big Picture Interactive, highlights and reinforces concepts and lessons taught in the Gospel Project for Kids curriculum and offers products for each age group. For babies and toddlers, there are board books, which use simple words and colorful pictures. For kids who are able to sit still a little longer or who are starting to read with help or on their own, Bible storybooks—products that faithfully summarize passages of Scripture in storybook form—are an easy way to engage with the Bible. For kids who can read on their own, it might be time for a full-text Bible, which leads us to . . .
The Bible translation
There are hundreds of Bibles on the market that seek to help engage kids. They contain colorful pictures and features and even marry technology with God’s Word so that kids really desire to dig in. The actual translation, however, is probably one of the features most overlooked in regards to choosing a Bible for kids, but one of the most important. When choosing a translation, look for one that is both faithful to the original text but also readable. A standout option is the new Christian Standard Bible, which combines accuracy and readability without compromise. This translation is available in a number of editions for readers of all ages, including The Big Picture Interactive Bible, which helps connect Christ throughout God’s story. When kids can read and comprehend without getting frustrated, reading becomes more enjoyable, which equates to more time spent in God’s Word.
Regardless of where you are in your journey, or how old your children are, it’s never too late to introduce them to God’s Word—truth that will carry them throughout their lives and that will not return void!
