Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Unique Children's Bibles

Many of the children's Bibles available do a nice job of teaching children about individual Bible stories. These are an important part of biblical literacy but should only serve as a foundation for more advanced learning about the overall purpose and story of the Bible.

Understanding that the Bible is ultimately the story of God's redemption of mankind is what will encourage our children to live this truth and share it with others. It is far too easy for both children and adults to view the Bible as series of unrelated stories and lists of rules with no central thread holding it all together.

We have found two Bibles that we go back to again and again because they do a wonderful job teaching the whole of the wonder of God's redemptive plan for us, his people.


The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
is the Bible that the children and I just finished re-reading (Dad and Grandma got in on the act too!).  This brightly colored and often humorous Bible captivates my children each time we read it. Lloyd Jones makes difficult subjects like redemption easier to understand.  One drawback: older children who know the Bible well may not care for the license Lloyd Jones takes in some of the stories. Each story is a brief re-telling of major Bible stories and as such does not include every detail, even some very familiar ones. For this reason, we use "big picture" Bibles as an adjunct to the actual words of Scripture in a conventional Bible.  Overall, my children's understanding of God's purposes in human history have been enhanced by reading The Jesus Storybook Bible.


The Big Picture Bible by John Helm
is another favorite that we return to again and again.  The larger format of this book makes it's illustrations especially wonderful.  In very simple terms, Helm lays out God's plans for humankind beginning with Creation. As we read, we do not want the book to come an end it is so enjoyable. Helm's presentation keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know the next scene in the Divine drama.  I highly recommend this book as part of your Bible education for your children.


The Big Picture Story Bible

By David Helm
42775: The Big Picture Story Bible

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

By Sally Lloyd-Jones
708257: The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name


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