resources for effective children's ministry
As we look at the coming new year it is certainly an exciting one with it not only beginning a new year, but also a new millennium - it will seem so strange to write checks for "2000"!
I would like to encourage families and churches to consider marking this special moment by presenting a Bible and/or journal to each family member or student. What better way to encourage your children - and yourself - to begin this new year/millennium by making a priority of spending time with God! Write a special note in the inside cover - put thought and prayer into what to say and then present the Bible on New Year's Eve.
There are many wonderful Bibles - we will look at a few you may find in your local Bible store. Select a Bible for ease of understanding and joy of reading as we need to understand what we read to be able to apply what we read and we should truly enjoy reading our Bibles as well!
Mark this new year as the year you, your family and class commit to read, understand and apply God's Word - it will make a genuine difference in your lives!
New International Reader's Version Read to Me Bible For Kids
Publisher - Broadman Holman Publishers
Ages - 6 and underOrdinarily when we think about reading Bible stories to young children we turn to Bible story picture books and while they can be excellent resources to introduce young children to Bible stories it is also very important to read Bible stories from an actual Bible to young children as well. The Read to Me Bible for Kids is an excellent resource to help children, from the youngest ages, develop a love for God's Word and for God.
Favorite Features:
- easy to understand NIrV (New International readers Version)
- helpful information to help parents effectively utilize this Bible to help begin teaching the Bible
- Spiritual truths for children chart
- information to help parents teach their children to make good choices
- living in Bible times information
- Bible vocabulary
- 28 colorful bible story pictures and stories
- information on each book of the Bible
- great verses to remember throughout
- shaded verses throughout to show where to read each story
One of the most important things parents and teachers can do for young children is to help develop in them an interest in and love for the Bible. This Bible is an excellent tool to help parents and children do just that. Extremely well done Holman Bible Publishers!
Read With Me Bible - An NIrV Story Bible for Children
Edited by - Doris Rikkers & Jean Syswerda
Illustrator - Dennis Jones
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 4 - 8Many preschool and early elementary age children enjoy being read to and reading for themselves - it is important to provide Bible story books which are accurate and interesting to help continue to build a strong love for God and His Word. This book is an excellent choice and is sure to be a favorite with kids!
Favorite Features:
- 106 Bible stories from the old and new testaments
- each story includes Scripture reference for where that story is found in the Bible
- colorful, interesting, fun illustrations - excellent!
- index to find stories about specific people
- dictionary
- easy to understand NIrV
This is a book every family with young children and every early childhood Sunday School classroom should have as it is very well put together - children will love it and will learn the Bible stories as well. Extremely well done Doris, Jean, Dennis and Zondervan Publishing!
When children outgrow Bible story books, they are ready for a "real" Bible. There are a number of excellent children's Bibles and we will look at a few of them. Whichever Bible you select, take the time to write a special message to your child inside the cover before you present it to them. When the day comes they are ready for a youth Bible, save their children's Bible so they will be able to pass it on to their own child someday.
Holy Bible - The Beginner's Bible
New International Reader's Version
Illustrator - James Leininger
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 2 - 10Favorite Features:
- easy to understand New International reader's Version
- 20 colorful pictures from "The Beginner's Bible"
- "ABC's" of salvation
- three ways to read the Bible by story, subject and Bible person
- each book has introduction and outline
- life in the New Testament information
- dictionary, who's who in the Bible and great verses to live by
This is a perfect first "real" Bible as it is easy to understand and is ideal for beginning readers. Very well done James and Zondervan Publishing!
NIV Young Discoverers Bible
New International Version
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 6 - 12Favorite Features:
- Old and New Testament time line - excellent
- each book begins with an introduction and outline
- colorful pictures throughout
- dictionary, concordance and maps
This Bible is one children will enjoy as it is a "real" Bible for "big" kids. Nicely done Zondervan Publishing!
Psalty's Kid's Bible
features written by - Ernie & Debby Rettino
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 4 - 8Favorite Features:
- in text notes with verses to memorize, songs and other features
- introduction to each book of the Bible
- New International Version
This Bible is one young children and beginning readers will enjoy. Nicely done Ernie, Debby and Zondervan Publishing!
NIrV Kid's Devotional Bible
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages 6 - 12Favorite Features:
- easy to read and understand NIrV
- one year of devotions specifically written for children to help them apply the Bible
- introductions to each book of the Bible
- dictionary and maps
This Bible helps children learn to read and understand their Bibles on a daily basis. Very nicely done Zondervan Publishing!
The New Adventure Study Bible for Kids
New International Version, King James Version & New Revised Standard Version
Features written by - Lawrence Richards
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 8 - 12Favorite Features:
- a real - and extremely well written - study Bible for kids
- in text notes and study helps
- information to help kids apply Scripture
- information on life in Bible times
- dictionary, concordance and maps
- Bible facts information
- 15 color pages with helpful information
- introductions to each Book in the Bible
- activities - things to make and do
If you want your children or class to learn to really study the Bible this is the perfect Bible for them as it is a real study Bible. Families, classes or individual kids will find this an excellent Bible to study. I highly recommend this Bible! Extremely well done Lawrence and Zondervan Publishing!
The Treasure Study Bible
Devotional writers - Carol Smith & Valerie Weidemann
New International Version
Publisher - BB Kirkbride Bible Co.
Ages - 8 - 12This is truly one of the best genuine Study Bible for children. We want children to learn to spend time in the Bible studying and learning - the study helps in this Bible are written to do exactly this! With the treasure hunt format, even boys will be interested and excited to study this Bible!
Favorite Features:
- NIV - easy to understand
- Treasure Hunt format is excellent and makes learning to study the Bible fun!
- over 500 treasure hunt topics
- daily Bible reading - every day for a year
- Treasure Chest at the end of each hunt helps with application
- each book begins with an introduction
This Bible is excellent for families to use together and for children to utilize on their own. Extremely well done Carol, Valerie and Kirkbride Bible Co.!
NIV Family Walk Devotional Bible
New International Version
Publishers - Walk Through the Bible Ministries and Zondervan PublishingAlong with parents, children and youth studying the Bible on their own, families also need to make a priority of studying God's Word Together. This excellent Bible was put together specifically to help families do exactly this!
Favorite Features:
- helpful information to help know how to use this Bible effectively
- introductions to each Book with outlines
- daily devotions for Monday - Friday and Weekends to last one year
- devotions include application activities and questions
- 19 colorful pages with key questions and answers
- reading plans
- index by subjects
I highly recommend this Bible for families to utilize together as it will help them grow closer together as they grow closer to God - the perfect way to develop strong and healthy family ties! Extremely well done Walk Through the Bible Ministries and Zondervan Publishing!
The Celebrate Jesus Millennium Bible
Devotions by - Calvin Miller
King James Version
Publisher - Holman Bible PublishersThis Bible is especially suited to use as a family Bible - one the family could read and study together and use to record important information and memories - particularly memories from the new year.
Favorite Features:
- strong focus on recording family memories
- 366 days of devotions
- introduction to each book of the Bible with ties to the plan of salvation
- verses in the Old Testament relating to Jesus/salvation highlighted in red
- words of Jesus in red
- colorful art work throughout
- timeline showing from creation through the life of Christ
For families who would like to study Scripture to gain a deeper understanding of Who Jesus Is and how they may know Him better. This is a Bible to help them do so. Very nicely done Calvin and Holman Bible Publishers!