resources for effective children's ministry
Teachers volunteer their time and Christmas is an excellent time to take notice and thank them - consider involving the children and or parents of the children in class to go in together to present the teacher with a new Bible. Each student and/or parent could write a short note of appreciation inside the Bible before presenting it to the teacher. There are so many excellent study Bibles available so we will take a look at a few that would make excellent choices for teachers - youth and parents as well!
Life Application Study Bible
New International Version
Publisher - Zondervan PublishingThis is one of the most complete study Bibles available and is an excellent Bible for teachers, parents and teens who are serious about truly studying God's Word!
Favorite Features:
- complete introductions to each book of the Bible including timelines, overviews, outlines, key verses and people, themes and maps
- in text maps and charts - excellent!
- dictionary, concordance, words of Christ in red
- thorough notes in text to help with understanding and application - excellent!
- daily read through the Bible plan
- colorful, detailed maps
This is a truly excellent study Bible with resources to help the reader truly understand Scripture so real application can take place. I highly recommend this Bible! Extremely well done Zondervan Publishing!
The Knowing Jesus Study Bible
General Editors - Drs. Edward Hindson & Edward Dobson
New International Version
Publisher - Zondervan PublishingI personally enjoy Bibles with study devotionals built in - this one is unique as it takes you through the Bible seeing Jesus as the theme of the entire Bible.
Favorite Features:
- Philip Yancey's Top ten surprises about Jesus
- chart of Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled in Christ
- 365 daily devotions
- "Jesus Focuses" point out places throughout Scripture relating to Jesus the Messiah
- "Jesus and You" helps you apply truth relating to Jesus
- in text maps and charts
- concordance and maps
This study Bible is an excellent resource to help the reader truly learn Who Jesus Is. I highly recommend this Bible for teachers, parents and teens - it is also an excellent choice for families to utilize together to read through the Bible together over the coming year! Extremely well done Edward, Edward and Zondervan Publishing!
The NIV Study Bible
New International Version
Publisher - Zondervan PublishingThis is another excellent study Bible for teachers, parents and youth who are serious about Bible study.
Favorite Features:
- complete, thorough in text notes
- introductions to each book of the Bible with outlines
- cross-references
- concordance, charts & maps
- symbols relating to application, archaeology and character sketches
- words of Christ in red
I believe devotions are helpful to us in our growth, but serious Bible study is central to our understanding and applying Scripture This Bible is an excellent study Bible. Extremely well done Zondervan Publishing!
The Quest Study Bible
New International Version
Publisher - Zondervan PublishingThe "idea" behind this study Bible is unique and excellent! How many times have you read the Bible and wondered why about something? The Editors of "Christianity Today" and Zondervan Publishing saw the need for a study Bible designed to help answer these questions and so they gave more than 1000 people specific portions of the Bible to read and asked them to write the questions they had when they read their portion. Then these questions were answered and placed in text for an unique and excellent Study Bible!
Favorite Features:
- in text notes, 6000 questions and maps - excellent
- additional in text articles to further answer questions
- maps
- charts
- time lines
- introductions to each Book of the Bible
I highly recommend the Quest Study Bible for teachers, parents and teens. It is an excellent Study Bible, one that will be used much. Extremely well done Zondervan Publishing!
The New Scofield Study Bible
New International Version, King James Version
Publisher - Oxford University PressThe Scofield Bible has long been recognized as an excellent choice for those who would like to study their Bible.
Favorite Features:
- in text notes and maps
- chain reference system
- concordance and maps
- introductions and outlines for each Book of the Bible
- words of Christ in red
The New Scofield is an excellent choice for teachers, parents and teens who want to study their Bible. The in text notes and maps make studying the Bible more enjoyable - very well done Oxford University Press!
The Open Bible - New Living Translation
Publisher - Thomas Nelson
This Bible is an excellent choice for teachers, parents, and teens as it is a genuine study Bible in the easy to understand translation of the New Living Bible and has the benefit of all the excellent study helps of the Open Bible.Favorite Features:
- information on how to study the Bible
- Biblical Cyclopedic Index - very complete and includes word studies
- introductions for each Book of the Bible with information on the Book, Author, Time setting and how Jesus is shown or foreshadowed as well as outlines
- in text notes and maps
- study helps throughout
- time lines through each Book with maps
- help for Christian Workers
- dictionary, concordance and maps
There are many Bibles for devotional reading - this is one of the excellent few truly designed to help us genuinely study the Bible. This is a Bible easy to read and understand and will therefore encourage application. Extremely well done Thomas Nelson!
The Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New International Version, King James Version
Publisher - Kirkbride Bible Company
The Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible is one of the most thorough study Bibles and is an excellent choice for teachers, parents and teens who are serious about Bible study.Favorite Features:
- Words of Christ in red
- extensive "chain" system to aid in studying the Bible
- outline studies of the Bible
- outline and analysis for each Book of the Bible
- character studies
- maps and illustrations
- concordance
- excellent atlas
The abundance of resources and helps included in this Bible make it an excellent choice for those who truly want to study their Bibles - not just read it for devotions. It is designed to encourage genuine Bible study, understanding and application. Extremely well done Krikbride Bible co.!