Tabitha Heathcote thinks these three Bibles make a great complementary set for Christian parents to use with their children as they grow
Scripture, the Word of God, the Bible is the most important and influential book ever written. It still hits bestseller lists worldwide and continues to breathe life into individuals, shaping the world.
However, there is a rising generation of children, youth, and young adults who know very little about the content and life-shaping power of the Bible.
In January 2014, the Bible Society conducted a study that showed:
- “Two in five children (41%) have never had Bible stories read to them.
- More than half of children (over 50%) never, or less than once a year, read Bible stories at school or home.
- 45% of parents say they never read Bible stories to their child.”
We can change those statistics!
Think about the impact we can make by encouraging parents to read the Bible with their children and letting their children see them reading the Bible.
Where to Begin…
Whether you are just starting Bible reading, personally and at home, or want to recommend a Bible to someone else, it can be hard to know where to begin. It’s incredible that there are so many options available, but that can also feel overwhelming.
The Bible is more than just a book; it’s the foundation of our faith, the guide for our lives, and the source of our hope
As a family, we are blessed to have a lot of Bibles in our home—tried, tested, and loved. There isn’t a bad Bible out there, but these are the three I would recommend because they continue to shape the childhood and faith of our children daily.
- Candle Bible for Toddlers (2006) - Ages 0-4
- God’s Big Promises Bible (2023) - Ages 2-6
- Hands-On Bible (2010) - Ages 6-12
Remember, the Bible—no matter its translation—is for everyone. The Word, translated into “child” language, can transform the way adults encounter the Bible, too.
The Candle Bible for Toddlers
Originally published in 2006, this Bible is designed to captivate toddlers with its simple round-faced illustrations and easy-to-read stories. The ratio of pictures to words is perfect for eager listeners who like to help turn the page. All three of our children have devoured this Bible, choosing it above their other books to read, look at, travel with, and fall asleep to. It has now been read cover to cover so many times that the cover is held together with layers of duct tape. The only downside to this Bible is that it has paper pages, and, as most children do, the pages get torn. The first time Malachi ripped out one of the pages, he chose the moment where sin entered the world—if only it were that easy!
God’s Big Promises Bible
New to the shelves in 2023, this children’s Bible is brilliant! A must-have for any bookshelf, young or old. The illustrations are outstanding, and the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is absolutely true with these pictures. It is refreshing to see an ethnically diverse portrayal of the biblical characters. Although my boys always want to read it cover to cover—our family tradition—this Bible has been designed to engage children as they grow, following different tracks and themes throughout the Bible. This brings new relevance and understanding to the Bible stories and shows how God makes and keeps his promises. If you want a Bible that goes beyond just children’s stories, this is the Bible for you.
The Hands-on Bible
At three years old, Malachi asked, “Can I have a Bible with ALL the words?” Who was I to say no? The Hands-On Bible, first published in 2010, uses the NLT translation, intermingled with thought points, experiences, activities, and a few images to break up the text. There are so many options for colour, style, and texture to choose from, which helps give the child a sense of ownership. I believe every child should be able to access the whole Bible. The Bible is far more than just stories—it is not just for kids. Letting children experience all the words sets the Bible apart from the rest of the books they encounter.
Read more:
Step In - Premier’s new Bible podcast for children provides a rich resource for Christian parents
Clever Club Bible Bingo: A great game to help children learn and meditate on Bible stories
The Serpent and The Seed: An online game that is a beautiful, generous gift to the world
No matter what Bible you share with your children, grandchildren, or church children, the most important thing is to read it together. Sharing the Word of God with our children is the best way to guide, equip, and ground them in truth. I encourage you to set aside regular time to share the Word with each other—whether at breakfast time, bedtime, or somewhere in between.
In our home, we end our day with family Bible time, using one of the above Bibles. In addition, my husband and I begin the day with a Bible study, often using an audio commentary with our physical Bibles in front of us. We do this with our children at the table as well! They’ve learned that for 10 minutes while the commentary is on, it’s quiet time, and they can only ask questions about what they hear. It’s a discipline they’ve had to learn, but nine times out of ten, we make it through. Over time, they’ve also begun to ask questions about what they hear—sometimes very profound ones that challenge us, too. We’ve had interesting discussions about Revelation and the dragon!
We have seen the hunger for God’s Word increase, the comfort of the Word sustain them, and the truths from the Word shape them.
Let the Word Transform You
The Bible is more than just a book; it’s the foundation of our faith, the guide for our lives, and the source of our hope. As we make the Bible a part of our daily routine—whether through reading it, discussing it, or living it—we invite its transformative power into our homes. When we share it with the next generation, we are not only passing on stories but the very truths that can shape their hearts, minds, and futures.
The journey of introducing children to the Bible doesn’t end with reading the stories; it continues in the ways we live out those stories, let the Word guide our decisions, and model faith in everyday moments. Together, we can raise a generation rooted in the Word of God, equipped to face the challenges of life with truth, grace, and hope.
So, let’s make the commitment to read and share the Bible with the children in our lives. Let’s encourage one another to set aside time, to talk about God’s promises, and to cultivate a hunger for his Word that will last a lifetime.
The impact is immeasurable, and the fruit eternal.
