The Bible is living and active, full of promises to encourage and give us hope, and stories of God’s provision and faithfulness.

In eKidz, we want kids to LOVE reading their Bible!  Each weekend we dig into the Bible and teach God’s Word in ways that are fun, engaging, and relevant to kids!

But it can be hard to choose a Bible that’s just right for your child.  A quick search of an online bookstore yielded more than 600 different Bibles for children!

Sam Luce, a Children’s Pastor at Redeemer Church in Utica, New York, wrote a great blog post called Helping Your Kids Love The Bible: Stay One Bible Ahead.  He explains the importance of choosing a Bible that is appropriate for your child and one that will capture their attention and imagination.

Helping Your Kids Love the Bible: Stay One Bible Ahead by Sam Luce

One of the keys to helping kids love their bible – stay one bible ahead of them.

I have this theory (I have lots of little theories) Kids don’t love their Bibles because we keep them in a Bible that is to young for them for to long. Why do we do this?

We attach sentiment to the Bible they currently have.

We want to keep them babies forever.

We don’t know what Bibles are out there.

One of the best kids Bibles ever written is the “Jesus Storybook Bible”. I gave it to my oldest son around a year and half ago. We have read each story at least 3 or four times each I started noticing something in the fall. He was becoming more interested in Harry Potter and Lego’s than he was in the Bible. I knew it was time for a change. I started looking for a new Bible.

My son was asking about Harry Potter I told him that I don’t really like witches. To which he said why? I told him I don’t like them because they try to do things without God’s help. We all do that sometimes witches do it more often. I then told him there are witches in the Bible, he didn’t believe me, I told him there are dragons, and stories of people getting killed with swords while on the toilet. He didn’t believe me because non of those stories where in his kids bible. I then knew getting a new Bible need to happen soon. I searched and I found the perfect Bible for my boy – it’s called “The Action Bible”.  The Action Bible is basically a revamp of The Picture Bible. It is done in cartoon style so kids can see the story unfold. It is the perfect transition Bible to one full of words.

I wrapped up my son’s new Bible and I was a bit nervous. He unwrapped it and didn’t react too much. I explained that this Bible had more stories than his last one. There were witches, battles, and dragons. His eyes were huge. I started reading him the story of the witch of Endor, The dragon in Revelation, the story of Jesus casting demons into the pigs, and the valley of the dry bones (did I mention my oldest is a boy). When we were in the middle of the second story he looked up at me and said “Dad, I love my Bible.” It was right then and there my newest theory was formed. This Bible is a bit older for my son but it’s perfect. I think the reason many kids don’t love their Bible is their parents don’t stay one Bible ahead.

Am I sad my oldest has outgrown the Jesus Storybook Bible, Yes. Am I glad he loves his Bible? You betcha.

Looking for a Bible for your child?  Check out our recommendations:

Toddlers
My Giant Fold-Out Bible Stories

The Beginner’s Bible for Toddlers

Preschool
The Beginner’s Bible

The Jesus Storybook Bible (ages 4 – 8 )

Elementary
The Jesus Storybook Bible (ages 4 – 8 )

Day by Day Kids Bible (ages 7 and up)

The Action Bible (ages 9-12)

The Adventure Bible (ages 9 and up)

BIBLE GIVEAWAY:  As you find a Bible that is just right for your child, we want to give away The Adventure Bible to 5 people! To enter for a chance to win an Adventure Bible, simply retweet this post by using the hashtag #OneBibleAhead or post a comment on this blog post by April 20, 2012.