Bibles for Children - the Story for Children

I've been spending time looking at some of the many Bibles on the market for children. If your church gives Bibles to children, these reviews will be helpful for you. If you do not give Bibles to children, then as parents ask which Bible they should give their child, hopefully you will find the information in these reviews - and in the side-by-side chart which I'll release at the end of my review - to be helpful resources for you and for the parents in your ministry! Today I'll take a look at the Story for Children from Zonderkidz.

The Story for Children is part of the Story products from Zondervan and provide a unique opportunity for the entire family to spend time learning of and understanding God's story and where we "fit" in His Story! As Zondervan says, "The Story is helping people in churches everywhere experience Scripture like never before. Carefully selected verses from the Bible are organized chronologically. From Genesis to Revelation, your church members will come to understand God’s story and how their stories intersect with it."

The Story for Children
Author - Max Lucado with Randy Frazee and Karen Hill
Illustrator - Fausto Bianchi
Publisher - Zonderkidz

Ages: 4-8

This is the type of book which is perfect for families to read together as it will help them  see the Bible as a "photo album of words" which shows us how God worked in the real lives of real people - people just like us - and how He wants to work in their lives, too!The Story for Children is an excellent book to help families introduce young children to God and His Word! This is also an excellent choice for a Bible storybook to have in your children's classrooms at church. As the authors say, "When our children are young we secure them with seat belts and snap them into swim vests. We schedule regular checkups, show them how to floss and make sure they get plenty of rest. We teach them right from wrong, urge caution when crossing the street. Our job: Their safety and well-being. We want our children to live healthy, full lives. When it comes to our children's eternal lives, we guide them to the anchor of our faith: God's Word. We fill their young spirits with the stories of old: faithful Abraham, courageous Daniel, lyrical David, obedient Mary. We do what generations of parents before us have done: pass down to our children the legacy of God's Holy Word. In this collection of great Bible stories, we continue that tradition, while adding some interpretive thoughts to help children grasp God's grand plan for their own lives. Our goal? To show each one of us has a unique place in a much larger story. We want your children to see Scripture is more than a collection of fascinating characters, thrilling adventures and dramatic encounters. We want them to accept God's purpose in creating them, His desire to reunite with them and his incomparable, amazing love for them. Our prayer is that these stories will compel your child's fascination with Scripture, lay a foundation for a life of faith and remind them: 'the Word of God is living and active  . . .' Hebrews 4:12 (NIrV) In the meantime, keep buckling,, snapping, flossing . . . and most of all keep praying for the little souls in your care."

I love the colorful illustrations, I love the design of the book . . . walking through the Scriptures chronologically . . . and the stories selected to highlight in this book; but most of all I love the "God's Message" at the end of each story. Consider the "God's Message" at the end of the creation account . . . "You are my greatest creation. Looking at you is better than looking at an ocean view. Watching you run and play is better than watching beautiful animals dart across the African plain. Seeing a smile on your face is better than seeing a sunrise. You are my pride and joy."  The "God's Message" from the account of the resurrection . . . "When My Son was born, the angels sang a chorus of glad tidings to the world: a Savior is born. Now, He is re-born and, once again, an angel proclaims the good news. He is risen from the dead! Share it with everyone! Christ is risen! Hallelujah!"

The Story for Children is absolutely a book for families to read through, learn and rejoice in together as they discover God's Story and their "place" in His story! Zondervan has released an entire line of The Story products - one for everyone in the family!