Ever since I read this article, I’ve been wanting to talk with y’all about it. These statistics on biblical illiteracy reveal a sad state of affairs. Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli put the problem squarely: “Americans revere the Bible–but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.” We don’t know the Bible and our children don’t know the Bible. Albert Mohler emphasized the impact not knowing has by saying, “We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs.” Putting the adults aside for the purpose of this article, let’s just focus on talking about the little ones for a minute. Friends, oh how we’re missing out! Remember, it is our responsibility and our joy as parents to teach Biblical truths to our children. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) In our family, we’ve used the Bible and probably a dozen or so books or Bible storybooks over the years to teach our children God’s Word. I’ve narrowed the list down to our 7 favorites to share with you. I really think you’re gonna like these books:
1. The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New – The author invites children to study God and learn important Biblical truths through simple stories, drawings, and Bible readings. The book contains 71 chapters with intriguing drawings, a parent guide, a glossary, and discussion questions. Just last night, we read how faith is like root beer with two parts – belief and repentance. My oldest wasn’t home for our reading, but my seven year old was able to tell him about it this morning. Why? Because it was memorable.
2. Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God – The foreword written by the author’s daughter describes this book as Theology 101 for children and necessary, because “We need to understand these doctrines in order to understand life correctly.” And that in a nutshell is what I hope to impress upon my children by teaching them to appreciate and study doctrine. It’s not just head knowledge, it informs every part of our lives.
3. The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden – If there’s a way to encapsulate the story of the Bible for children to understand without losing the awe inspiring truth of grace, this book does it. Read the story and travel from the garden through to the new heaven and earth with gorgeous pictures as your companion. We wanted to read one chapter a night, but my littles always wanted more. 🙂
4. Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God – This catechism for young ones goes bit by bit through the foundations of the Christian faith asking children to memorize the answers to foundational doctrine questions. It’s divided into 36 chapters which include catechism questions, a short story, comprehension questions, and a prayer prompt based on scripture. And it is wonderful.
5. What is Prayer? – This series of Little Blessings books also includes Who is Jesus? , Why is There a Cross? , Who Made the World? and more. The books answer the questions with scriptural truth and sweet pictures. Each Bible verse is listed in the back, so the conversation can continue after the book is over. If you have a preschooler or younger, start here. My 19-month old had me reading What is Prayer? to him on repeat today.
6. The Lamb – See how the Old Testament sacrifice of the unblemished lamb foreshadowed the New Testament sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, in this simple, 10 chapter storybook. The beautiful illustrations help draw you in to the story.
7. This is an honorable mention of sorts to The Action Bible, because while it’s not teaching doctrine per say, all of our children have loved and learned so much Old Testament history through its reading.
While these go on the shelf when we’re done reading them, we always circle back around to read them again. At the same time, we’re always happy to add to our stack, so please do share your favorites in the comments! 🙂
And just one last note, since we’ve started these conversations with our littles, they’ve learned Biblical truths and a few more things too: 1. We can talk about spiritual matters together. 2. The Bible has answers. and 3. The Bible can handle our questions. (Revelation 22:13)
Hi Beth! I went to my first cc info meeting last night and dreamed about it last night. Lol. My little boy is 5 and will be starting school in the fall and I’m researching homeschool. I also have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 3. This model seems to be where I’m leaning in hopes of having all of my children learn together. I see the list of books above re Bible. Can you pinpoint which may be best for the youngest kids? Also how do you incorporate Charlotte Mason with CC? I’m new to all of this and overwhelmed. Thanks for putting yourself out there for us navigating mamas!
Hi Traci! Thanks for writing. 🙂 I’d probably say The Ology or Big Truths for Little Kids. But, your girls would probably love the question books – What is Prayer?, etc too. Tell me which you pick and what you think! Re: Charlotte Mason, the biggest things I’d say is we include Charlotte Mason where the two approaches kind of run together — reading lots of good books for each subject (we use Ambleside Online’s lists during the school year), nature study, and simple, but careful work – like copywork. Does that make sense? If I can explain it more, please tell me! And I’m excited about your first year. Homeschooling is hard, but really lovely and I can’t imagine not doing it now. 🙂
Oh & we also include handicrafts, which is Charlotte Mason-y. 🙂 Here’s my post about how we do that – http://pocketsfullofrocks.com/2015/12/handicrafts-we-love-in-our-classical-education/
We recently started reading Training Hearts and Teaching Minds by Starr Meade after I read her Give them Truth book. I would highly recommend adding both of those to your list. The first book goes through the shorter westminster catechism with daily devotionals and scripture reading. It has been refreshing for our family. And since you do CC, I am sure you will appreciate the question answer format of the catechism. 😉
How did I miss this comment? I don’t know! But, thanks for the great suggestions, Katie! 🙂 I will check them both out.
Hi Beth!
I was called to homeschool and pulled my twin boys out of grade 1 last year. They were in separate classes, both of them not moving all day and staring off into space. (So sad!!) So, I pulled them out and we “really started” this August. I was going to follow Ambleside online, I love Charlotte Mason, but at the last minute found CC. They didn’t have enough attention to sit through the CC morning, so we’re going it alone (With help from websites and people like you! And I subscribed to CC).
Anyway – all that to say, I have my 2 x 7 year olds who have attention issues, and learning issues. My eldest is advanced and in grade 4, also being home-schooled for the first time.
So, with that background…. knowing its very difficult to get the group attention – which of the above books would you recommend?
The twins are very ill behaved (hit one another, call names etc… but I think its because of their social pragmatic disorder… we didn’t know they weren’t understanding all the “teaching” we provided when they were little) Because it wasn’t literal. (think putting a finger to your mouth, or giving a ‘look’ – neither would have meaning to them). So, we really need to infuse them with loving one another, loving God, loving themselves etc.. Heart issues. (They’ll watch superbook on t.v.)
I tried to be concise, sorry for the lengthiness. I appreciate your input! Thanks for pouring into your website and so many lives!
Sheila, I’m so sorry for the delayed response. I’m just not on my blog nearly enough these days. 🙂 Great question – My inclination is The Biggest Story or The Lamb. They’re both more storybook, which would hopefully work to grab their attention. But they’re also full of such great truths that you’d have lots of things to discuss if you wanted after reading.
How’s your year going so far? How’s doing CC at home working for you? Blessings to you & your crew in your first year. I’m excited for you!