How to Use a Bible
Sometime in late childhood or the
early teen years, a young person graduates, cognitively, from colorful Bible
storybooks to the real thing. Many parents purchase a full-text Bible for their
children at this time, or it comes as a gift at a time of Confirmation or other
religious milestone.
But too many times, children receive
the wrong kind of a Bible at this transition stage - too childish, or too
grown-up. "Tweenies" who are between childhood and the full-blown teenager
years might resent a children's Bible at this time. But an adult's Bible is too
starchy and serious, for the most part. Also, many parents fail to teach their
children how to use a Bible at this important time when the child is ready to
become an independent Bible reader. So quite often, it just sits on a shelf.
The key for most people is knowing
how to find answers in the Bible and how to apply its truths directly to one's
own life. That's why a standard Bible might not be the best at this age; their
study notes are usually addressed to adult concerns. There are many Bibles
especially for preteens and teens that are worth looking at, especially for the
life applications and commentaries that often come with them, targeted at
youth.
It's boring to just read verse after
verse without being able to apply the truths to real life. Just as school work
needs to be relevant for the middle-schooler, Bible reading must be guided and
productive to keep the young person satisfied, intrigued, and coming back for
more.
That's a lot easier when the text is
age-appropriate - in print that's not too small, set in columns that are easy
to read. Kids just do not read as well today as in the past, so it's a good
idea to choose a Bible that's as readable as possible. It might be best to go
with your child and shop carefully together at a Christian bookstore. And keep
in mind that there are fans of the various Bible versions, but you just can't
beat the King James Version for beauty and accuracy.
Also a help is a concordance, or expanded
index, that can help the young person find verses that pertain to a particular
question, say on honesty or salvation or sexual purity. If the Bible you select
doesn't have quite a few pages of cross-referencing help, purchase a separate
concordance. If your child gets into it, you can always purchase a Bible
dictionary or any number of Bible commentaries with more information and
reference assistance.
Your
minister would be a great source of help in designing an independent Bible
study course of action with your youngster, or enroll in a Bible study course
with kids his or her age.
It doesn't
matter whether your child is in the Word first thing in the morning, last thing
at night, or any time in between. It doesn't matter whether your child reads one
verse a day, or three chapters. The most important thing is to get that young
mind engaged with the Good Book. You'll be glad you did.
By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • Heart Lessons
004 • © 2006