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Children and the Bible - Finding the way

 What is the Bible?

For a child whose Bible experience consists of a collection of disjointed stories, trying to piece those stories together is a bit like trying to build a puzzle without the picture.

If children are not shown the 'big picture' of the Bible, they will struggle to understand how the stories interconnect.

To answer a child's question, 'What is the Bible?' a summary, which can be read in 30 minutes, will help them see the big picture. Download and print an overview of the Bible (see below).

What is the Bible?

  • The Bible is a Light (or lamp) that helps us find the Way in this dark world of sin. God's Word keeps us from stumbling and helps us stay on the path of life. Psalm 119:105, Psalm 16:11, John 14:6, Ephesians 6:12
  • The Bible is a storehouse of Seed—the Seed of Truth that falls on our hearts as we hear the Word of Jesus. The Word of truth brings a harvest of righteousness. Luke 8:11, 2 Corinthians 9:10
  • The Bible is a Sword. It is the Sword the Spirit that can cut through all the excuses we make, and the doubts we have—the things that get wrapped around our hearts. Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 1:13
  • The Bible is the Word of God. It is the inspired, written Word that becomes the living Word as the Holy Spirit makes it come alive in our hearts. The Word brings life. John 8:51, John 5:25, 1 Peter 1:23
  • The Bible is Truth—the ultimate Truth that can never be changed and that will never end. John 17:17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Mark 13:31, Revelation 22:18-19

The Bible is also called:

  • The Law - (Matthew 12:5)
  • The Scriptures - (Matthew 21:42)
  • The Sword of the Spirit - (Ephesians 6:17)
  • The Word of God - (Mark 7:13)
  • The Word of Christ - (Colossians 3:16)
  • The Word of the Lord - (1 Peter 1:25)
  • The Word of Life - (Philippians 2:16)
  • The Word of Truth - (Ephesians 1:13) 

Importance

The Bible...

  • helps us say no to sin when we are tempted to do wrong.
    (Psalm 119:111)
  • helps our faith grow stronger. (Romans 10:17)
  • helps us to walk in the way of truth by showing us right from wrong. (Psalm 119:30, 105)
  • helps us learn more about God. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
  • helps us give a reason (answer) to those who want to know about our faith—what we believe. (1 Peter 3:15)
  • helps us know what God wants us to do when we are faced with a choice. (Psalm 25:4-5)
  • encourages us by reminding us of God’s promises and faithfulness. (Psalm 138:2)

Bible facts

  • The Bible consists of the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT).
  • The word ‘testament’ means ‘covenant’ or ‘contract.’  The word ‘Bible’ comes from Latin biblia, meaning ‘books.’
  • There are 66 Books in the Bible: 39 in the Old Testament; 27 in the New Testament. (Download a Books of the Bible craft.)
  • The Bible was written over a period of about 1500 years—from 1450 B.C. to about 95 A.D.
  • The Bible was written by over 40 different authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
  • The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It was first translated into English in 1382 A.D., by John Wycliffe, and has now been translated into over 2000 languages.
  • The Bible was the first book to be printed on a printing press in 1454 A.D. by Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the press.
  • The longest book in the Bible is Psalms.
  • The shortest book in the Bible is 2 John.
  • The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.
  • The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.
  • The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9.
  • The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35.
  • The Bible remains the best-selling book in the world.