–This original article by Lizzy Jeffers can be found here.
“Children grow up so fast.”
We’ve all heard some variation of this statement, especially when it comes to buying clothes or shoes that kids can wear for more than a month! Because children change so fast, how do you choose a Bible that will fit their growing reading levels?
At Fathom Church we will be reading primarily out of the English Standard Version of the Bible. And as Fathom Kids partners with parents to disciple kids, we would love for your kiddos to have their own Bible, and begin the habit of bringing them to church with them. Even if your child is too young to read, you might consider getting them their own Bible, and reading it to them.
Here is a list of ESV Bible resources for children and youth that can guide you in these decisions:
The Big Picture Story Bible
Ages 2–7
No child is too young to begin learning about the greatest love story of all—God’s love for his people, as portrayed in the Bible. David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker have together created a colorful book of Bible stories written especially for children ages 2–7. Rather than simply retelling portions of the Bible, this book presents the big picture—the unified story running through the Old and New Testaments.
Available Cover Options:
ESV Seek & Find Bible
Ages 5–9
This full-color children’s Bible combines the complete ESV Bible text with 130 vibrant illustrations of major Bible stories. Accompanying each full-page illustration is the Bible story itself, clearly and accurately retold for young readers. Each story includes a Key Bible Verse to memorize, Additional Readings for discovering more of the story throughout the Bible, and simple Reflection Questions to help children begin to understand and apply God’s Word.
Available Cover Options:
ESV Holy Bible for Kids
Ages 6–10
The ESV Holy Bible for Kids is an affordable edition made just for kids. Twenty-four pages of specially prepared content are interspersed throughout the full ESV Bible text. These pages include illustrations that depict major scenes in the story of redemption. Kid-friendly maps are featured in the back. Young children will love calling this Bible their own.
Available Cover Options:
ESV Kid’s Thinline Bible
Ages 7–12
The ESV Kid’s Thinline Bible was created to be a portable and child-friendly text Bible for children ages 7 – 12. It features an engaging cover and the complete ESV text. Helpful additional content includes a dictionary, Old and New Testament timeline art, and kid-friendly maps. “God’s Word for Me When…” and “God’s Word for Me About…” pages also help orient kids to key Scriptures on various topics.
Available Cover Options:
Forthcoming (March 2015) Cover Options:
ESV Kid’s Compact Bible
Ages 7–12
The ESV Kid’s Compact Bible was created to be a portable and child-friendly text Bible for children ages 7 – 12. It features an engaging cover and the complete ESV text. Helpful additional content includes a dictionary, Old and New Testament timeline art, and kid-friendly maps. “God’s Word for Me When…” and “God’s Word for Me About…” pages also help orient kids to key Scriptures on various topics.
Available Cover Options:
Forthcoming (March 2015) Cover Options:
ESV God Girl Bible
Ages 10–14
The God Girl Bible is now available in the ESV translation. This devotional Bible for teen girls features material prepared by Hayley and Michael DiMarco, bestselling authors of numerous books for youth. It encourages young women to study and apply the Bible text for themselves.
Available Cover Options:
ESV God Guy Bible
Ages 10–14
The God Guy Bible is now available in the ESV translation. This devotional Bible for teen guys features material prepared by Michael and Hayley DiMarco, who have been ministering to youth for years. The devotional and study materials are engaging design and easy for a younger audience to understand. More importantly, they point guys to the Bible as the foundation for all of life, fostering a love for God’s Word and a desire to know him better.
Available Cover Options:
ESV Student Study Bible
Ages 12 and up
The ESV Student Study Bible is ideally suited for students who are serious about God’s Word—who want to learn more about what the Bible teaches and how the Bible applies to all of life. With 12,000 clear, concise study notes, the ESV Student Study Bible provides numerous features—including nearly 900 “Did You Know?” facts, 120 new Bible character profiles, and 15 topical articles. It also features a glossary of key terms, more than 80 full-color maps and illustrations, an extensive concordance, and 80,000 cross-references.
Available Cover Options:
- Hardcover
- TruTone, Chocolate/Coral, Sash Design
- TruTone, Brown/Pink, Arc Design
- TruTone, Brown/Blue, Arrow Design
- TruTone, Navy
- TruTone, Taupe
- Cloth Over Board, Tan
- TruTone, Mahogany, Crown and Cross Design
ESV Holy Bible: Textbook Edition
Ages 12 and up
The ESV Holy Bible, Textbook Edition was designed for the classroom. It features the full ESV Bible text in a large, easy-to-read setting. Student-friendly features include full-page book introductions, a concordance, a glossary, and 32 pages of maps and illustrations. Schools and churches will appreciate that students can now study together God’s Word in the ESV translation from the same edition.