Children's Bible and Devotionals we use.

These are some of our devotional and Bible materials.

100 Ways to Know God Loves Me! (100 songs to love Him back) - by Stephen Elkins

Our favourite devotional for Samuel, who is two and a half years old, is this book by Elkins.  It's a bit pricey at $20, but for that you get a hardcover book and 2 cds.  On the left hand page is a full-colour illustration of a Biblical story or principle, and on the right page is a picture illustrating the same story but set in a modern time.  There is an easy to remember Bible verse, a memory cue (ex. I know God loves me because he gives me a family), and a short paragraph that explains the story.  It's a great jumping off point for a discussion, or simply a short 'something' to follow on days where there isn't a chance to delve any further.  The cds have a song that matches with each story and have a great collection of both traditional and more modern hymns, all sung by children.

A Little Child's First Bible

This was Samuel's first Bible, and it's still the one we look at the most.  I like the board book format because it stands up to a two year old boy's enthusiastic page flipping, and the stories are short and simple.  I also like how it follows the Bible format, starting with Genesis and ending with the Easter story.

The Picture Bible

Both of the children have a copy of this Bible that the church gave them at their dedication.  It's too old for Samuel right now, and probably won't be age-appropriate until he's about 8 or so and able to read comics, because that's the format it's in.  I like the 1950's style illustrations, in fact we have a comic-style version of the life of Jesus for the children to use when they're older as well, but at this point Samuel only flips through it and points out pictures.

The Veggie Tales Values To Grow By Series

Samuel likes the Veggie Tales movies and these books have the same characters.  They are aimed at a child older than Samuel, and so we do look through them but can't quite make it through an entire story at this point.  They're printed by Scholastic, and are hardcover, large books with large print and the same bright illustrations that the movies have.  Each story focuses on a specific character trait, like being dependable.

The Amazing Travels of Wannabe Series

Wannabe is a little boy who goes on adventures looking for a positive trait like kindness, courage or forgiveness, and finds them in the Lord.  They're simple stories that appeal to the two to three year old age range.

Stories by Stephen Cosgrove

These are individual hardcover stories published in the 80s, and each book tells a story that ends with a rhyme that explains the lesson behind the story.  They aren't specifically Christian, but we really like them.  Some of the lessons are about hard work, not showing off, taking care of the environment, being true to yourself and listening.

I Love to Look!  by Gospel Light's Baby Beginnings

These are Bible story picture cards in a book format.  Each card is laminated and on the front has a story picture, and on the back gives a story, a verse, a prayer, references, ideas on how to talk about the story and a game that illustrates the story.  We haven't tried using them yet, but I'm hoping to use them as a way to reach both children at their own levels at the same time.