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It has been a while since I’ve had a consistent Bible reading routine. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve had any desire to read Scripture. When the grief of a lot of stacked-up losses hit, maintaining many of my routines or rhythms felt difficult, especially in the faith space. I felt sad and burnt out. Because of this, my spiritual disciplines looked different in that season.
The ways I was encountering Jesus were mostly through periods of silence and solitude, of getting away and getting quiet, moving my body and having fun.
Now that I feel myself transitioning into a new season, I’m reevaluating my current spiritual rhythms and thinking about what I want to add back in, and how I want to do that. I’ve been trying to ease into things, to take what I learned during my season of solitude and sabbath, and let those revelations guide me as I build new rhythms in this new season.
While I have started to feel drawn back to Scripture in minimal doses, I have also felt hesitant. Spiritual burnout lingers, and words still feel like too much sometimes.
I’ve needed an entry point, a way to get back into reading my Bible without feeling overwhelmed.
As a compromise, I’ve been reading from a children’s Bible. A large, colorful volume caught my eye at the library one day, so I checked it out and brought it home. I began reading it in the evenings, just a chapter or two. After renewing it way too many times, I finally bought my own copy.
I’m still working through it, still reading through the stories of the Old Testament, but it’s a practice I’m grateful for, and one I think other adults can benefit from too.
The benefits of reading a children’s Bible
Despite their designation as “children’s Bibles” not all of these books on the market are just for children. Many of them are designed to be read as families and are written in a way to minister to all ages, if we let them.
So if you’re considering a different way to approach the Bible in this season, here are 4 benefits to reading a children’s Bible as an adult:
1. Children’s Bibles present the Gospel using simple language
There is something beautiful about how scriptural truths are presented in a children’s Bible. It makes biblical ideas more accessible. Passages that can sometimes bog us down are simplified in their language.
These books seek to remove the obstacles of understanding in order to present Scripture in an easy to understand way.
2. Children’s Bibles present a focused message
Children’s Bibles tend to be simple to read and focused in their message. While the aim of a children’s Bible is not to be a word for word translation of the Scriptures (at least not the storybook Bibles), they do stay true to the overarching narrative of the Bible as a whole. They also usually focus on one theme or thread that ties all of the familiar Bible stories together.
Tracking a particular theme through the whole narrative of Scripture can be helpful in seeing how all 66 books connect and tell the same story of God’s love.
3. Children’s Bibles use visual representations to share the Gospel message
One thing you’ll find in children’s Bibles that you won’t generally find in regular Bibles is the inclusion of illustrations. The children’s Bible I’m reading is this season, I chose in part because of the art.
Children’s writers know that visuals are just as important to a child’s understanding as the written word, but adults too can benefit from visual representations of the biblical message. Sometimes, when words are too much, spending time looking at the artwork can be a sweet time with the Lord.
4. Children’s Bibles can be less intimidating
The Bible can feel like a lot. A lot of words and chapters and books to read. A lot of historical and cultural and literary context we don’t always understand. It can be overwhelming and intimidating to begin reading or get back into reading the Bible.
Children’s Bibles provide a good starting/restarting point for Bible reading. They tend to be shorter and are organized into easy-to-read sections.
While a children’s Bible is no replacement for the full inspired Word of God, they can be a little easier to approach in certain seasons.
Which children’s Bibles are good for adults
There are several children’s Bibles on the market, many of which I have not had the pleasure of perusing yet, but there are two that I’d recommend if you’re interested in experimenting with adding a children’s Bible into your devoted routine.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones is a beautiful entry into using a children’s Bible as an adult.
Before my sabbatical, I had a regular Advent rhythm of reading through the Jesus Storybook Bible. Each day I’d read a story and add a coordinating ornament to a small Christmas tree in my bedroom. I loved the poetic way the author retold the narrative of Scripture through the lens of Jesus’ love. I loved the quirky illustrations. I loved the simplicity and brevity of that little book.
During my time working in a Christian bookstore, it was often one I’d recommend, even for adults, because it had been so meaningful for me.
I’m also really enjoying reading through the Biggest Story Bible Storybook from Kevin DeYoung. This is a chonky Bible with beautiful art.
If you’re looking for a children’s Bible that’s a little meatier, this is a solid choice. It walks through all of the Scripture, beyond just the familiar Sunday School Stories. I also like that at the end of each chapter, there is a short prayer for reflection, meditation, or confession.
If you’re struggling to grasp the overall narrative of Scripture, this would be a good starting place, as it tracks God’s movement and presence canonically through the Old and New Testaments.
I believe all of Scripture is important, and I think it is a wonderful pursuit to read through the entirety of the Bible at least once in your life. We get the fullness of the Scripture narrative that way.
But in the same way that we need to have variety in our meals, having variety in how we approach Scripture is important and impactful. It helps us encounter God’s Word in new, fresh ways.
Reading a children’s Bible has been a surprisingly enjoyable way for me to approach the biblical story in this season.
For those looking to get into or get back to reading Scripture, for those struggling to understand what they are reading, or those simply looking to connect with God’s Word a little differently, spending a bit of time reading a children’s Bible might be life-giving in this season.
So what do you think? Will you be trying out a children’s Bible in your personal devoted time?
