How to Choose a Bible for 9- to 12-Year-Olds

Your pre-teen is on a road to discovery about himself and the world around him. A good, easy-to-understand Bible will help prepare him for his journey.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bible
• Holy Bible: Spirit Filled Life Bible For Students
• NIV Life Application Study Bible
• The International Student Bible For Catholics
• The New Adventure Bible
• The Ryrie Study Bible
• The Treasure Study Bible

1. Select a Bible with a sturdy cover and binding. A binding that is sewn instead of glued will hold up under extreme handling.

2. Study the various versions of the Bible. See tips for a few versions.

3. Choose a Bible with good study tools such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, charts, and a cross-reference.

4. Pick a Bible with a small section to be used for family history and the family tree.

5. Decide if you want artwork and illustrations included with the text.

Tips & Warnings

• The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is written in clear, simple English at the fifth-grade reading level.
• God's Word Bible uses natural English expressions and is written at the sixth-grade reading level.
• The New American Bible (NAB) is written in American English at the seventh-grade reading level.
• The New Century Version/International Children's Bible (NCV/ICB) is very easy to read and can be read by those with fourth-grade reading proficiency.
• The New International Reader's Version uses simple, short words and sentences and is for third-grade readers.
• The New Living Translation (NLT) has commonly used words and language at the sixth-grade reading level.
• The Message Bible is easy to read and uses paraphrased modern language.
• The King James Version (KJV) uses Elizabethan English at the twelvth-grade reading level.

[ant4nrbeauty]

on 2/18/2009 No reason to think todays kids aren't smart enough to read King James version of the bible.It will help them as they grow up to know what the bible says and its more confusing to use lots of newer versions which have meanings changed by changing words.Never hurts to pray and ask for input from above.

[jennigrant]

on 12/29/2008 I use "The One Year Devotions for Boys" for my two boys ages 10 and 12. It's a devotional book - with Scripture throughout. Although there is an image of sports on the cover, it's for all boys (one of mine is very into sports, the other not so much). My 8 year old daughter uses Devos for Girls from the same series and really likes it. These devotional books use a few translations - I think both use NIV (New International Version) and the New Living Translation and I think sometimes the New King James Version too. To get an idea of the differences (in terms of readability), go to www.biblegateway.com and put in any verse and then compare the various versions. See what you or your kids most connect with... Hope that helps.

[Teachforever]

on 11/16/2008 GodDelusion, please do not target persons of faith with your rhetoric. If you disagree with people of faith, why not disagree in a respectful manner, rather than calling our sacred and holy book things that are not kind. We are still taught to love you even if you have no belief in God.