Where do we begin teaching the Bible to Children? In effect, many think it is too much, too heavy, and our kids cannot understand. On this note, some parents feel the children will be intimidated and scared seeing the size of the book with some very challenging words. The Bible too is meant for children. Jesus himself enjoins us “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them” (Matthew 19:14).
Children are a blessing from the Lord. With these blessings also come responsibilities. As stewards of God’s
children, parents are responsible for helping children grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. The Bible is also for Children. But, like any other discipline, we need to teach them the Bible in their own way. We need to guide and direct them. Parents are encouraged to teach God’s law “when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 11:19).
The Children’s Illustrated Bible is an endeavour to teach children the Bible in a fun and effective way. This first volume treats the story of cousins. By this, we mean Jesus and John the Baptist. It is taken from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Saint Luke. The illustrations help the children to kind of connect with the stories. It is our wish that the teachings to these children may “fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” (Deuteronomy 32:2)
Fr. Jude Thaddeus Langeh, cmf