Honestly, even as a pastor, I struggled to disciple my kids because discipling from toddler to adult requires a different Bible for every new season of growth. So the question is, what is the best Bible for them at that stage, and there are so many choices? Then there is what you teach and what approach or method you use at each stage of life. Throughout the years, I have researched these questions many times. A few times I found things that were helpful; most of the time I became frustrated. Frustrated because there were so many choices and no clear answers or pathways I could follow. So I would put it aside and end up coming back to it again and again without ever really starting discipleship training with my kids. Yes, I overthink things. Yes, I do better with a clear plan laid out. Yes, I'm a pastor, and yes, I have struggled with this. Maybe you are facing the same challenges as me along with the same frustrations. You love your kids. You want them to grow up and learn to love God and love others. You want them to live for Jesus, experience His love, mercy, and grace, and ultimately spend eternity with Him. But you don’t know what Bible to buy, and you don’t know where to start. You don’t know what to teach or even what should be taught at the different stages of growth. So you put it off, and you put it off, and before you know it, they have grown up. But we can change things starting today because God designed the home to be the first and most powerful classroom of faith. I am working to put together a family resource of Bibles and catechism materials, articles, etc. In the meantime, here are a few resources that I hope you will find helpful. ✝️ Catechism 0–5 Years Old (Early Childhood & Preschool) At this stage, catechism focuses on foundational concepts of God’s love, creation, and grace through simple Q&A, songs, and storybooks rather than heavy memory work. The Kid's Catechism(Holy Joys / Wesleyan Tradition) Focus: Simplified Questions & Answers for ages 2–5. Highlights: Designed specifically as the entry level for young toddlers, answering essential questions about God, creation, and Jesus in short, memorable sentences (e.g., "Who made you? God made me."). Our Faith for Little Ones / Nazarene Early Childhood Discipleship Focus: Pre-K foundational truths of grace and God's love. Highlights: Uses story-based lessons and basic catechism questions emphasizing prevenient grace—the idea that God loves and pursues us even before we know Him. 6–9 Years Old (Early Elementary) In this age range, children are ready for structured Q&A formats that introduce core doctrines, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and Wesleyan understandings of grace. The Young Disciples' Catechism(Holy Joys / Arminian-Wesleyan) Focus: 81 Questions & Weekly Memory Verses for ages 6–12. Highlights: Specifically crafted from a Wesleyan-Arminian framework. It structures catechism questions around God's character, salvation, holy living, and joyful obedience, making it ideal for family devotions or Sunday school. My Faith: A Catechism for Kids (Foundry Publishing / Church of the Nazarene) Focus: Interactive Student Workbook & Catechism Guide. Highlights: Covers essential Christian doctrines and the 16 Articles of Faith through engaging activity sheets, Q&A memory work, and age-appropriate discussions on sanctification and Christian living. Garden of Grace Curriculum (The KidMin Creatives) Focus: 16-Week Catechetical Teaching on the Articles of Faith. Highlights: Breaks down core Wesleyan beliefs (grace, repentance, holiness, the sacraments) using child-friendly illustrations, games, and weekly memory prompts. 7–12 Years Old (Older Elementary & Preteens) Preteens can handle deeper theological concepts, historical creeds, confirmation prep, and understanding the means of grace (prayer, Scripture, communion, baptism). A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine(Seedbed / Global Methodist Church) Focus: 77 Questions and Answers on Historic & Wesleyan Beliefs. Highlights: Concise and robust catechism published by Seedbed.Designed for upper elementary, youth, and family grounding in the Apostles' Creed, Means of Grace, Articles of Religion, and the Lord's Prayer. Confirm / Wesleyan Confirmation & Catechism (Cokesbury / United Methodist / Global Methodist) Focus: Preteen Confirmation & Catechesis (Ages 10–12+). Highlights: A complete curriculum guiding preteens through the story of Scripture, Christian doctrine, Wesleyan history (John Wesley’s rule of life), and personal commitment to Christ. A Wesleyan Catechism (Ten Commandments, Articles of Religion, Lord's Prayer) Focus: Classical Wesleyan Q&A based on John Wesley's writings. Highlights: Focuses on the primary texts Wesley emphasized: the Ten Commandments (duty to God and neighbor), the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments. High-level preteens (ages 10–12) can study these alongside parent/teacher guides. 13+ Years Old (Teens & Young Adults) A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine(Seedbed / Global Methodist / Wesleyan) Focus: 77 Questions and Answers on Core & Wesleyan Doctrine Highlights: Concise yet doctrinally rich, this guide works exceptionally well for teens. It covers the Apostles' Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Wesleyan understanding of grace (prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying). Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way (Seedbed - Phil Tallon & Justus Hunter) Focus: Interactive Teen & Student Catechism Course Highlights: Designed specifically for youth and young adults, this small-group and individual guide uses videos, short readings, and Q&A formats to break down core Christian beliefs through a distinctly Wesleyan lens. The Class Meeting / Small Group Discipleship Guides (Kevin M. Watson) Focus: Wesleyan Small Group Discipleship & Accountability Highlights: Moves beyond simple Q&A head-knowledge into heart transformation. Grounded in John Wesley's classic "class meetings," it helps teens learn how to watch over one another in love and track where God is working in their daily lives. 📖 Recommended Bibles 0–5 Years Old (Early Childhood & Preschool) At this stage, children benefit most from storybook and devotional Bibles that present essential themes through clear visuals and short, simple narratives. My First Hands-On Bible(NLT) Format: Storybook / Activity Bible Highlights: Designed specifically for ages 3–6, this book uses simplified NLT text alongside interactive prompts (hand motions, questions, simple crafts) that engage energetic toddlers and preschoolers during reading. The Jesus Storybook Bible(Storybook) Format: Illustrated Storybook Bible Highlights: While not a word-for-word translation, it is published alongside standard NIV/NLT resources as a primary recommendation for preschoolers. It focuses on how every story throughout the Old and New Testaments points to Jesus. NIV Little Kids' Big Story Bible(NIV) Format: Storybook Bible Highlights: Features short, simple retellings of 30+ key stories using easy-to-understand language and vibrant artwork crafted specifically to keep young attention spans engaged. 6–9 Years Old (Early Elementary & Early Readers) Children in this group are transitioning into independent reading and can begin moving from storybooks to full-text Bibles with engaging supplemental features. Hands-On Bible(NLT) Format: Full-Text Activity Bible Highlights: Uses the full NLT text packed with graphics, fun facts, "do-it" activities, science experiments, and crafts that help kinesthetic learners understand and apply biblical concepts. NIV Adventure Bible(NIV) (One of my favorites) Format: Full-Text Study Bible Highlights: Widely considered the gold standard for elementary-aged readers. It includes full-color feature pages like Life in Bible Times, Words to Treasure (for verse memory), and People in Bible Times profiles. NIV Boys/Girls Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible(NIV) Format: Devotional / Full-Text Bible Highlights: Combines the complete NIV Scripture text with short daily devotions and prayer prompts that help early readers begin developing a daily Bible-reading habit. 7–12 Years Old (Older Elementary & Preteens) Preteens benefit from study tools that answer deeper questions, provide historical context, and foster personal reflection. NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible(NIV) Format: Illustrated Study Bible Highlights: Ideal for visual learners, this full-text NIV Bible is loaded with over 700 infographics, photos, maps, and study notes directly alongside the verses. NLT Student Life Application Study Bible(NLT) Format: Full-Text Study Bible Highlights: A great bridge for upper-elementary kids and preteens (ages 10+) stepping into deeper study. It provides application notes, character profiles, and real-world Q&As grounded in the accessible NLT text. NIV Investigator's Holy Bible(NIV) Format: Full-Text Interactive Study Bible Highlights: Uses a detective-and-discovery theme with "evidence files," Q&As, and background context to help preteens explore the historical truth of the Bible for themselves. Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls (NIV, Leathersoft, Teal) Focus: Creative Engagement & Scripture Memorization through Visual Art for Preteens (Ages 8–12). Highlights: Combines the full NIV text with over 500 ready-to-color verse illustrations, thick white paper, and wide margins, encouraging girls to reflect on and memorize God's Word through art. 13+ Years Old (Teens & Young Adults) NLT Teen Life Application Study Bible(NLT) Format: Full-Text Teen Study Bible Highlights: Widely recognized as one of the best life-application Bibles for teenagers. It dives deep into real-world issues (mental health, peer pressure, identity, relationships) while offering clear verse-by-verse commentary grounded in the accessible NLT translation. NIV Student Bible(NIV) Format: Full-Text Guided Study Bible Highlights: Edited by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford, this Bible includes the 3-Track Reading Plan, book introductions, "Highlights" that explain tricky passages, and historical backgrounds designed to build independent, lifelong study habits. The Jesus Bible(NIV) Format: Theological / Devotional Study Bible Highlights: Excellent for high schoolers and college students looking for deep narrative study. It features extensive essays, study notes, and journaling margins that reveal how Christ is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Article with Graphic for Each Age Group Practical Ways to Teach Your Children about God at Every Age,” Woman of Noble Character, May 1, 2019. Download the article here.
