BIBLE STUDY, FAMILY DEVOTIONAL HELPS, & MORE
RECOMMENDED READ ALOUDS
(BIBLES and BIBLE STORIES)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee
this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the
way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Defined King James Bibles http://www.biblefortoday.org/kj_bibles.asp
"Unfamiliar" English words are printed in bold type with the definitions footnoted at the
bottom of each page; it's a wonderful study Bible for children and the whole family.
We have bought the medium print hardback copies by the case to give as gifts.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
III John 1:4
There are many excellent resources listed on this website, but may we not let "good" books
crowd out time spent in the BEST Book. In Ecclesiastes 12:12 the wise man Solomon said,
"...be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of
the flesh." The ONE book that is old yet ever new and that will renew our minds daily is the
Holy Bible. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Romans 12:2
Another favorite verse of ours that emphasizes the importance of every word in the Bible says
"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written
every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be
written. Amen." John 21:25
If so much more could have been written, it stands to reason that what was recorded
is the most important, according to God's sovereign will, for us to read and study.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing
the scriptures, nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29
Mark 12:24, "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not thereforeerr,
because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?"
Jesus asked at least seven times in the New Testament, "Have ye not read?"
See Matthew 12: 3, 12: 5, 19: 4, 22: 31; Mark 12: 10, 12: 26; and Luke 6: 3;
finally Acts 17: 11 says, "These (of Berea) were more noble than those
in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary is an excellent resource for accurate
word study; according to the preface, it was primarily written to aid Bible study.
Dictionary sites on which you can enter words online and search definitions include http://www.cbtministries.org/resources/webster1828.htm
and
http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/kjv-dictionary-index.html
Another online dictionary for Bible study is Vine's Expository
Dictionary of
New Testament Words See http://www.menfak.no/bibel/vines.html
Other Bible study helps include Halley's Bible Handbook and
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
A free Bible study program that uses Strong's numbers can be downloaded
from
http://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary is also available.
For Mac computers, a similar program can be downloaded at http://www.macsword.com/download/?lang=en.
There are 31 chapters in the Book of Proverbs; so since most months have 31 days,
reading one a day works well. When our children were very young, we tried to read
a few verses from the "Proverb for the day," skipping chapters like chapter 7 until
older. Now we try to read complete chapters occasionally substituting with a Psalm.
It's encouraging to see how much they have memorized just from the repetition.
Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
II Timothy 3:16, 17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the
man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
World's Greatest Stories by George Sarris - KJV reading of
selected Bible stories
and passages, word for word, with sound effects. Listen to excerpts at http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/the_worlds_greatest_stories/
We had the New Testament on CD read by James Earl Jones from Christian Book
Distributors and later saw the same set at WalMart. Instrumental hymns can be heard
in the background with his deep, rich voice reading KJV scripture. FYI, there are
many places where a word is incorrectly read, ie. "changeable" for "chargeable,"
"domination" for "dominion," "I" for "it," "shall" for "will," and "Christ Jesus" for
"Jesus Christ." We were disappointed to find mistakes in our set, although we used
it some when following along in our own Bibles.
Deuteronomy 4:2, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God
which I command you."
Psalm 12:6, 7 reads, " The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace
of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from
this generation for ever." and Revelation 22:18 says, " For I testify unto every man that
heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"
I would encourage you to notice changes that have been made in the "modern" versions
of God's written word. It was disturbing to me to see how little they differ and how similar
they are in 3 main areas - denying the reality of hell, denying the diety of Jesus Christ
and that sodomy is sin.
To see charts and articles regarding different Bible "versions" go to http://www.av1611.org/biblecom.html,
http://www.pb.org/npbdocs/niv.html,
and http://www.pb.org/npbdocs/nkjv.html.
"The KJV Bible doesn't need to be rewritten; it needs to be reread!" --
Elder Sam Bryant
Betty Lukens felt sets. Click "Felt Activity Books" at http://www.bettylukens.com/
Children love these colorful activity sets for storytime or play - some assembly required.
Our favorite set is Old Testament Bible Stories for ages 3 and up. This set includes the
story of "Joseph and His Brothers" found in Genesis 37; "Joseph brought before Pharoah" in
Genesis 41-47; "Moses as a baby" in Exodus 2:1-10; "Crossing the Red Sea" in Exodus 14;
"David and Goliath" in I Samuel 17; "Elijah goes to Heaven" in II Kings 2:1-14; "The Fiery
Furnace" in Daniel 3:1-30; "Daniel in the Lions' Den" in Daniel 6; and from the Book of
Esther, the story of "Queen Esther."
Read-Aloud Bible Stories, Vol. 1-4 by Ella Lindvall have familiar Bible stories with simplified
texts and illustrations. As with any "Bible story" book, we do encourage you to check with
the Bible for accuracy, comparing the book to the Bible not the Bible to a storybook.
Each volume includes 5 stories with simple questions following each story. A few selections
include "Zaccheus" and "Blind Bartimaeus" in Volume 1; "Feeding of 5,000" and "The
Good Samaritan" in Volume 2; "Noah and the Ark" and "Daniel and the Lions" in Volume 3;
and "Moses as a Baby," "David and Goliath," and "Jonah and the Whale" in Volume 4.
A site recently recommended to us is http://www.calvarychapel.org/children/site/curriculum.htm
We don't use all the "bells and whistles" but have appreciated having an extended
list of "Bible Stories" and where they are found in scriptures. I had started a similar
list, but it wasn't this thorough. We have printed out the OT and NT lists as a quick
reference for family devotions and Bible study.
Matthew 18:1-6, "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of
them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as
this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one
such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he
were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matthew 19:14, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:
for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Bedtime storybooks for reading aloud to children that teach good character and spark moral
discussions include the Miller series like Wisdom and the Millers, Prudence and the Millers,
and Storytime with the Millers, and A Hive of Busy Bees, The King's Daughter and other
Stories for Girls, Tiger and Tom and other Stories for Boys, and Choice Stories for Children.
These contain multiple stories each. Also see Least of All by Carol Purdy and The Tale of
Three Trees. Two other books for children of all ages that are great "read-alouds" include
Just David and Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter (which exemplifies I Thessalonians 5:18) and
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. Copper Toed Boots and
Lion
in the Box are both by Marguerite De Angeli - the latter is very similar to Five Little Peppers
and makes a great Christmas story; and The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds is a
Newbery winner that shows the blessing in unwavering obedience to a parent. A couple of
more recent favorites are The Basket of Flowers: a Tale for the Young from
Lamplighter Publications and Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald both of which
contain hardships, deep sorrow, and injustice but have joyful endings.
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not..."
Ecclesiastes 12:1
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." I Timothy 4:12
Character Sketches, Volumes I, II, and III are mentioned in the Science and the Gift Giving
sections but also deserve a place among family devotional resources; they can be used to
teach good character qualities through nature study. They have detailed and beautiful
illustrations, and the introductory stories are especially interesting to children. See
http://store.iblp.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IBLP&Product_Code=C123
Konos: learning made fun - character building unit studies. See http://www.konos.com/
Doorposts http://www.doorposts.net
to help you apply scripture in your home: "If-Then"
Chart, "The Blessings" Chart, "The Brother-Offended" Checklist, A Day of Delight about
making Sundays special, The Mighty Acts of God - ideas for costumes and acting out Bible
Stories, Stewardship Street about handling money, For Instruction in Righteousness with
stories and scriptures about such themes as obedience and disobedience, Plants Grown Up for
boys, Polished Cornerstones: Projects for Daughters on the Path to Womanhood, and more!
Our 24 Family Ways: Family Devotional Guide by Clay Clarkson. Coloring Book
is also available. Learn more about this and other recommended resources at
http://www.wholeheart.org/
Keepers of the Faith http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/Catalog/Keepers_Books_89.asp
has
other good helps for training children and preparing them for adulthood. A program similar to
Boy Scouts is Contenders for the Faith with suggested badge requirements; great project
ideas. For girls Keepers at Home: The Stepping Stones Handbook lists over one hundred
skills to be learned by young ladies. Many other products are available from Keepers
including craft kits, field guides, videos, music, books, and more; see their Table of Contents.
I John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us."
I John 4:10, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he
loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
I John 3:1, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should
be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
For older students Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe is recommended. For information on
"modern day" martyrs subscribe to the Voice of the Martyrs at http://www.persecution.com/.
The following verses bring to mind tortured and persecuted Christians, as well as, unborn
children in danger because of abortion and the handicapped or elderly in danger because of
euthanasia: "If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are
ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart
consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to
every man according to his works?" Proverbs 24:11, 12
Family Devotional Helps includes The Christian Home: a Study Guide by Elder Lasserre
Bradley, Jr. This is an excellent study tool in booklet form with sections for the husband, the
wife, parents, and children. It has an outline format and uses many scriptural references and
brief articles from various sources; tape set is also available. You may write to Baptist Bible
Hour, P.O. Box 17037, Cincinnati, OH 45217.
To hear Elder Bradley's radio broadcasts and also access the archives, see
http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Baptist_Bible_Hour/Default.asp.
Daily Devotionals by Charles Spurgeon can be read at http://www.spurgeon.org/daily.htm.
For good Bible teaching with Elder Zack Guess, another site for online sermons is
http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=gracechapelpbc.
Another great help for parents is A Parent's Guide to Family Devotions which gives scriptural
basis for having family devotions, suggestions and samples for devotional topics and outlines,
including the helpful and concise "Seven Rules for Our Family" based on scriptures, and
more. Order from Sovereign Grace Publications, P.O. Box 23514, Lexington, KY 40523.
Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
2 Timothy 2:3, 4, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please
him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
Proverbs 24:10, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take
the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:10-18
Listed above are many defensive weapons, but an important offensive weapon is the
sword of the Spirit - the inspired written word. If we don't read it, meditate upon it,
and hide it in our heart, we won't be prepared and ready to use it.
Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
"And it (God's written laws) shall be with him (the king), and he shall read therein
all the days of his life: (everyday) that he may learn to fear the LORD his God,..."
according to Deuteronomy 17:19, and
Proverbs 16:6 says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear
of the LORD men depart from evil."
Jesus, our perfect example, quoted from the Word in dealing with the temptations of
the devil in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. He also prayed fervently. Pray using scriptures
such as Colossians 1:9-11, Psalm 31:1-3, Psalm 19:13,14, and Psalm 86:9-12.
I take comfort in Romans 8: 26 which says, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Psalm 34:7 is also comforting,
"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
The following are scriptures about "giving":
Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with
the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Proverbs 3:9, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine
increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."
Proverbs 19:17, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
Matthew 25:37-40, "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and
took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came
unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as
ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The Treasure Principle: Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn is a book about giving
that was recently recommended to us.
2 Samuel 24:24, "And the king (David) said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee
at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost
me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Mark 12:41-44, "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast
money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain
poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him
his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast
more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their
abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."
James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Two ways we have found to implement this verse into our lives is to visit area nursing
homes and a children's home. For information about the Natchez Children's Home see
http://www.natchezchildrenshome.org/.
For those in the northern part of the state see Palmer Home at
http://www.palmerhome.org/Columbus/ColumbusHomePage.htm.