Soul-Shaping Poetry Have you ever stopped to think about how much poetry has shaped the Christian soul? Poetry is an intrinsic part of our worship services, whether through a responsive reading of a Psalm or the “singing of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” Paul describes. Poetry occurs throughout Scripture, most notably in the Psalms, but it is not limited to the Psalms. Miriam and Moses pour forth poetry at the Red Sea, Mary praises the Lord in the Magnificat, Song of Solomon is a long love poem, Job is replete with poetry, and even the epistles contain poetry and hymns (most notably, Philippians 2). Throughout history, Christians have been pouring…

NIV Heart of Gold Bible. Zondervan, 2019, 1088 pages (9 point font) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Though “girls” is not in the title, this edition is clearly aimed at girls, from the gold-hearty cover to the back-cover heading: “Calling all daughters of the King!” And all the pink-tinted pages in between. To be fair, I did not have a chance to see this book in person (can’t browse the racks at Mardel these days), but if the sample devotionals are any indication, I have significant problems with it. Taking a passage from the Song of Solomon, Devo #1 affirms, “God often declares that the…

NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls. Zonderban, 2019, 1504 pages (9 point font) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 The Ultimate Bible for Girls is actually a re-packaging of the NIV Faithgirlz Bible, and the content hasn’t changed much, if at all. In-text features include “Treasure This” (key verses), “Dream Girl” (imagining oneself in a Bible story), “In Your Own Words” (writing short summaries and recaps), “Oh, I Get It” (brief interpretations), “Bring It On” (self-evaluation quizzes). The main problem with Ultimate is the main problem with Faithgirlz—an overly subjective application. Self-examination is important, but making the Bible all about me is problematic. I’m sure that wasn’t…

NIV Artisan Collection Bible for Girls. Zondervan, 2019, 1600 pages (9.9 point font) Reading level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-up The title is a little suspect—I don’t see anything especially artisan-y about it—but it makes an attractive “gift Bible” or “journaling Bible.” There are no in-text features or unique study materials, just a lush cloth cover (in two designs), 2 ribbon markers and decorated edges. (When the Bible is open flat so that the pages are slightly fanned, butterflies appear!) The main feature is wide, lightly lined margins on every page for doodles, notes, reflections, etc. Personally, I like this open approach better than the lush, flower-and-butterfly-heavy…

NIrV Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids. Zondervan, 2019, 1632 pages (8 point font) Reading Level: 3rd grade Recommended for: Ages 4-8 This new edition of the NIrV is marketed as a transition Bible from storybooks to the actual text, and that seems about right. Almost 750 full-color illustrations of varying sizes draw attention to familiar stories as well as basic biblical concepts (such as an illustrated “10 Commandments” page). The illustrations are simple and appealing to young kids, and not too cartoony. One feature I especially like are the illustrated maps, such as the “Easter Story Map” showing a layout of Jerusalem where the major events of Passion Week occurred.…

If you or your children aren’t sure how to develop a taste for poetry, especially if you haven’t decided whether you ought to feel obligated to do so, I have a short, painless booklist for you. Even if you can’t access a library right now, most of these would be available digitally. They would also make great home library builders! I encourage you to order these books from an independent bookstore that offers curbside pickup, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon. You won’t regret the purchases. Read these aloud with a beverage and scones (these really are the best ever!) or doughnuts, if you wish (shall we nickname these “quarantine doughnuts?”).…

CSB Seven Arrows: the How-to-Study Bible for Students. B&H Kids, 2019, 1350 pages (9.5-point font) Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 13-18 “Seven Arrows” is an approach to Bible study developed mainly (I think) by Matt Rogers, of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. From that angle, this Bible is well-titled. All in-text features are intended to instruct the reader how to ask seven questions (represented by arrows) meant to get to the meaning and application of the passage. The questions are What does the passage say?What did it mean to the original audience?What does it tell us about God?What does it tell us about man?What does it demand of…

CSB Heart of God Teen Study Bible. Baker, 2019, 1712 pages (9-point font) Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12-18 The theme of this teen Bible comes through loud and clear: the Bible is a book about God, and rather than starting with our feelings and responses to it, the place to begin is with God’s purposes and actions. Extensive book introductions summarize the theme and message of each book, then provide back-matter in the form of author, audience, and probable date or dates. An outline of the book and its place in the biblical narrative rounds out the introduction. The text is divided up into separate readings,…