Great Books for Christian Children’s Ministry

When it comes to Christian children’s ministry, finding the right resources is essential. Books play a significant role in teaching children about faith, values, and biblical stories. You need books or Christian children’s ministry.

They can captivate young minds, spark their imagination, and help them understand the teachings of Christianity in a fun and engaging way.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the best books for Christian children’s ministry.

1. “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name” by Sally Lloyd-Jones

• Description: This book presents Bible stories in a narrative format, emphasising how each story connects to Jesus. The engaging illustrations and storytelling approach make it accessible to children.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Jesus at the Center: Shows how Old and New Testament stories point to Jesus.
  2. Engaging Narrative: Uses a storytelling approach to make biblical stories relatable.
  3. Illustrations: Vivid illustrations help bring the stories to life.

2. “The Action Bible” by Sergio Cariello

• Description: This graphic novel-style Bible uses dramatic illustrations and narratives to tell the major stories of the Bible, making it appealing to older children and pre-teens.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Visual Storytelling: Engages children with comic book-style artwork.
  2. Biblical Literacy: Covers major biblical events to provide a broad understanding of the Bible.
  3. Character Development: Highlights the journeys and growth of biblical characters.

3. “Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science” by Louie Giglio

• Description: Integrates biblical truths with scientific facts, showing children the wonders of God’s creation and encouraging curiosity about the natural world.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Faith and Science: Demonstrates how science and faith complement each other.
  2. Wonder of Creation: Encourages awe and appreciation for the natural world.
  3. Daily Devotions: Offers 100 devotions to inspire daily reflection and learning.

4. “God’s Very Good Idea” by Trillia Newbell

• Description: This book celebrates diversity and God’s love for all people, emphasizing the beauty of God’s creation and the value of every individual.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Diversity and Inclusion: Highlights the importance of embracing all people.
  2. God’s Love: Teaches children about God’s unconditional love for everyone.
  3. Community and Unity: Encourages building a loving and inclusive community.

5. “The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible” by Jared Kennedy

• Description: Tailored for younger children, this book simplifies Gospel stories, making them easy to understand, and includes thoughtful questions and applications.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Simplified Gospel: Introduces young children to the core messages of the Gospel.
  2. Engagement: Includes questions and activities to engage children.
  3. Illustrations: Bright and colourful illustrations aid in storytelling.

6. “The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross” by Carl Laferton

• Description: This book tells the big story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, focusing on the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Biblical Narrative: Provides an overview of the Bible’s overarching story.
  2. Redemption Theme: Emphasizes Jesus’ role in redemption.
  3. Illustrations and Narrative: Engages children with a clear, compelling narrative and supportive illustrations.

7. “The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden” by Kevin DeYoung

• Description: Using creative storytelling and beautiful illustrations, this book walks children through the Bible’s overarching narrative, focusing on God’s plan of salvation through Christ.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Redemptive History: Traces the theme of redemption through the Bible.
  2. Christ-Centric: Focuses on Jesus as the central figure of God’s story.
  3. Artistic Illustrations: Uses vivid illustrations to enhance the storytelling.

8. “Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God” by Marty Machowski

• Description: Designed for family devotions, this book offers a structured guide to teaching children biblical truths, with short, engaging devotions for daily reading.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Family Devotion: Encourages family engagement in spiritual growth.
  2. Biblical Foundations: Provides a solid introduction to major biblical themes and stories.
  3. Interactive Learning: Includes questions and activities for interactive learning.

9. “The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New” by Marty Machowski

• Description: A systematic theology for children, this book explains complex theological concepts in a way that’s accessible and engaging for a younger audience.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Systematic Theology: Introduces children to the major doctrines of the Christian faith.
  2. Engaging Explanation: Uses illustrations and analogies suitable for children.
  3. Foundation Building: Aims to build a strong theological foundation from a young age.

10. “Tales That Tell the Truth” Series by Various Authors

• Description: This series includes various titles that use engaging stories and beautiful illustrations to communicate biblical truths and themes in a way that resonates with children.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Truth through Tales: Each book focuses on conveying a specific biblical truth or theme.
  2. Engaging Artwork: Uses vibrant illustrations to capture children’s attention.
  3. Practical Applications: Helps children understand and apply biblical truths in their lives.

11. “The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith” by Champ Thornton

• Description: This vibrant and energetic book dives into the depths of the Christian faith, covering a wide array of topics from theology and history to practical living, all in a way that’s accessible and engaging for kids.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Broad Scope: Addresses a wide range of topics within Christianity.
  2. Interactive Learning: Includes activities and challenges to apply what’s learned.
  3. Deepening Faith: Encourages a deeper understanding of faith and its implications.

12. “Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing” by Sally Lloyd-Jones

• Description: This collection of simple yet profound devotional thoughts is designed to lift children’s spirits and bring them closer to God, accompanied by beautiful illustrations.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Uplifting Messages: Offers encouragement and hope through devotional entries.
  2. Spiritual Reflection: Encourages children to reflect on their relationship with God.
  3. Artistic Illustrations: Each devotion is paired with compelling artwork to enhance understanding.

13. “The Biggest Story ABC” by Kevin DeYoung

• Description: This book introduces young children to the Bible’s big story through the alphabet, making it a fun and educational experience.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Biblical Alphabet: Uses the ABCs as a framework to tell the Bible’s story.
  2. Early Learning: Perfect for early readers to connect letters with biblical concepts.
  3. Engaging Artwork: Bright and colourful illustrations make learning enjoyable.

14. “The Child’s Story Bible” by Catherine F. Vos

• Description: A classic among children’s Bible storybooks, it retells the Bible in a narrative form, making it accessible and engaging for children, with stories from both the Old and New Testaments.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Comprehensive Retelling: Covers a broad range of Bible stories in detail.
  2. Narrative Form: Presents stories in an engaging, narrative style.
  3. Historical Context: Provides cultural and historical background to enhance understanding.

15. “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis

• Description: This classic series, while not a direct teaching tool for Christian doctrine, embodies deep Christian themes through allegory and captivating storytelling, suitable for older children and teens.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Allegorical Themes: Explores Christian themes like redemption, sacrifice, and resurrection.
  2. Imaginative World: Encourages imagination through the fantastical world of Narnia.
  3. Moral Lessons: Each book offers moral and spiritual lessons relevant to children’s lives.

16. “The Donkey Who Carried a King” by R.C. Sproul

• Description: This book offers a unique perspective on the story of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem from the viewpoint of the donkey that carried Him, teaching lessons about service and the significance of Jesus’s mission.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Unique Perspective: Tells a well-known biblical story from a fresh angle.
  2. Service and Humility: Highlights themes of serving others and humility.
  3. Illustrated Storytelling: Engages children with vivid illustrations and narrative.

17. “The Prince Warriors” by Priscilla Shirer

• Description: This fiction series uses the spiritual warfare theme to teach about the armour of God and the importance of faith, aimed at tweens and early teens.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Spiritual Warfare: Introduces the concept of spiritual battles and the armour of God.
  2. Adventure and Action: Engages readers with an exciting, action-packed narrative.
  3. Character Growth: Characters learn important spiritual lessons and grow in their faith.

18. “I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God” by Diane Stortz

• Description: This book introduces children to the names of God found in the Bible, each accompanied by a Bible story and practical application, helping kids understand the character of God and how He relates to their lives.
• Key Ideas:
  1. Names of God: Explores the meaning and significance of God’s various names.
  2. Biblical Stories: Each name is paired with a story that illustrates its meaning.
  3. Personal Application: Helps children understand how God’s character impacts their daily lives.

19. “Psalms for Young Children” by Marie-Hélène Delval