KeithFerrin.com

Bringing the Word to Life

Children

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The Best Bible For Your Child (The Complete Age-Leveled Guide for 2019-20)

“What is the best Bible for my child?” I can’t tell you how many times I get this question every year. Today I’m going to answer it for you…no matter how old your child is.

To make sure this list is thorough and up-to-date, I asked two groups of experts before I wrote a single sentence. First…I asked two Facebook groups filled with people who work, volunteer, and serve in Family Ministry. Second…I emailed the publishers of the four most popular translations – NIV (Zondervan/Harper Collins), ESV (Crossway), NLT (Tyndale), and CSB (LifeWay/B&H). (NOTE: This post won’t go into which translation I prefer. If you’re interested in my favorite translations, you’ll want to check out this post.)

So…This is going to be a looooong post. To make it a little easier to navigate, here’s what you’ll find:

  • A clickable Table of Contents right below this paragraph. Find the age of your child – or children – and you’ll find a list of Bibles to check out.
  • The first listings in each age group are the recommendations I received directly from the publishers.
  • All of the recommendations from Family Ministry professionals and volunteers are in alphabetical order for each age group.
  • Every Bible is linked to it’s Amazon page so you can read deeper descriptions and reviews.

Table of Contents

The Best Bibles for Preschoolers (Ages 0-6)

[Read more…] about The Best Bible For Your Child (The Complete Age-Leveled Guide for 2019-20)

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The Updated & Expanded Christian Parent’s Toolbox (Free eBook)

I am writing this post as a parent. Not a writer. Not a speaker. Not a storyteller. I’m writing as a parent who desperately wants his kids to know, love, serve, enjoy, and glorify Jesus.

What would happen if you asked nearly 100 children's pastor this question: "What is one resource you wished parents knew about and used with their kids?" This is their answers.

I’m writing as a parent who needs help. Don’t we all? 

None of us can do it alone. We’re not supposed to. None of us has all the tools.

While developing your own authentic, active relationship with Jesus is, by far, the #1 tool for passing on faith to your kids, there are lots of other helpful tools as well.

So…where do you find the best tools? [Read more…] about The Updated & Expanded Christian Parent’s Toolbox (Free eBook)

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49 Identity Messages Your Kids Need to Know

Do your kids – or students, neighbors, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren – know who they are? Do you know who you are? Not know as in I-understand-this-in-my-brain, but know as in I-live-into-this-truth-more-each-day.

Do you want your kids to know who they are or just what they are supposed to do?

A while back I wrote a post about five simple ways to connect your kids with the Bible as school starts. (Feel free to give it a read. I’ll wait.) While our family has done all of these in some form, the “new one” that Kari and I have been implementing is taping a Bible verse right in the middle of the bathroom mirror for the kids to see when they wake up. [Read more…] about 49 Identity Messages Your Kids Need to Know

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5 Simple Ways to Connect Your Kids With the Bible As School Starts

Are your kids in school yet? Some of you started almost a month ago. (Sorry.) Our kids started yesterday.

The start of school is always hectic. Here are some simple ideas for making sure the Bible doesn't get lost in the craziness.

NOTE: I have updated and re-posted this each of the last few years. This year, I have included a free PDF that takes these principles and put them into an applicable-all-year-round format so you can use it and share it anytime. I’ve also included a link to my eBook – 49 Identity Messages Your Kids Need to Know – that goes along with #1. I’d love to hear how you’re making the connection between your kids, the Bible, and school in the comments below. Enjoy!


If I had to choose one word to describe the first month of the school year it would be: HECTIC.

The pace is insane, isn’t it? Here’s a glimpse at life with the Ferrin Five:

  • Two kids in middle school.
  • A third in elementary school (with a different start/end time of course).
  • Three soccer teams.
  • A wife who teaches kindergarten.
  • My busiest travel season of the year.
  • Squeezed in between we all have to eat, clean, do laundry, etc., etc.

As I said…HECTIC. Where does the Bible fit into all this? Especially for our kids?! For me, I can get up early and grab some coffee, my Bible, and a corner of the couch. But I want my kids to connect with God and His Word as well. So…what can we do? [Read more…] about 5 Simple Ways to Connect Your Kids With the Bible As School Starts

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Author Interview: Brian Dollar

Do you have kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews? If so, I highly – very highly! – recommend you grab a copy of Brian Dollar’s brand new book Talk Now and Later: How to Lead Kids Through Life’s Tough Topics.

[featured-image single_newwindow=”true” alt=”Hear veteran kidmin pastor Brian Dollar discuss his terrific new book ‘Talk Now and Later: How to Lead Kids Through Life’s Tough Topics.’ “]

The reasons why I’m recommending it, as well as my interview with Brian and the official trailer for the book, are all below. [Read more…] about Author Interview: Brian Dollar

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#38: If You're Nervous About Having "The Talk" with Your Kids…You Need This Book [Podcast]

If you have a child in middle school or high school – I beg you to read More Than Just The Talk: Becoming Your Kids’ Go-To Person About Sex by Jonathan McKee. In fact, you can stop reading right now, head over to Amazon, and grab a copy. I recommend it that highly.

[featured-image link=”https://keithferrin.com/38-if-you-are-nervous-about-having-the-talk-with-your-kids-you-need-this-book-podcast” link_single=”https://keithferrin.com/38-if-you-are-nervous-about-having-the-talk-with-your-kids-you-need-this-book-podcast” single_newwindow=”true”]

I came across this book by accident. (As if there is such a thing.) It was in the same catalog as my new book from Bethany House Publishers. I am so glad I did.

It is fantastic…and really hard to read (in all the good ways).

I recently had the chance to jump on Skype with Jonathan and discuss this book – and this massively important topic. [Read more…] about #38: If You're Nervous About Having "The Talk" with Your Kids…You Need This Book [Podcast]