Let's Learn the Bible for Early Readers by Barbour Books

Trisha White Priebe

ISBN 979-8-89151-287-0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher. Reproduced text may not be used on the World Wide Web. No Barbour Publishing content may be used as artificial intelligence training data for machine learning, or in any similar software development. Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 5 percent of the entire book, and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: “From Let’s Learn the Bible for Early Readers , published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.”

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in China. 002811 0126 XY

For the kids at Central, this book is for you—with the hope that you will learn to love God’s Word with your whole heart for your whole life. There is truly nothing better. You are loved and prayed for every day.

LET’S LEARN THE BIBLE!

You have made a very good choice. This choice could change your life!

By reading this book, you will learn more about God. You will start to understand His Word. And you will discover His very good plan for your life. This book explains the most important Book in the world. That’s the Bible!

The Bible isn’t just old stories. It’s not a book for rainy days, when you can’t go outside. No! The Bible is alive! It helps you to know truth. It gives you hope. It is a comfort when you feel sad. The Bible is like a telescope you can use to see God. It’s like a mirror you use to see yourself. The Bible is really the Word of God. Does the Bible seem too big? Is it hard to understand? That’s okay—lots of people feel that way. But this book will help. You will meet great Bible heroes. You will find exciting promises from God. And you will learn truth to help you every day.

Are you ready to explore the best Book ever? Let’s learn the Bible!

Section One

WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

WHAT MAKES THE BIBLE SO SPECIAL?

The Bible is the Word of God. That means God talks to you through the Bible. It is not like any other book. That’s because God made it. He told people to write down what He wanted you to know. God “breathed out” what He wanted the Bible writers to say. Then those writers put God’s thoughts into their own words.

The Bible is a big book! But it is more than that. The Bible is like a library. It is made up of 66 smaller books . They were written by many different men. And they were written over a long time. . .more than a thousand years. The Bible tells us who God is. It tells us how much He loves us. It tells us how we can know Him. The Bible is full of truth we need to live good, happy lives.

God’s Word gives us strength and hope.

RomaNs 15:4

Have you ever used a ﬂashlight in the dark? The Bible is like a ﬂashlight. It shows us what is right. It helps us to make good choices. When we read and follow God’s Word, good things happen. The Bible lights our way and helps us stay on the right path.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

For the word is a lamp. The teaching is a light, and strong words that punish are the way of life.

Proverbs 6:23

HOW CAN THE BIBLE HELP ME?

The Bible is full of wisdom. That means it teaches us good things. The Bible tells us how we should live. God’s Word helps us understand what’s right . It shows us how to please God. The Bible is much better than any other book!

The Bible can help you grow closer to God. When you read the Bible, you find out who God really is. You learn about His love and power. You find out what He’s like and how much He cares for you.

The Bible can help you make wise choices. The Bible is full of stories that show you how to make good decisions. Wise choices honor God. Wise choices give you a better life.

The Bible can help with your feelings. The Bible talks about emotions. Emotions are feelings. Sometimes we get angry or sad or worried. The Bible helps us to honor God even when we’re upset.

God made people to have emotions. The Bible shows us that God cares about our feelings. We can take all of our feelings to Him. We can trust Him to help us through hard times. God wants to give us His peace.

But You, O Lord, are a God full of love and pity. You are slow to anger and rich in loving-kindness and truth.

Psalm 86:15

Big Idea

No matter what you’re feeling today, there’s a Bible verse to help!

GOD’S WORD FOR BIG FEELINGS

When You’re Mad

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger.

Proverbs 15:1

When You’re Sad

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And He saves those who are broken in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

When You’re Scared

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength.”

Isaiah 41:10

When You’re Happy

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

Psalm 92:1

WHY SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE?

You are just learning to read. That is a great thing! The Bible can be hard to read. But you have your whole life to learn it. You are smart to start reading the Bible now.

Remember this: The Bible is God’s Word to us. It is filled with God’s love and wisdom. The Bible will change your life.

Reading the Bible can be fun. It’s not something we have to do. It’s something we get to do. We read the Bible so we can know God better. And we read the Bible to know how to please God.

Rhyme It!

Always do the things you should. God is pleased when you do good.

Want

to know God better? Here are some verses to help you:

“You will look for Me and ﬁnd Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ. This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us.

1 JohN 4:9–10

Want to learn how to please God? Here are some verses to help:

Oh man, He has told you what is good. What does the Lord ask of you but to do what is fair and to love kindness, and to walk without pride with your God?

MiCah 6:8

You must be kind to each other. Think of the other person. Forgive other people just as God forgave you because of Christ’s death on the cross.

EPhesiaNs 4:32

HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TO ME?

Did you ever get a letter in the mail? It’s fun! A message that is just for you is special. It makes you feel important and loved.

The Bible is like a letter from God. It is His message written just for you!

Some people wonder how God talks. We don’t hear His voice. But He “talks” through His Word, the Bible. It is full of God’s truth. It is full of His wisdom. It is full of His love. When you read the Bible, you hear from God Himself.

Think of the Bible as God’s note just to you. He asks you to know Him better and follow His ways. The Bible is not just any book! It is a letter from the God who made you. It is a letter from the God who wants to be with you. What could be better than that? Rhyme It!

God is love! He’ll even sing when you take Him as your King.

God has a lot to say to you in His Word. Here are a few important verses. Try to find each one in your own Bible. Try to read God’s own words to you:

God has a good plan for your life.

Read Jeremiah 29:11

God will always be with you, no matter where you go.

Read Matthew 28:20

God is working things out for your good, even when things seem bad.

Read Romans 8:28

God cares about what you feel—so don’t be afraid to share your feelings with Him.

Read 1 Peter 5:7

Wow! The God who made the whole world wants to talk to you . He made the earth. He made the oceans. He made every living thing. But He thinks you are very important.

ACTIVITY:

How Well Do You Know God’s Word?

Let’s see if you can remember what you just read. Each question has three possible answers. Choose the answer you think is right. It’s okay if you don’t know all the answers. This is a great way to learn more!

1. What is the Bible?

a) a collection of poems

b) a special letter from God to you

c) a book of science facts

2. What does the Bible say it is like?

a) a light

b) a radio

c) a fancy house

3. What is one way the Bible can help you?

a) it helps you understand how to cook

b) it shows you how to make money

c) it helps you grow closer to God

4. When you’re feeling angry, what does the Bible say?

a) a gentle answer turns away anger

b) shout at everyone

c) ignore your feelings

5. What does the Bible say about God’s plan for your life?

a) it’s a secret, so don’t try to figure it out

b) you have to make your own plan

c) God has a good plan for your life

Okay, the quiz is done. Turn the page to check your answers. Let’s see how much you’ve learned!

Scoring

4–5 correct: You’re a Bible smarty! Keep reading and learning to know God better every day.

3 correct: Great job! You’re on your way to knowing God’s Word even better.

1–2 correct: Nice work! There’s more to discover. . .keep reading your Bible.

0 correct: It’s okay! God’s Word is full of treasure—keep reading and you’ll learn more.

Let's Learn the Bible for Early Readers