My younger sister is 20, but mentally she's around 6 years old. BUT she does have some understanding that's appropriate for her age. She understands, to a point, things that a 20 year old would, but for the most part, her comprehension level is that of a 6 year old.
She asked for a Bible for Christmas, and I'm not sure what kind I should get her. I know she wouldn't be able to comprehend an adult's Bible, but I feel a very youth-oriented one would be a bit TOO young for her. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance, and God Bless.
2007-12-10 06:29:44 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
TPsalmist: Yes, I agree. But I want her to enjoy the Bible as I do.
2007-12-10 06:32:53 · update #1
Lynn C: Yes, she does LOVE Jesus, very much. She knows Him as her personal savior. She just never had a Bible of her very own. :)
2007-12-10 06:52:22 · update #2
Hey there!
If I were you, I would take my sister with me to a Christian bookstore and look at a few different translations with her. Let her actually chose the translation that she enjoys the most. I would get her the full Bible, not just the New Testament, because the Old Testament has many wonderful stories that paint pictures in a person's imagination to illustrate spiritual truths that are taught in the New Testament. There is an old saying that goes something like this: The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed. As a Christian I read far more in the Old Testament than I do in the New Testament because I have found that without the Old I cannot truly understand the depths of the New.
One translation that you might consider as well is The Message by Eugene Peterson. It is written in everyday contemporary language and I have found it to be surprisingly accurate. You can show her passages and chapters on the computer on http://www.biblegateway.com and see how she likes it. Try, for example, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201;&version=65;
One more thing, have you considered getting her an audio Bible? Many of them have good sound effects that aid in comprehension. I know that The Message is available on MP3 CDs, as are a few others that I have. I am sure that there are children and youth Bibles that are also available in audio format.
I hope that helps!
God bless you!
2007-12-10 06:53:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
You might look for the Internatoinal Children's Bible in the New Century Version, so that she can have a real Bible rather than just a book of Bible stories. It comes with various covers, one of which looks just like any other Bible (black, with the words "Holy Bible" on the front) if you think she would feel funny about carrying around a kids Bible. However, along with that you might want to get her some children's Bible story books to use along with it, and an audio Bible. There is one audio Bible that dramatizes the parts of the Bible that are appropriate to dramatize. So that when the Bible records a conversation between two people, you will hear two different people reading the words, just like a play. It also has music in the background to add dramatic element. I think it is called "The Story" and is a word for word reading of the NIV Bible.
2007-12-10 07:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by Thrice Blessed 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Study-Bible-International-Version/dp/031092412X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197328088&sr=8-5
It is an excellent Bible, and I recommend it to any Christian...even adults (especially if they have only recently become Christians)...also to teenagers...and even to younger kids.
I am not sure I would recommend it to a 6-year-old...but I would to someone just a little older. So, that makes it a judgment call on your part for your sister. But I would at least look into this Bible (and even consider it for any other friend or family member in the future...).
It is a study bible with notes that help explain things, little articles to read, and full of questions and answers on the side of the page asking the most common questions and then answering them.
The doctrine and theology taught is *fairly* good, and will often try to take a "neutral" stance on mor difficult subjects...explaining "both sides", but not taking a definitive stance either way.
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Grace and peace in Christ be with you...and your sister....in abundance!
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2007-12-10 10:13:46 · answer #3 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Trying looking for a copy of the "Today's English Bible", also goes by the name "Good News for Modern Man". It was put together by the American Bible Society for people who use English as their second language. So it keeps the vocabulary very basic, and the sentences and paragraphics short. Has heading to help with understanding the different themes, etc. A very nice Bible for a person who has limits on their reading and comprehension. Yet it is NOT presented as a Kid's Bible, Youth Bible, etc.
2007-12-10 06:44:48 · answer #4 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You might also look into getting a "My Book of Bible Stories" it's geared twords young kids, but many adults enjoy it too, I know i still do. Both the bible and the book are free and would help her to understand the bible.
(btw, I don't believe in celebrating Christmas, however I do think it is good that she is interested in the bible and you aren't trying to stop her from learning about it as some I know have.)
"My Book of Bible Stories
Its 116 Bible accounts appear in the order of their historical occurrence. The book is especially designed for young children, yet everyone can benefit from the book’s more than 125 beautiful illustrations. 256 pages.
2007-12-10 06:58:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You might try looking for a youth bible. Even if she finds it to hard to fully understand maybe she wants a "grown up" book instead of a kids book. If that is what she is after then I say get her one that lets her feel like she is not a kid. You might find it fun to read with her and explain it.
I would likely choose one of the New Testament versions that focus on the Gospels because except for Genesis to Moses nobody bothers reading all the begetting and begotting parts of the old testament or the letters of paul in the new testament.
I think that you know her much better than any of us do though.
It might be that she would love ine aimed at kids about 8 years old with pictures. Whatever you get her would likely be fine, especially if people help her read.
Tough choice. Sorry I can not help more.
2007-12-10 06:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by Buke 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would indeed start out with a childrens Bible, is there a way that you can explain Jesus to her, does she already know she has a savior, this is the most important thing for her right now, If she knows she will comprehend, I would get a Bible that is easy for her to though, such as a childrens, or even some video's would greatly help her. Videos can explain at a level she may comprehend better.
2007-12-10 06:39:48 · answer #7 · answered by Lynn C 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One Bible that has pictures with text is the Picture Bible, originally published by David C. Cook. This Bible was even advertised on TV some time ago, maybe a year or two, and with the Christmas season coming, it may happen again. Lots of comic-style material but the main ideas are very true to the texts (I've studied the King James, NIV, New American Standard, and Phillips versions). My nephew is 6 and he loves it!
Christian Book Distributors does have a couple of picture style Bibles, too, besides this one, if I recall correctly.
Would she be interested in a Bible-zine? There are a couple versions of the New testament published in the magazine style. I've given away a few, both in the teen/pre-teen version and the adult women's version, and everyone has loved them. In fact, a couple of years ago, one lady I worked with was moving overseas with her husband (he was active duty military). Knowing there would be a LOOOOOONNNNNGGG plane trip, I bought her a copy of the adult version, just to give her something to read. I jokingly said she could leave it in the seat's magazine pouch for the next passenger but she said, "Then she'll have to get her own. This one's MINE!!!"
And please let me extend my thanks to you for looking out for your sister. May tall he peace and blessings of the season be for you, her, and all your family. Merry Christmas.
2007-12-10 08:16:44 · answer #8 · answered by Brother Jonathan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Growing up my favorite version of the bible was an illustrated copy I had when I was around 7 or 8. It contained the full text but I was far more fascinated with the beautiful illustrations that actually helped convey the words I had trouble comprehending. Check the connection below and read some of the reviews. Good luck.
2007-12-10 06:37:53 · answer #9 · answered by stoopid munkee 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They could help with anything from guestbooks, to decorating, to organizing gifts to make sure everyone gets a wedding favors. Have the two youngest greet everyone at the ceremony entrance and handout the the rice(or whatever you have chosen to do)... The oldest one could help the guestbook or even the wedding march ques in the back. Later on they can all tackle the task of the wedding gifts. Whatever you do, please make them feel that they are apart of this special day. Let them into the bridal dressing room and let them share some of the same things that the oldest sister is getting to do so they won't feel like they are just there for manual labor.
2016-05-22 21:27:45 · answer #10 · answered by sean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋