The history of the Bible is often seen as a nebulous mystery, but the Lord has used his people to preserve the Bible, and it’s important our kids understand the history of God’s World.
The History of the Bible
Linda Finlayson’s Guarding the Treasure: How God’s People Preserve God’s Word is a fantastic resource for children ages 7-12. My boys were uncharacteristically still during our read-alouds as we explored the stories of people throughout history who have defended, translated, and spread the Word of God.
Guarding the Treasure was published in 2011 by Christian Focus Publications. To date, I have not read one children’s book by Christian Focus that I have not loved.
What is the History of the Bible?
Guarding the Treasure mixes narrative biographical stories with short articles explaining history. Ms. Finlayson takes us all the way from the writing of the Scriptures up to present day translations.
Children are introduced to:
- Some of God’s authors of Scripture
- Historical figures like:
- Athanasius
- Jerome
- King Alfred
- John Wycliffe
- Martin Luther (Check out my narrative biography for teens on Martin Luther!)
- William Tyndale
- William Whittingham
- Laurence Chaderton
- William Carey (and a host of missionary translators)
- Cameron Townsend
Each narrative story gives children have the opportunity to live a scene from the history of the Bible’s preservation, translations, and its spread throughout the world.
Each narrative section is followed by a brief article explaining some interesting fact about what we’ve just learned. For example, the chapter about King Alfred includes an article entitled “Who Are Those Guys With the Funny Names?”. Ms. Finlayson briefly introduces children to each of the scholars that assisted King Alfred in his translation efforts. Her language is inviting and interesting, and my children have greatly enjoyed her short articles.
Following each narrative chapter, there is a shorter chapter that explains the history involved to bring us to the next moment in time in the Bible’s journey. These chapters are highly informative and engaging; not the dry history of my childhood readings.
The boys and I have studied each of the men Ms. Finlayson highlights as we’ve gone through history. Even so, the unique focus of Guarding the Treasure on the preservation of God’s Word has allowed us to place our studies in a different context. It has made our education richer, and added another dimension to our perspective.
When you grab your copy of Guarding the Treasure, don’t forget to purchase the companion book, Wielding the Sword: Preachers and Teachers of God’s Word. Read my review here.
Purchase Guarding the Treasure
Guarding the Treasure: How God’s People Preserve God’s Word (Biography)
Wielding the Sword: Preachers and Teachers of God’s Word (Biography)
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Resurrection Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
