I’ve heard everything from “Why do we call Jonah a prophet and not a missionary?” (age 3) to “Can you explain the difference between a theophany and a christophany?” (ages 6/7).
Anytime we expose our kids to the inspired Word of God, we’re bound to get some thoughtful and interesting questions. Those questions are important, but I don’t always know how to answer them.
In fact, I don’t always know what my kids are pondering.
Tough Questions about the Bible
Joel R. Beeke has written a book answering 68 questions about the Bible, sin, Christ, salvation, other religions and more. His answers come from Scripture (and he does an excellent job of including the references). Joel R. Beeke has a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He also pastors the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has written many books. You can read his full biography at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary if you’d like. (It’s the second one down on the page).
If anyone is qualified to write a book for the middle grades covering questions that kids often have about the Bible, it’s Dr. Beeke.
Tough Questions About the Bible by Joel R. Beeke (Christian Focus Publications, 2013) is a wonderfully helpful book for 8-12 year olds. In fact, I think every home should have a copy.
Answers about the Bible for Kids
The book has questions from actual children divided into 9 sections:
- Tough Questions about the Bible
- Tough Questions about Sin and Sadness
- Tough Questions about God
- Tough Questions about Christ
- Tough Questions about Salvation
- Tough Questions about Doing What’s Right
- Tough Questions about Prayer and Worship
- Tough Questions about other Religions
- Tough Questions about Hope and Eternity
Each question is answered in one to two pages, with Scripture references and quotes.
Dr. Beeke also sometimes uses analogies, illustrations and stories from Christian history to explain a point. He uses hard words like ‘propitiation’ and ‘justification’, but takes the time to ensure that children understand what those words mean. It is clear that he is both a scholar with a love of the Bible, and a pastor with a concern for the hearts and souls of his readers.
Some of the questions about the Bible:
- “How do you know that God is real? Prove it!”
- “Did Jesus have a wife?”
- “What does turn the other cheek mean?”
- “Why are there so many different religions? Are there many ways to God?”
- “What is hell like?”
Tough Questions about the Bible is an important resource for Christian families. The answers are substantial and kids will walk away with a deeper understanding of God’s Word and the Christian life.
Purchase Tough Questions About the Bible
I want to thank Christian Focus Publications for providing me with a PDF copy of Tough Questions About the Bible by Joel R. Beeke in return for my honest opinion.
Christian Book: Tough Questions about the Bible
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
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- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
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- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.
Bible Investigators is the perfect resource to teach your kids about an important biblical doctrine, while helping them apply God’s Word to their lives today.
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