Children's thoughts on exploring the Bible

One of the joys of being the Children’s Editor at The Good Book Company is the letters, cards, pictures and emails sent in by our youngest readers. These are mostly under 11s who are reading the Bible with XTB (eXplore The Bible). I thought you’d enjoy a few of their comments (unedited by me except for removing names):

• (A 7-year-old) I am reading the bible wih xtb notes and last night the notes said that if I sent you my favourite bible verse, you would kindly send me a pencil. I love the promise in genesis 12 verse 2 when God says to Abraham I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing". I like it because it shows that we can trust God and what he says is true. I really enjoy the xtb notes. Thank you!
• (6-year-old) My favourite verse in the bible is John 3v16. I like it because it say's why God sent Jesus and it is the most famous verse in the bible. Please could you send me a pencil - I love doing XTB.
• I am 8 years old and I live in Scotland. I liked day 1 best because it had Lots of pages to do When I had nothing to do.I am looking forward to the next book.I dident understand my Bible because It was an old fashon vetion.I liked your xtb so much I think that nothing could make It better.I would love it if you replied but you dont Have to.
• (6-year-old) Mathew 28;20. I like it because if I get scared he will always be with me.
• (7-year-old) alison, could you please tell me how to tell my friend's about Jesus?
• (9-year-old) Thank you for the XTB for I am going onto "Explore" now as I have been right through XTB. XTB has been really helpful to me.
• (Three children after reading my note in XTB asking them to check that what I write is correct – just as the Bereans checked what Paul told them, Acts 17v11) We are the ______ family. There are three girls in our family – ______, who is nine; ______, who is seven; and ______, who is four. There is also our Mom and Dad. We live in California. We love Table Talk and XTB. Today we read about the Bereans, and we saw your note. We thought we would write to you ourselves to say thank you for writing these Table Talks and XTBs so we can learn about the Bible with our Mom and Dad. ______’s favorite part is that it helps people become Christians – she is trying to become one. _____ says your books make the Bible exciting. _____ doesn’t do XTB yet, but she loves to answer questions from Table Talk when she’s done a good job eating her dinner. ______ would like to ask “Are you a Christian? If so, how did you become one? I’m very interested because I’m trying to become one but I’m having a hard time at it.” The ______ parents would like to say “Thank you so much for your work. We have 2.5 Bible degrees and several generations of pastors in our combined family heritage, but regular family worship time with our kids is still so hard! Your materials make it easy, and it’s the most gospel-centered, Christ-focussed we’ve come across. Thank you!”
• (From a mum) On busy evenings - despite her love of stories - when given the choice of Roald Dahl or XTB, XTB wins each time.

I have files of letters from XTB readers going back nearly 12 years. Some of them will be parents themselves now. It’s great hearing from children who love reading their Bible and getting to know God better through it – and who want to tell their friends about Jesus too. What a privilege.