Discovering the Bible
A Kids Guide to Reading and Understanding God’s Word
by Mary Wiley 2025 B&H Kids Brentwood, Tenn.
Wiley has produced an easy to use, semi-comprehension guide for 8-12 year olds Bible study. The book is visually pleasing and the information is logically explained. Her genre explanation, book summaries and main point lists are written for young minds. The forms for ‘start to study’ and ‘go deeper’ are reminiscent of Anne Graham Lotz’s adult Bible study format.
This guide does NOT encompass the full scripture. Wiley acknowledges this immediately with her disclaimer “ There are 365 PASSAGES listed…. If you read one every day, you would read MANY of the important passages” (emphasis mine). I don’t disagree with her definition of “important passages” but readers must understand this is scripture chosen by the author. Additionally Wiley puts emphasis on genre study and she gives reader permission to choose the book they wish to study. However, the book and her plan to read the Full Bible follows a Genesis to Revelation path. A practical help would be the ability to download and/or copy the study aids printed in the book. With the understanding that the specifics of the guide only encompass specific passages of scripture, the guide is an excellent beginning for children and their families. It gives tools and strategies for deeper study of the Word that will grow Biblical literacy.
