Does Logos have any resources for younger children?

I am looking for children resources available in Logos - specifically family devotionals that will work for children ages 4 to 5. I am not aware of any offered by Logos for this age group. If this is the case (and I hope I am not stretching the forum guidelines too much), does anyone know of any good family devotional resources for children? - Thanks Ron

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Rosie Perera

I did a quick look through all of Logos's categories on children and families and didn't find anything. My gut reaction, though, is to use print-based materials with kids that young, not sit them on your knee in front of the computer to do devotionals that way. Kids need so much personal time with their parents, and parents already spend enough time in front of screens (as do this generation of kids). Best to keep the screen out of the way when you're relating to children around deepening their knowledge of and relationship with God. That's just my 2 cents worth. Keep it or throw it in the offering place, as you wish.

Of course once Logos has good printing capabilities, it would be possible to create your own printed versions of whatever resources you might find for family devotions with children. But as I said, I'm not aware of any in Logos and couldn't find any on their website. Look through the categories yourself, though, and see if you find anything that might help you create your own resources:

http://www.logos.com/products/groups/allitems/ministry-resources-childrens-ministry

http://www.logos.com/products/groups/allitems/ministry-resources-family-ministry

http://www.logos.com/products/groups/allitems/relationships-family-concerns

http://www.logos.com/products/groups/allitems/relationships-parenting

http://www.logos.com/search?q=family

http://www.logos.com/search?q=children

And look at all the categories under "Children" here:

http://www.logos.com/products/groups/list/allitems

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124614#Comment_124614

Ron, the only thing I have gleaned from my library is "1001 Ways to introduce your child to the Bible" by Kathy Reimer. It is part of this collection from Broadman and Holman

http://www.logos.com/products/details/4135

I looked at 20 different activities and they all started 4 or younger (going up to about 11). So you should have several to choose from.

I don't think the book sells on its own. I like the collection and have searched it for sermon illustrations (most recently for ones on the Lord's supper.)

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124624#Comment_124624

I do wish that there were more resources for children. It's a definite gap. Given the difficulty many of my colleagues admit to in devising children's addresses, I would have thought that this would be a good area for expansion.

In addition, I have suggested to Logos that they publish the International Children's Bible (Milton Keynes: Word (UK) Ltd , 1991), though I think it was originally published in the mid-80s by a US publisher – probably Word Books (Dallas, TX). To the best of my knowledge it is the only version translated from the original languages into English which a child (aged 6+) would readily understand (e.g. without rhetorical questions which children find difficult). I use it all the time for my work as a chaplain in my two primary (elementary) schools. Having it in Logos format would be great.

JimTowler

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124663#Comment_124663

To the best of my knowledge it is the only version translated from the original languages into English which a child (aged 6+) would readily understand ...

I'm wondering how the New International Readers Version (NIrv) by Zondervan goes in this regard?

NIrV is an NIV with a 4th Grade reading level. I have NO idea what 4th grade is. Maybe the 4th year of schooling, so about 8 years old?

[ NIrV is in Logos, but maybe depends on what packages one has installed. ]

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124663#Comment_124663

International Children's Bible

This is a really great Bible. It doesn't just use simplified vocabulary, but has really short sentences that children can easily understand - and it doesn't dumb down in the process. It's published in the States by Thomas Nelson as A Faith to Grow on Bible, with some "study notes" added, or in some rather more 'interesting' forms, including a nice illustrated version.

But I'd love to see the text in Logos. I use it all the time with children's talks, etc.

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124716#Comment_124716

Jim

The difference between NIrV and ICB is that NIrV is a simplified version of the NIV (a version of a version) whereas the ICB is a direct Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek to English translation.

The following is taken from the Introduction to the NIrV:

'We made sure that people who are just starting to read could understand and enjoy the NIrV. Children will be able to read it and understand it. So will older people who are learning how to read or those who are reading the Bible for the first time. So will people who have a hard time understanding what they read. And so will people who use English as their second language. We hope this Bible will be just right for you. The NIrV is based on the NIV. The NIV Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) didn’t produce the NIrV. But several members of CBT worked hard to make the NIrV possible. We used the words of the NIV when we could. When the NIV words were long, we used words that were shorter. We wanted to use words that are easy to understand. We also made the sentences much shorter.'

The following is taken from the preface to the ICB:

'The International Children's Bible (ICB), unlike all other editions, is neither a book of Bible stories or a paraphrased version. … This is the first time that a translation of God's Word has been specifically prepared for children. … This translation was put together by a team from the World Bible Translation Centre, and another twenty-one experienced scholars were brought together to work on this project for thirteen years to ensure accuracy. … This International Children's Bible is based on the best available Greek and Hebrew texts and quality up-to-date scholarship. One of the reasons for producing this Bible was to make the language easy enough for children to read and understand for themselves.'

For me the difference is that the ICB is actually more accurate and child-friendly than the NIrV which by its own admission is not only designed for children but adult readers. That statement demonstrates that the revisers have failed to grasp the simple truth that children are not just cut-down adults. They think differently, in more concrete ways, than adults; and it is that difference that the ICB recognises.

'Rhetorical questions are not understood by children, so rather than implying and answer, we state the meaning quite clearly. Thus when the psalmist asks, "Who is equal to our God?" our translation states "No one is equal to God."

The NIrv keeps the rhetorical question: Who is like the Lord our God? (Psalm 113:5, NIrV) The ICB reads: No one is like the Lord our God. (Psalm 113:5, ICB).

So, I would give the NIrv to adults with reading difficulties (because it's good for that), but I would (and do) give the ICB to children. In fact, our Kirk Session gives a copy of the ICB to every child whom we baptise.

I hope that clarifies the situation. I suppose I feel passionate about this because, before God called me in to His ministry, I was for fifteen years a Headteacher in several Primary schools (Principal of several elementary schools).

Every blessing

Alan

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124718#Comment_124718

The International Children's Bible is marketed now as the New Century Version:

http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/ncv

but, if you have a base package, it is likely you already have it.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124728#Comment_124728

It's not the same as the NCV, though they are similar. The International Children's Bible has much simpler grammar. Take Romans 3:25

God sent him to die in our place to take away our sins. We receive forgiveness through faith in the blood of Jesus’ death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair, as in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. (NCV)

God gave Jesus as a way to forgive sin through faith. And all this is because of the blood of Jesus' death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair. God was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. (ICB)

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124746#Comment_124746

It's not the same as the NCV, though they are similar. The International Children's Bible has much simpler grammar. Take Romans 3:25

God sent him to die in our place to take away our sins. We receive forgiveness through faith in the blood of Jesus’ death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair, as in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. (NCV)

God gave Jesus as a way to forgive sin through faith. And all this is because of the blood of Jesus' death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair. God was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. (ICB)

Thanks Mark, you are correct! I know there was an organic relationship between the two. I hadn't realized that the NCV is two grade levels higher. They have packaged some of their Bibles with the same cover as the ICB I bought several years (decades?) back.

Ronald Quick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124772#Comment_124772

Thanks for all the input.

I would like to get the B & H Marriage and Family Collection but it little out of my price range at this time. I also would like to see the ICB available in Logos. Thanks again.

JimTowler

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124718#Comment_124718

I hope that clarifies the situation. I suppose I feel passionate about this because ...

Thankyou Alan.

I'm sure your answer will be useful to others that search or read the forums in the future too.

[ Off topic now, but its important people have access to the scriptures in their language, and at a level they can cope with. Kids too! ]

Regards, Jim.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124812#Comment_124812

Thanks for all the input.

I would like to get the B & H Marriage and Family Collection but it little out of my price range at this time. I also would like to see the ICB available in Logos. Thanks again.

Ron, yeah, it is a chunk of change! You may know this already, but at times you can get a better deal by asking one of the sales' reps. Depending on "how far" out of range you are, maybe that would help you get it sooner. And you could always try the payment plan that will break it down sooner. I deal with jared AT logos DOT com

Donald McNeeley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124906#Comment_124906

One immediate resource that one of my students use in her children's ministry is the "word puzzle" that can be generated. Her kids really like searching for the words from a scripture. I would suggest you keep it easy for the kids though, no greek or hebrew and do not reverse the words.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/126109#Comment_126109

One immediate resource that one of my students use in her children's ministry is the "word puzzle" that can be generated. Her kids really like searching for the words from a scripture. I would suggest you keep it easy for the kids though, no greek or hebrew and do not reverse the words.

And you'd definitely want to avoid the word searches with typos in them, such as Martha found: http://community.logos.com/forums/t/16587.aspx

You're probably OK if you stick to Bibles as the source of the word puzzles, though.