Recommended resources
Helpful resources for the work of faithful formation.
A growing library of Bibles, books, curriculum, and ministry tools for families and the leaders who serve them.
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Bible guide
Find a Bible
Bibles arranged by developmental stage and reading need for families and ministry leaders choosing resources for children, students, and adults.
Find a Bible
Storybook Bibles and Early Readers
Illustrated and story-driven introductions to Scripture for preschoolers, early readers, and shared family reading.
Ages 2–6
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
A beautifully written and illustrated introduction to Scripture that helps children see how every story points to Jesus.
Ages 2–6
I Can Read My Illustrated Bible: for Beginning Readers, Level 1
Short, illustrated Bible stories written with beginning readers in mind, making this a helpful bridge toward independent reading.
Ages 2–6
One Big Story Bible Storybook
A colorful storybook Bible that helps young children see how individual Bible stories fit within God’s one big story.
Ages 2–6
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
Rich illustrations and clear storytelling help children follow the Bible’s unified story from creation to Christ and the new creation.
Ages 2–6
The Action Bible: God’s Redemptive Story
A visually engaging, graphic-novel-style retelling that draws readers into the sweeping story of Scripture.
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Bibles for Developing Readers
Complete Bibles and study editions that help elementary-age readers build confidence, skills, and curiosity.
Ages 6–12
CSB Explorer Bible for Kids, Hardcover
A colorful Bible with activities, charts, and kid-friendly features that invite growing readers into God’s Word.
Ages 6–12
CSB One Big Story Bible, Blue LeatherTouch
A Bible designed to help children trace the unified story of Scripture through clear design and helpful visual features.
Ages 6–12
CSB One Big Story Bible, Hardcover
A durable, approachable edition that gives families a practical way to keep the big story of the Bible in view.
Ages 6–12
CSB Explorer Bible for Kids, Blast Off LeatherTouch
An Explorer Bible edition with the same engaging kid-focused reading helps in a more durable format.
Ages 6–12
The Action Bible Study Bible, ESV
A visual study Bible that combines comic-book style storytelling with accessible Bible-reading helps.
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Accessible Bibles for Kids
Readable editions designed to reduce barriers for children with dyslexia and other reading needs.
Ages 6–12 • Accessible
CSB Grace Bible for Kids, Blue LeatherTouch
A kid-friendly Bible with a dyslexia-friendly typeface, colored overlays, and large-print design for added readability. I purchased a copy for a child at our church, who found it easy to read and loved the typeface.
Ages 6–12 • Accessible
CSB Grace Bible for Kids, Hardcover
A hardcover edition of the Grace Bible that makes Scripture more accessible for many developing readers.
Ages 6–12 • Accessible
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Dyslexia-Friendly Edition
A complete ESV Bible designed with dyslexia-friendly typography and page layout to support developing readers.
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Teen and Student Bibles
Study tools and editions for teenagers who are growing in confidence and engaging Scripture more deeply.
Ages 12–18
CSB Essential Teen Study Bible, Weathered Gray Cork LeatherTouch
A teen-focused study Bible with accessible notes and devotionals for everyday questions and growing faith.
Ages 12–18
CSB Essential Teen Study Bible, Red Flower Cork LeatherTouch
The same teen study helps in an edition that may connect well with students who prefer this cover design.
Ages 12–18
CSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students
A practical resource for students who are learning to understand, explain, and live out their faith.
Ages 12–18
CSB Defend Your Faith Bible, Pink LeatherTouch
A study Bible that offers students guidance for responding thoughtfully to questions about Christian belief.
Ages 12–18
CSB Defend Your Faith Bible, Blue LeatherTouch
The same apologetics-minded student Bible in an alternate cover edition.
Ages 12–18
ESV Teen Study Bible, Seaside Blue
A teen study Bible with clear notes and practical resources for personal reading and discipleship.
Ages 12–18
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone Chestnut
A substantial study Bible for older students who are ready for more context, teaching, and connections across Scripture.
Ages 12–18
ESV Student Study Bible, Hardcover Flowers Design
A student-focused ESV study edition with the same helpful tools in a hardcover format.
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Adult and Study Bibles
Thoughtful editions for adults who want support for study, daily reading, and faithful application.
Adults
CSB She Reads Truth Bible, Rose Gold LeatherTouch
A beautifully designed Bible with reading plans, devotionals, and study resources for women engaging Scripture regularly.
Adults
CSB He Reads Truth Bible
A study Bible designed for men, with reading plans, devotionals, maps, and helpful tools for understanding Scripture.
Adults
ESV Study Bible, Personal Size
A trusted, portable study Bible for readers who want substantial historical and theological help close at hand.
Adults
CSB Life Essentials Interactive Study Bible, Hardcover
A study Bible with interactive resources that encourage readers to connect Scripture with daily life.
Adults
NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Large Print
A large-print study Bible with practical notes that help readers connect biblical truth to everyday decisions.
Adults
CSB Grace Bible, Brown LeatherTouch
An adult edition with a readable layout and dyslexia-friendly features that can reduce barriers to regular Bible reading. I also purchased one for a parent at our church, who found it easy to read and loved the typeface.
Adults
ESV Holy Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly Edition
A complete ESV Bible with dyslexia-friendly typography and layout intended to make extended reading more comfortable.
Resource library
For Families
Discipleship resources for parents, caregivers, and the ordinary rhythms of home life. Looking for a Bible? Browse the Bible guide above.
For Families
Parenting and Family Discipleship
Books for parents who want faith formation to take root in conversations, routines, meals, and milestones.
Family discipleship
The Family Shepherds
A practical call for parents to take an active, gracious role in leading their families toward Christ.
Family discipleship
The Gospel Family
A gospel-centered vision for building family life around the good news of Jesus.
Family discipleship
Family Discipleship That Works
Practical encouragement for helping faith move from a program into the everyday life of the home.
Family worship
Family Worship
A concise and helpful guide to beginning simple, sustainable patterns of family worship.
Family discipleship
Family Discipleship
A clear framework built around time, moments, and milestones that helps family discipleship feel doable.
Family rhythms
Habits of Household
Thoughtful practices for connecting ordinary family rhythms with the story of God.
Parenting
Parenting with Patience Workbook
A practical workbook for parents who want to grow in patient, gospel-shaped responses.
Parenting
Parenting with Confidence Workbook
A guided resource for building confidence and consistency in the daily work of parenting.
Parenting
What Do I Say When
A useful guide for talking with children about difficult questions and important moments.
Parenting
The Disciple-Making Parent
A practical guide for parents who want to make everyday discipleship part of home life.
Parenting
Launch
A resource that helps parents prepare their children for the next stages of growing up and launching well.
Family rhythms
Managing Your Households Well
A practical resource for thinking carefully about the stewardship of home, relationships, and family life.
Family discipleship
The New City Catechism for Kids
A child-friendly catechism resource that gives families a simple way to practice core truths of the faith.
Family discipleship
The New City Catechism
A clear catechism resource for helping older children, students, and adults learn foundational Christian beliefs.
Family discipleship
The Biggest Story Verse Cards
Illustrated verse cards that make it easy for families to review and remember key Scriptures together.
For Families
Family Devotions
Simple plans and guides that help families make room for regular Bible reading and faith conversations.
Family devotion
GROW Devotional
A devotional resource designed for children ages 8 to 12.
Family devotion
Planting Seeds of Biblical Truth
Focus on the Family’s collection of 52 free family devotions for families with children up to age 12.
For Families
Worship Notes for Kids
Printable tools that help children listen, reflect, and participate during gathered worship.
Worship resource
Worship Notes for Kids
A printable page that gives children a simple way to follow along and respond during worship.
Worship resource
Sermon Notes for Kids
A kid-friendly notes page for listening to, remembering, and talking about the sermon.
For Families
Training and Understanding at Their Level
Guides that help parents explain biblical truth clearly and understand how children grow in faith.
Podcast
The Discipline of Studying Scripture as a Parent
A podcast episode for parents considering the discipline of studying Scripture in a changing culture.
Family discipleship
ABCs of Family Discipleship
A free DiscipleLand resource and video series that helps families build discipleship habits.
Biblical learning
Levels of Biblical Learning
A Lifeway framework that helps adults understand what children can learn about biblical truths at different stages.
Biblical learning
Big Picture Questions and Answers
A Lifeway collection of questions and answers that helps kids and preschoolers learn essential doctrines and see the big story of Scripture.
Bible skills
Bible Skills for Kids
Lifeway’s official guide and free downloads for helping children develop lasting Bible skills.
Gospel conversations
Sharing the Gospel with Children
A practical Lifeway article that helps parents and ministry leaders explain the gospel carefully and age appropriately.
Doctrine
99 Essential Doctrines
A publisher-hosted Gospel Project reference outlining core Christian doctrines for continued study and conversation.
For Families
Praying for Your Family
Simple prayer helps for parents who want to pray intentionally for their family.
Family prayer
7 Days of Praying for Your Family
A publisher-hosted seven-day guide for intentionally praying over the people and needs in your home.
Podcast
The Discipline of Praying for Your Family
A podcast episode that encourages parents to cultivate regular prayer for their families.
For Families
Cultural Issues
Resources for engaging cultural questions thoughtfully, truthfully, and with appropriate care.
Podcast
The Discipline of Being Aware of Our Culture
A podcast episode about helping parents become more attentive to the culture shaping their children.
For Families
Technology Resources
Practical resources for making informed choices about media, entertainment, and digital tools.
Technology
Parental Control Tutorials for Top Streaming Services
A YouTube playlist with walkthroughs for parental controls on popular streaming services.
Technology
TV, Movies, Video Games, and Music Reviews
Plugged In offers reviews and guidance to help families make informed media decisions.
Bible app
Bible App for Kids
A free, interactive Bible app designed to help young children engage the stories of Scripture.
Resource library
For Ministry Leaders
Books, curriculum, and tools for leaders who serve children, students, volunteers, and families in the local church. Choosing Bibles for your ministry? Browse the Bible guide above.
For Ministry Leaders
Family Ministry and Next Gen Strategy
Resources for clarifying ministry vision, partnering with parents, and building a sustainable culture around families.
Family ministry strategy
Legacy Path
A guide for thinking intentionally about the long-term discipleship pathway a church offers to families.
Family ministry strategy
The Family Ministry Field Guide
A practical starting point for building a family ministry culture that is clear, collaborative, and sustainable.
Family ministry strategy
Practical Family Ministry
Practical wisdom for leaders seeking to serve parents and children through a healthier ministry model.
Family ministry strategy
The DNA of D6
A resource for churches that want to connect generational discipleship and ministry partnership more intentionally.
Church leadership
The Visionary Church
A leadership resource for helping churches clarify mission, align systems, and pursue a healthier future.
Next Gen strategy
Every Age, Every Stage
A practical guide to shaping ministry for people at every age and every stage of life.
Next Gen strategy
Flip the Script
A challenging resource for leaders who want to rethink familiar ministry assumptions and practices.
For Ministry Leaders
Kids Ministry Philosophy and Strategy
Resources that keep children’s ministry rooted in the gospel, responsive to real needs, and connected to the church’s mission.
KidMin strategy
Keeping Children’s Ministry on Mission
A thoughtful guide for aligning children’s ministry with the church’s larger mission and discipleship vision.
KidMin strategy
Sustainable Children’s Ministry
Practical wisdom for creating a ministry that can faithfully serve children, families, and leaders over time.
KidMin strategy
Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry
A resource for shaping children’s ministry around the gospel rather than mere behavior or activity.
Care and safety
Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry
Helpful guidance for serving children with greater awareness, care, and sensitivity to trauma.
KidMin theology
Children and Salvation
A thoughtful resource for leaders and parents considering how to talk faithfully with children about salvation.
For Ministry Leaders
Volunteer Teams
Books and tools for cultivating healthy volunteer culture, clear expectations, and sustainable ministry teams.
Volunteer teams
Sustainable Youth Ministry
A resource for building youth ministry practices and systems that serve both students and leaders over time.
Volunteer teams
Your KidMin Team
Encouragement and tools for building a healthy team culture where volunteers can serve with clarity and joy.
Church culture
I Am a Church Member
A short, accessible book that helps volunteers and members think carefully about faithful participation in the local church.
Volunteer teams
The Volunteer Effect
A resource for leaders who want to understand, support, and strengthen volunteer engagement.
Volunteer teams
Volunteer Church
Practical leadership insight for creating a culture where volunteers are invited, equipped, and cared for well.
Volunteer teams
The Volunteer Playbook
A practical guide for organizing, training, and supporting volunteer teams in ministry.
For Ministry Leaders
Curriculum and Tools
Digital resources for teaching, training, planning, and serving children and families in the local church.
Curriculum
The Gospel Project
A Christ-centered curriculum that helps kids and families see the gospel story woven through all of Scripture.
Curriculum
Bible Studies for Life: Kids
A Bible study curriculum designed to help kids make biblical truth part of everyday life.
Curriculum
Explore the Bible: Kids
A curriculum resource that helps children engage the Bible book by book and build confidence in Scripture.
Curriculum
Grow Curriculum
A flexible curriculum resource designed to help churches create meaningful environments for kids and families.
Free resource
NewSpring Network Kids Resources
A collection of free digital resources and ideas for serving kids and families in the local church.
Ministry tool
Ministry Grid
A practical platform for organizing training, communication, and ministry resources for your team.
A note from Ryan
Choose what serves your people.
This page is a working collection of resources I have recommended, used, or kept nearby as I have served in ministry. Every church, family, and child is different, so use these recommendations as a starting place for thoughtful conversation and faithful practice.
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