Let The Little Children Come to the New Testament

The Epistles for Kids wants to bring the Bible AND children together, in better and life-changing ways.

Key points:

“As Christians, we tell kids that the Bible is the most important book [they’ll] ever read.”

“There have been many attempts to translate the Bible into the language of children.

“There [also] have been many attempts to adapt the message of the Bible into kids’ resources that look and feel like kids’ books.

“But there really hasn’t been an attempt to do both at the same time.”

Matt Dodd is a pastor at Lakemba Anglican Church with a keen interest in translating the Bible for children and youth.

Along with designer and illustrator Thom Bransdon, Matt hopes their Epistles for Kids series combines biblical veracity with appropriate adaptation.

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Epistles for Kids project does not paraphrase the Bible out of a children’s Bible.

As Matt told Hope Mornings, the Epistles for Kids project does not want to paraphrase the Bible out of a children’s Bible.

It also doesn’t want to leave all the “heavy lifting” to the young reader.

Matt and Thom are passionate about bringing God’s word to all ages.

One of the reasons they have started with Philippians, Colossians and 1 Peter is the Epistles (letters) can be overlooked as biblical texts for younger readers.

“The letters in the New Testament are windows on to the lives of real Christian people being transformed by the gospel, diverse communities of young and old coming together around Christ,” Matt said.

“We want to make books for children that are full of colour and adventure because the Epistles are full of colour and adventure.”

The Epistles for Kids are intended to be shared around the dinner table or at bedtime, as well as at Kids Church, youth programs and playgroups.

They intend to create additional teaching and activity resources to help children connect powerfully with the good news.

While parents, caregivers, youth leaders and others can enrich the Epistles for Kids journey, Matt and Thom want the books to be so accessible that young readers themselves can discover the Bible’s incredible truths through them.

“I have had the privilege of trying to share [the Bible’s] message in language that children use in the school yard every day,” Matt said.

Matt Dodd is a pastor with a keen interest in translating the Bible for children and youth.

“So, there is no awkward barrier for them, when they reach a certain word or turn of phrase.

“[Instead], they can have a personal relationship with God without needing the help of adults…

“They can relate to God, from the word of God themselves, without barriers, stress or pressure.

“I can hear the voice of my heavenly Father; he can be my father; I can be his child.

“That’s the passion’ that’s what is driving us.”

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: All photos supplied by Matt Dodd and used with permission, background image by CanvaPro.