Midweek: Color Code Bible for Kids, NKJV

Do you want your child or grandchild to read Scripture? I don't think there's a one of us who love Jesus and love a child who haven't wished for some special trick or some revolutionary edition of a child's Bible to whet their thirst for God's Word. Let me just encourage you, prayer is the best way. Having said that, however, we live in a time where options abound when it comes to Bibles. Maybe too many options for those who may be overwhelmed by choices. But if you are thinking of purchasing a Bible for a child you love, this one might be for you.

The latest children's Bible I was given to peruse is Thomas Nelson's Color Code Bible for Kids in the New King James Version. The edition I received is a hardcover, printed in 9 pt. Comfort Print®, though it is available in blue or pink Leathersoft. It is suggested for use by children from 11-13 years of age, but there are new believers, unfamiliar with Scripture, who found its format useful. And that is what makes this Bible different from other Bibles: it's format. 

If you've ever used or owned a Rainbow Bible, you will be reminded of it when you see the Color Code Bible for Kids. Nine colors correspond to nine themes found throughout the Bible:

• GOD highlighted in gold
• JESUS highlighted in red
• SIN highlighted in navy
• SALVATION highlighted in orange
• LOVE highlighted in pink
• WORSHIP highlighted in blue
• GROWTH highlighted in green
• HEAVEN highlighted in purple
• FAMILY highlighted in teal

Some Scriptures are color-coded by these, and the color-coding system is printed in the  footer of each page for easy recognition. One example is Genesis 16:11: And the Angel of the Lord said to her: 'Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the Lord has heard your affliction.' This verse is highlighted in orange to represent the theme of Salvation running throughout the whole of Scripture. Nearby, Genesis 16:7; 17:1; and 18:1 which record the Lord appearing to human beings, are colored red to represent Jesus. Obviously, these correlations are not comprehensive. Genesis 3:15, a well-recognized allusion to Jesus as the Seed, bears no highlight at all, not with regard to Jesus or God's plan of Salvation. Jonah 2:9. where we see Jonah's change of heart, is highlighted green to represent Growth; Psalm 23:4 is as well. However, other key passages (Romans 6:4; James 4:7-10) are not highlighted with regard to Growth or Salvation. In short, the labels assigned to some verses are a little unclear to me, and I'm not entirely sure how I would explain these choices. 

As for the other helps in this Bible, there are articles like What Is the Bible?, a brief overview of the structure and importance of this wonderful book. In another article, Why Did God Give Us the Bible?, the author explains, "God made you because He loves you," one of those self-aggrandizing statements that tend to make me cringe. I would have much preferred the standard Westminster answer: For his own glory. IYKYK. There are other articles: Who Wrote the Bible?, How Should You Read the Bible?, and What Is Special About the Bible? This last article is interesting, and its bent toward trivia might engage a tween or teen. (What's the middle verse in the Bible? in the Old Testament? in the New? What's the longest verse? the longest word? the verse that contains every letter of the alphabet?). There are three different Bible reading plans: 365 Days Through the Bible, 60 Days Through the Story of Scripture, and 30 Days of Getting to Know Jesus, excellent resources for a youth or new believer. There are charts of the miracles and parables of Jesus, journaling pages, and seven color maps. Each book of the Bible is preceded by a brief introduction.

Included in the front matter is an overview of the Bible and its color codes; each theme is explained. I have some theological concerns with these summaries, and I would encourage you, if you are considering purchasing this Bible, you give The Color Code Bible Overview a thorough read-through and be prepared to address anything that might jump out at you. Also, after the colorful presentation page and before the Book of Genesis, is a table of contents, an alphabetical table of abbreviations, and the Highlighted Scripture Index. By theme, coded Scriptures are listed for easy access; readers can easily study verses by concept.    

This Bible is currently available from Amazon for $26.99, at Christian Book (during their present sale) for $18.99, and at FaithGateway (during their present sale) for $19.99.