Illustrated Chinese Bibles for China’s children—Reach a child, reach a family

Born in the midst of a strict one-child national policy, today’s Chinese children pose unique challenges for their elders. Because parents were forbidden from having multiple offspring, the lone children born have often been treated as the kings and queens of their household. According to the Director of Ministries in China, who helps oversee the Chinese Bible program there, parents and teachers are frazzled in trying to manage a generation that has been spoiled since birth. 

Yet one by one, God is reaching out to His children in China and their previously spoiled behavior is changing in dramatic ways. As children in China study an illustrated Chinese Bible – a Bible they can read for themselves – they learn that God not only loves them deeply, but also wants them to reflect His love to others. As these children internalize the principles of the Bible, a miraculous transformation takes place in their hearts – and in their lives. Children wanting to be more like Jesus not only change their beliefs, but also their behavior. 

A powerful testimony of this type of transformation took place on a warm day in August when a baptism ceremony took place. Each of the thirty-eight immersed children had been studying from a Chinese Bible and had recently graduated from a Bible study program.  As a result of their Bible studies, each of the children had expressed a desire to live in service to Jesus Christ. One child began crying uncontrollably. “Lord,” he said, “I’ve truly offended you! I’ll study hard from now on and obey your Word.” 

Non-Christian parents are perplexed about the changes taking place in their families. Not only are their children more respectful, but they also excitedly repeat the stories and songs they’ve learned in Bible study and read in their own Chinese Bible. One Bible League-trained worker says, “By reaching the kids, we’ve led many parents to the Lord. They were profoundly touched by the changes in their own children.” 

In the face of danger

 Reaching children in China with the Gospel is not just important – it is critical.  According to George Barna in his book Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions, what children believe at the age of 13 is most likely what they will die believing.  The Chinese government knows this too, which is why the policy against evangelizing children in China is strict and it carries severe punishments.  Many Christians say this law is intended to shape a new generation of atheistic Communists. By denying them access to a Chinese Bible in their formative years, government officials believe these children will reject God in adulthood. As Barna would concur, this reasoning is not without merit. 

But this tender, formative season of childhood – when access to a Chinese Bible could shape child’s entire physical and spiritual life – is precisely the reason that Chinese Christians continue to risk their rights, their safety, and even their lives to tell children about God’s transforming love and to share His Word with them. Teaching kids the Truth at an early age will help prevent them from being deterred by the lies of Satan as they grow older! 

Chinese Bibles for children

Though there are brave Christians ready to bring the Gospel to children, many times they lack the Scriptures necessary to do so. In general, Chinese Christians are in desperate need of Bibles written in their own language.  As a result, over 50 million Chinese Christians are doing without. Chinese Bibles for children are even scarcer! 

But there is good news! Bible League International has a beautifully illustrated Chinese Bible available for the children in this atheist, communist nation. Interspersed throughout this Bible are vibrant color pictures of biblical characters and stories. With each engaging lesson written by a local Chinese believer, chapters include summaries of the Truth to be learned, thought-provoking questions, memory verses, simple prayers to the Father, and fun crafts or activities that reinforce the Bible lesson. 

Chinese Christians cannot obtain these illustrated Chinese Bibles on their own though - they depend on those who have been blessed with the ability to donate Bibles. Thank you for helping place Bibles in the hands of children in China so that a new generation is learning to be dependent on God rather than resistant towards Him.  Chinese children need to know the Truth. Chinese children need to know Jesus Christ. By providing Chinese Bibles to them, you help introduce them to both.