CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW: IF HE HAD NOT COME by David Nicholson

Technically “IF HE HAD NOT COME” is a children’s book however the message is for everyone. IF HE HAD NOT COME originally told by Nan Weeks and reintroduced by David Nicholson is a story that ask the question: What would happen if Jesus had not come?
IF HE HAD NOT COME begins on Christmas Eve the day before the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus but without the birth of our Lord and Savior there is no Christmas Day. Not only that there can be no Christianity which means there are no churches or the activities that the church does.
The simplicity of the book facilitates a great meditation of John 15:22 which is supported by the six discussion questions presented at the end of the story. As a parent or Children’s church teacher they are excellent questions to help point out to the young that Christmas is not about gifts. These questions are great even for adults and for more mature Believers there are more questions that take you deeper into the meaning of Christmas.
The book concludes with the Gospel Message and the steps to salvation something needed by all young and old.
I recommend this book and suggest that it is read not only during the Christmas season but whenever you think about Christ.  Marsha L Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BELIEVE KID'S EDITION by Randy Frazee General Editor

Think- Act- Be, these are the responses every Christian should have when studying God’s word. BELIEVE KIDS’ EDITION by Randy Frazee is a Bible study for young children using the NIV Bible translation, recommended age 8-12.
My grandson (age 7) has the BELIEVE storybook edition and my granddaughter (age 11) has the BELIEVE student edition I approached this book review thinking about how they would receive the information as it was presented.
Unlike most Bible commentaries and study guides BELIEVE focuses on application of the word. The reader is encouraged to think about what he or she has read, consider how to respond or act to what was read and apply what was learned in his or her life.  This book makes a great introduction to faith and Bible study because it matches Old Covenant Scripture with New Covenant Scripture. Upon completion of BELIEVE KID’S EDITION young people will understand why it is important to follow Jesus.
I have reviewed each of the BELIEVE books: Storybook, Kid’s Edition, Student Edition and the adult version, I think I enjoyed the student’s edition the most though I appreciated the value of each. There is something very appropriate about the presentation of the material as well as the order in which it was presented. I am amazed at the amount of information that was presented though the book is less than 1/4 the size of a Bible (Kid’s Edition is 210 pages)
Any of these books including BELIEVE Kids’ Edition would be great to use for Bible Study at home and in your church. I recommend this book.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION Randy Frazee

Randy Freeze is the General Editor of a series of books that tell the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelations using selections from the New International Version of the Bible. BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION is specifically written for young people (this copy is going to my 10 year old granddaughter) to develop a foundational knowledge of Christianity.
There are three sectional concepts: Think- Act- Be which are taught in each of the “Believe” Bible commentary / study guides. Each chapter that falls under the concept introduces a Bible truth which is age appropriate. For example: Chapter 13 “Act” discusses Bible study. In each chapter has: Key Question; Key Idea; Key Verse; Text which includes Bible verses from Old and New Testament; and concludes with What We Believe.
The order in which information is presented makes perfect sense and I am confident that anyone, young or old, reading this book will have a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian.This book can be read independently by either a novice or a person that has read the Bible before. It can also be used in church as part of the Bible Study curriculum.
I have reviewed the adult version of Believe- “BELIEVE LIVING THE STORY OF THE BIBLE TO BECOME LIKE JESUS”; The children’s version: “BELIEVE STORYBOOK”  and now this one ‘BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION, I like each. If you are not a fan of the NIV Bible you may not enjoy this book however the advantage of having anyone read BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION is to get him or her interested in reading the Bible.
I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing each of the BELIEVE books.  Marsha L Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”