Go Bible Review – A New Family Favorite
Today, I’m delighted to share with you Go Bible review. We received this Bible alongside the Hands-On Bible, which you can read about here.
I was immediately impressed by how unique the Go Bible is in its purpose and design. As a Christian homeschooling mom and literature teacher, I’m interested in resources that help children see Scripture not just as a book to read, but as a living story with the power to shape their hearts. The Go Bible seeks to do just that, with an emphasis on the transformative power of God’s Word throughout all of its supplemental content (over 600+ pieces of bonus features).
Go Bible Review
This Bible is recommended for ages 7+. After looking through it, I’d recommend it for ages 7- about 12 or 13. It’s really an ideal translation and addition for mid-upper elementary ages who are beginning to view Scripture with more depth and personal interest. I also think it is a particularly strong fit for kids who are new believers, or for children who are close to making a faith decision.
What makes this Bible stand out is its emphasis on the word “Go.” In the “How to Use this Bible” section, the Go Bible explains its title saying:
“Go means something’s about to change. It means something new and exciting is starting. And that’s what can happen when you begin reading God’s Word! This Bible includes several different kinds of bonus content to help you discover how the Word of God can transform your life – and how you can show other people what God has done for you. Let’s go!”
Every feature in this Bible points children toward transformation: how God changed people in the Bible, how He changes circumstances, and how He invites us to go and live differently because of His Word. If you look carefully, you’ll notice the theme of growth is even integrated into the illustrations. The front cover shows God’s creation and life in the process of growing, and there are features that show tadpoles becoming frogs and caterpillars becoming butterflies integrated into the special features. Speaking of that, there are many different special features! All of them aim to help young readers recognize the way God is at work throughout Scripture and how He can work in their own lives. The Go Bible also has many features devoted to helping kids learn how to share their faith with their friends, which is perfect for the new believer who is unsure of how to do so.
With its emphasis on change and transformation, the Go Bible functions beautifully as a kids’ first discipleship or study Bible. It is accessible, easy to read independently for children (or share together), and filled with thoughtful tools to help children grow in their faith, apply Scripture to their lives, and share God’s love with others. Let’s dig into some of the special features you can expect to find in the Go Bible!
Want to watch my walk through of the Go Bible? See it here:
About the NLT Translation
Because translation choice can be so important to families, I wanted to share a quick note about the New Living Translation (NLT) for those who are unfamiliar with it. The Go Bible uses the full text of the NLT, which is a dynamic equivalence translation, sometimes called a “thought for thought” translation. This means the translators focused on conveying the meaning of the original text in clear, natural English rather than translating word for word. For young readers, this often results in a Bible that feels smoother, more engaging, and easier to understand.
The NLT was created by a team of about 90 biblical scholars working from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. Published by Tyndale House Publishers in 1996, the translation aims to faithfully communicate Scripture’s message while making it readable for modern audiences, including children who are just beginning to read the Bible independently.
For this age group (roughly ages 7 to 12 or 13) the NLT strikes a wonderful balance: faithful to the meaning of Scripture while still accessible enough to support both personal study and family devotions. It is a translation I feel very comfortable placing in the hands of children as they learn to navigate God’s Word for themselves.
Special Features
The GO Bible goes well beyond just presenting a reader-friendly translation of the text. This kids’ Bible offers a variety of features to help a child engage with God’s Word more deeply. Altogether, the Tyndale Publishing Website tells us that the Go Bible has over 600 special features in its pages!
While not technically a “Special Feature,” I also wanted to mention that this Bible is both softcover and hardcover, as well as in a variety of “looks” that will appeal to girls or boys. The standard hardcover edition, shown below, features growing things and kids jumping, playing, and looking at butterflies: again, there is that transformation/”go” theme present in the details!
However, my daughter and I fell in love with the softcover edition of the Go Bible, which is pink and features an image of God’s creation with dolphins, birds, and a sunrise (perhaps symbolizing “a new day,” which is also on theme!) This is the version we use for this Go Bible review.
While seemingly minor, I think it’s nice that Tyndale Publishing often provides a selection of “looks” in their various Bibles for kids! Having a Bible that looks like it belongs to them can be exciting for kids and encourage regular habits, such as bringing their Bible to church. The little things really can be big things for kids.
Now that we’ve looked at the outside (or two options at least), let’s take a look at the inside and explore some of the features that make the Go Bible truly special!
“Know, Grow, Go” mini-devotions:
These mini-devotions show up throughout parts of Scripture in a way that encourages personal application of the reading in a short and simple way. The language and examples are easy for kids to follow and often connect to other parts of Scripture to encourage further study!
Key Verse Challenges:
Scripture memorization activities that are fun and simple, helping kids memorize and understand key verses.
Factoids:
Kids love fun facts! The “Factoids” in the Go Bible include interesting things to know about life in Biblical times to help bring the historical context to life for young readers.
True Tales of Transformed People:
I really love these sections, which show snapshots of lives changed by God. Again, the theme of transformation is strong! There are also “key” things to remember about the life of each person featured, which can be helpful. My daughter liked the animation style all throughout, and I thought the illustrations of Bible characters were a nice touch.
Choose to Change:
The “Choose to Change” sections are short, multiple-choice chances for children to apply what they’ve been reading about in Scripture to a real-life scenario and make the Biblical choice!
Book Introductions:
Brief overviews for each book of the Bible, giving orientation and “why this book matters” for children. This was one of our favorite features (read more about it below!)
20 Big Ideas in the Bible:
There are some really beautiful and colorful illustrations of major moments (e.g., Ark, Exodus, Tabernacle) to spark wonder and comprehension, as well as other types of “big idea” illustrations that answer commonly asked new believer questions like, “How should I pray?” The section shown below compares messages shared by “The World versus the Word.”
8 full-color maps:
These help children locate the places and journeys described in Scripture. This is a really handy tool if you homeschool and like to tie together your history, geography, and Biblical studies!
Our Favorite Features of the Go Bible
The “Go” theme throughout:
As a mom, my favorite thing about this edition is how the Go Bible’s central theme of transformation and change helps kids see Scripture as an active story, of which they are a part! All of the various special features highlight how God transforms people and circumstances and invites children to respond with faith and obedience.
Clear, kid-friendly explanations
All of the sidebars, special features and notes use simple, accessible language to help kids understand key ideas without oversimplifying them. These features support independent reading and reinforce biblical truths in a meaningful way. Again, I think this Bible is accessible for kids as young as 7!
Focus on life change
Many features guide children toward recognizing how God shapes hearts, teaches through circumstances, and invites them to trust Him. The mini-devotional type features like “Go, Know, Grow” and “Choose to Change” make the Go Bible especially helpful for children who are new believers beginning to take ownership of their faith.
Easy navigation
Book introductions, timelines, and visual markers make it simple for kids to begin to understand the scope of the Word and how is interconnected. These elements also help young readers find what they need quickly and understand the Bible better within the context of the “Ancient World” which they may have also studied in their schoolwork!
Age-appropriate visuals
The images and designs are bright and appealing without pulling attention away from the text of Scripture (in fact, they aid in understanding!) This balances visual interest with readability for young readers without seeming “too young” for readers who are closer to the 10-12 range.
Strong book introductions
The consistent categories used in each book introduction (who wrote it, what it is about, where and when it takes place, why it matters, and how it fits into God’s story) help children understand that every book serves a specific purpose. I really think this helps students understand how books are both connected and distinctive! The “where” and “when” categories, along with the timelines, are especially helpful for kids integrating Bible study with history or literature. The added timelines and “seek and find” sections enhance engagement and support comprehension.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I think that the NLT Go Bible: A Life Changing Bible for Kids is an excellent choice for young readers who are either on the verge of making a profession of faith or have recently made one. It functions beautifully as a beginner’s study Bible that can help children grow in their faith, understand practical application, and learn to share what they believe. Its emphasis on how God changes hearts and lives gives kids a consistent, hopeful lens for reading Scripture and also understanding its transformative power in their lives. I think it is especially well suited for boys or girls between about ages 7 and 12 or 13. It would make a thoughtful birthday, Christmas, or “just because” gift for a child who is a new believer, a child beginning to ask big faith and heart questions, or as a meaningful baptism gift!
Order the Go Bible and see all of the different covers you can purchase it in, here.
