A video report about the Family Bible project was featured on the NOS News on April 5.: nos.nl/artikel/2609148-samenleesbijbel-helpt-bij-bespreken-moeilijke-onderwerpen-ook-tijdens-pasen.
“The Family Bible is one of the best Bibles for families,” says Elias Agyemang. He is pastor at the Christian Mission Church, one of the 15 participating churches involved in the Family Bible project. He is also overseeing the Bible Project on behalf of the Bible Society. ‘
“Many migrant parents, because of their busy lives, are not always aware of what’s occupying the minds of their children. Often, children often discuss their questions on life issues with peers or look for answers on social media. Now that parents are reading the Bible together with their children, meaningful conversations are taking place.”
The Family Bible has been translated into several languages. For their pilot project, the Bible Society made the English and Dutch translation available. Each migrant church appoints a coordinator to oversee the program, train leaders, and support the 600 participating families in Amsterdam.
In 2026, the Family Bible project will expand further. A migrant church in Dordrecht has already begun, and migrant churches in Rotterdam, Maastricht, Oss, Enschede, and Apeldoorn have also expressed interest.
The Family Bible
The Family Bible is a shortened version of the “Samenleesbijbel”, an interactive family Bible with reading plans, discussion questions, facts, songs, and activities. The reading plans are tailored to the developmental stages of children aged 8 to 12. This approach is based on “children’s theology,” which emphasizes equality between parent and child. It helps parents and children to discover the Bible together in an active and open way.
Photo above: The family of Josephine Appiah from the NOS report featuring the Family Bible. © NBG/Peter Siebe