Questions and Answers about the Faithgirlz! Bible

I wrote all of the features which explain hard-to-understand things and guide readers to put the Scripture to work in their own lives.

The Faithgirlz! Bible is special because it’s a study Bible and a devotional Bible in one. Some of the features, such as “Oh, I Get It” and the individual book introductions, provide information that helps the reader understand what she’s reading, like how Adam could really have lived 969 years. Other features, such as “Dream Girl” and “Is There a Little _______ In You?” guide the reader to put herself into the stories and realize they are about her. Still others, such as “Bring It On” and “Between You and Me,” help her apply the Scripture to her own life, especially when it comes to friendships. Everything is written with a tween girl’s experience in mind.

I sit down with my Bible every morning when I first get up, and after I write in my journal to get all the stray thoughts and problems out so I can concentrate, I read: one Psalm, one Old Testament lesson (right now I’m reading about the Kings – what a clueless bunch), one New Testament lesson (like Paul’s letter to the people in Corinth who were as clueless as those kings sometimes!), and one Gospel lesson (those are my favorites; Jesus was so incredibly cool) As I read I have a pen in my hand and sometimes I underline passages and write notes in the margin or jot things down on cards that I want to use or think about later. It’s as if the Bible is talking right to me and I want to capture everything it says for my life. When I’m finished, I pray, and then I just listen. I don’t hear God’s voice like I would yours, but I take that time to pay attention, and sure enough, most of my questions are answered eventually.

I love them all, but I think “Dream Girl” was my favorite to write because it made me use my imagination and creativity to put you, the young reader, into situations like standing at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion or getting off the ark after forty days and nights with the stinky animals. I enjoyed thinking of you girls closing your eyes and truly putting yourself into the Scripture, which is what we’re all called to do.

I hope the Faithgirlz! Bible will help you grow a friendship with the Bible, your own relationship. It asks questions, asks you to think, challenges you to apply what you’re learning. That’s how you’ll find a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than just following rules or saying what you’ve been told without really thinking about it. Rules are important, of course, but they only make sense when you really believe the message of the Scriptures. That’s what this Bible is about.

When I was asked to write the features for the Faithgirlz! Bible, I was speechless – and that’s something that doesn’t happen to me very often! It was as if everything I had been learning and working toward and writing ever since I started had come together in this one project. I truly felt that it was a God-thing, just like I talk about in my other books. I didn’t decide – God did – and I’m so glad because it gave me a chance to share the beauty and the wisdom and the excitement of the Bible and help girls like you begin to use it as your guide for life and love. It was an honor I could not refuse.

The Faithgirlz! Bible was originally going to be called The Best Friends Bible, because it focuses on sharing faith with friends and gives real ways to do that. I hope you will share your FG Bible with friends, because even though faith is very personal, it shouldn’t be kept private. Jesus himself traveled with a group of friends, modeling for us that Christianity is about relationship. It is meant to be enjoyed, so go for it!