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Herein Is Love #1
Herein Is Love, Vol. 1: Genesis: A Commentary for Children
This set of Old Testament 'commentaries' for children is going to take the world by storm once the word gets out. Nancy Ganz has taken the details of Gods great work of creation and redeeming a people for himself and told it in a way that is engrossing for kids (and adults). We use it for family devotions; we're up to "lesson" 46 in Genesis. It doesn't dumb anything down or just make it a bunch of unconnected Bible stories. Like the title says the emphasis is showing Gods great love in all he does. The books are so creative; check out Noah's 'journal' while on the ark (yes, she puts in appropriate disclaimers. Nancy Ganz doesn't make things up, (she holds Gods word in such high regard it comes through on every page) she applies a magnifying glass to the text that showed my wife and I things we'd never noticed before. What a wonderful and exciting treat. Get these books, they are the next classic in children's Bible literature. I don't even have time to talk about the full teaching guide at the back of each book: suggestions for visual aids, memory work, review questions, songs to sing, outdoor activities all on lightly tinted pages to stand out from the rest of the book. This stuff is great!
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2009
28 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Nancy E. Ganz
7 books5 followersNancy Ganz has spent the last twenty years in her native land of Canada, helping her husband, Dr. Richard Ganz, in church-planting work and home-schooling their four daughters. She received her formal theological training from the University of Toronto prior to her conversion to Christ at L'Abri in the Netherlands. However, it has been the many years of Bible study since that time which has produced her Herein is Love commentaries on the Old Testament. Currently, most of her time is spent studying the Scriptures, writing various books, and taking long walks along the country roads and woodland paths near her home.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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March 9, 2013Not sure why this is classified as a "children's commentary" because it knocked my socks off and left me both inspired and confounded. A great, great, smart read for family devotions. Ganz goes deep. She obviously understands what Jesus meant when He said, "and a child shall lead them" because this commentary is the smartest most respectful children's devotional I have ever laid hands on. She definitely took a page of Charles Spurgeon's/Charlotte Mason's book by not writing twaddle and dumbed down theology that's too emotive and downright dismissive of what a child can grasp.
March 22, 2012
I walked through this with my family as we are going through the Pentateuch. Nancy Ganz has put together a beautiful work of commentaries, covering the entire Pentateuch. These come with wonderful craft ideas, field trips, and most importantly- a high view of scripture in the reformed tradition with careful exegesis and application. I would get this; whether you have children or no- most of us adults would be challenged and blessed by her thoughtful commentary.
March 11, 2014
The subtitle of this book is “A Commentary for Children,” though I don’t think that’s an accurate categorization. It is not so much an explanation of Genesis as it is a retelling with musings by the author. Some of these musings are helpful connections (like contrasting the tower of Babel to Pentecost), some are a little bizarre (a diary of Noah) and I found some unnecessarily contentious (calling Charles Darwin “a great destroyer of the faith” and a “Philistine”).
My main hesitation in recommending this book is that the author does not often acknowledge that it is difficult to read about major destruction and judgment. Parts of those retellings seem gleeful. While concluding her summary the destruction of Sodom, the author writes “The destruction they received, they deserved. They were without excuse. Rejoice, for true and just and right are God’s judgments!” I certainly agree that God’s judgments are perfect, but I think that in speaking with and teaching children about it, it is important to be authentic and talk through the pain and sadness that is evident in these stories.
A publisher’s note lists the age range as 3 and up, but I think it would be much more appropriate (useful, understandable) for children in elementary school. Even some of the great connections the author makes – like calling Christ’s crucifixion our circumcision while retelling the story of Abraham - would probably confuse an elementary-aged reader since she does not define circumcision other than to say it is a sign of the covenant, and covenant is also not defined. I could see lifting some of the retellings to use with a class of children, or using a chapter at a time (which are called lessons) as a family devotion. However, I think it would be important to clarify what is the author’s opinion versus what is actually in the Bible as you have your family discussion.
An updated version with a teaching guide is much more usable than the edition without it. More explanations (like a child-friendly definition of circumcision) are given, as well as ideas for visual aids, memory work, crafts, review questions, prayers, psalms to sing, and a field trip. I like that the review questions focus on what the lesson teaches about God, and how the lesson helps us live our lives. The visual aids are always suggestions for use of real photographs, as the author believes that fictionalized pictures are often “visual harms” that get in the way of children understanding that the stories are real. I understand those concerns, but would hesitate before showing children pictures of famine or war just to get a point across. The field trip ideas are inventive and fun, but often impractical – like riding a camel. In a few places, I think the author places value on unimportant things. For example, this is her explanation on God resting on the Sabbath: “Most people now think of the week beginning on Monday (and some calendars even start there), but they are wrong. The first day of the week is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the New Covenant Sabbath.” Overall though, there are some helpful ideas you could glean from this for fun time as family or as a class.
My main hesitation in recommending this book is that the author does not often acknowledge that it is difficult to read about major destruction and judgment. Parts of those retellings seem gleeful. While concluding her summary the destruction of Sodom, the author writes “The destruction they received, they deserved. They were without excuse. Rejoice, for true and just and right are God’s judgments!” I certainly agree that God’s judgments are perfect, but I think that in speaking with and teaching children about it, it is important to be authentic and talk through the pain and sadness that is evident in these stories.
A publisher’s note lists the age range as 3 and up, but I think it would be much more appropriate (useful, understandable) for children in elementary school. Even some of the great connections the author makes – like calling Christ’s crucifixion our circumcision while retelling the story of Abraham - would probably confuse an elementary-aged reader since she does not define circumcision other than to say it is a sign of the covenant, and covenant is also not defined. I could see lifting some of the retellings to use with a class of children, or using a chapter at a time (which are called lessons) as a family devotion. However, I think it would be important to clarify what is the author’s opinion versus what is actually in the Bible as you have your family discussion.
An updated version with a teaching guide is much more usable than the edition without it. More explanations (like a child-friendly definition of circumcision) are given, as well as ideas for visual aids, memory work, crafts, review questions, prayers, psalms to sing, and a field trip. I like that the review questions focus on what the lesson teaches about God, and how the lesson helps us live our lives. The visual aids are always suggestions for use of real photographs, as the author believes that fictionalized pictures are often “visual harms” that get in the way of children understanding that the stories are real. I understand those concerns, but would hesitate before showing children pictures of famine or war just to get a point across. The field trip ideas are inventive and fun, but often impractical – like riding a camel. In a few places, I think the author places value on unimportant things. For example, this is her explanation on God resting on the Sabbath: “Most people now think of the week beginning on Monday (and some calendars even start there), but they are wrong. The first day of the week is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the New Covenant Sabbath.” Overall though, there are some helpful ideas you could glean from this for fun time as family or as a class.
December 11, 2025
We used this in the morning for our homeschool's bible time. We would read the scripture chapter/verses directly from the bible, and then read the chapter from Nancy Ganz' book. I enjoyed her retelling, though it almost felt redundant as we had just read the passages from scripture - which did show how faithful to scripture Mrs Ganz stays.
There were a few theological differences that I share with the author, but they are minor and made for good conversations with my teens.
I appreciate that she doesn't shy away from the hard and awkward stories (something us homeschool mothers are known for doing, and we shouldn't!). You know, like Sodom and Gomorrah and then Lot and his daughters... She is tactful but direct.
Highly recommend this book series.
There were a few theological differences that I share with the author, but they are minor and made for good conversations with my teens.
I appreciate that she doesn't shy away from the hard and awkward stories (something us homeschool mothers are known for doing, and we shouldn't!). You know, like Sodom and Gomorrah and then Lot and his daughters... She is tactful but direct.
Highly recommend this book series.
January 2, 2019
Great commentary series for kids and their adults...
March 26, 2024
A rich, thorough, and illuminating commentary for children, teens, and adults alike. Even though Genesis is a book well-known to many, including myself, I gained a lot of insight through this commentary as I read it to my children. It can be a tad repetitive at times, so I occasionally edited out things on the fly. There's a plethora of supplemental information in the back for each chapter including activities, field trips, additional scripture, and more.
July 7, 2017
I thought this was well written and it surely helped my younger children understand the Word if God better.
June 15, 2025
Part of our school curriculum this year. I really enjoyed having this book to go along with the Genesis chapter we were reading. A good resource to have with kids and even adults.
October 26, 2014
I highly recommend this book! It will bring the bible to life and make your children think about God's word. I marvel at the conversations we have around the kitchen table about the truth of God's word after reading this with them. I would recommend this book for children 2nd grade-High School. It is a fantastic read-aloud as a family for devotions.
"Bible commentaries for children? Yes, Bible commentaries for parents to read their children. This series of books provides what children need – solid growth, solid truths into which to grow. These commentaries are artfully written, and beautifully draw out the Old Testament narratives that are foundational for the Christian faith. I guarantee that your children will not want you to stop reading these books, and you will not want to stop either."
Ted Tripp (Pastor, conference speaker, author of the mega best-seller Shepherding a Child’s Heart)
"Bible commentaries for children? Yes, Bible commentaries for parents to read their children. This series of books provides what children need – solid growth, solid truths into which to grow. These commentaries are artfully written, and beautifully draw out the Old Testament narratives that are foundational for the Christian faith. I guarantee that your children will not want you to stop reading these books, and you will not want to stop either."
Ted Tripp (Pastor, conference speaker, author of the mega best-seller Shepherding a Child’s Heart)
June 13, 2012
I received this in the mail today and I am excited about the way this comentary teaches children the Word of God and the Love of God. I am looking forward to digging into Genesis during our evening devos and tea time.
Ha. 4 years later... I received this in the mail again, this time coming from my parents in America. Again, I am enjoying it, and using it as I prepare to teach 4th grade Bible this year. Our second unit is Genesis.
Ha. 4 years later... I received this in the mail again, this time coming from my parents in America. Again, I am enjoying it, and using it as I prepare to teach 4th grade Bible this year. Our second unit is Genesis.
March 5, 2016
This is a wonderful walk through the book of Genesis, not academic, and not like a novel based on Bible events. It is a re-telling of events, linking their truths with New Testament truths, always gently returning to the gospel and its implications. Suggested for families with children or teens for teaching time or family devotional time, as well as adults who want truth, but not in an academic format. It is easy to read without being dummed down.
March 10, 2012
Although this is a commentary for kids, I am continually surprised at Nancy Ganz's insights that I have never thought of before. If you're looking for a good book for family devotions, seriously consider this one. It also includes review questions, craft ideas, activities to involve your kids, and song suggestions. My kids (4 and 7) love this book!
September 20, 2011
Loved this book. We used it as a devotional, and although you would think from the text and language that it was above the heads of younger kids, my littler ones listened and gained a lot from this book. It is gospel-centered and reveals to a young audience how God foretold the coming of Christ since the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews