{"id":22306,"date":"2017-11-23T05:19:42","date_gmt":"2017-11-23T13:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ordinary-fan.flywheelsites.com\/?p=22306"},"modified":"2022-10-27T14:17:47","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T21:17:47","slug":"beginners-gospel-story-bible-jared-kennedy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redeemedreader.com\/beginners-gospel-story-bible-jared-kennedy\/","title":{"rendered":"*The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Beginner\u2019s Gospel Story Bible strikes the right balance between scriptural faithfulness and a preschooler\u2019s comprehension. <\/em><\/p>\n

*The Beginner\u2019s Gospel Story Bible<\/em> by Jared Kennedy, illustrated by Trish Mahoney.\u00a0 New Growth Press, 2017, 313 pages\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reading Level: <\/strong>Picture book, ages 4-8<\/p>\n

Recommended for<\/strong>: ages 3-5<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Bible all about?\u00a0 Jesus! (The all-purpose Sunday-school answer)\u00a0 But \u201cJesus\u201d is more than a name, more than a man; even more than a God-man.\u00a0 He\u2019s a game-changer, a culture-maker, a world-shaker\u2014\u201cthe way,\u201d pure and simple.\u00a0 He\u2019s huge and yet he welcomes little ones to come to him.\u00a0 But how do they begin to come without some part of him to hold on to?\u00a0 Those toddlers in Palestine, ca. 38 A.D., could walk right up and climb into his lap.\u00a0 Today the common approach is Jesus as friend, a concept that is still a bit shaky to a four-year-old who is likely to designate any peer as a \u201cfriend.\u201d\u00a0 And of course, Jesus is much more than that.\u00a0 How does a \u201cbeginner\u201d comprehend the gospel of Jesus Christ?<\/p>\n

To solve this problem, The Beginner\u2019s Gospel Story Bible<\/em> seizes on the promise motif:<\/p>\n

Kids know the value of a promise.\u00a0 A parent\u2019s commitment to go out for ice cream inspires hope.\u00a0 Disappointment reigns when the shop closes early.\u00a0 Broken promises can bring tears.\u00a0 Unlike human parents, our good and all-powerful God always keeps his word (Numbers 23:19).\u00a0 And the way he fulfills his promises is better than anyone could have imagined!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Old Testament stories follow: \u201cPromises Made.\u201d\u00a0 Then an equal number of New Testament stories: \u201cPromises Kept.\u201d\u00a0 The ideas are simple and the wording is conversational and age-specific, while remaining theologically sound.\u00a0 Here for example is the beginning of the flood story:<\/p>\n

Adam and Eve had children, and their children had children.\u00a0 Instead of doing what God said was right, all those children did what they wanted all the time.\u00a0 Now the whole world was in trouble.\u00a0 God was sad because of all the bad choices people were making.\u00a0 God said, \u201cI will cover the world with water.\u00a0 I\u2019ll start over with one family.\u201d\u00a0 God chose Noah and his family.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s total depravity, righteous judgment, and sovereign choice, in terms little ones can understand and build on.\u00a0 The illustrations are simple, with basic single-tone colors and friendly faces.\u00a0 Some might find them childish; I find them childlike.\u00a0 Jesus is pictured in most of the New Testament stories, but not in shining white (an itinerant first-century preacher does not trudge the dusty roads of Galilee in a spotless robe!).\u00a0 On the very last page, however, he appears not only in white garments but on a white horse (cf. Revelation 5) with a sword to smite the devilish dragon.\u00a0 By that point, both you and your kids should feel like cheering!<\/p>\n

The 52 stories can be read or reread at the rate of one\/week.\u00a0 Each is 4-6 pages long, includes scripture references (all OT stories have at least one NT reference), and ends with a simple application question.\u00a0 Many of the pictures include counting games, opposites, comparisons, or animals to spot.\u00a0 It\u2019s engaging but not cute\u2014and actually a better choice for this age group than The Jesus Storybook Bible<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cautions<\/strong>: Violence (The crucifixion story may be disturbing to very sensitive children, as nails are specifically mentioned and shown. I found it just disturbing enough<\/em>.)<\/p>\n

Overall rating: 5<\/strong> (out of 5)<\/p>\n