The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible

The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible

For Ages 1-3

How do you explain the gospel to toddlers and preschoolers? Often adults are stumped, but Jared Kennedy’s focus on the promises of God makes the gospel come alive to the littlest hearts. Through fifty-two Old and New Testament stories, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible highlights God’s perfect promises. Every page pops with bright colors, playful illustrations, fun learning opportunities, and, best of all each story points children to Jesus.

Kids know the value of a promise. Through the gospel, our good and all-powerful God keeps his word and fulfills his promises to us better than we could have ever thought or imagined!

In The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible, author Jared Kennedy traces God’s perfect promises through fifty-two Old and New Testament stories, retold in simple and compelling ways with toddlers and preschoolers in mind. Each gospel-centered story highlights God’s tale of redemption through Jesus and the unexpected and surprising ways that God’s grace and mercy are revealed throughout the Bible. Children will hear the good news of God’s love for them clearly expressed in ways that will speak to their young hearts. Brightly colored illustrations highlight the stories and add fun teaching elements of counting, opposites, patterns, and object recognition to keep even the youngest child’s attention. Every story also ends with a question that parents and caregivers can use to further reinforce the message.

Through reading this book one chapter at a time to your children—or letting them read it to you!—even the youngest kids will come to know that God’s promises are especially for them, and that God always keeps his promises.

About the Author and Illustrator

Jared Kennedy, MDiv, ThM, is the husband to Megan and the father of three girls—Rachael, Lucy, and Elisabeth. He serves as Pastor of Families at Sojourn Community Church—Midtown in Louisville, KY and as children’s ministry strategist for Sojourn Network. Jared is the author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible; two VBS programs, Proof Pirates and Clap Your Hands, Stomp Your Feet; Are You Close to God; and coauthor of Leadership Mosaic.

Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children—both budding artists, too. Trish’s first children’s book was God Made All of Me.

Contents

Old Testament: Promises Made

1. God Makes Everything
2. Adam and Eve Disobey
3. God Sends a Rainbow
4. Abraham Counts the Stars
5. Rebekah Gives the Camels Water Too!
6. Surprise!  God Chooses Jacob
7. Jacob has a Dream
8. Joseph’s Brothers Sell him
9. Miriam Watches the Basket
10. A Bush is on Fire but Doesn’t Burn Up
11. Stubborn King Pharaoh Says No!
12. What is the Lamb for?
13. No Way to Escape
14. A Cow Popped Out!
15. Ten Spies Give a Bad Report
16. The Snake on a Stick
17. The Wall Falls Down
18. God Gives Naomi a New Family
19. Hannah Prays
20. David Fights Goliath
21. David and Jonathan are Friends
22. Solomon Chooses Wisely
23. Jeremiah is Thrown into a Pit
24. Three Friends Won’t Bow
25. Queen Esther Speaks Up
26. Nehemiah is Sad

New Testament: Promises Kept

1. Zechariah Can’t Talk
2. Jesus is Born
3. Wise Men Bring Presents
4. Joseph and Mary Lose Jesus
5. John Says, “Turn Around!”
6. Jesus Goes to a Party
7. Peter Catches Fish (A Whole Bunch of Fish)
8. Jesus Calms the Sea
9. The Know-it-All and the Big Sinner
10. Jesus Heals the Blind Man
11. Zacchaeus Looks for Jesus
12. Jesus Loves Little Children
13. Jesus Wakes Lazarus from Death
14. Jesus Rides into Jerusalem
15. Jesus’s Last Supper
16. Jesus Dies for Us
17. Jesus Lives!
18. Jesus’s Friends See Him
19. King Jesus Goes Up to Heaven
20. Jesus Sends the Holy Spirit
21. The Crippled Beggar Walks!
22. Philip Meets an Official from Africa
23. Saul is Knocked to the Ground
24. Peter Sees a Blanket
25. Paul Tells the World
26. Jesus Opens the Book