Read This Great Story!

The Bible tells one unified story. The biblical authors were aware of earlier Scripture, and they consciously contributed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the developing revelation that God was giving them. That is amazing! There is a big story in the Bible, and you can tell your kids this story.
I have included 3 resources below that will help you learn, share, and discuss God’s story as a family. They are age appropriate and available right now. If you don't have them already, you should click on the links and order these books before you finish this blog post. Children’s books can be great fun to read and re-read to the kids–if they’re well written. These are! Even more importantly, you can tell actual stories from your own perspective. And all along the way, your kids are learning the bible and watching your faith as you plant Gospel seeds in their hearts.

1. Here is a book that comes highly recommended for kids who can sit in your lap. Its called, “The Bible’s Big Story.” . It is written by Jim Hamilton. Jim asks, “What if you could read it to your kids–in less than 5 minutes for less than $5–right there in your rocking chair?” You can. This is it.
2. This is the #1 Bible for kids! This bible, in first class cartoon format, is recommended for ages 9 and up, but the kids who can read have really responded well to The Action Bible too. The Action Bible takes you on a fun, exciting journey through God's Word. Along the way you'll meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible.
3. The chart below is a project that the NBFamilies Pastoral staff has been working on. We are using this chart to write the D Groups Family Ministry Facilitators Guide for this Fall’s D Groups. The chart below is a 12 section explanation of the entire bible so you can know what to look for as you are discussing God’s story with your kids.

Theme:	Bible:	Redemptive Gospel Theme:
God’s Creation & Masterpiece	Genesis 1-2	God created everything perfectly with humanity as His masterpiece. God gave us His Image with divine sacred value. God made us male and female and gave us marriage to replicate His love for humanity.
Humanity’s Fall and Chaos	Genesis 3-8	God’s perfect design is broken because of humanity’s rebellion. Humans turned away from God and the chaos began. Shame, blame, and violence begin to prove humanity’s wickedness.
God’s Promises a Coming Hero	Genesis 12:1-3 Exodus	God promised to bless all the nations through Abraham’s family. He promised a Hero. God fulfills His promise and makes Abraham’s family big and shows His power to deliver His people from slavery.
Clues of Conquest	Joshua	God preserves the Hero’s family and makes His people powerful when they obey Him. But God’s people still struggle with sin and idolatry. One day God will send a Hero Who will bring the ultimate conquest.
Hints of Heroes	Judges, Ruth & 1&2 Samuel	God uses broken heroes and leaders to achieve His plan and protect His people. But God’s people still struggle with sin and idolatry. One day God will send the final Hero. He will win victory for eternity.
Kinds of Kingdoms	1 Samuel 8:1-4 1&2 Kings	God spoke to the kings of Israel through prophets. Some obeyed Him and saw His power. But some ignored the God’s instruction and suffered chaos. God will send a Hero Who will be the King of Kings.
Exile and Return	Genesis 12:1-3	God reprimands His people if they continue to ignore Him and God’s people bless others when they obey Him. God’s people returned to the land He promised them. But it was harder when they returned yet His promises are still in effect..
Silenced and Anticipation	Between Old & New Testament	God is quiet for 450 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The silence is hard but the anticipation is building. When is the Hero coming?
The Hero Arrives	Mathew Mark Luke John	God sends the Hero. Jesus is born. He lives, teaches, shows His power, and builds His Kingdom and His disciples.
The Hero Gives His Life and Lives Again	Mathew Mark Luke John	God makes the ultimate sacrifice – His Son - to provide forgiveness and redemption for His broken masterpiece. The Hro laid down His life because of His great love.
The Hero Gives His Mission to His Disciples	Acts Epistles	God gives His Son’s disciples a challenge to tell the world the Good News about Jesus, the Hero. God sends His Holy Spirit to help the disciples accomplish His mission. We work for the Hero now.
The Hero Returns in Final Victory	Revelation Consummation	God sends His Son, Jesus the Hero, to Earth to win final the final victory over evil. He promised to build a new heaven and a new earth. Humanity is restored to God’s design. We live with God, in His glory forever.

For NBFamilies, the goal is to help parents and kids remember the high points of the whole Bible story. There is value in being able to see the whole thing all at once, to identify the unity of the Bible, and to cut a path through the neurons and synapses that will be walked and re-walked, run and re-run. Disciples want to cut Bible and Gospel truths grooves deep in their brains, and we can do this with the ones we love most as we read and re-read, tell and discuss these truths with them.