Resources for our “God’s Big Story” series
This past Sunday, we began a new series called “God’s Big Story”. God’s Big Story is recorded in the Bible. Sixty-six books of various genres written by several authors over thousands of years has ONE THEME: The Bible is the story of a Holy God Redeeming Sinful Man.
God’s Big Story contains for story lines:
1. CREATION: God created all things perfect and for his glory.
2. THE FALL: Mankind corrupted God’s perfect creation and has fallen short of the glory of God.
3. REDEMPTION: God has delivered mankind from the bondage of their sin and revealed his glory to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.
4. RESTORATION: God promises to renew all things through Jesus Christ and to usher in an eternal future in the presence of his glory.
These four story lines are seen throughout the entire Bible and over the next few weeks, we’re going to be looking at some of the most popular stories in the Bible and see how they are connected to God’s Big Story.
My hope for this series is for us to see God’s Big Story on every page of the Bible, to help you read your Bible daily, and to help you teach the Bible to others. To help you and your family in our study of God’s Big Story, here are some helpful resources.
BOOKS
THE BIGGEST STORY ABC by Kevin DeYoung (Purchase on Amazon)
AGES: Preschool
From Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden to Zion and the new creation world, the Bible is telling one big story―the story of God’s promise to deliver his people. Kevin DeYoung, best-selling author of The Biggest Story, has written a new board book to help kids ages 1 to 3 to make connections from Genesis to Revelation and from A to Z. Each page introduces a new letter of the alphabet with engaging and whimsical illustrations from award-winning artist Don Clark, retelling the biblical narrative in one continuous story. This board book is a fun way for parents to introduce their small children to the big story of the Bible.
THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Purchase on Amazon)
AGES: Preschool and Elementary; Great for Teenagers and Adults who are new believers.
If you are a parent, grandparent, or teacher looking for a way to teach the children in your life about God’s “Never Stopping, Never Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love,” look no further than The Jesus Storybook Bible.
What makes The Jesus Storybook Bible different from every other Kids’ Bible?
While other Kids’ Bibles contain stories from the Old and New Testaments, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible, pointing to Jesus as our Savior. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will clearly see that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation—and at the center of their story too.
THE BIGGEST STORY: HOW THE SNAKE CRUSHER BRINGS US BACK TO THE GARDEN by Kevin DeYoung (Purchase on Amazon)
AGES: Preschool and Elementary
Once upon a time there lived a man and a woman. They were the happiest people on the planet. True, they were the only people on the planet, but they were still terrifically happy. Unfortunately, things didn’t stay happy and wonderful for long . . .
The Bible is full of exciting stories that fill children with awe and wonder. But kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.
In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung―a best-selling author and father of six―leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ’s death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.
With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible’s core message―how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden―will draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God’s promises are even bigger and better than we think.
THE GARDEN, THE CURTAIN, AND THE CROSS: THE TRUE STORY OF WHY JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN by Carl Laferton (Purchase on Amazon)
AGES: Preschool and Elementary
Teach children why Jesus died and rose again and why that’s the best news ever.
This beautifully illustrated hardback book takes children on a journey from the garden of Eden to God’s perfect new creation.
Retelling the Easter story through a Bible overview, children will discover that ‘because of our sin, we can’t go in’ but because of Jesus’ victory on the cross, an even better garden awaits us…
THE STORY OF REDEMPTION ESV BIBLE from Crossway (Purchase on Amazon)
AGES: Teenagers and Adults
The ESV Story of Redemption Bible: A Journey through the Unfolding Promises of God leads readers on a journey through this storyline from start to finish, with conversational commentary written by pastor Greg Gilbert interspersed throughout the full ESV text.
With the aim of encouraging interaction and contemplation passage by passage, Gilbert explains how every part of Scripture fits together and is ultimately centered on Christ. Particularly suitable to those who are new to the Bible but rich with insights for even the most seasoned Bible reader, the ESV Story of Redemption Bible will draw readers in as they see their place in the greatest story ever told.
PODCASTS AND VIDEOS
GOD’S BIG STORY PODCAST from The Village Church (Listen on iTunes Podcasts)
AGES: Preschool and Elementary
God’s Big Story is a new podcast for kids. On each episode, we’ll teach the Bible, sing the Bible, and talk about what it means with some friends.
THE BIBLE PROJECT (Watch on YouTube)
AGES: All Ages
BibleProject is a nonprofit animation studio that produces short-form, fully animated videos. Our videos and all of our other resources are available for free to help people everywhere experience the unified story of the Bible.
For our sermon series, Check out their “How to Read the Bible” Series. This series explores the origins, content, and purpose of the Bible. Here you’ll be introduced to some of the basic skills necessary for reading the bible effectively. Watch a sample video below.