By Lorinda K. F. Newton

Many plan to start new habits in the new year, such as a diet or exercise to improve their physical health. But how is your spiritual health and that of your children? If you haven’t developed a Bible study program for your children, January is a perfect time to begin.

Here are some resources that may aid you in growing closer to God as you better understand His word. May these inspire you to dive deeper into the Bible this year!

The Big Picture Story Bible

Over a decade ago, my husband and I discovered this wonderful children’s Bible, The Big Picture Story Bible (2004). Although written for children ages 2–7, it communicates the metastory of the Bible to adults so well that we have given it to new adult believers.

Gail Schoonmaker’s cartoon-like ink-and-watercolor illustrations coordinate well with author David R. Helm’s simple text. We find the drawings particularly intriguing because some depict people looking up at God. Some offer praise, while others shake their fists at him.

Throughout the Old Testament section, the author focuses on God’s promises and their future fulfillment, beginning with his promise to Adam and Eve:

“God promised that one day someone would come and crush Satan’s power over people. But that day was a long way off” (49).

The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants follow. Yet, many centuries pass as the children of Abraham wait for their promised King.

The New Testament section focuses on Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. In part 23, “God’s Promise Is Explained,” the risen Christ shows his disciples how the Scriptures speak of him.

“Painted on the pages of Israel’s hard and happy history is the big picture of God’s forever King” (411).

The last three chapters briefly cover the rest of the New Testament.

The Biggest Story Bible Storybook

This newer children’s Bible storybook (2021) contains bold, vibrant colors and ornate designs in its stylized illustrations by Don Clark. Writing for children ages 6–12, author Kevin DeYoung follows the same goal of showing readers the Big Story told by Scripture, which is Jesus.

In a way, this book also functions as a commentary. DeYoung explains:

“What you have in this book is our theologically minded and redemptively focused interpretation of the main stories of the Bible” (10).

This book is divided into the traditional biblical sections. Each of these sections opens with a short introduction. Most accounts point out how the individual story fits into the Bible’s Big Story. Each chapter ends with a one- or two-sentence prayer, making this book ideal for daily devotions or bedtime reading.

The Pentateuch section primarily draws from Genesis, starting with creation.

Chapter two explains how by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve chose to be the authority of what is good and evil, rejecting God’s authority. The author explains what sin is.

“That’s what the tree stood for—God’s authority to call the shots.

“But that’s what Satan hates about God. And, it turns out, that’s what a lot of people hate about God too. We like to do things our way. We like to be the boss of ourselves. We like to be the boss of other people. We even like to be the boss of God” (24).

But God promised a Snake Crusher who would win over the serpent, Satan, in the end.

In addition to providing commentary, DeYoung speaks directly to young readers and sometimes adds quirky statements to help them relate to a subject.

“When Joseph was a teenager, Jacob made him a special robe. It wasn’t a choir robe (there weren’t many choirs yet). And it wasn’t a bathrobe (they didn’t take many baths either). It was a robe of many colors” (74).

The History section covers 16 stories from Joshua through Esther. The exile creates doubt in God’s people, but the author explains to the reader:

“But don’t think—even after all this—that God was all out of chances. God had not forgotten his other promises, the ones he made to Abraham. The Lord would bring his people back, and he would still be their God. But this time the people would need a new Moses and new covenant” (185).

The Poetry section has four readings, and the Prophets twelve.

The Gospels section combines the four biographies of Jesus to tell one story in 32 reading selections.

When the women come to the tomb and hear that Jesus had risen, the author explains:

“Death had been defeated. The wages of sin had been paid for. The long-awaited Snake Crusher had kept his promise, and all the promises of God would forever be kept in him” (429).

The Acts and Epistles section mainly covers stories from the book of Acts. The author tells four stories from Revelation but skips the tribulation. The second to last account is titled “The Snake Crusher Wins” (Revelation 20), continuing the use of the term “Snake Crusher” for Christ throughout the book.

Bible Infographics for Kids

The three volumes of Bible Infographics for Kids function as Bible reference works for kids ages 9 to 969 (That last number is printed on the back covers and refers to Methuselah). These colorful picture books by Harvest Kids (Harvest House Publishers) offer 58 pages of bold, solid color graphics with Bible facts, trivia, and a little silliness. An index helps you find facts fast.

What is an infographic? Working with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, the authors of these books use illustrations mixed with factoids to assist readers in understanding biblical concepts.

Volume 1

Giants, Ninja Skills, a Talking Donkey, and What’s the Deal with the Tabernacle? (2018) gives an overview of the significant events in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, plus a few pages that highlight a theme.

For instance, one two-page spread compiles several amazing accounts from both the Old and New Testaments, such as Balaam’s talking donkey and the fish with a coin in its mouth. Another spread provides quick facts on “unique characters,” and a third lists miracles.

The center contains fold-out pages that form a game board. As a person moves around the board, he travels along the biblical timeline from creation to the new heaven and new earth, collecting points along the way.

The first two-page spread gives facts about the Bible itself. Did you know that the King James Version has over 780,000 words? It would take a person over 260 hours to type the entire Bible. That many hours equal nearly 11 days!

Volume 2

 Light and Dark, Heroes and Villains, and Mind-Blowing Bible Facts (2019) contrasts various dichotomies found in the Bible, such as

• Moses in Egypt and Moses in the Wilderness
• Feats of God and Failures of Men
• Empires of Man vs. the Kingdom of God
• Angels and Demons; Heaven and Hell
• Fruit of the Spirit and Works of the Flesh

This volume also explains the trinity and Jesus as the God-Man.

Volume 3

The first half of the Epic Guide to Jesus (2022) traces references to Jesus throughout the Old Testament, including the names of Jesus, the Old Testament covenants, and prophecies.

The second part covers the life of Jesus, starting with archaeological evidence for what life was like in the first century. Then it continues through Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection to his second coming as King.

One page offers apologetic proof of Jesus’ resurrection, and a two-page spread explains why Jesus had to die and rise again in easy-to-understand terms.

Even though these books were written for children, adults will benefit from them as well.

Start this new year right and develop (or continue) the habit of regular Bible study with some new Bible resources such as these.

Lorinda K. F. Newton began homeschooling her children in 2004, and her family joined Academy Northwest in 2014. Her family lives on beautiful Whidbey Island north of Seattle, Washington. She writes about faith, culture, and governing from a biblical worldview on Substack, where she also publishes the “Newton Library Update” about her home library. Her older posts can be found at Lorinda’s Ponderings. ©2023 by Lorinda K. F. Newton.