Book Review : The Beginners Gospel Story Bible

By James Jeffery

As a young parent, I am always on the lookout for theologically truthful and accessible resources for my two children. Sadly, many ‘Christian’ children’s books either fall short by implicitly teaching antinomianism, or more commonly, legalism. After reading such books, children are left with the impression that they need to do more, be better, try harder, and emulate the heroes of the Bible. For this reason, I was refreshed to read Jared Kennedy’s The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible. 

This story bible avoids these pitfalls by creatively and faithfully presenting the gospel from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus is the hero of every story, with a call to entrust our whole life to Him. While the application of each lesson is tailored to young children, the same truths apply to parents. This makes it an edifying read, even for mums and dads as we read it! 

The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible contains 52 stories, each conveying the grace and promises of God. This makes it a suitable resource to use once a week for family worship (if you want to get through it in one year). My children demand that I read a minimum of two stories per day, which allows us to get through the whole book in a single month. 

The illustrations are vibrant and the language understandable. I particularly appreciated the little calls throughout that children can respond to (i.e., “Oh no!”). This makes it exciting for them and keeps them engaged throughout.

Something I particularly appreciated was the build quality of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible. Unlike many books, this story bible is child-proof. The pages are thick, the binding is solid, and the cover is rock-solid. Given how rough little kids can be with books, this is one of its greatest strengths. 

Whether you are expecting or already have young children, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible is an excellent resource every parent should own. It is an excellent resource to use for family worship, as it introduces children to their Saviour in an accessible and engaging manner. Additionally, Sunday school teachers will find it a helpful teaching aid, given that it covers the general arc of redemptive history.