Overview

So often children know stories from the Bible but don't understand the story of the Bible as a whole, the metanarrative. This book seeks to tell the big story of the Bible in an accessible and engaging way. For very young children the pictures have been designed to tell the story without words, older children can have it read to them or, from about the age of 6 or 7 should be able to read it for themselves. Why is it important that children understand the big story of the Bible anyway? Often as children grow up, particularly if they are part of a church and/or have Christian parents, they will hear how much God loves them, that Jesus loves them; and that God loves the world. It's a great message and one I firmly believe in; but it creates a 'love bubble' which can easily burst when children start to become more aware of and engage with the world around them. A child who has grown up in this 'love bubble' might get to aged 6 or 7 and find that a pet dies, they begin to engage with news media for the first time and are surrounded by sadness; or perhaps a family member dies. Where is the God who loves them now? How could a God who loves them and is their friend let this happen? The love bubble bursts, and the risk is that children turn their back on God because they can't align what they have been taught with the world around them that they are beginning to understand. I believe children need to grow up knowing that God loves them and wants to be their friend, but also that the world is broken and not how God wants it to be. Children need to be given a lens to help them make sense of what they see and understand from the world around them. Teaching children about brokenness at the same time as love avoids the love bubble and the consequences of it bursting. God's Big Story also includes the idea of choices, the choices we make every day but also that being God's friend is a choice. Wrong choices caused the world to break but the essence of God giving choice is love. A God who wants to be our friend allows us to choose how to respond because He loves people. Children are invited to engage with the story, to make choices, on every page. At the end of the book children are invited to choose how they want to respond to what they have heard. God's Big Story aims to tell the big story of the Bible so that children have a frame of reference to fit individual Bible stories into. It also makes the foundations of the Christian faith accessible to children and lays foundations for the future.

Full Product Details

9781916309104

Table of Contents

Reviews

From questions about crisp flavours to job choices, this is a book which we all can relate to. Sammy has thought carefully about links children might make and has created an exciting story to be shared, discussed and enjoyed -complemented by beautiful artwork from Sarah Joy. Mary Williams, Primary School Teacher A thought-provoking story with beautiful illustrations. Will enjoy reading this so much with my little one as she grows up because is so interactive and is a wonderful introduction to God's story - love it! Tina Poxton, Mum of Two We use God's Big Story with children of all ages in our Sunday ministry - we love how it relates to the world that the children see to God's big plan for the world. We tell the story to the younger children and get them to think about the interactive questions and for older children, we use this as a link to our discipleship curriculum. It is such a great resource for home and church alike. Helen Thompson, Children and Families Pastor Highfield Church Southampton This is a really interesting book. I like that it relates to real-life things so you can understand it better. It helps me feel closer to God. Annabel aged 11 It is simple enough for young readers to understand, with good reflective questions to make you think. I like the use of repetition and bold type. I also like how bits of the story is weaved into the illustrations. It's a positive way outlook on God's plan for the world. I especially like the prayer at the end. Rebekah aged 9

From questions about crisp flavours to job choices, this is a book which we all can relate to. Sammy has thought carefully about links children might make and has created an exciting story to be shared, discussed and enjoyed -complemented by beautiful artwork from Sarah Joy. Mary Williams, Primary School Teacher A thought-provoking story with beautiful illustrations. Will enjoy reading this so much with my little one as she grows up because is so interactive and is a wonderful introduction to God's story - love it! Tina Poxton, Mum of Two We use God's Big Story with children of all ages in our Sunday ministry - we love how it relates to the world that the children see to God's big plan for the world. We tell the story to the younger children and get them to think about the interactive questions and for older children, we use this as a link to our discipleship curriculum. It is such a great resource for home and church alike. Helen Thompson, Children and Families Pastor Highfield Church Southampton This is a really interesting book. I like that it relates to real-life things so you can understand it better. It helps me feel closer to God. Annabel aged 11 It is simple enough for young readers to understand, with good reflective questions to make you think. I like the use of repetition and bold type. I also like how bits of the story is weaved into the illustrations. It's a positive way outlook on God's plan for the world. I especially like the prayer at the end. Rebekah aged 9

Author Information

Sammy Jordan is a mum of two who seems to have been surrounded by children all her life. She grew up in a large family with lots of brothers and cousins who, as the eldest, she was often responsible for. Unsurprisingly she became a teacher and then trained teachers until God decided it would be a great idea for her to leave the job she loved to work for her local church with children and families... a job she discovered she loved even more! It was here, whilst writing a Sunday School curriculum based around God's Big Story that families asked for a version of it that they could read at home and God's Big Story the book was born. In her spare time, Sammy will often be found in her garden, spending time with her family, out running or tuning in to her guilty pleasures on tv, Neighbours is one of them; blame maternity leave! Known to her friends as Dotty Sammy for her love of all things spotty (she will admit to being at least a tiny bit bonkers) and because she feels called to 'join the dots', to make connections between people, places, ideas and what God is doing. Sammy now works for the Diocese of Winchester training and equipping young adults to be Jesus' apprentices.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available