Telling the story of Jesus to my son…

… this is my greatest parenting purpose… sharing the love and salvation of Christ with my children.

My desire is that our daily lives are infused with a spiritual outlook that points the way to God. It’s not always easy in a busy world where everyday life vies for our attention in so many different ways. We sing Bible songs after dinner, and read Bible story books to our son. Sometimes I read him passages from the actual scriptures although he has no idea what I’m reading.

And then I discovered The Jesus Storybook Bible. (Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago; published by Zonderkidz).   I had no idea how much I was going to love, love, love this book. I brought it along for the 5-hour drive to our campsite this summer. I started reading to myself. But within a few pages, I stopped, turned to my husband and said, “I have to read this aloud to you! It is so beautifully written, you need to hear it.” And so I began, and read for nearly an hour. Sometimes I had to stop and exclaim over the poetic phrases, or catch my breath (and a tear) at the message of some stories. If it sounds like I’m gushing… maybe I am, but I think this book truly deserves to be gushed over.

Truly, all 44 stories in this book “whisper his name.” Interwoven through every story is the truth that God loves us with a “Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.”

In lyrical writing that is nearly breathtaking in its literary skill, I read from Creation to the Cross to the Coming of Christ. Every story is detailed, connecting to other Bible stories in a way that vividly shows how the Bible isn’t just a book of stories, but it’s really one big story of the love of God towards man.

Beautiful, unique illustrations fill each page, and draw your eye to consider the people of the Bible, see their emotions, ponder the magnitude and beauty of God’s Plan.

Artfully flowing through the entire book is the main theme of the Bible – that God always had a plan for mankind. That He would send his Rescuer, Jesus.

I grew up in church, went to Christian school and hold one degree from a Christian college. I wasn’t trying to be arrogant thinking I had nothing to learn from a children’s Bible storybook; so many children’s books skim the surface events of Bible stories. The Jesus Storybook Bible delves deep, yet in child-friendly language. It made me understand anew the trust Abraham had in God, the love God has for the unlovely, the small ways God reveals Himself to man, the message of hope running through every story. These are the understandings I want my children to realize at an early age.

The best part about this book, to me, is that it is so enjoyable to read aloud. Repetitious phrases flow from the tongue. A sophisticated variety of sentence structure keeps the stories fresh, interesting, and suspenseful. Delightful titles don’t just label stories, but hint at the message behind each one: “The forgiving prince” tells the story of Joseph in Egypt; “The teeny weenie…true king” tells about David being chosen to rule Israel; “The man who didn’t have any friends (none)” shows Jesus love for outcast Zaccheus. And so it goes, layer upon layer of Bible story sharing the Great Rescue Plan God had from the beginning of time.

This is truly a Bible storybook I’ll enjoy reading to my children over and over… and one I know clearly reveals the beauty of God’s nature.

Buy it: Check out whole chapters of The Jesus Storybook Bible online. It’s is a perfect gift or addition to your home library.

Win it: One lucky reader will win a copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible! Trust me, you are very, very blessed! ARV $17.

Disclosure: I was not sent product for this review and was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.