The family Bible story book, Wondrous Works of God is a companion volume to Starr Meade’s popular first family Bible story book, Mighty Acts of God that released in 2010. Except Wondrous Works of God “…retells a different ninety stories.”
Starr believes God uses Bible stories to reveal who He is and what He has done throughout recorded history. Yet, because God can’t be seen attributes of His character, His love for His children and creation are easier to understand in story form, especially for children. She also believes “…Bible stories must be read in context and not as isolated units…a random chapter here or random page there...”
Instead, she writes, “…we must think in terms of the whole, wonderful story of God’s salvation…every Bible story must be told in light of this big wonderful story…” found in Christ.
Starr’s chronological collection of Old and New Testament Bible stories feature fifty-five Old Testament and thirty-five New Testament stories. Stories reveal how God stepped into human history in the past and His plans for the future of mankind. Stories, many of them not well-known, teach about God’s character, not just about morality or heroism. She begins with God’s creation of Eve in Genesis and ends with Jesus and the dragon found in Revelation 12.
Accounts include familiar stories such as, “Hagar and Ishmael, Serpent on a Pole, Balaam and the Donkey, the Sun Stands Still and Moses Sees God’s Glory.” However, other stories not commonly found in children’s Bible stories include “Job Suffers and Trusts God, Ezekiel’s Vision of Dry Bones, Elijah and King Ahaziah, Elisha Raises a Boy from the Dead and the Dragon and the Baby.”
Ninety exciting stories, penned in lively, easy-to-understand language contain summary statements of Christian truth and faith highlighted in red from a reformed perspective. Most stories are three pages in length, feature an illustration, scripture reference and questions and suggestions for personal application called, “…as for me and my house…”
The suggested age group, age’s four to ten, depends on children’s maturity. Some youngsters might understand more about age seven although they will enjoy the stories. The book is hardbound for durability and ease of use, designed with growing families in mind.
The Bible contains great adventure, sweet romance, and is a grand epic of good and evil played out on the stage of human history against the backdrop of God’s love, His grace and overall plan for humankind.
Starr’s imaginative writing, often compared to the writings of C.S. Lewis and Paul Bunyan, communicates abstract truths with clarity and simplicity in words readers can understand, especially children. Wondrous Acts of God is an excellent choice for family devotions and the New Year’s is a wonderful time to start this family tradition. www.crossway.org/blog
‘Wondrous Works of God: A Family Bible Story Book’ by Starr Meade, illustrated by Tim O’Connor, Hardcover, Crossway, 2012, 978-1433531583, $24.99
Back Cover Copy:
“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!”
PSALM 107:8
We want our children to know the God we love and worship, but communicating abstract truths about God can sometimes be difficult. It's good for us and for our children that God wants to be known. So he doesn’t simply tell us what he’s like; he shows us in the stories of the Bible.
As the sequel to Mighty Acts of God, this volume tells 90 more stories from the Bible, beginning with the account of God creating Eve and ending with the epic visions in Revelation. Each story highlights an aspect of God’s character and includes a helpful discussion guide to help the whole family see and understand the wondrous works of God!
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