In fact, kids will read information in a graphic novel they’d never read from a textbook. (Actually, that’s true for adults, too, right?)
If helping your family understand biblical, Reformed theology matters to you, you’ll love John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes!
John Calvin Facts
First, who was John Calvin?
Take a look at ten quick facts about John Calvin you can share with your kids: *
- John Calvin was born in Noyon, France in 1509, about three days walk from Paris.
- Born into a Roman Catholic family (in a Roman Catholic nation) during the Reformation, he attended the University of Paris at the age of 14 so he could serve in the Roman Catholic Church, eventually graduating with degrees (including a law degree and a theology degree) after attending five different universities.
- John Calvin was saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ in 1533-1534 after learning Greek from a German teacher who learned the Reformed faith from those who studied the biblical teachings of Martin Luther.
- Calvin moved to Geneva, Switzerland in 1536, where he worked to create a Protestant Christian city
- John Calvin served as the lead pastor of Geneva, preaching multiple times on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in three different churches.
- John Calvin wrote commentaries on almost every New Testament book, and many Old Testament books.
- He published editions of Institutes of the Christian Religion between 1536 to 1539. Many people believe it is one of the most important theological works in the Church, even 500 years later.
- Calvin meant for Institutes to be read alongside his commentaries, to give a full understanding of the theology of a particular subject.
- Institutes has four books:
- Book 1 is on The Knowledge of God, about God the Father.
- Book 2 covers The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, all about Jesus.
- Book Three is about The Way We Receive the Grace of Christ, on the Holy Spirit.
- Book Four has a very long title: The External Means or Aids by Which God Invites Us into the Society of Christ and Holds Us Therein, about the Church.
- John Calvin was very, very sick in the last years of his life. He died when he was only 55, in 1564.
* John D. Woodbridge and Frank A. James III. Church History Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to the Present Day. Zondervan Academic, 2013, pp. 158-178.
John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion
Martin Williams, Joy Williams, and Paul Cox have collaborated on an excellent illustrated graphic novel condensation of Book 1 of John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes of the Christian Religion, with more volumes planned. John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes: Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves: Book 1: Chapters 1-5 (P&R Publishing, 2025) is a colorful, glossy book your kids will love.
Martin Williams * Joy Williams * Paul Cox
Martin Williams is teaches the New Testament and Greek at Reformed Theological College in Melbourne. He has taught the New Testament in Cameroon, and pastored the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. He is also an ordained minister with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia. He and his wife, Joy, have three children.
Joy Williams, married to Martin Williams, served as a Korean missionary and nurse, ministering in Africa and Asian countries like Cameroon, Thailand, and India. She has studied theology in New Zealand, and now mentors women at the Reformed Theological College in Australia.
Paul Cox is a full-time illustrator, and the creator of RefToons, where he illustrates quotes from theologians (I love his yearly calendar and always have one hanging in my office!). He and his wife, Stephanie, have four children in Wisconsin.
Book 1: Chapters 1-5: Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves
John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes is engaging and clear, without sacrificing good theology. If you’ve read any of my Who What Why series (for 8-12 year olds), you know I am a big fan of teaching theology to kids! Not only can kids understand theology when it is presented in a fun way, sound biblical theology is formational for our kids.
Paul Cox and Martin and Joy Williams do a wonderful job of presenting Calvin’s commentary on the biblical teachings about knowing God and knowing ourselves. In their graphic novel, Calvin acts as the adult mentor to two children: Theo, who loves to ask big questions and sees theology as a thrilling puzzle that helps him understand God better through the Bible; and Geneva, who loves the beauty in Scripture, and how theology leads to a personal, meaningful relationship with God.
The graphics are really fun, with John Calvin and the kids journeying all over, even into space and under the ocean.
The book has five chapters (and two prefaces):
- To the Reader (Written by Calvin)
- To King Francis of France (Written by Calvin)
- Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves
- Knowing God and True Piety
- The Seed of Religion in Every Heart
- The Corrupted Seed of Religion
- Knowing God Through Creation and Providence
Each chapter features an adventure with Calvin through the lesson, followed by a chapter summary, where to read Calvin for yourself, and 10 questions for discussion and meditation.
Grab a Bible study kids’ free printable sample! You AND your kids will love this puzzle-based Creation Bible study for kids.Purchase John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes
I love this book, and I plan to purchase the upcoming three volumes (I hope this does so well that those materialize!) for our family library. What a great gift for 8-16 year olds in your home.
More Illustrated Classics from Paul Cox
Paul Cox has a number of illustrated theological classics. They’re fun for kids, and a great way to learn about the foundational theological works of our faith.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
Learn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More Here
Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
-
- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
-
- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.
Bible Investigators is the perfect resource to teach your kids about an important biblical doctrine, while helping them apply God’s Word to their lives today.
Books Make Great Gifts!
More Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love!
