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Teach Your Kids the Bible and Christian History

The Good News About Jesus for Kids

May 17, 2023 By Danika 9 Comments

Thinking Kids Press uses referral links in posts. Signing up for free offers will subscribe you to our email list. We'll send you encouragement, free products, and exclusive offers via email. You can read our disclaimer, privacy policy, terms and conditions of use, and Danika Cooley's personal statement of faith and beliefs for more information. The Thinking Kids Press store is located at ThinkingKidsPress.com.
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Teach the good news about Jesus for kids with these five great picture books! Each explains the good news of the gospel in a different way.


The Good News About Jesus for Kids
The Bible has several really important themes running through it:

  • Who God is
  • Our sin nature and our need for a Savior
  • God’s great plan for salvation
  • Jesus’ commands for his followers

God’s great plan for salvation–the good news of the gospel–is something we want to teach our kids over and over again!


The Good News About Jesus for Kids

We want to share the good news about Jesus in ways our children understand it. AND, there are some great picture books available to help!

In fact, I’m going to tell you about FIVE fabulous picture books about God’s amazing plan for salvation!


What is the Good News of the Bible?

You can share the Good News in the Bible with your kids through Scripture:

  • God is holy. (Isaiah 43:3a)
  • We have all fallen short of his holy and righteous standard. (Romans 3:23)
  • Our sin has separated us from him. (Isaiah 59:2)
  • God made a way for us to be restored to himself by sending Jesus, the Son of God and God the Son, to die for our sins–in our place. (Ephesians 2:4-9)
  • To be saved, we must:
    • Believe in Jesus. (John 3:16)
    • Confess him with our mouths. (Romans 10:9-10)
  • God the Holy Spirit lives within us once we are saved. (2 Timothy 1:14)
    • The Holy Spirit grows fruit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)
    • He helps us repent of our sins. (Luke 13:3)
  • We can trust the Holy Spirit to grow fruit while we seek to abide in Jesus through reading the Bible and praying. (John 15:5)

Gospel Bible Verses Poster and Cards
Teach your kids the gospel of Jesus Christ in an easy, fun way.

Post this FREE, fun poster in your dining room and review it with your kids at mealtimes!

The Gospel Verses Poster comes with verse cards in ESV and KJV. Just print them and work on memorizing the verses one at a time.


The Good News of the Gospel for Children

I love teaching my kids about a subject by reading a number of books on the topic. It’s a great way to make sure they understand fully!

His Grace Is Enough: How God Makes It Right When We've Got It Wrong (Illustrated, rhyming children’s book on the Christian message of God’s grace and forgiveness)His Grace Is Enough: How God Makes It Right When We've Got It Wrong (Illustrated, rhyming children’s book on the Christian message of God’s grace and forgiveness)The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Storybook: The true story of why Jesus died and rose again (Illustrated Bible overview/ gospel explanation. ... for Easter.) (Tales That Tell the Truth)The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Storybook: The true story of why Jesus died and rose again (Illustrated Bible overview/ gospel explanation. ... for Easter.) (Tales That Tell the Truth)The Magnificent Time MachineThe Magnificent Time MachineGod's Very Good Idea Storybook: A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family (Christian Bible storybook for kids ages 3 - 6 teaching that God ... but different) (Tales That Tell the Truth)God's Very Good Idea Storybook: A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family (Christian Bible storybook for kids ages 3 - 6 teaching that God ... but different) (Tales That Tell the Truth)God's Family: The Greatest Royal Family EverGod's Family: The Greatest Royal Family Ever


His Grace is Enough: How God Makes It Right When We’ve Got It Wrong by Melissa Kruger

This fun, rhyming book with colorful illustrations is a celebration of God’s grace.

Melissa Kruger begins with the assumption that our kids know they sin. But, God’s grace is big enough to cover their sin.

We can’t earn God’s grace. Instead, Jesus paid the price for our sin. When we believe in him, he gives us a new heart and forgives our sin. We get a new life!

This wonderful little book is perfect for your little people.

Get it as a board book!


The Garden The Curtain and The Cross: The True Story of Why Jesus Died and Rose Again by Carl Laferton

The Bible is full of marvelous symbolism, shadows, and types.

It’s always amazing to me to see how God used so many writers over such a long period of time to tell such a cohesive story. It’s a story of creation, sin, and forgiveness.

The Lord is so very holy, and our sin separates us from him. From the beginning, though, he had a plan to restore us to himself.

Through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, we are able to be forgiven our sins and adopted as heirs of God, if only we repent and believe.

With his new book The Garden The Curtain and The Cross (The Good Book for Children, 2016), Carl Laferton–the Editorial Director at The Good Book Company–has done a wonderful job  of presenting the truth of the gospel in a creative and engaging way for 3-6 year olds, tying together the symbolism of the Garden of Eden and the New Earth, the temple curtain into the Holy of Holies, and the cross.

Through these objects/places, he tells the story of God’s plan for redemption from Genesis through Revelation on a level small children can understand well.The text of the book is simple and straightforward. Preschoolers will easily be able to listen to the story, while early readers will delight in helping you read portions of the book.

The illustrations in The Garden The Curtain and The Cross by Colombian illustrator Catalina Echeverri are really beautiful and eye-catching, with a different muted tone from the expulsion of the garden until the New Earth. It’s worth noting that Jesus is depicted in the illustrations, for those concerned with how the second commandment relates to children’s books.I’m delighted to see such a comprehensive and unique presentation of the gospel for young children.

Get the coloring and activity book and board book!


The Magnificent Time Machine by Sinclair B. Ferguson

In this unique retelling of God’s story of salvation, Sinclair Ferguson takes kids backward through time–and Scripture–aboard a flying time machine.

Then, through an imagined conversation at the beginning of time–before Creation–between the three Persons of the Trinity, he explains God’s great plan for salvation and the individual roles of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in the gospel. It’s an interesting way to explain the doctrine of salvation. Children will certainly grasp that the plan for salvation existed before any humans were around to sin.

Then, children take a trip back through Scripture to see key points at which God’s good news of the gospel became reality.

Finally, they are charged with sharing the good news of Jesus with others!


God’s Very Good Idea: A True Story of God’s Delightfully Different Family by Trillia Newbell

This is another lovely book about God’s very good idea to make many different people in his own image who all enjoy loving him and each other.

Newbell clearly shares the story of the gospel, beginning with Adam and Eve and the Fall–when people ruined God’s very good idea. She shares that our mistreatment of each other is sin, and for our sin we all need forgiveness. We can only love each other with the help of Jesus, who welcomes everyone who asks his forgiveness.

Jesus’ people are the Church–a physically and ethnically diverse group who love Jesus and love each other. This is a delightful book.

Grab the God’s Very Good Idea Coloring and Activity Book and board book!


God’s Family: The Greatest Royal Family Ever by Catherine Mackenzie

I love this book for preschool and kindergarteners!

I don’t remember ever reading such a clear explanation of the gospel for little people. I taught Sunday School to kids ages 2-4 for at least 6 or 7 years, and one of my favorite ways to explain our heritage in Christ was always by explaining that followers of the King of the Universe became his children—princes and princesses. That resounded well with my little friends.

This week it resounded well with my little nieces as I read God’s Family to them.

Ms. Mackenzie explains that heritage that followers of Jesus have as followers of Christ. Children of the King are of course “part of the greatest royal family ever”.

Then in ten royal lessens, she explains important aspects of the gospel in child-friendly language:

  • Children will learn to understand that they are sinners, that God saves sinners, and the plan by which he does so.
  • They will comprehend God’s majesty and sinless nature.
  • Kids will learn of the gift of faith given by God to his children and his grace which could never be earned by works.
  • They will learn that as children of God, they will learn to hate sin too, that they will desire to tell others of God’s free gift of grace and faith, and that they may even travel far away to do so.
  • Children will read about eternal life—that when believers stop living, they are immediately with Jesus, and that one day their bodies will be raised to dwell forever with God in the New Heavens and New Earth.

Each page’s royal lesson has a summation and a Bible verse accompanying it, along with simple, royal illustrations by Tessa Janes. I love this book. God’s Family: The Greatest Royal Family Ever is a joyful telling of the gospel for preschool and kindergarten-aged kids.


Bible Resources for Your Kids

Bible Road Trip™ CurriculumBible Road Trip™ CurriculumLearn More HereStarter BundleStarter BundleLearn More HereBible Road Trip™ Memory Verse CardsBible Road Trip™ Memory Verse CardsLearn More HereBible Road Trip™ Notebooking JournalsBible Road Trip™ Notebooking JournalsLearn More HereHelp Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleHelp Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleLearn More Here


A Resource to Help Teach Kids About Life in the Womb

Wonderfully Made: God's Story of Life from Conception to BirthWonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to BirthWonderfully Made: God's Story of Life from Conception to Birth

Your kids will love learning about life inside the womb with Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth, published by Christian Focus 4 Kids.

Wonderfully Made is a science- and Scripture-filled picture book for kids ages 5-11. The book is told from the perspective of a mother telling her child about his or her development in the womb week-by-week. In fact, Wonderfully Made is written to help parents meet the theological, scientific, and relational purposes of teaching kids about life in the womb.

Wonderfully Made: God's Story of Life from Conception of Birth is a lovely story of life for kids from ages 5-11, told from the perspective of a mom with science and Scripture.

You can also learn more about Wonderfully Made over at the book page.

Head over to the Thinking Kids Press store for your free Wonderfully Made posters, Bible memory verse cards, and lapbook!
They’re a great companion to the book Wonderfully Made, and the perfect way to teach your kids about life in the womb!

You can purchase Wonderfully Made now:

Autographed from Danika Cooley: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth
Amazon: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth
Amazon UK: Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth
Christian Book: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth


Check out my discussion about how we can talk to our kids about their changing bodies with the parenting producer at Focus on the Family .


Reformation Family Book Bundle
Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds.
And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!


More Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love

BRTHelp Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleWho What Why Series | Christian Biographies & History for KidsWhen Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin LutherWonderfully Made: God's Story of Life from Conception to BirthMy Book Log: A Notebooking JourneyHistory Detective Bookmark CraftThe Absolutely Enormous List of Christian History Books | By Grade and Time PeriodChristian Children's Books about the Birds and the BeesBooks on Christian Dating for Your TeenFabulous Christian Picture Books for ChildrenChristian Life Books for Your TeenBest Books About Prayer for FamiliesBooks about the Bible for Kids and TeensBooks of the Bible BookmarksBuild Your Library of Christian Children's BooksBest Books on the ReformationChristian Books for Boys | Real Life HeroesWays to Get YOUR Kids Reading BooksKids' Books about JesusChurch History Books for KidsChristian Books for Girls | Real Life HeroesChristian Biographies for Young Readers10 Faith-Growing Christian Books for Your Teen to ReadChristian Picture Books for Older KidsAwesome Christian Books for Children They Won't Put DownChristian Magazines for Teens that They'll LoveChristian Magazines for Kids that Moms Love and Kids Read!History Coloring Books for KidsMissionary Biographies Kids Will AdoreCreation Science Books Kids Will LoveCreation Science Books for TeensChristian Books for WomenChristian Biographies for Kids | Box sets for ages 9-14!Coloring Books for Christian TeensChristian Easter Books for Kids and TeensChristian Biographies for Children Ages 3-7Best Christmas Books for KidsBible Story Books for KidsGod's Creation | Physical and Ethnic Diversity Books for KidsThe Book of Psalms for Kids | Children's Picture Books Your Kids Will LoveBible Coloring Books for KidsHistory of Legends and the Bible | Legends and Lore Series from Master BooksAwesome Toddler and Preschool Learning Resources and Educational ToysLearning Tools for KidsNoah's Ark Books Kids Will AdoreHistory of the Reformation Storiesminor prophetsWords about Godfamily and parentinglittle thinkersBook of MarkABCs of TheologyVisual Theologyworldin contextAmazing FactsStories About Jesus for ChildrenEvidence for the Biblegood news


The Good News About Jesus for Kids

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Filed Under: Confessions of a Bibliophile Tagged With: book review, Christian, gospel, kindergarten, preschool, prince, princess

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Comments

  1. NYmommy says

    November 3, 2014 at 6:23 am

    The explanation of the gospel that is easy for my little ones to understand is very appealing to me. Plus we love to read books in our house and this would be a great addition!

    Reply
  2. dmspetman says

    November 3, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    This looks great for reading to our twins.

    Thank you for the review!

    Reply
  3. Kfour says

    November 3, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    This book would definitely appeal to my little one! She loves playing princesses!

    Reply
  4. [email protected] says

    November 4, 2014 at 6:03 am

    I am always looking for excellent books with a Biblical perspective to read with my children. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!

    Reply
  5. AltairMama says

    November 4, 2014 at 9:44 am

    I think would be a great book for my family. I like how it is told for a child’s perspective

    Reply
  6. newaunt03 says

    November 6, 2014 at 11:05 am

    I believe the earlier we start teaching our children about who God is, but more importantly that He created them and loves them beyond anything else in this world and has a specific purpose for them, the more likely they are to soak in God’s Word like a sponge – and then reshare (witness) to others what they have been taught and what they have personally learned about their Creator. It’s about cultivating a relationship with Jesus – making it personal to them. That is what sticks in preschoolers’ and children’s hearts! We need to make it real to them to help them truly grasp what God’s love, grace, forgiveness, and death at Calvary is all about!

    Reply
  7. farmermomwife says

    November 8, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I like the drawings & how it comes from a childs perspective.

    Reply
  8. jcrawfordlierman says

    November 9, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    I love the child friendly language! My kids would enjoy this book!

    Reply
  9. Danika says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Congratulations to our winner, Becky W!

    Reply

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photo credit: @billdjohnson

Welcome to Thinking Kids!

My name is Danika Cooley, and I’m glad you’re here. This site exists to help equip you to teach your kids the Bible and Christian history. I’m an author, a homeschool mom, and a curriculum developer. Pull up a chair and stay awhile.

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