The gospel story is the most important story that has ever been told. For this reason, God has
called Christian parents to rehearse the gospel story with their families. The gospel must be
taught and lived out in the home. Scripture reminds us to tell our children about what God has
done “as you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when
you rise” (Deut 6:7, ESV). One great way to rehearse the gospel message to children is through
a storybook. Children love to be read to, and what better story to share than the true story of
God’s love. In his new storybook Jesus Rose For Me, published by New Growth Press, author
Jared Kennedy provides an excellent resource for telling the story of Easter.
Written on a toddler level, Jared shares the story of Easter from the triumphal entry to the
resurrection of Jesus. The story is broken up into four sections with a question at the end of
each. This allows space for parents to dialogue with their children about the Easter story and
how it applies to them. This feature in the book is a great discipling tool for young children. Each
section of the book lists the Scripture references for that part of the story. This feature provides
space for families with older children to be able to read the story from the Bible on a level more
appropriate for older readers. It is a great tool to incorporate into family devotions.
Section one retells the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and asks the question
“Why is it important to praise Jesus?” The second section tells the story of the Last Supper and
briefly retells the story of the Passover. It shares the significance of communion as a way to
remember what Jesus has done and asks the question, “What helps you remember your family?”
Section three recounts the story of the crucifixion and the fact that it was important for Jesus to
die on the cross to pay the penalty of sin. It asks the question “Have you ever asked Jesus to
forgive you of your sins?” The final section of the book tells the story of Jesus’ resurrection and
how the disciples discovered the empty tomb. It asks the question “Why do we celebrate
Easter?”
Jesus Rose For Me is a great discipleship tool for toddlers, but it also provides space for
including the entire family while reading the story. Jared Kennedy’s text and storyline is written
on an appropriate level for toddlers to follow and understand. The illustrations by Trish Mahoney
are very colorful and age-appropriate. Both Kennedy and Mahoney do a great job of being
faithful to the story of Scripture.
The one critique we would give the book is that the story ends abruptly and should have incorporated the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. Throughout the book, it mentions Jesus with his friends. By ending the book with Jesus reuniting with his friends; it would have brought the book to a better ending. My wife and I still recommend Jesus Rose For Me to families with toddlers as a good resource for sharing the story of Easter with them. There is no more important story to share than to teach children what Jesus has done for them through his death and resurrection.
Zach is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He blogs at zachkendrick.wordpress.com, and is a contributor for Servants of Grace. He has written book reviews for Cross-Focused Reviews, Crossway, New Growth Press, Tyndale House Publishers and Fortress Press. He resides in Birmingham with his wife, Courtney.
