The Knight's Map

by R.C. Sproul

Since the first temptation, Satan has aimed to cast doubt on God’s Word. Our children and grandchildren need to be prepared for this. In this allegorical tale, theologian, pastor, and author Dr. R.C. Sproul continues his life’s work of making deep biblical truths clear and understandable to students of all ages. The Knight’s Map is the story of a knight who undertakes a perilous journey full of bad advice and wrong turns. In the end, he must decide whether he will trust the map provided by the King. Beautiful, full-color illustrations by Richard Lawnes reveal this rich, textured world and discussion questions with Scripture references help parents guide their children into the deeper meaning of the story.

Genres: Childrens, Christian, Picture Books, Theology, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christianity

44 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2016

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Matthew Manchester · Rating 1 out of 5]

My previous Sproul kids book review is how I feel about all of them. Just read that review.

The only difference is that this one is far worse in all three areas.

Sproul wouldn't know subtlety if it bit him in the face.

[Kaitlyn Pindak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich and modern allegory similar to Pilgrim’s Progress written in the form of a children’s book about the importance of believing the Bible and the journey of learning to trust it. Excellent and highly recommended!

[Mikejencostanzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed a reading of "The Knight's Map" here on renewingyourmind.org, read and discussed by the author R.C. Sproul--fun!

I would say the story is similar to others of Sproul's children's books, solid theologically, but a bit formulaic. For anyone who has read John Bunyan's "A Pilgrim's Progress," the trope of meeting various charicatured heroes and villians along the journey will be quite familiar. As long as this is not so repetitive a technique that our children tire of it, I think it's fine. But I believe strongly that we ought to take care not to overuse devices or formulas as we write stories or make art as Christians.

~Jen

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio of this book. It was read very well (by the author) and it reminded me of the Pilgrim's Progress story. I liked how it showed the importance of Scripture and following/trusting it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys and I love this book! R.C. Sproul is so dearly missed, but his faithful teaching of the glories of Christ in the gospel remain through his preaching, teaching, and writing - even in children's books like this one.

[Peter Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Kysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful allegory teaching the dependability of the Bible. Beautifully illustrated. Enough depth that even an adult can cherish this story and the Truth it points towards.

[Emily K · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book. A story based on the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. My kids love the story and the illustrations.

[Jaymee Pilarta · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The map led you to me. I am the Pearl of Great Price." - The Prince

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

100%

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Pilgrim's Progress-y. 3.5 stars.

Description at WORLD magazine: "In this allegorical tale by pastor-theologian Sproul, a knight embarks on a journey to find the Pearl of Great Price. Sir Charles meets characters like Mr. Skeptic and Sir Liberal who would turn him off the good path. But just as Christians must follow the Bible, Sir Charles must follow instructions from the Great King to find true wealth. Richard Lawnes' illustrations lack some warmth, and the text rambles at times. Yet the book's deep truths and Sproul's mastery of allegory make this a useful resource for Christian parents seeking to guide their children in the way of the true King. (Ages 6-12)"

[Katie Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously enjoyed two of the author’s Christian children’s book titled The Priest with Dirty Clothes and The Donkey Who Carried a King. The author R.C. Sproul was not only a gifted theologian but wrote wonderful children’s book including this one. In light of his recent death he will surely be missed.


This is a story of a knight name Sir Charles who goes on a journey to find the Pearl of Great Price as a result of a letter from a King. In that same letter the King gave Sir Charles a map for his journey but since he had a hard time understanding it he asked various characters for help. Different characters gave different directions and advice with each yielding different results. Finally someone introduces Sir Charles to someone that can help him and Sir Charles looks at his map intently on following it. As a result he gets to the top of the mountain where he’s supposed to get to and gets a surprised discovery of just what exactly is the Pearl of Great Price.

I love the fact that this book is an allegory of the Christian life with the map being a symbol of the Holy Bible and Sir Charles the knight representing the Christian (it helps both begins with the letter C). The various characters Sir Charles runs into represent different forms of unbelief until finally Sir Charles meets someone name Pilgrim who guides him to meet the original mapmaker. This of course is the Holy Spirit. The book reminded me of Pilgrim’s Progress but at a level that is much more easier to grasp for younger children. I love how after the story there is a page addressing the parents followed by questions and answer for parents to talk and explain the story to their kids of the spiritual realities the story represent. The questions and explanation was just as fun for me as reading the story!

I appreciated the fact that this book was biblically solid and yet enjoyable for young ones. My three little girls who are all pre-school age also enjoyed this book when I read it aloud to them. The illustrations were beautiful and the handsome red colored hard cover with the golden lettering made the book extra appealing. I love how the story and illustration was timeless covering the knight’s adventure and yet the beginning and the end of the book situates this as a tale told by the grandpa to his grandchildren about the importance of trusting in God’s Word even as the world mocks Christians for believing the Bible. Nice work and something that I will be enjoying with my kids for years to come.

[Rose Prickett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one doesn’t get the bonus star for great art. It’s not bad by any means, but it doesn’t wow me either.

Now, I like Pilgrim’s Progress and I hold nothing against allegory as a rule, but that’s a much longer book and can really develop the allegory and imagery. I think this book is a better allegory than The Prince’s Poison Cup, when it focuses on the knight’s journey. Again, when he tries to allegorize the gospel, it doesn’t work for me. I vastly prefer parables in the Bible. But I think the parables aren’t strict allegory, I’d argue they lean more towards applicability with definite allegorical overtones, but I’m rambling at this point.

I love R.C. on Renewing Your Mind and his books for adults tend to be solid. He needed help on the children’s books, though.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, as always. This tale reminds us that we can trust God's Word - the map to find the Pearl of Great Price. Not until the Knight stopped asking around and actually pulled out the map & read it (with help from the Holy Spirit) was he able to find his way. My 6 yr old picked up on who the characters represented pretty quickly. "That's like Jesus!" I highly recommend and I've picked up a copy to keep in my Sunday School classroom.

8/30/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.

[Sandu Andronic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam așa arată Evanghelia într-o coajă de nucă, spusă într-un limbaj potrivit copiilor de vârste începând cu 5 ani și ilustrată într-un mod foarte cald și plăcut. Pe alocuri, nu puteam să nu sesizez similitudinile cu binecunoscuta carte a lui John Bunyan, Călătoria Creștinului.

Textul este excelent, practic și biblic, iar copiii sunt foarte încântați, fiind inspirați de modul în care acțiunea se declanșează, se desfășoară și se finalizează. Cu o astfel de educație și cu astfel de resurse de calitate, noi părinții, vrem să ne asigurăm că pruncii noștri cresc în cunoașterea și învățătura Domnului.

[Cassie Troja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wonderful to listen to on a short ride home. It does mirror Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress closely enough that I did raise an eyebrow a few times. It was, however, a clear and engaging presentation of the Gospel. My kids actually asked to stay in the car to hear the end, and we all agreed that we enjoyed hearing it in Sproul’s own voice. I’m grateful for any chance I can have the Gospel beautifully and creatively presented to my kids.

[Lexi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Immediately pulled out of the story from the beginning when the kid says he was bullied for being Christian. That doesn't happen lmao, not in America (Sproul being from Chicago and all). The rest of the story felt like the equivalent of a kindergartner's drawing, so.

[Dian Kurniadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday school has to read and use this in teachings

A very heart warming children story book and clearly convey the bible message. Must use in Sunday school and other children community gathering story telling.

[Nick Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed like it was trying too hard. It put the gospel and the importance of the Bible into an allegory, but it didn't seem very original to me.

[Seth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.

[Dwain Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great allegory for Kids about trusting the book and finding the Pearl Of Great Price.

[Amanda Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! It would make great edition to any family, children’s ministry, church library, etc.

[Jake Ruefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit on the nose

[Rebekah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our boys' favorites, this allegory introduces the concept of divine inspiration of Scripture.

[Michael T Moos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of the Pilgrim’s Progress.

[Nicholas Beadnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter loved this book!

[Lacey Addis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful short allegory about the reliability of God's Word. My kids were enraptured during the entire story. ❤️

[Eileen Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my kids in 2023 - they loved it. I really enjoy Sproul’s children’s books.