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Exploring the Bible Together: A 52-Week Family Worship Plan
Many parents have good intentions for daily times of family worship. But these good intentions often fail to last because of 3 main problems: an overly ambitious plan, the absence of a plan, or the perceived lack of a spiritual benefit. This new resource by counselor and professor David Murray will help families establish regular family devotions through realistic aims, a clear plan and direction, and stimulating interaction with Scripture and prayer. Exploring the Bible Together covers key passages in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, providing a big-picture overview of the whole Bible over the course of a year. Fifty-two weekly "expeditions" are each divided into 6 days, with a small passage of Scripture (an average of 5 verses), two questions (one for older kids and one for younger kids), a brief application lesson, and a short prayer prompt. Artwork by illustrator Scotty Reifsnyder accompanies each page. In just a few minutes a day, families can explore the whole story of the Bible together.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2020
6 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
David P. Murray
49 books96 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
David P. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and worked for five years in financial services before being converted to Christ. He studied for the ministry at Glasgow University and the Free Church of Scotland College (Edinburgh). He was a pastor for 12 years, first at Lochcarron Free Church of Scotland and then at Stornoway Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). From 2002 to 2007, he was Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at the Free Church Seminary in Inverness. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformation International Theological Seminary for his work relating Old Testament Introduction studies to the pastoral ministry. He and his wife, Shona, have four children: Allan, Angus, Joni, and Amy. He also blogs at Head Heart Hand.
David P. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and worked for five years in financial services before being converted to Christ. He studied for the ministry at Glasgow University and the Free Church of Scotland College (Edinburgh). He was a pastor for 12 years, first at Lochcarron Free Church of Scotland and then at Stornoway Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). From 2002 to 2007, he was Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at the Free Church Seminary in Inverness. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformation International Theological Seminary for his work relating Old Testament Introduction studies to the pastoral ministry. He and his wife, Shona, have four children: Allan, Angus, Joni, and Amy. He also blogs at Head Heart Hand.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 18, 2020
The keyword here is together. This is a family kid friendly bible devotion study to engage with each other on the bible. Each week starts with a book of the bible, a verse and encourages to look together at what God is revealing in his word He is revealing Jesus and this study helps your family mine the wonderful truth of the gospel. Each day of the week a question is presented and discussion is encouraged. On Sunday the focus is on the message that was heard and in light of what your family has been studying that week.
This study builds a foundation of accountability, bible study, family community, and prayer. Highly recommend.
A Special thank you to Crossway Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
This study builds a foundation of accountability, bible study, family community, and prayer. Highly recommend.
A Special thank you to Crossway Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
June 27, 2020
Clear, Gospel-focused, and doable. I plan on adjusting this a bit and using it with my teens. Great, great resource to make family worship an enjoyable and not-so-daunting activity.
ARC provided by the publisher
ARC provided by the publisher
May 22, 2020
With the ongoing coronavirus crisis, families have been stuck at home. Parents work from home. Kids are homeschooled with teaching staff engaging them online. Families are cooped up together inside their homes. They watch TV or stream movies on their mobile devices. Whether it is YouTube or Facebook; social media or mainstream media, many people are consuming digital content more than ever. If we were to graph out time spent on the Bible and time spent on other things, what would our pie chart look like? Whatever the shape, it is hoped that this book would help us chart it with a greater slice of our time dedicated to Bible reading together. This book provides the following:
- Daily readings;
- Journeys from Genesis to Revelation via selected passages;
- Short Bible passages give us time to read slowly and deliberately;
- Gives a roadmap at the beginning of each chapter;
- Colourful pictures to illustrate the theme;
- Provides snapshot verses and prayer pointers
- Easy to understand questions to answer and to discuss
- Prayer for personal application.
- Brief.
Each week begins with a particular theme. For instance, Weeks 1 and 2 shows us how the world turned from beautiful (Wk 1) to ruined (Wk 2). Without using complex theological words like genre and other technical terms, the author keeps the devotional readable and accessible for young readers. It is also easily adapted by adults to guide the younger readers along. A key thing to note is that this book is not meant to be a thorough treatment of the Bible, so that would adult readers manage their expectations. At the same time, the material is broad enough to give younger readers a bigger picture of the Bible themes and to connect the individual Bible stories together. In fact, these chapters could also be adapted for use at the Sunday school level!
My Thoughts
==============
Even among Christians, family devotions are becoming a rare thing. Some say that they don't have time, which for many is just an excuse. Others say that they don't have enough training, which in itself is also an excuse to avoid reading the Bible together. Still there are those who say that the Bible is boring, but there are many resources out there to help us enjoy the Bible in creative ways. I believe that where the heart is, there is little that the world can stop this heart from doing what it wants. If the heart believes that the world is more attractive, nothing can stop this heart from running after worldly things. If the heart believes that the Bible is worth studying and exploring together as a family, nothing can stop this heart from pursuing God in the Word.
This book is written with the understanding that many of us are busy people with our own programs, schedules, and priorities. Thus, the author helps space out the readings in 52 short chapters, each with only about five verses from the Bible. The plan gives us a birds-eye view of where the Word is heading. The questions for discussion allows ample opportunities to reflect and to engage with the text. The whole lesson is simple enough for families and small groups to work together to see God's Big Picture. The conviction behind the writing of this book is this: Family worship is important. Worshiping God needs to be done with the Bible in hand. Reading the Bible together is one of the best spiritual practices we can ever cultivate in young minds. The Bible needs to be read. It needs to be read regularly. It must be done.
David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has also been a pastor of three churches in the UK and the USA for the past 23 years.
Rating: 4 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
- Daily readings;
- Journeys from Genesis to Revelation via selected passages;
- Short Bible passages give us time to read slowly and deliberately;
- Gives a roadmap at the beginning of each chapter;
- Colourful pictures to illustrate the theme;
- Provides snapshot verses and prayer pointers
- Easy to understand questions to answer and to discuss
- Prayer for personal application.
- Brief.
Each week begins with a particular theme. For instance, Weeks 1 and 2 shows us how the world turned from beautiful (Wk 1) to ruined (Wk 2). Without using complex theological words like genre and other technical terms, the author keeps the devotional readable and accessible for young readers. It is also easily adapted by adults to guide the younger readers along. A key thing to note is that this book is not meant to be a thorough treatment of the Bible, so that would adult readers manage their expectations. At the same time, the material is broad enough to give younger readers a bigger picture of the Bible themes and to connect the individual Bible stories together. In fact, these chapters could also be adapted for use at the Sunday school level!
My Thoughts
==============
Even among Christians, family devotions are becoming a rare thing. Some say that they don't have time, which for many is just an excuse. Others say that they don't have enough training, which in itself is also an excuse to avoid reading the Bible together. Still there are those who say that the Bible is boring, but there are many resources out there to help us enjoy the Bible in creative ways. I believe that where the heart is, there is little that the world can stop this heart from doing what it wants. If the heart believes that the world is more attractive, nothing can stop this heart from running after worldly things. If the heart believes that the Bible is worth studying and exploring together as a family, nothing can stop this heart from pursuing God in the Word.
This book is written with the understanding that many of us are busy people with our own programs, schedules, and priorities. Thus, the author helps space out the readings in 52 short chapters, each with only about five verses from the Bible. The plan gives us a birds-eye view of where the Word is heading. The questions for discussion allows ample opportunities to reflect and to engage with the text. The whole lesson is simple enough for families and small groups to work together to see God's Big Picture. The conviction behind the writing of this book is this: Family worship is important. Worshiping God needs to be done with the Bible in hand. Reading the Bible together is one of the best spiritual practices we can ever cultivate in young minds. The Bible needs to be read. It needs to be read regularly. It must be done.
David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has also been a pastor of three churches in the UK and the USA for the past 23 years.
Rating: 4 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
May 2, 2020
Exploring the Bible Together by David Murray provides a road map for parents, helping them establish regular family worship. It's not overwhelming, but rather, very do-able. Building on the ideas of expeditions, Murray helps families explore the Bible together in just a few minutes a day, six days a week. Each day's Bible adventure includes a short Bible passage to read together, a couple of exploration questions, a takeaway from the day's reading, and a prayer starter. On Sundays, Murray invites families to reflect together on what they head in the pastor's sermon using a few simple questions: What did you learn about God, about sin, about Jesus, and about living, what was the main point, and what does the sermon lead us to pray for.
All in all, parents will find a very useful, practical, do-able guide to family worship times together. No matter the ages of your kids, you'll find this guide can bring you all together to explore God's Word daily. I can't recommend this one enough.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
All in all, parents will find a very useful, practical, do-able guide to family worship times together. No matter the ages of your kids, you'll find this guide can bring you all together to explore God's Word daily. I can't recommend this one enough.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 5, 2020
A very wonderful book on family worship!
On of the good things about it is that it enhances participation by all, and also encourages them to think through the topic of the discussion, points to its Gospel connections, and how it applies to our lives as Christians.
Another important facet is that it encompasses a 'Biblical Theology' view of the various topics under discussion, from creation to consummation, thus at the end of the day readers will have a biblical worldview of the enture narrative to the Scriptures.
I highly encourage you to get it for your family.
On of the good things about it is that it enhances participation by all, and also encourages them to think through the topic of the discussion, points to its Gospel connections, and how it applies to our lives as Christians.
Another important facet is that it encompasses a 'Biblical Theology' view of the various topics under discussion, from creation to consummation, thus at the end of the day readers will have a biblical worldview of the enture narrative to the Scriptures.
I highly encourage you to get it for your family.
June 15, 2021
This book is amazing. It is meant to be read with family together. It has clearly presented the Bible in clear and concise terms. Great for family devotionals. I would highly recommend this book, for family Bible study or alone, whatever works out best for you and your family.
July 13, 2022
This has been a wonderful addition to our family devotions. Simple, short,and still manages to unfold deep truths. So glad I’ve found something that my wiggly 4 and 6 year old boys can follow and sit through.
September 21, 2022
A solid family devotional, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others. But it wasn't quite the right fit for Morning Time, so I'm putting it back on the shelf to revisit at in future years.
December 30, 2023
Family Devotions are something I’ve wanted to make a regular spiritual staple for our family for some time now and when I heard about this book I knew I just had to get a copy. Fifty-two weeks on, I’m so glad I did!
David Murray has crafted a simple, easy to use, understandable and adaptable family devotional tool guiding families on an exploratory journey through many of the Bible’s key moments in a way that is engaging for children and not daunting for parents.
There were times where some additional explanation was helpful so that my children really grasped the big ideas, but I would definitely say that this resource makes family devotions accessible for families of all shapes and sizes and ages. Our five-year-old enjoyed the ‘exploring’ theme, listening to the ‘our map’ updates at the start of each week with interest. The exploratory theme also gave me an opportunity to develop a character called Egbert the Bible Explorer who brought his exploring hats (he always wore two at once) and binoculars and helped us explore the Bible together from time to time throughout the year. This also helped keep it fun and broke up the routine ever so slightly, which helped with young attention spans. When working through the daily content, with some help our five-year-old was able to answer the two daily questions based on the Bible reading too, and I’ve watched his prayers change from repetitive daily prayers to more rounded prayers that touch on the topic discussed. Meanwhile, our three-year-old has really enjoyed memorising quite a number of the ‘snapshot’ verses and it has been incredible to see him storing up these scriptural treasures in his mind, which I pray will also become treasures in his heart as he grows.
The illustrations at the beginning of each week are very modern and sometimes prompted some interesting discussions of opportunities to chat about key themes of the week ahead.
I must say, walking through the section on Song of Songs with young children did take some paraphrasing - not the easiest of tasks, though a good challenge for us as parents - but I am glad to be able to look back on the year and be thankful that our kids have not only grown in their knowledge of scripture and the basics of biblical theology, but have hopefully also developed the beginnings of a daily spiritual discipline of Bible reading that will stay with them in the future.
To the author and illustrator (and publisher), I say thank you. To other parents, I say give it a go, I hope you too, along with your family, will be blessed by Exploring the Bible Together.
David Murray has crafted a simple, easy to use, understandable and adaptable family devotional tool guiding families on an exploratory journey through many of the Bible’s key moments in a way that is engaging for children and not daunting for parents.
There were times where some additional explanation was helpful so that my children really grasped the big ideas, but I would definitely say that this resource makes family devotions accessible for families of all shapes and sizes and ages. Our five-year-old enjoyed the ‘exploring’ theme, listening to the ‘our map’ updates at the start of each week with interest. The exploratory theme also gave me an opportunity to develop a character called Egbert the Bible Explorer who brought his exploring hats (he always wore two at once) and binoculars and helped us explore the Bible together from time to time throughout the year. This also helped keep it fun and broke up the routine ever so slightly, which helped with young attention spans. When working through the daily content, with some help our five-year-old was able to answer the two daily questions based on the Bible reading too, and I’ve watched his prayers change from repetitive daily prayers to more rounded prayers that touch on the topic discussed. Meanwhile, our three-year-old has really enjoyed memorising quite a number of the ‘snapshot’ verses and it has been incredible to see him storing up these scriptural treasures in his mind, which I pray will also become treasures in his heart as he grows.
The illustrations at the beginning of each week are very modern and sometimes prompted some interesting discussions of opportunities to chat about key themes of the week ahead.
I must say, walking through the section on Song of Songs with young children did take some paraphrasing - not the easiest of tasks, though a good challenge for us as parents - but I am glad to be able to look back on the year and be thankful that our kids have not only grown in their knowledge of scripture and the basics of biblical theology, but have hopefully also developed the beginnings of a daily spiritual discipline of Bible reading that will stay with them in the future.
To the author and illustrator (and publisher), I say thank you. To other parents, I say give it a go, I hope you too, along with your family, will be blessed by Exploring the Bible Together.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews