Today’s post is sponsored by Christian Focus Publications, and written by Brian J. Wright and John R. Brown, authors of the God’s Daring Dozen series.
“Mommy, Daddy, who were the Minor Prophets?”
“Well, there’s Jonah and ….”
And unfortunately, most parents are stumped at one. The Minor Prophets make up nearly a fifth of the books of Scripture, yet few people are familiar with even their names, much less their content. Now, however, there are books available that introduce both adults and children to these amazing men of God.
Introducing Kids (and Parents) to the Minor Prophets
God’s Daring Dozen is the first children’s picture book series on the Minor Prophets in the history of children’s literature. These books faithfully convey this neglected portion of God’s word in a way that is engaging and understandable for adults and children alike.
This series has several other significant features:
- The authors are seminary-trained pastors, who are also parents.
- The illustrations are archaeologically informed, from the Assyrian armies to the Babylonian gates.
- The figures are realistically presented to emphasize that these men actually lived, and these events actually occurred.
- The titles are taglines to make the books’ messages memorable: Obadiah and the Ninevites, Joel and the Locusts, Malachi’s Final Message, etc.
- The words intentionally reflect God’s word. For example, the first word in the Hebrew text of Jonah is “And it happened,” so the opening words of Jonah’s Journeysare, “And it happened.” The book of Nahum ends with a question, therefore so does Nahum & the Ninevites.
- Prolonged divine speech is preserved in the children’s books when indicated by the prophets, like Nahum and Malachi.
- The themes of the biblical books, like the Day of the Lord in Joel, are echoed in their illustrated summaries.
- Messianic images and prophesies are highlighted, and New Testament references to them are mentioned.
- The books are situated in the context of redemption history and the gospel message.
This level of detail—examining the original language, researching archaeological findings, reviewing commentaries and reference works—is unique for a children’s series, yet the authors are committed to accurately communicating God’s inspired revelation.
Why Do Children (and Parents) Need to Understand These Canonical Works?
The Minor Prophets are inspired revelation to equip us. That’s why Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3.16–17).” The Minor Prophets contain God’s warnings to sober us. “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you” (Zech 1.3). The Minor Prophets are divine instruction to encourage us. Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Rom 15.4).
Jesus modeled using “all the Prophets” to teach about Himself (Luke 24:27). The early church did likewise (Act 10:43), as did Christian families in the first century (2 Tim 3:15). Will you?
Grab your set God’s Daring Dozen books from your local Christian bookstore, or from the Christian Focus website.
