*The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Kevin DeYoung

The Biggest Story Family Devotional expands on The Biggest Story Bible Storybook to offer a practical and flexible devotional guide.

*The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Douglas Sean O’Donnell and Kevin DeYoung, illustrated by Don Clark. Crossway, 2024, 415 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 5-up

In The Biggest Story: How the Snake-Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden, Kevin DeYoung presented an overview of the Bible’s redemption theme in 132 pages. The Biggest Story Bible Storybook expanded on the basic theme by including a total of 104 stories, including some of the lesser-known (such as the brief tale of Zelophehad’s daughters). Written in a chatty, informal style, these books nevertheless include profound biblical truth centered on Jesus as the main character of the whole Bible, not just the New Testament.

This Family Devotional is as beautifully produced as the other books, with cloth cover, ribbon bookmark, and the same stylized, boldly colored illustrations by graphic designer Don Clark. It’s clearly intended to serve a family through years of use, with a flexibility that makes it appropriate for children from preschool all the way up through the teen years. The Devotional follows the same format as the Storybook (104 stories, 52 from the Old Testament and 52 from the New), and can be used in connection with, or not.

Each story includes the scripture passage, one full-page illustration, a brief summary text, and a list of questions with room for adding notes. A “Gospel Connection” shows how the smaller story fits into the Christ-centered bigger story, followed by a brief prayer. The Introduction by Douglas Sean O’Donnell includes suggestions for how to use the book. For example, families with busy schedules can cover each chapter in a single night once/week, while those with younger children can spread the material out over 3-5 days. QR codes link to video presentations of the complete stories read aloud to simple animations.

For a young family who already uses the Storybook, or even one who doesn’t, this devotional guide would make an excellent Christmas gift to help them start the New Year with purpose.

Bottom Line: A fine addition to the Biggest Story collection, and a practical way to expand its usefulness.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: For the littlest lap-sitters, don’t forget The Biggest Story ABC board book. And here’s an Advent Devotional with a unique format for the young ones: Promises Made, Promises Kept.
• Reflection: What about personal devotionals for kids? I have some thoughts, and examples.

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