A decade ago, I was teaching through the Minor Prophets in a prison. As a chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, I had the chance to dive into these often-overlooked books with inmates.
The response was incredible. Inmates would come up to me, eyes wide open, to share how they saw their own lives reflected in these ancient texts. I often heard them say that they wished they had encountered these stories earlier in their lives.
As I pondered the powerful impact these scriptures were having on those behind bars, it struck me: My own children, and countless others, were missing out on these profound yet underappreciated books of the Bible. The Minor Prophets are often relegated to the realm of Christian satire, like the clever jabs from the Babylon Bee, but their messages are rich and relevant.
Consider the vibrant ancient world where Amos calls for repentance and justice or where Micah inspires hope and reverence. Hosea shows us the beauty of fidelity and the warmth of God’s love and Zechariah demonstrates grace and boosts our spirits toward obedience. Each of these lessons adds a unique splash of color to the rich tapestry of faith in our spiritual heritage.
So, inspired by both my ministry work and my family, I felt led to do something that had never been done. Why not create a children’s picture book series on the Minor Prophets? Sure, there are books on Jonah and a few snippets of others in various picture Bibles, but most of these prophets and their messages have largely remained unexplored in children’s literature.
I shared my idea and proposal with a long-time friend and mentor, John Brown, and asked whether he’d like to join me on this groundbreaking project. With his enthusiasm and support, we embarked on this exciting venture with Christian Focus Publications. Our goal? To unfold these ancient stories in a fresh, engaging way that connects with young readers and brings these powerful narratives to life.
As seminary-trained pastors and parents, we crafted this series with a deep commitment to theological depth and accuracy. Each book is carefully designed to convey the core message of a minor prophet while linking it to the larger story of redemption and the gospel woven throughout Scripture.
With titles like Obadiah and the Edomites and Joel and the Locusts, we wanted to capture the essence of each prophet’s message through memorable, child-friendly narratives. One way we tried to make the prophets’ messages stick like glue was to add some catchy rhymes. For instance, at the end of Habakkuk, rather than just saying he composed a song of praise, we crafted a fun rhyming song that still echoes his original message.
We paid close attention to historical accuracy in the illustrations, from Assyrian armies to Babylonian gates, to give children an authentic glimpse into the world of the Minor Prophets. The characters are portrayed realistically to emphasize their historical significance, and the language mirrors the original Hebrew texts, ensuring that the series remains true to Scripture.
By integrating archaeological insights and theological research, we’ve aimed to create a series that stands out in its commitment to accurately represent God’s inspired Word. Our hope is that these books will not only excite children about this often-neglected part of the Bible but also provide parents and teachers with a valuable tool for teaching these important truths.
Courtesy of Christian Focus / Edits by CT
Courtesy of Christian Focus / Edits by CT
Courtesy of Christian Focus / Edits by CT
Courtesy of Christian Focus / Edits by CT
Courtesy of Christian Focus / Edits by CTBrian J. Wright is the founding pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Pensacola, Florida, and author of more than a dozen books, including The Rhythm of the Christian Life and Communal Reading in the Time of Jesus.
The post Kids Should Learn the Minor Prophets Too appeared first on Christianity Today.