June 2023 New Releases
New Books
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing this month from Crossway. Titles include The Biggest Story Curriculum: Box Set by Kevin DeYoung and Elisabeth Elliot by Lucy S. R. Austen.
The Biggest Story Curriculum: Box Set
Crossway
Illustrated by Don Clark
Designed for use in a Sunday school, children’s church, or homeschool context, each lesson in The Biggest Story Curriculum set includes an easy-to-use teaching plan, discussion questions, and reproducible activity sheets. The set comes in a convenient 6-volume box that simplifies planning and teaching.
“Is there any greater joy—or responsibility—than sharing the gospel with children and guiding them through the biblical narrative? Toward that all-important end, The Biggest Story Curriculum is sure to serve as a wonderful resource for parents and churches. Through this collection of thought-provoking lessons with beautiful artwork, engaging activities, and digital supplements, little ones will be led to delight in the wonder of Scripture’s narrative and to embrace the gospel’s life-changing truth.”
—Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
God, You Are: 20 Promises from the Psalms for Kids
In this book, professor, pastor, and father William R. Osborne presents short devotionals around the 20 “You Are” statements found in the Psalms. Each devotional is followed by a short prayer that families can pray together as they read. Using a clear and warm style, Osborne provides a distinct connection between the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s goodness, holiness, and mercy as they are illustrated in the Psalms.
“Oh, how I love this book! With tender affection for the Lord and for children, Osborne guides kids through the book of Psalms by winsomely connecting childhood experiences to images and themes in the psalms and revealing how they point to Jesus. I can already tell this will become a beloved book for my family, and I suspect it will become a staple in many homes.”
—Caroline Saunders, author, The Story of Home and The Story of Water
How to Read and Understand the Psalms
Bruce K. Waltke
Fred G. Zaspel
In this book, professor, pastor, and father William R. Osborne presents short devotionals around the 20 “You Are” statements found in the Psalms. Each devotional is followed by a short prayer that families can pray together as they read. Using a clear and warm style, Osborne provides a distinct connection between the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s goodness, holiness, and mercy as they are illustrated in the Psalms.
“The most obvious virtue of How to Read and Understand the Psalms is its scope. An appropriate subtitle for the book might be What You Always Wanted to Know about the Psalms. As part of this admirable scope, detailed explications of specific psalms balance the chapters that explore the topics important to scholarship on the Psalms.”
—Leland Ryken, Emeritus Professor of English, Wheaton College
Elisabeth Elliot: A Life
In this single-volume biography, Lucy S. R. Austen takes readers on an in-depth journey through the life of Elisabeth Elliot—her birth to missionary parents, her courtship and marriage to Jim Elliot, her missions work in Ecuador, and her private life and public work after she returned to the United States. Through Elliot’s example of love for God and obedience to his commands, readers will ponder what it means to follow Jesus.
“Lucy S. R. Austen’s biography of Elisabeth Elliot is not only (by far) the best account we have of this fascinating woman; it is also a book that should inspire other biographers—both first-timers and veterans—to resist the relentless pressure to smooth out the rough edges of the lives they are seeking to chronicle. Here we have a story that will remind us of the twists and turns, the unexpected chapters, and the deep sense of grace that marks our own lives.”
—John Wilson, Senior Editor, The Marginalia Review of Books; former Editor, Books & Culture
Justification: An Introduction
In this addition to the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series, Thomas R. Schreiner examines the biblical and historical background of the doctrine of justification. Schreiner explores it throughout church history and analyzes both the Old and New Testament teachings. By examining the relationship between justification and other doctrines of salvation—such as redemption, reconciliation, adoption, and sanctification—Schreiner shows how it gives peace, assurance, and joy to sinners through Jesus and hope for life today.
“This book is a comprehensive and important introduction to the subject of justification by faith alone, which is one of the most important Christian doctrines and key to understanding the true nature of Protestantism. Schreiner’s presentation is informative and lucid, making it one of the best ways for students and others to grasp what justification is and why it matters today as much as ever.”
—Gerald Bray, Research Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School; author, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present
Sanctification as Set Apart and Growing in Christ
Surveying the Bible from beginning to end, Köstenberger shows that sanctification is grounded in the eternal holiness of God, who created humanity in his image. Now, in Christ, the Spirit sets believers apart and restores them to the original image. Sanctification often takes place in the midst of suffering and equips believers for their God-given mission.
“This short but careful, compelling, and comprehensive study accomplishes a great deal, exposing the reason for conflicting views about sanctification, examining the biblical terminology in context, and tracing the way the theme develops as God’s purpose for humanity is progressively disclosed in Scripture. Marny Köstenberger writes with great clarity, showing how a biblical-theological approach to this topic is both necessary and empowering for those who would lead a godly life.”
—David G. Peterson, Emeritus Faculty, Moore Theological College; author, Possessed by God
The Biggest Story Curriculum Verse Cards
Crossway
Illustrated by Don Clark
Parents can give these verse cards to their kids as a fun homeschool or family discipleship resource. This set is also designed for use alongside The Biggest Story Curriculum (sold separately) in a church’s children’s ministry or Sunday school program. Each card corresponds to one of the lessons in the curriculum, giving churches an interactive way to teach and review. Children will enjoy collecting each card as they learn God’s story and his plan of salvation.
The Biggest Story Curriculum Activity Book
Crossway
Illustrated by Don Clark and Caleb Faires
This fun book has a variety of activities to spark children’s curiosity and keep them entertained as they learn God’s story of redemption. There are 104 worksheets in all, including crossword puzzles, word scrambles, color-by-number art, word finds, and mazes. Each activity page is based on a story from Scripture, inviting kids to engage with God’s word from Genesis to Revelation. The Biggest Story Activity Book is part of the Biggest Story suite of resources, which also includes a coloring book, poster set, and Bible verse cards (sold separately).
The Biggest Story Curriculum Coloring Book
Crossway
Illustrated by Don Clark and Caleb Faires
This fun coloring book depicts more than 100 Old and New Testament events, giving kids a fun way to engage with Scripture while they learn the full story of the Bible. With 104 pages in all, this book will provide hours of Bible-centered fun for kids ages 6–12. The Biggest Story Coloring Book is part of the Biggest Story suite of resources, which also includes an activity book, colorful poster set, and Bible verse cards (sold separately).
The Biggest Story Curriculum Posters
Kevin DeYoung
Illustrated by Don Clark
Churches can use these fun posters during their children’s church or Sunday school classes for kids ages 6–12. Each sturdy poster is 11" x 17" with rounded corners, so it’s easy to hold up as leaders teach and review lessons. Parents can also share this set with their children as a fun Scripture learning tool for homeschooling or family discipleship. By displaying multiple Biggest Story Posters in sequential order, kids will see how Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation fit together.