The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Michael Kelley. 2021. 448 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: Deuteronomy 6 contains the text of the shema. That word literally means “hear,” and it’s the beginning of the greatest command: “Hear, O Israel: The L ord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:4–5 niv) This is the oldest fixed prayer in Judaism, and even today is recited at least twice a day by observant Jews.
The Whole Story for the Whole Family: A Year of Jesus-Centered Family Devotions is exactly what it claims to be: a devotional book for family use that is focused on telling the whole story of the Bible. The devotions take a chronological approach, a selective chronological approach. Which stories within the Bible come together to tell the WHOLE story? It doesn't focus on other types of biblical text that aren't "stories." (However, I will say that a *few* psalms make it into the devotional book because of their connection with David. Same with some of Solomon's writings (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)). If you're looking for a book that will work through all sixty-six books of the Bible, this isn't it. If you read the daily scripture selections you'll get an overview of the Bible--hitting all the main points, main stories, main ideas. But you won't have read from every book of the Bible.
Roughly 65 to 66% of this one is focused on the Old Testament. The remaining is mainly focused on Matthew through Acts with two to four readings from Revelation. ALL THE EPISTLES--the Pauline epistles, the general epistles, no matter how long or short--are skipped entirely. For better or worse. On the one hand, few contain "stories" as such. But on the other hand, I have a hard time seeing how the WHOLE STORY of the Bible can be presented without using the epistles--they are so theologically and doctrinally rich. It's like excluding a whole food group from a healthy well-balanced diet.
The book is straightforward in its practical use. Each entry is divided into FIVE sections: show, read, explain, reflect, and pray. I'll share the first entry with you below.
Everything from Nothing
Show Distribute pen and paper, Legos, Play-Dough, or some other material to each family member. Explain that they will have two minutes to create something brand-new. It could be a new building, a new animal, a new food—anything new. Start the timer and allow the family to work. Once the work is done, allow each family member to explain what they made, commending each one for their creativity. Then explain that even though you all created new kinds of things, you all used materials to create them. You didn’t create the Legos, the paper, or the Play-Dough. Even though you made something, you didn’t make something from nothing. But that’s what God did when He created.
Read Genesis 1:1–5
Explain The Bible tells us that in the beginning, there was God, and God alone. He has always been, and He will always be. When He created, God didn’t use material that was already present; instead, He created all things just by speaking them into existence. Everywhere we look we can see evidences of God’s power, His creativity, and His love. There is no one and nothing like God who has the power to bring things into existence by His power. Every time we see a tree, a cloud, or a mountain, it’s a chance to remember the powerful God who spoke it all into existence. As the story continues, we will see that we need a powerful God to do what we could never do for ourselves.
Reflect 1. What does God’s creation show us about Him? 2. How should we respond to a God so powerful that He can create something from nothing? 3. What are some of your favorite things in the world that remind you of how powerful God is?
Pray Thank You, God, that You are powerful. Help us today, as we walk through the world You made, to remember that You are the Creator of all things.
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