Retold by Carolyn Larsen
More than 150 Bible stories are retold and illustrated by beautiful paintings from Standard Publishing’s Classic Bible Art Collection. These stories show how the familiar events and people of the Bible are connected. They also show God’s constant involvement with and love for His people. Perfect for devotional and bedtime reading, the entire family will enjoy this engaging storybook.
BIBLE STORYBOOK
STORY BOOK
Carolyn Larsen has written more than 40 books, including the best-selling Little Girls and Little Boys Bible storybook line of products, as well as One Minute Devotions for Women. Carolyn and her husband live in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
BIBLE
BIBLE
STORY BOOK
RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Children ISBN 978-0-7847-2360-9
9 780784 723609
021530310
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Ages 3 & up
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To From Date
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BIBLE STORYBOOK Retold by Carolyn Larsen
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Published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio www.standardpub.com Copyright © 2009 by Standard Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in reviews, without the written permission of the publisher. Printed in: China Project editors: Elaina Meyers and Dawn A. Medill Cover design: Diane Bay Illustrations from Standard Publishing’s Classic Bible Art Collection Published in association with Educational Publishing Concepts ISBN 978-0-7847-2360-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Larsen, Carolyn, 1950Standard bible storybook / retold by Carolyn Larsen. p. cm. ISBN 978-0-7847-2360-9 (casebound) 1. Bible stories, English. I. Title. BS551.3.L376 2009 220.9'505--dc22 2009026796 14 13 12 11 10 09
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To Jude and Brody . . . I pray that these precious stories teach you much about our living, loving God. I pray that you come to know Him early and enjoy learning about Him and serving Him all your lives. Love you!
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CONTENTS
The Old Testament Introduction.............................................................................................................. 16 Creation
The Creation
Genesis 1:1-25.............................................. 20
God Makes People
Genesis 1:26–2:3.......................................... 23
Sin Enters the World
Genesis 2:8–3:24.......................................... 25
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1-16.............................................. 28
Noah’s Story
Noah Builds an Ark
Genesis 6:1-22.............................................. 30
The Rain Begins
Genesis 7:1–8:5............................................ 33
A Brand New Start
Genesis 8:6–9:17.......................................... 35
The Tower of Babel The Tallest Building in the World
Genesis 11:1-9.............................................. 38
Abraham’s Story
Abram’s Big Move
Genesis 12.................................................... 41
Abram and Lot Go Separate Ways
Genesis 13.................................................... 44
God’s Promise to Abram
Genesis 14, 15.............................................. 47
Angel Visitors
Genesis 18:1-15............................................ 49
God Destroys Sodom
Genesis 18:16–19:26................................... 52
Hagar and Ishmael Are Sent Away
Genesis 16:1-4, 15; 21:1-21......................... 55
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The Story of Isaac
Abraham’s Difficult Test
Genesis 22.................................................... 58
A Bride for Isaac
Genesis 24.................................................... 61
Jacob’s Story
Esau’s Bad Choice
Genesis 25:21-34.......................................... 64
Jacob’s Mean Trick
Genesis 27:1-41............................................ 67
Jacob’s Strange Dream
Genesis 28:10-22.......................................... 70
Jacob Wrestles with God
Genesis 32:22-32.......................................... 73
Jacob Meets Esau
Genesis 32:1-18; 33..................................... 75
The Life of Joseph
A Coat of Many Colors
Genesis 37:1-5.............................................. 77
Joseph’s Unusual Dreams
Genesis 37:6-17............................................ 79
Joseph Becomes a Slave
Genesis 37:18-36.......................................... 81
Joseph in Potiphar’s House
Genesis 39:1-6.............................................. 84
Joseph Goes to Prison
Genesis 39:19–40:1-23................................ 86
Joseph Is in Charge!
Genesis 41.................................................... 88
Joseph’s Family Reunion
Genesis 42; 45:1-15..................................... 90
The Story of Moses
Moses Is Born and Rescued!
God Speaks from a Burning Bush Exodus 3:1–4:17......................................... 96
The Plagues on Egypt
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Exodus 2:1-10............................................. 93 Exodus 7:14–10:29..................................... 98
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The Last Plague and God’s Deliverance
Exodus 11, 12...........................................100
Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus 13:17–14:31.................................102
Food from Heaven
Exodus 16..................................................105
Water from a Rock
Exodus 17:1-7...........................................108
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20..................................................110
The Golden Calf
Exodus 32..................................................113
The Twelve Spies
Numbers 13................................................115
The Bronze Serpent
Numbers 21:4-9.........................................118
The Story of Joshua
A New Leader
Deuteronomy 31:1-8....................................120
A Woman Named Rahab
Joshua 2......................................................122
The Fall of Jericho
Joshua 3, 4, 6.............................................125
The Sun Stands Still
Joshua 10:1-15...........................................127
The Time of the Judges
Judge Deborah
Judges 4.......................................................129
Gideon
Judges 6, 7..................................................132
Samson’s Victory
Judges 13, 16..............................................135
The Story of Ruth
A Loyal Woman
The Book of Ruth.......................................138
God’s Servant, Samuel
Young Samuel
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1 Samuel 1; 3:1-21.....................................141
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The First King of Israel
King Saul
1 Samuel 9; 10:1, 17-26............................144
A Change in Leadership
1 Samuel 13:7-14; 15:1-23........................147
The New King of Israel
1 Samuel 16:1-13.......................................149
David Fights Goliath
1 Samuel 17:1-51.......................................151
Jonathan and David
1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20...................................154
Abigail Shares
1 Samuel 25...............................................157
David Spares Saul
1 Samuel 24, 26.........................................159
David Is King
David Becomes King
1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 1, 2.................161
David and Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 9..................................................164
Absalom’s Rebellion
2 Samuel 15, 18.........................................166
The Reign of Solomon
Solomon Becomes King
1 Kings 1....................................................169
The Wisdom of Solomon
1 Kings 3....................................................172
Solomon Builds God’s Temple
1 Kings 5, 6................................................174
Solomon Turns from God
1 Kings 10:14-29; 11:1-13........................176
Trouble for Israel
The Kingdom Divides
1 Kings 11:26-43; 12:1-20........................178
Ravens Feed Elijah
1 Kings 16:29-34; 17:1-7...........................180
The Widow’s Son
1 Kings 17:8-24..........................................182
Mt. Carmel Contest
1 Kings 18:1-40..........................................184
The Chariot of Fire
2 Kings 2:1-18............................................187
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Stories of Elisha
Elisha Solves a Problem
2 Kings 2:19-22..........................................189
A Room for Elisha
2 Kings 4:8-17............................................190
The Generous Woman’s Son
2 Kings 4:18-37..........................................192
Naaman Is Cured
2 Kings 5:1-19............................................194
Eyes to See
2 Kings 6:8-23............................................196
Judah’s Last Days
Isaiah’s Vision Josiah’s Great Find
Isaiah 6:1-13..............................................198 2 Kings 22:1–23:30...................................200
Hezekiah’s Illness
Isaiah 38:1-22............................................203
Daniel and His Friends
Special Training
Daniel 1......................................................204
Four Men in a Fire
Daniel 3......................................................207
The Handwriting on the Wall
Daniel 5......................................................209
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Daniel 6......................................................211
The Story of Queen Esther
A New Queen Is Chosen
Esther 1, 2..................................................213
A Special Request
Esther 3–6..................................................215
God’s People Return
The Long Trek Home
Ezra 1, 2....................................................217
Rebuilding the Walls
Nehemiah 1–6............................................219
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The Story of Jonah
Running Away from God
Jonah 1, 2...................................................221
Preaching in Nineveh
Jonah 3, 4...................................................223
The New Testament He Came Before
Zechariah and the Angel
Luke 1:5-25...............................................228
The Birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-66.............................................231
Jesus Is Born
An Angel Speaks to Mary
Luke 1:26-38.............................................232
Jesus Is Born
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7...................234
Shepherds Visit Jesus
Luke 2:8-20...............................................237
Wise Men Visit Jesus
Matthew 2:1-12..........................................239
Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13-23........................................242
Jesus Growing Up
The Boy in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52.............................................244
The Ministry of John
A Strange Man
Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-16...................247
Jesus Is Baptized
Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:29-34.....................249
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Preparation for Ministry
Jesus Is Tempted
atthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12, 13; M Luke 4:1-13...............................................251
Jesus Calls His Disciples
atthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13; M Mark 1:14-20; 2:14-17; Luke 5:1-11; 5:27-32; John 1:35-51..............................................253
Jesus’ Ministry Begins
A Wedding in Cana
John 2:1-11.................................................256
Jesus Clears the Temple
John 2:13-25..............................................258
Jesus’ Teachings
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5:1–6:4........................................260
How to Pray and Stand Strong
Matthew 6:5–7:29......................................262
Jesus Talks with Nicodemus
John 3:1-21.................................................264
The Woman at the Well
John 4:1-38.................................................266
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42...........................................268
Jesus Teaches by Telling Stories
The Story of the Sower
atthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:13-30; M Luke 8:4-15...............................................270
The Lost Sheep
Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7...............272
The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10.............................................274
The Vine and the Branches
John 15:1-17..............................................276
A Run Away Son
Luke 15:11-32...........................................278
The Unforgiving Debtor
Matthew 18:21-35......................................282
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The Rich Young Man
atthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; M Luke 18:18-30...........................................285
A Woman Gives Everything
Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4...................287
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37...........................................288
The Story of the Talents
atthew 25:14-30; M Luke 19:11-27...........................................290
Jesus Teaches by Healing
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
John 9:1-34.................................................292
Down Through the Roof
atthew 9:1-7; Mark 2:1-12; M Luke 5:18-25.............................................296
The Son of a Government Official John 4:46-54..............................................298
The Servant of a Roman Officer
Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10...................300
Jesus Heals Ten Men
Luke 17:11-37...........................................301
Lazarus
John 11:1-44..............................................303
Jesus Teaches by Doing Miracles
Jesus Calms the Storm
atthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; M Luke 8:22-25.............................................308
Jairus’s Daughter
Mark 5:21-43............................................310
Jesus Feeds 5,000
atthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; M Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-13........................312
Jesus Walks on Water
atthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:47-51; M John 6:16-21..............................................314
A Look at Glory
The Transfiguration
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atthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; M Luke 9:28-36.............................................316
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The Last Days
Jesus Is Anointed
John 12:1-8 ...............................................319
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
atthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; M Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-50.................321
The Last Supper
atthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; M Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-17......................324
Jesus Is Arrested in the Garden
atthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-65; M Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-14....................327
Trial and Denial
atthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; M Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-29.................330
The Road to Golgotha
atthew 27:11-33; Mark 15:1-22; M Luke 23:1-26; John 18:28–19:17.............333
Jesus Dies on the Cross
atthew 27:32-61; Mark 14:21-47; M Luke 23:26-56; John 19:16-42.................337
Jesus Is Alive!
atthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; M Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18......................340
The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35...........................................343
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
ark 16:14-20; Luke 24:33-49; M John 20:19-31............................................346
Breakfast with Jesus
John 21:1-14..............................................348
Peter Is Restored
John 21:15-17............................................350
Jesus Goes Home
ark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50-53; M Acts 1:6-11................................................352
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The Young Church
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-42................................................354
Helping One Another
Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37...............................357
Peter and John Heal a Lame Man Acts 3:1-10................................................359
Stephen Is Stoned
Acts 6:6–7:60............................................362
Philip and the Ethiopian
Acts 8:26-40..............................................365
Saul Is Changed!
Acts 9:1-19................................................368
Saul’s Escape
Acts 9:20-31..............................................371
Dorcas Is Alive!
Acts 9:36-43..............................................374
Peter and Cornelius
Acts 10.......................................................376
Peter Escapes from Prison!
Acts 12:1-19..............................................379
Preaching God’s Word
Acts 13–16................................................382
Lydia Believes
Acts 16:11-15............................................386
Prison Music
Acts 16:16-40............................................388
Paul Preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens
Acts 17.......................................................390
Priscilla and Aquila
Acts 18.......................................................393
The Riot in Ephesus
Acts 19.......................................................395
Eutychus
Acts 20:7-12..............................................398
Paul Is Arrested
Acts 21:17–22:29......................................399
Paul Sails for Rome
Acts 22:30–27:12......................................402
Shipwreck!
Acts 27:13-44............................................405
Paul Writes Letters
The Revelation of John
408 The Book of Revelation................................410
Index of People and Places..........................................................................412
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Introduction he Bible is an amazing book! It is the incredibly detailed story of God’s work among His people. As it is read from beginning to end, the reader sees God’s plan unfold. His spectacular work at Creation is finished with the creation of man and woman, made in God’s own image. Then begins the journey of humans knowing, loving, and serving God. It’s a struggle sometimes and the Bible tells us the good parts and the difficult parts. This Bible storybook shows how the familiar stories and people of the Bible are connected. The Bible is not 66 sections that have nothing to do with each other. Each book and each story builds on one another to give a complete picture of God’s amazing love and grace. He desires a relationship with each human on this earth and He does everything He can to make that possible. The stories of Old Testament peoples’ obedience and failures lead right to God’s gift of Jesus’ birth—the beginning of His plan to make a bridge from man’s sin to God’s Heaven. Jesus’ life on Earth gives us
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His teachings, stories, miracles, and examples of how to live with others and live for God. His death, though difficult to read about, leads right into the account of His resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amazing! The rest of the Bible shows how God’s people spread the message of His love. In the process they have written down His teachings and encouragement to help people continue to spread the Good News until Jesus returns—and He is coming back! The classic artwork that illustrates these stories was commissioned by Standard Publishing. Between 1908 and 1948 more than 800 oil paintings, depicting all the major events of the Bible, were created by several painters from European art schools. Each picture gives an understanding of the setting and culture of the biblical story. Therefore, each picture is a lesson in history as well as an illustration of the story. All those involved in creating this book pray that it will be God’s tool in drawing the readers closer to Him; giving them a more complete picture of the thread of God’s work throughout history and His constant love and grace toward people. Hopefully, it will be one more stepping stone for children to progress from reading children’s Bible storybooks to the actual “grown-up” Word of God.
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The Old Testament
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Creation The miracle of creation showed God’s amazing power and creativity. It also showed how much He cares for mankind. He created a beautiful world for us to enjoy, whether you love mountains, oceans, or deserts. He made tiny hummingbirds and gigantic killer whales. He made delicate yellow flowers and huge redwood trees. God thought of everything and He made something for everyone to enjoy . . . creation shows God’s love!
The Creation
Genesis 1:1-25 spoke four simple words, “Let there be light,” and the miracle of creation began. The earth and everything in it was made by God. He did it all in six days. God began Day One of creation by making light and darkness. He separated
efore there were people on Earth . . . before there were animals on Earth . . . before there was a sun or a moon . . . before there was even an earth, there was only emptiness, darkness, and silence. Then God
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the light and dark from each other. He called the light, day and the darkness night. Day Two of creation God created waters above the earth—in the heavens, and water on Earth itself. Then He created
the sky and put it between the waters of Heaven and Earth. On Day Three, God moved the waters on Earth together and separated them from the dry land. He called the waters seas and the dry ground land. He filled the land 21
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with plants and trees that grow fruits with seeds. His plan was that the seeds would drop to the ground and make new plants. That way the plants would keep growing more plants and fill the earth with flowers, bushes, and trees. On Day Four, God put a light in the night-time sky. This light is the moon. He also put stars in the night sky. God put a brighter light in the day-time sky. This light is the sun. Day Five saw the creation of fish and other life in the seas. From the tiniest little seahorse to the mammoth blue whale, God filled the waters with life. Day Five is also the day that God made birds that fly through the sky. These sea creatures and sky creatures have babies so there will always be life in the seas and in the sky.
On Day Six God made all kinds of animals that live on the earth. He made insects like mosquitoes and caterpillars. He made small animals such as squirrels and kittens. He made large animals such as elephants and giraffes. He made farm animals like cows and goats. God told all the animals to have babies so that the earth would always be filled with animals. God looked at everything He had made. He was very happy with all of creation. He had made seas and dry land. He had filled the seas with things that swim and He had filled the land with animals and plants. He had made the sun and the moon. But God wasn’t finished yet. There was one more special creation on Day Six. This one is God’s masterpiece!
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God Makes People or six days God was busy creating things. He made the whole earth and everything in it. Each of His creations was amazing. But on the sixth day, God made His most incred-
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Genesis 1:26–2:3 ible creation. He made the first man using just the dust of the earth. Adam was made in God’s own image. That means that people could think, make choices, talk, and care about things just as God
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does. “Adam,” God said, “I want you to give names to each of the animals I have created.” Adam named them all, “That is a butterfly. This one I will call hippopotamus.” But, when the naming was finished, Adam was lonely. He had no other human to be friends with; no one to talk with. God saw that Adam was lonely, so He made Adam fall asleep. While Adam was sleeping, God took a rib from his side. God used that rib to form another human. This human was different from Adam though. She was a woman. She was called “Eve.”
Adam and Eve were the first people on Earth. God told them to have babies and fill the earth with more people. He trusted them to govern the earth and take care of it. God made a beautiful garden in Eden for Adam and Eve to live in. “I have given you plants to eat and trees that grow fruit to enjoy. I also made plants for the animals to eat,” God said. When God was finished with all this, the sixth day ended. God looked at everything He had made. It was all good. God was happy with everything. So, on the next day, the seventh day, God rested.
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