http://www.standardpub.com/Content/Site130/FilesSamples/40820pdf_00000005712

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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