From beginning to end, the Bible tells one unified story, written over thousands of years in sixty-six books. At the center of this greatest of all stories is the kingdom of God.
A kingdom may seem like a strange and foreign idea to you, and some people have strange ideas of what it might mean. To put it simply, God’s kingdom is the place where God reigns over the people he loves. But God doesn’t rule like other kings. Most kings are selfish and greedy, and they take from their people. God created this kingdom to give life and joy to his people.
As you open the first pages of the Bible, you’ll quickly learn that people are royal failures at living in God’s kingdom. Instead of living for God as our King, people often seek to steal his throne. The only way for God to form this kingdom—and for us to have any chance of entering it—is if he makes great promises to us. These promises are called covenants, and they’re the way God establishes his kingdom on earth.
In The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook, God’s kingdom is summarized this way:
- God’s Presence: Just as God dwelt with Adam and Eve in Eden, he will dwell with his people forever.
- With God’s People: God made mankind in his image and called them to be fruitful and multiply. One day the whole earth will be filled with God’s people.
- In God’s Place: What began in the Garden of Eden will one day be expanded to the whole New Earth.
- Through God’s Promises: God’s covenants are the foundation of his Kingdom. All of his promises are fulfilled in Christ.
As we come to the end of the Bible, we see these four realities beautifully fulfilled in Revelation 21:1-4: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
One of my primary goals in writing this storybook Bible was to show how all of Scripture points to Jesus. He is the only one who can fulfill God’s promises and bring us into God’s kingdom. Each chapter focuses on the longing and need for the promised Savior to come. My ultimate prayer and hope is that this book will lead you and your children into a greater love for the King of kings and Lord of lords.
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
About the Author
Tyler Van Halteren founded Lithos Kids in 2020 afer seeing the impact 20-minute bedtime stories had on his son. He is the author of the Little Pilgrim series as well as The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook. Canadian by birth, Tyler previously served as a pastor in rural Ontario and later as a Bible professor in Cambodia. His growing young family now resides in Canada where he hopes to change the world through biblically faithful and beautifully illustrated books.
The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook: Box Set
Take your family on a journey to discover the story of God’s kingdom from Genesis-Revelation in this beautiful set of books! The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook is perfect for children ages 4-12 with hundreds of vivid illustrations and engaging text. This two volume box set comes with with heirloom quality cloth hardcovers, gold foil, and a ribbon page marker.
What makes The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook different?
- Faithful: Follows the text of Scripture without oversimplifying it or changing the meaning.
- Thematic: Focuses on God’s covenant promises and the central theme of the Kingdom of God.
- Christ-Centered: Every chapter points to the longing and need for the promised King to come.
- In-Depth: Includes many important stories that are often skipped over.
- Study Guides: Each chapter ends with a summary page with questions and Bible references.
We hope and pray this book will help your family know and enjoy the Bible together as you come to understand God’s kingdom in a clearer and deeper way.
