To grandparents everywhere who pray that their grandkids will grow to

love the Book God wrote.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 1 4/15/18 7:45 PM

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible,

English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway,

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by

permission. All rights reserved.

GWB4K V2

CHAPTERS1

being the new kid ... 6

2 when stuff changes ... 18

3

the facts ... 40

4the best part about

the bible ... 58

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 2 4/15/18 7:45 PM

james macdonaldwith jennifer abbatacola

design & illustrationjoel fulkerson

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 3 4/15/18 7:45 PM

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 4 4/15/18 7:45 PM

As young parents, Kathy and I wanted our own children to grow up to love God’s Word. Now, with more of our lives in the rearview mirror, we think of our grandchildren and their hearts and minds for the Lord. We want each of them to put their full weight on the Book that has satisfied the greatest minds in human history. And wherever God takes them in their own journey, may they grow to love and treasure the Book God wrote—

THE BIBLE.

INTRODUCTIONfor parents

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 5 4/15/18 7:45 PM

6

chapter 1

BEING THE NEW KID

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 6 4/15/18 7:45 PM

7

Every step felt so long. Timothy’s stomach was in knots, and he kept wiping his hands

on his pants to get rid of the sweat. He held his phone tightly and checked his breath. He immediately regretted brushing his teeth before he ate that breakfast burrito.

It was his first day at MacArthur Middle School during a year of many firsts.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 7 4/15/18 7:45 PM

8

This school was nicer than his last one, but it wasn’t what he was used to. He tried to act like he knew where he was going as he retraced his steps from orientation.

He checked his schedule for the fourth time. Science was first. Up the stairs and to the left. N208.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 8 4/15/18 7:45 PM

9

Timothy repeated his locker combination in his head…23, 30, 11. Lebron, Steph, Kyrie. But he was so nervous that instead of stopping by his locker to drop off his school supplies, he decided to carry everything to his first class because he was scared he’d mess up the combination. He’d already tripped over some uneven concrete on the sidewalk and didn’t dare risk drawing any more attention to himself.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 9 4/15/18 7:45 PM

10

He got upstairs and looked for his class. N200, N202, N204, N206…

The door was open. Everyone looked up when he walked in. He was late.

“Get to a seat. Any seat,” he said to himself.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 10 4/15/18 7:45 PM

11

He chose a seat closest to the door.

And then someone else walked in. Timothy was happy another kid was late too. Jack was tall, just like Timothy. He noticed his shoes. Basketball. Size 11. Basketball stickers on his phone. Basketball pins on his backpack. Basketball t-shirt. He must play too.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 11 4/15/18 7:45 PM

12

Jack sat down across from Timothy. Timothy started doodling in his notebook but felt Jack looking at him. They gave each other a head nod, and Timothy looked back down at his notebook.

God wrote a book layout final text.indd 12 4/15/18 7:45 PM