Joseph's Boy: a kids'-eye view of the first Christmas! Fun, inspiring middle grade Bible story - the definitive inside scoop on ALL you could wish to know ... and then some! (The Young Testament Book 1)
#1 of 3 in The Young Testament Series
on Goodreads (12)
What’s inside...
"Quirky, funny and immensely enjoyable" kids'-eye take on the first Christmas - aimed at preteens, sneakily enjoyed by adults!Jamie had BIG dreams. He wanted to be a prince. He wanted his dad to marry a lovely young woman called Mary. He wanted an army of little brothers and sisters who would look up to him and think how clever and important he was.But at no point did he expect one of them to be a long-awaited king, destined to reign forever. Nope. Not part of the plan...The kids have taken over the Jesus story!JOSEPH'S BOY is the first of The Young Testament, a fun, accessible series of full-length books covering the whole, breathtaking sweep of the Jesus story and beyond, all from the perspective of the children.Overlapping and weaving together into one story world, each book has a different child as the main character - until the fifth, where we will follow all of them and their friends into young adulthood. JOSEPH'S BOY covers the birth and childhood of Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist, with apprentice carpenter / wannabe prince Jamie as our engaging yet sometimes huffy young hero.
Discussion points
How do you think Joseph felt during the first Christmas and why?
What are some ways Joseph showed courage and faith in the story?
If you were there during the first Christmas, what would you have liked to do or see?
How can we apply the lessons learned from Joseph's story to our daily lives?
What was the most surprising part of the story for you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on Joseph’s role in the Christmas story to make your child feel more comfortable sharing.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask how they would feel or react in similar situations.
Relate aspects of the story to your child’s life, such as discussing times when they needed to be brave or show faith.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book, and then describe it. This helps them engage creatively and think deeply about the story.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights as they answer questions, which can boost their confidence and eagerness to explore more.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book presents the Christmas story through children’s eyes, allowing young readers to understand and relate to the emotions and experiences of the characters.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to put themselves in others' shoes and understand different perspectives, which can improve their relationships and communication skills.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family and Community
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes the support and love within Joseph’s family during their journey and the wider community's role during the first Christmas.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value and contribute to their own families and communities, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility.
Example Lesson: Courage and Faith
Explanation: Joseph's story exemplifies courage in the face of uncertainty and faith in difficult times, as he navigates challenges with resilience.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to act bravely and maintain faith during their own challenges, teaching them resilience and perseverance.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The perspective of the book sparks curiosity about historical events and cultural practices from the past, presented in an engaging way.
Real-World Application: Promotes an active interest in learning and discovering more about the world, enhancing educational development and critical thinking skills.