Jonah and the whale? Heart that. David and Goliath? Know them. Noah and the ark? So it rained . . . Get ready for wild, wacky, and weird stories you’d be surprised to find in Scripture. But beware: It’s not your parents’ storybook!

“Simply put, author Dan Cooley’s Bizarre Bible Stories and Bizarre Bible Stories 2! utilize a vernacular, contem-porary writing style intended to reach an audience of children and youth with solid Christian doctrine and practical application. The discussion questions inter-spersed throughout the text are thoughtfully designed to promote interaction between parents and their children on numerous topics of interest. Cooley’s books reflect his passion for providing spiritual food to children in a manner they can easily digest. His attention to detail is evident from cover to cover.” – Dr. Gene A. Getz, Author of over 50 books including The Measure of a Man “ Paul urged Timothy: ‘you know those from whom you learned...’ These captivating biographies and stories will equip and encourage parents, youth pastors and others who want to ensure the enduring faith of youth in the church.” – Daryl Busby, PhD, Dean of Canadian Baptist Seminary, Director of DMN Program, ACTS Seminaries, TWU “ Finally, a book that illuminates some of the coolest, odd-est, and fantastical true stories of the Bible that, when read, young people can say, ‘Wow! God really wants me to be THAT radical? THAT powerful? THAT bold?’ Dan Cooley does this in the simplest and most profound way… he inspires students to read the stories in the Bible for themselves. Study it. Glean from it. And then go into the real world and live it.” – Chad Barrett, Author of Journey to Freedom: The Pursuit of Authentic Fellowship Among Men “ Wow! As a mother of two boys, I certainly see the need to ground our children spiritually. Dan’s book is a tool to help us as parents ground our children in the Word. Dan pulls you into the Scripture and gives you a glimpse of what it was like. He encourages you to dig in God’s Word and pull out God’s personal message to you. There is no greater blessing than bringing God’s Word to life for our children!” – Susan Weagant, Author of Essentials of the Heart

Make familiar Bible stories new again for preteens with this collection of 30 fill-in stories that will allow kids to create a crazy new story with the same powerful point. Enjoy this library of favorite Bible stories and storytelling techniques developed by award-winning author and professional storyteller Steven James. Each book includes creative storytelling techniques especially suited to help teachers tell God’s story and involve children in the Bible story.

From a woman tricking her father-in-law into having a child together, to a talking donkey and demons being cast into pigs, theologian John Alan Turner explains what these odd stories are doing in the Bible and why they matter.

Intriguing and eye-opening interpretations of the most scandalous Bible stories that are puzzling and even shocking, maybe not even worthy of being in the Bible. A serious and sometimes whimsical taking of readers into the most awkward and even repulsive biblical narratives to find answers to the difficult questions facing believers today. Here is an outstanding resource for young adults, Sunday school classes, and quest groups that will provoke real conversations about the Bible and how the faithful should be living their lives. These twenty-eight Bible stories, strictly for adults, would make great sermon material for the pastor who has the courage and wisdom to try. They surely are in the Bible for some important reason. You are warned to approach with caution.

The Old Testament can seem strange and disturbing to contemporary readers. What should Christians make of Genesis 1-3, seemingly at odds with modern scientific accounts? Why does the Old Testament contain so much violence? How should Christians handle texts that give women a second-class status? Does the Old Testament contradict itself? Why are so many Psalms filled with anger and sorrow? What should we make of texts that portray God as filled with wrath? Combining pastoral insight, biblical scholarship, and a healthy dose of humility, gifted teacher and communicator Matthew Schlimm explores perennial theological questions raised by the Old Testament. He provides strategies for reading and appropriating these sacred texts, showing how the Old Testament can shape the lives of Christians today and helping them appreciate the Old Testament as a friend in faith.