Sunday stories

In Short

This volume is a clear, accessible retelling of central Bible stories written specifically for children. It moves sequentially from the New Testament—focusing heavily on the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—into iconic Old Testament narratives spanning Creation, the Patriarchs, Exodus, and the early kings of Israel. Through simple prose and gentle moral applications, Catharine Shaw presents scripture not as abstract ancient history, but as an ongoing invitation to trust God, practice daily obedience, and find personal salvation through faith. It endures as a gentle, pastoral instructional work for young readers.

The Story

The book opens in the hills of Bethlehem, where terrified shepherds receive the angelic announcement of the Saviour’s birth. The narrative traces the early life of Jesus, highlighting His childhood presentation at the Jerusalem Temple where He remains behind to discuss scriptures with learned teachers, demonstrating early devotion to His Heavenly Father while remaining obediently subject to His earthly parents in Nazareth.

Following His baptism in the Jordan River by John and His subsequent temptation by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus initiates His public ministry. He calls a diverse group of followers, including fishermen and the despised tax collector Matthew, offering a standing invitation for anyone to follow Him regardless of past wrongdoing. The narrative pauses over intimate moments: Martha bustling with household duties while her sister Mary sits listening at Christ's feet, and the grief of the sisters when their brother Lazarus dies, culminating in his miraculous resurrection.

The narrative darkens as Jesus travels to Jerusalem. Despite forewarning His disciples of His betrayal, He is arrested in Gethsemane after Judas Iscariot bargains with the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver. Following trials before the High Priest and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, Jesus is condemned to death. Bearing His cross, He is crucified alongside two criminals outside the city walls, offering forgiveness to His executioners before dying. After His body is sealed in a guarded tomb, He rises on the third day, appearing to Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the other disciples before ascending into heaven with a promise to return. Following His ascension, the apostles carry on His work, demonstrated when Peter and John heal a lifelong lame beggar at the Temple's Beautiful Gate.

The book then transitions back to the beginning of the biblical timeline, describing how God created the earth out of mist and darkness. It details the fall of Adam and Eve, Cain’s jealous murder of Abel after his disobedient offering is rejected, and the divine judgment on Sodom alongside Abraham’s intercession. The patriarchs’ stories unfold through Ishmael’s rescue from thirst in the desert, Esau selling his sacred birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of pottage, and Joseph being sold into Egyptian slavery by his jealous brothers before rising to govern the land during a widespread famine.

Finally, the narrative highlights Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Moses is rescued from the Nile bulrushes as an infant, raised in Pharaoh's palace, and chosen by God to lead His enslaved people. After the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea, God provides quails and heavenly manna in the desert. However, while Moses receives the Law on Mount Sinai, the people fall into idolatry by worshipping a golden calf. The volume concludes with early conquests in Canaan and the tragic downfall of Saul, Israel's first king, whose persistent partial disobedience costs him his kingdom.

How It Unfolds

The Saviour arrives Angels announce the birth of Christ to frightened shepherds in Bethlehem fields, launching a holy life marked by wisdom and complete childhood obedience to earthly parents in Nazareth.

Ministry and miracles Jesus gathers disciples from all walks of life, calls people to follow Him, teaches in quiet homes like Bethany, raises Lazarus from the grave, and heals the suffering.

Crucifixion and resurrection Betrayed by Judas and condemned by religious leaders and Pilate, Jesus dies on the cross offering forgiveness, but conquers the sealed tomb to rise on the third day.

Creation and early fall God constructs a beautiful world out of darkness, but human disobedience quickly enters through Adam and Eve, culminating in Cain murdering his brother Abel out of jealousy.

Patriarchs and promises God tests and guides Abraham's family line, sustaining Ishmael in the desert, allowing Jacob to secure Esau's birthright, and elevating Joseph from slave to Egyptian ruler.

Exodus and golden calf Moses leads Israel out of Egyptian slavery through the Red Sea and into the wilderness, where God supplies manna but punishes the people for worshipping a golden calf.

Disobedience of the first king Saul is chosen to rule Israel but repeatedly fails to follow divine commands precisely, leading the prophet Samuel to declare that God has rejected his kingship.

The People

• Jesus Christ: The central figure of the New Testament narratives who seeks to fulfill His Heavenly Father's work, offers salvation to all people, calls disciples from every background, demonstrates absolute obedience, and willingly endures suffering and death on the cross to forgive human sin.
• Mary: The mother of Jesus who lovingly watches her Son grow with wonder, ponders His divine purpose in her heart, and grieves during His suffering.
• Martha: A devoted, industrious woman living in Bethany who wants to make Jesus welcome through energetic hosting, but becomes cross when her sister leaves the household labor entirely to her.
• Mary of Bethany: Martha's sister who seeks only to sit at the feet of Jesus, eagerly listening to His words and choosing the single essential thing that cannot be taken away.
• Peter: A fisherman turned prominent apostle who follows Jesus, falters during the trial, receives forgiveness after the Resurrection, and later heals a lame man at the Temple gate through divine power.
• Judas Iscariot: A disciple who desires thirty pieces of silver, betrays Jesus with a kiss in the night, and realizes his terrible mistake too late.
• Jacob: The younger twin son of Isaac who possesses a shifty, opportunistic character, yet genuinely values God's spiritual promises enough to trade pottage for his brother's birthright.
• Esau: A skilled mountain hunter who cares little for spiritual inheritances, trading his sacred birthright to his brother simply to satisfy immediate, intense physical hunger.
• Joseph: A favored son sold into Egyptian slavery by his jealous brothers, who maintains his integrity through false imprisonment until God raises him to govern Egypt and save his family from famine.
• Moses: A Hebrew child saved from the Nile bulrushes who grows up in Pharaoh's palace, chooses to identify with his oppressed people, and leads Israel out of Egypt while receiving God's law.
• Saul: The first king of Israel who desires to defeat his enemies and perform religious rituals, but ultimately loses his throne because he relies on his own judgment rather than offering complete obedience to God's precise commands.

In Its Own Voice

"The shepherds were very frightened, but the angel spoke to them at once; and he said to them, what God says to us so many times in the Bible: 'Fear not!'"

The narrator pauses during the nativity story to remind young readers of the reassuring, recurring message of comfort found throughout scripture.

"He does not wait till we are good, to call us to follow Him; but He says to us, just where we are, at school, at work, at play, in the street, in the home, in the shop, 'Follow Me.'"

In explaining the calling of Matthew the tax collector, the book emphasizes that Christ's invitation requires no prior perfection, only immediate willingness.

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

The prophet Samuel sternly confronts King Saul after he disobeys divine instructions by sparing livestock and the enemy king.

What It's Really About

The primary theme running through the narrative is the vital importance of heart-level obedience over mere outward religious ritual. Whether examining Cain's unacceptable crop offering, the Israelites constructing a golden calf in the wilderness, or King Saul saving livestock under the guise of future sacrifice, the book repeatedly argues that God desires genuine submission and trust rather than partial performance or self-serving bargains. Beneath the chronological retellings lies a constant pastoral appeal to young readers: human effort and good intentions routinely fall short, making personal faith in Christ's atonement the only true foundation for a transformed life. The text continually frames daily choices as personal decisions for or against God.

Why Read It Today

This collection will appeal to readers interested in historic Victorian-era Christian instructional literature, Sunday school teaching methods, or classic family devotional material. Reading it feels like sitting through a gentle, earnest lesson delivered by a patient tutor who routinely pauses the narrative to address the listener as "dear children." The tone is warmly persuasive, entirely free of modern ironic detachment, and focused entirely on practical personal piety.

Modern readers should be prepared for its distinctly period-bound pastoral style, which frequently interrupts the dramatic pacing of biblical events to insert direct moral exhortations, traditional evangelical theology, and simple stanzaic verse. It makes no attempt at critical historical analysis or objective cultural commentary; instead, it presents the biblical text with complete, unreserved devotional seriousness. What stays with the reader is the author's remarkable consistency of focus—every narrative beat, from the fields of Bethlehem to the desert wanderings of Israel, is systematically brought back to a single, plain question about individual faith, personal obedience, and daily moral conduct.