Exploring the Bible Together: A 52-Week Family Worship Plan (Murray)

A No-Prep Guide to Teach the Bible to Your Children

Kids love adventure. From building an imaginary fort in the backyard to searching for buried treasure, the anticipation of discovering the unknown fills them with excitement. David Murray presents a 52-week family worship plan that captures this excitement through brief and accessible daily devotions as families explore the Bible together.

Table of Contents: 

Expedition 1: A Beautiful World

Expedition 2: A Ruined World

Expedition 3: A Flooded World

Expedition 4: A Special Promise of a Special Son

Expedition 5: A Long and Painful Test

Expedition 6: Saved from Slavery

Expedition 7: A New Nation

Expedition 8: Blood and Dust

Expedition 9: Look Back, Look Forward, Look Up

Expedition 10: Entering the Promised Land

Expedition 11: A Bad King and a Good King

Expedition 12: A Special Promise of a Special King

Expedition 13: Songs in the Midst of Sadness

Expedition 14: A Captive Nation

Expedition 15: A Rebuilt Nation

Expedition 16: The Devil Attacks

Expedition 17: Songs about the Coming King

Expedition 18: Songs about the Coming King II

Expedition 19: A Fork in the Road

Expedition 20: The Choice

Expedition 21: A Dangerous Detour

Expedition 22: Love Songs

Expedition 23: Looking into the Distance

Expedition 24: The Growing Excitement

Expedition 25: A Strange Place

Expedition 26: A Temple and a River

Expedition 27: A Church on a Mountain

Expedition 28: Enemies

Expedition 29: Heavenly Treasure

Expedition 30: Two Houses

Expedition 31: A Sad Wedding and a Dirty Temple

Expedition 32: A Nighttime Visitor

Expedition 33: Water in the Desert

Expedition 34: Wonders of the World

Expedition 35: Lost and Found

Expedition 36: A Shepherd, a Servant, a Vinedresser, and a Builder

Expedition 37: The Darkest Night

Expedition 38: The Darkest Trial

Expedition 39: The Darkest Death

Expedition 40: The Brightest Morning

Expedition 41: The Gospel for the World

Expedition 42: The Most Famous Road in the World

Expedition 43: Three Conversions

Expedition 44: Athens

Expedition 45: Preaching to the King

Expedition 46: The Old Faithful Geyser

Expedition 47: The Way of Love

Expedition 48: Three Appetizers

Expedition 49: The Hall of Faith

Expedition 50: A Burning Tongue and a Burning World

Expedition 51: A Revelation of Jesus

Expedition 52: The New World

Author

David Murray (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is professor of Old Testament and practical theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He is also a counselor, a regular speaker at conferences, and the author of Exploring the Bible.

Illustrator

Scotty Reifsnyder (MFA, Temple University) is assistant professor of art and design at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. He worked at the award-winning design studio Headcase Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has done illustrative and design work for Chronicle Books, Disney/Pixar, GQ, Time magazine, the Boston Globe, the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Wired magazine.

Endorsements

“David Murray has constructed a fabulous tool for family worship. This is more than just a year’s worth of assigned daily Bible readings followed by additional material you read to your children (though that’s valuable). Exploring the Bible Together is interactive (thus ‘together’), for it also supplies questions about the Bible passage. Beyond that, there’s a question for younger children and a more thought-provoking one for older children. But wait—there’s more! Murray also summarizes the main point your children should take from the text and suggests a simple way to pray toward that end. And he’s done it all in a format that can be completed in just a few minutes. If you’re looking for a sound, simple, no-prep guide to teach the Bible to your children, you’ve found it.” - Donald S. Whitney, Associate Dean and Professor of Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Family Worship; Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life; and Praying the Bible

“Many Christian parents believe that family worship is important. But like many, my husband and I struggle to know where to begin. David Murray has given us a helpful resource for family worship that is not only age-appropriate and helpful, but something I look forward to learning from as well. This is a resource that both children and parents can benefit from, and I highly recommend it!” - Courtney Reissig, author, Teach Me to Feel and Glory in the Ordinary

“Many Christian parents find themselves faced with a very real and very practical question: How do I consistently lead my family in worship well? That is where David Murray wisely steps in to help. In Exploring the Bible Together, he unites theology and practice in a beautiful and accessible way, all in order to grow the family and bring glory to God. Building on his earlier project for kids, Exploring the Bible Together not only tells us why family worship is important but also shows us how to do family worship that is centered on God and his word. I am so thankful that this resource exists to help the church and the family—mine included!” - J. Ryan Lister, Associate Professor of Theology, Western Seminary; author, Emblems of the Infinite King

“David Murray makes family worship simple and sweet. Here is a highly recommended, user-friendly guide to spending time in God’s word and in prayer with your family every day over the course of a year.” - Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; author, Reformed Preaching; coauthor, Reformed Systematic Theology

“David Murray has simplified family devotions without sacrificing depth or quality. I’m so thankful for a resource that is realistic and relatable for both parents and children. Exploring the Bible Together equips parents to lead their children through the word of God, learning how to actively read and respond to Scripture. I can’t wait to use this book with my family!” - Winfree Brisley, Editor, Risen Motherhood; Contributor, The Gospel Coalition

“Nothing centers the Christian home upon Christ more than regular and consistent family worship. Though most of us know this truth, we find the practice challenging. Unfortunately, the challenge easily turns to frustration, frustration breeds disappointment, and eventually family worship is placed on the proverbial shelf. This experience is known all too well by all too many of us. David Murray’s Exploring the Bible Together provides an effective tool for encouraging family worship while minimizing its frustrations. It is simple, direct, equipping, and informative—just the tool needed to encourage regular and consistent family worship. Do you need help in family worship? Most of us do. Murray’s fifty-two-week plan serves as a wonderful resource. Use it, minister to your family’s soul, and center your home more readily upon Christ.” - Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan; author, A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home