New daily video podcast launches January 1, 2027, inviting families to discover the story of salvation together alongside Ascension’s new Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners.
[Exton, PA - July 12, 2026] After helping millions of people encounter Scripture through the chart-topping The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast, Ascension is bringing that same transformative journey to families through a new daily video podcast: The Bible in a Year: Family Edition (with Fr. Josh Johnson), launching January 1, 2027.
Designed for families with children ages 7 to 12, the new video podcast guides families through the story of salvation in 365 daily episodes using readings from Ascension's upcoming The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners. Much like the original Bible in a Year, each episode includes a Scripture reading, age-appropriate reflection from host and Catholic priest Fr. Josh Johnson, answers to common Bible questions from children, and prayer, giving families a simple daily rhythm for encountering God through His Word together.
The Bible in a Year: Family Edition is the first in Ascension's popular "In a Year" series to launch as both a daily audio podcast and a YouTube video series, giving families the option to watch or listen together at home, in the car, and anywhere they spend time together.
“The Bible is God’s inspired Word,” said Fr. Josh in the podcast’s announcement video. “It’s one of the primary ways that we hear His voice, encounter His love, and learn His plan for our lives. I believe our children deserve the opportunity to fall in love with God’s Word from an early age. We're not just going to read Bible stories—we're going to discover how every story points us to Jesus Christ. My prayer is that this podcast helps families grow closer to Jesus, closer to one another, and closer to the Church.”
Bringing The Bible in a Year to the Next Generation
Since its debut in 2021, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) has reached #1 across all Apple Podcasts categories, surpassed one billion downloads, and inspired millions of people around the world to develop a daily habit of reading the Bible. Built on Jeff Cavins' groundbreaking Great Adventure Bible Timeline Learning System, the podcast helped listeners see how every book of the Bible fits into one unified story of salvation. The Bible in a Year: Family Edition brings that same transformative approach to a new generation.
“ I'm grateful [Fr. Josh is] doing the Family Edition,” said Fr. Mike Schmitz. “Reading through the Bible, I was thinking, ‘This is… messy and there's a lot of bad stuff. For Fr. Josh to be able to pick up the Family Edition and say, ‘Okay, how are we going to present this in a way that is age-appropriate?’... it's going to be incredible.”
Throughout the year-long journey, Cavins returns as the new podcast's "Bible Explorer," appearing in 12 special episodes to introduce children to the major time periods of salvation history. Building on the same Bible Timeline framework that shaped the original The Bible in a Year, these episodes help young listeners see how the people, events, and promises of Scripture come together in one story that leads to Jesus.
Get a First Look
Families can get an early look at The Bible in a Year: Family Edition by watching the official pilot episode, now available on the podcast’s YouTube channel.
Key Links
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Podcast URL: www.AscensionPress.com/BIYFamily
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Press Kit:
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Pilot Episode: https://youtu.be/4kmsLaab3pI
About Fr. Josh Johnson
Fr. Josh Johnson is the vocations director for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, as well as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and School. He is nationally beloved by Catholics for his Ask Father Josh podcast produced by Ascension, as well as for his best-selling books like the Pocket Guide to Reconciliation and presentations in Ascension's video programs for parishes and schools. Last summer, Fr. Josh was an emcee for the National Eucharistic Congress, which drew 50,000 Catholics together for worship and fellowship in Indianapolis. View full bio here.
About The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) is the world’s #1 religion podcast. Since its 2021 debut, listeners worldwide have been guided through the entire Catholic Bible in 365 daily episodes using Jeff Cavins' groundbreaking The Great Adventure Bible Timeline Learning System. With more than one billion downloads and over 60,000 five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts, the podcast has transformed how Catholics engage with Scripture and sparked a global movement of daily Bible reading.
About The Great Adventure Bible for Beginners
The second in Ascension’s forthcoming series of Bibles for children, The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners helps children take the next step in their journey through Scripture. Written for ages 8+ at a 3rd to 5th grade reading level, it deepens biblical understanding with faithful, age-appropriate language, beautiful sacred art, select verses quoted directly from the RSV-2CE, and The Bible Timeline Learning System, preparing children to engage with God's Word for years to come.
About Ascension
Ascension is one of the most trusted publishers of Catholic books and digital media today. For over 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of more than 20 million people through award-winning resources including the chart-topping The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast, the groundbreaking The Great Adventure Bible study program, bestselling Bibles, over 50 faith formation programs, and Ascension Presents—one of the largest Catholic YouTube channels in the world. As the leader in faith formation, Ascension combines wide-reaching media and a commitment to quality to help millions encounter the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact Newsroom@AscensionPress.com.