Parish Program

Parish Resources for The Bible in a Year: Family Edition

Bring the Bible to Life for Families in Your Parish

After helping millions of people encounter Scripture through the chart-topping podcast The Bible in a Year ® (with Fr. Mike Schmitz), Ascension is bringing that same transformative journey to families with a new daily video podcast: The Bible in a Year: Family Edition (with Fr. Josh Johnson), launching January 1, 2027. 

The Bible in a Year: Family Edition invites children, alongside parents, grandparents, godparents, and teachers, to discover the story of salvation through Scripture in a way that is engaging, age-appropriate, and deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Using The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners, which incorporates Jeff Cavins’ groundbreaking Bible Timeline ® Learning System, the podcast helps families understand the big story of Scripture and see how every part of the Bible points to God’s plan of salvation. 

Parishes can support families following the podcast together with weekly and monthly activity resources and a full year of parish events, helping them grow closer to God through Scripture, one day at a time. 

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Have questions? Program Details

Parish Resources for The Bible in a Year: Family Edition
Free Resources

Stay rooted in the word of God so that the word of God can stay in you.

Foster a Parish Rooted in Scripture

Created for kids, and the whole family grows alongside them.

"Stay rooted in the Word of God, so the Word of God can stay in you." That's how Fr. Josh Johnson signs off every episode of The Bible in a Year: Family Edition. It's the whole idea behind the podcast: building biblical literacy and helping families grow closer to God, one day at a time. 

Knowing the Bible isn't just about knowing more facts; it's about coming to know Christ more deeply and seeing our own place in the story of salvation. When Scripture is encountered daily within the context of one continuous story, it can take deeper root, becoming part of how people see themselves and relate to God.  

This podcast helps children and their families build that habit. As they enter into the story each day, the Bible begins to feel less like an ancient book about someone else, and more like a story that includes them. 

That sense of belonging begins with meeting kids where they are. The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners (read aloud in the podcast) does exactly that, so the Bible becomes something they grow into, not something they outgrow. 

Coming Soon!

How Your Parish Can Get Involved

Parish Weekly

  • A double-sided, folded handout for families to take home after Mass, keeping the story going all week. 
  • One issue for each week of the podcast. 
  • Available in packs of 50 per week. Order one month at a time or for the whole year at 10% off.

Monthly Magazine

  • An approximately 40-page activity magazine designed for religious education classrooms or family use at home, helping kids explore the story of Scripture more deeply each month. 
  • One issue for each month of the podcast. 
  • Available to order as individual issues per month. (Bulk pricing available). Order one month at a time or for the whole year at 10% off.

Free Event Guide

  • A plug-and-play downloadable guide with everything parishes need to host several events, bringing families together and helping them grow in their understanding and love of Scripture.

Coming Soon!

Parish Weekly

Order one month at a time.

Encourages Family Catechesis

Encourages Family Catechesis

  • A double-sided, folded handout for families to take home after Mass, keeping the story going all week. 

  • Ideal for kids ages 7–12, but younger kids may enjoy activities with the help of a parent. 

  • Encourages family catechesis by engaging parents and children together. 
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View Sample

Every Weekly includes 1-3 activities.

Coming Soon!

Monthly Magazine

Order one month at a time.

  • An approximately 40-page activity magazine for religious education classrooms or family use at home, helping kids explore the story of Scripture more deeply each month.

  • Ideal for kids ages 7–12, though younger kids mayenjoy the activities with a parent’s help.

  • 12 total issues in full color, covering the 12 time periods in The Bible Timeline.

  • Each issue includes at least one activity for every day of the podcast rooted in that day’s Scripture readings, as well as family challenges, discussion questions, connections to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the saints, explanations of key biblical events, visio divina, introductions and conclusions for each time period, and more.

  • Encourages family catechesis by engaging parents and children together.

View Sample

Coming Soon!

Free Event Guide

Plug-and-Play Guide

  • Bring families together for fellowship at your parish as they follow along with the podcast. 
  • The guide includes everything you need to host several parish events, making it easy for anyone to lead. 
  • Each event focuses on one of the 12 time periods in The Bible Timeline and is fun for all ages! 

The Great Adventure Bible for Beginners

The Great Adventure Bible for Beginners

The daily readings for the podcast are taken from The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners, the second Bible in Ascension’s series for children. 

Written at a grade 3–5 reading level, the Bible features faithful, age-appropriate language, beautiful sacred art, select verses quoted directly from the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, and The Bible Timeline Learning System. Together, these elements help children deepen their understanding of Scripture and prepare to engage with God's Word for years to come. 

Coming Fall 2026. Families can order a copy for home, and parishes can order the classroom edition in bulk for religious education classrooms. 
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At a Glance
Target Audience
Kids
Recommended Age Group
7-12
Available Languages
English

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