J. Warner Wallace - Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective

What people are saying about

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids

Heres a creative, clear, and compelling primer that will sharpen the reasoning skills of kids. Theyll love the detective approach to the evidence for faith!

Lee Strobel, bestselling author of The Case for Christ

J. Warner and Susie Wallace have written a book that will engage your children in an interesting new way. Helping our kids learn how to think rather than what to think is key to raising well-rounded, stable adults. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids will help your kids stand tall for the Truth no matter what challenges they face in life.

Melissa Joan Hart, star of Gods Not Dead 2

When I read Cold-Case Christianity , I wished it had been available when I first examined the Christian faith. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids combines the wisdom and excitement of detective investigations with the case for Christianity, and its written by parents who have been training students for years. If you want your children to be ready to defend the truth about Jesus, this book is essential.

Josh McDowell, apologist and author of Dont Check Your Brains at the Door

J. Warner and Susie Wallace have succeeded in writing a book that is the perfect trifectadrawing kids into the story of Jesus, encouraging them to investigate and learn about Jesuss story, and giving them the tools they need to stand by their Christian faith. This book offers our youth a solid foundation for their faith, which is a priceless commodity, and raises up a generation of Christian leaders for our communities.

Jordy and Emily Nelson, parents and wide receiver (Jordy) for the Green Bay Packers

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids is a great family read-aloud, but dont be surprised if your kids want to read ahead. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids will inspire them to seek truth, to love Jesus, to have a new fascination with the Bible, and to become the kinds of truth detectives who can make a difference in our world.

Jeff Myers, PhD, president of Summit Ministrie

COLD-CASE CHRISTIANITY FOR KIDS

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). The author has added italics to Scripture quotations for emphasis.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

LCCN 2016946268

ISBN 978-0-7814-1457-9

eISBN 978-1-4347-1095-6

2016 James Warner Wallace

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

Illustrations by J. Warner Wallace

The Team: Catherine DeVries, Jamie Chavez,
Amy Konyndyk, Jack Campbell, Susan Murdock

Cover Design: Nick Lee

First Edition 2016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

072916

CONTENTS

A Quick Hello

My name is J. Warner Wallace, and Im a detective. I specialize in cold cases old cases no one could solve. Many of my cases have been shown on TV. I first started thinking about becoming a detective when I was your age. My dad was a police officer, and I followed in his footsteps. When I was a boy, I entered the Police Explorer Academy. I learned a lot there, and I learned even more when I became a detective as an adult.

When I was a new officer on the job, a senior detective named Alan Jeffries took me under his wing and taught me how to be a good investigator. Alan was tough and a bit rough around the edges, but the more I got to know him, the more I realized he was a truly good man who wanted the best for me. I owe Alan a lot.

Years later, I became interested in the story of Jesus. At the time, I didnt believe it was true. But I looked at it as a cold-case mystery and applied my detective skills. Eventually I decided the evidence was overwhelming and my conclusion was this: the Bible accounts are true , and Jesus is the Son of God.

Now its your turn to enter the Detective Cadet Academy. My old friend and mentor, Alan Jeffries, is going to train you, just like he did me. Youll learn how to be a good detective, and youll also learn how to investigate the case for Jesus.

By the way, your family can get involved in this investigation too. In fact, you could do this together. Just tell them to check out their version of the book ( Cold-Case Christianity ) or go online to (coldcasechristianityforkids.com) to look at a leaders guide. While youre there, be sure to check out the videos and activities Ive created for you.

J. Warner Wallace

As the final school bell rings, you feel a rush of excitement. Todays the day you start training to become a student police cadet along with two of your friends, Daniel and Hannah. Youre excited to wear your new cadet uniform, and you cant wait to see the inside of the police department.

Hannah was the first to see the school bulletin board: Wanted: New Recruits to Become Good Detectives. After reading it, she hurried to tell you and Daniel the news. Over at the local police department, theyre starting a new detective training academy for student cadets!

The three of you walk through the door into the police station. The desk assistant greets you. Hello! I know exactly why youre here. Ill call Detective Jeffries for you. She picks up her phone, pushes a button, then says, Alan, your new cadets are here.

A moment later, a towering bear of a man turns the corner and enters the room. He says, You must be the new cadets. Im Detective Jeffries. His voice is deep and a little like a growl. He seems serious and a bit scary. You think, I wouldnt want to see him angry! But then he smiles from out of nowhere and his face softens.

Follow me, he commands as he walks you through the station to the briefing room. Detectives and officers are busy at work. Uniforms and evidence are spread out on tables. You stop for a moment to watch all the activity. Detective Jeffries clears his throat. Ahem! Hes standing impatiently by the briefing room door. You quickly walk in and sit next to Daniel, Hannah, and some students from other schools in the area.