Also by this author: The Christmas We Didn't Expect: Daily Devotions for Advent
Series: Do Great Things for God #16
Published by Good Book Company on June 1, 2026
Genres: Children's, Children's Educational
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Part of the Do Great Things for God series, this inspiring biography of Jonathan Edwards will show kids that God can work powerfully through the simple sharing of his word.
Inspire kids with this true tale of God working powerfully through the simple sharing of his word. Jonathan Edwards’ story encourages kids to trust that God can do extraordinary things through everyday faithfulness.
Kids will follow Jonathan from his boyhood love of Latin, the Bible and nature to his ministry work as a pastor, author and missionary. They’ll see how God worked through Edwards' simple faithfulness to bring about revival.
Charming illustrations of 18th-century life in America draw kids into the story as they learn about God’s work during an important time in history. Kids will discover that…
God’s work and ways are sometimes surprising
Studying the Bible is joyful and worthwhile
We can trust that God is powerful and not fearThis book is part of the Do Great Things for God series, designed to show kids how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The series can be read to young children or enjoyed independently by early readers.
About the Author
David Mathis serves as Executive Editor at desiringGod.org, Pastor at Cities Church, and Adjunct Professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary. He and his wife, Megan, have four children.
Editorial Reviews
“A story told like this is a powerful way to inspire children in what an eager, faithful walk with the Lord really looks like!” - Kristyn Getty, Hymn Writer; Author
I’m glad David Mathis and Lee Dixon teamed up to make Edwards’ story available for children.” - John Piper, Founder and Teacher, desiringGod.org; Author
The Do Great Things for God biography series is great for Christian families who want to teach young children about famous and lesser-known figures from church history. These picture books cover different historical time periods, global locations, and themes, with age-appropriate content and a writing style geared towards young children and early elementary-aged students. This new installment focuses on Jonathan Edwards, a notable preacher and theologian from early American history.
This book begins with Edwards’s early life, and the text describes his studies, his growing faith, and his work as a pastor and missionary. The illustrations by Lee Dixon depict scenes from Edwards’s life and ministry, and these pictures will help kids visualize the historical time period. In this short biography, author David Mathis emphasizes Edwards’s role in The Great Awakening, showing how God used Edwards’s faithful service during this time of revival. The story concludes with Edwards’s death from smallpox, and after this, the book includes bonus features like discussion questions and a timeline.
Mathis sidesteps complicated or negative aspects of Edwards’s life and legacy, such as his ownership of slaves and defense of slavery. I would view this omission negatively if this book was longer and intended for older kids. However, because this is a brief picture book biography intended for little ones, I think it is acceptable. Also, the thematic emphasis here isn’t that Edwards was a moral exemplar, but that God was at work through this man’s ministry.
Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival will appeal to fans of this biography series, and to people who appreciate Jonathan Edwards and want to introduce children to his life story. The book has a positive message about how God can use people’s faithful ministry, and there are free resources and worksheets on the publisher’s website for parents or Christian school teachers to use with kids.