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paperback, 8 chapters, 80 pages
A hundred years ago, many people called John William McGarvey the finest Bible scholar in America. But how do you teach his life to your kids?
Born on the Kentucky frontier in 1829 and trained by Alexander Campbell himself, McGarvey became the great teacher of the movement to restore New Testament Christianity. For nearly fifty years, he trained young preachers in Lexington, quoting the Bible from memory, crossing an ocean to map its lands, and, when the scholars of his day began tearing the Bible apart, he stood almost alone to answer them.
But this isn't just the story of a brilliant scholar. It's about loving the Bible enough to give up the church he had built over thirty years rather than his convictions, and the courage to keep believing when everyone else walks away.
Who Was John William McGarvey? makes this remarkable life accessible for today's young readers. Written in a warm, conversational style that doesn't shy away from hard questions or talk down to kids, this guide walks through his whole life in eight short chapters, from the plow to the grave, with:
Relatable, real-life openings—every chapter starts with something kids already know, then opens into a true story with real adventure, from a deadly blizzard ride to a near-drowning off an ancient coast
Honest engagement with a complicated man—handling McGarvey's slaveholding, his rigid streak, and his mistakes in age-appropriate ways that spark real conversations
Real-life application—helping kids see how McGarvey's courage, his love for Scripture, and even his failures speak to their own choices about truth and conscience
Whether your child is learning to stand up for what's right, wrestling with how to admire a hero who was also flawed, or ready to discover a great champion of New Testament Christianity, Who Was John William McGarvey? will show them that a plow boy who loved the Bible can still teach us how to live—and how to tell the truth.
Perfect for family reading, classes, or independent study.
paperback, 8 chapters, 80 pages
A hundred years ago, many people called John William McGarvey the finest Bible scholar in America. But how do you teach his life to your kids?
Born on the Kentucky frontier in 1829 and trained by Alexander Campbell himself, McGarvey became the great teacher of the movement to restore New Testament Christianity. For nearly fifty years, he trained young preachers in Lexington, quoting the Bible from memory, crossing an ocean to map its lands, and, when the scholars of his day began tearing the Bible apart, he stood almost alone to answer them.
But this isn't just the story of a brilliant scholar. It's about loving the Bible enough to give up the church he had built over thirty years rather than his convictions, and the courage to keep believing when everyone else walks away.
Who Was John William McGarvey? makes this remarkable life accessible for today's young readers. Written in a warm, conversational style that doesn't shy away from hard questions or talk down to kids, this guide walks through his whole life in eight short chapters, from the plow to the grave, with:
Relatable, real-life openings—every chapter starts with something kids already know, then opens into a true story with real adventure, from a deadly blizzard ride to a near-drowning off an ancient coast
Honest engagement with a complicated man—handling McGarvey's slaveholding, his rigid streak, and his mistakes in age-appropriate ways that spark real conversations
Real-life application—helping kids see how McGarvey's courage, his love for Scripture, and even his failures speak to their own choices about truth and conscience
Whether your child is learning to stand up for what's right, wrestling with how to admire a hero who was also flawed, or ready to discover a great champion of New Testament Christianity, Who Was John William McGarvey? will show them that a plow boy who loved the Bible can still teach us how to live—and how to tell the truth.
Perfect for family reading, classes, or independent study.
