May 13, 2025 • 12 mins
The Bible is foundational and life giving, but it can also be confusing and challenging—especially for kids.. Author of the bestselling 52 Weeks in the Word, Trillia Newbell joins Mornings with Eric and Brigitte on Tuesday to share ways to help our children grow into faithful, hopeful Bible lovers.
52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition | Christian Books
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S1 (00:04):
You're listening to Moody Radio 89.3. And mornings with Eric
and Bridget.
S2 (00:09):
Well, one thing I love are journals. As a journaler,
I love like, perusing new ones. The designs, the papers,
how it's laid out, and the book I hold in
my hand. 52 weeks in the Word by Trillia Newbell
not only helps you get through the Bible in a year, well,
this one is a student edition to New Testament. But
(00:29):
there's it's there's places for you to journal what you're
reading and learning along the way.
S1 (00:33):
There's a lot of that, actually. There's a lot of
time for you to sit and dwell on what you've
been learning and reading, and that's what makes, I think
this very helpful for students. For all of us, though, really,
I think this is a resource that, yeah, it says
Student Edition, but I could cross that out and put
the Eric edition also in there. I think it would
be very helpful for me.
S2 (00:51):
And I think that's okay with the author. Trillia because
you call yourself a student for life.
S3 (00:58):
I am a student for life because we will never
exhaust learning about the Lord. And the Bible is so
rich and 66 books we. I mean, we will always
be learning. And so I am a student for life.
S1 (01:11):
All right, so let me start before we even, like,
crack the cover of this book, you say everything you
need to know before you start. And you say the
Bible is God breathed. Could you just explain that statement
to us?
S3 (01:23):
Yeah. So the Bible is, um, well, it's very theological, actually. So.
And I didn't prep for that question, but the Bible
is the infallible word of God. So it is inspired
by the Lord. And he gave people the words to write.
But there are all sorts of authors throughout the scriptures, um,
who were inspired by the Lord to write down what
(01:45):
he wants to teach us and to tell us about
himself and about his people.
S2 (01:51):
Yeah, and it's truly amazing when you say, we'll never
exhaust the Word of God. It's knowledge for us. I mean,
I've heard of theologians who studied it all their life,
you know, the Greek and the Hebrew and the old
and the new, and they're still learning new things about
God as they read. It's truly remarkable.
S3 (02:10):
It is remarkable. And and there's so many different meanings
about words, which is why it's important to learn how
to not just read the word which, um, 52 weeks
in the word helps people to read the word, but
to pause and also study so that we can understand what,
what what we're reading. And so there are theologians and
(02:31):
experts always trying to dig into that the language and understand.
Yet also Jesus tells us that a kid can understand it.
So we, we, we want to ask God to, to have, um, clear,
simple understanding of what he has to tell us. And
I believe he will faithfully do that.
S1 (02:53):
Yeah. So you tackled just the New Testament here. And
I think this is helpful because I think if a
student feels the the courage to step in, study the
New Testament and then to actually say, hey, I was
able to do that, I think. Then jumping into the
Old Testament will help. This will give them the courage
to do that. Then also I think, but this is
(03:14):
it's laid out in a way again, 52 weeks. So
it's throughout the year. But it's it's not it's not over.
Like you don't have a ton of reading to do,
but there's enough there to keep you busy and to
keep you occupied, I think.
S3 (03:28):
Yeah, it's one chapter a day. So if you read
one chapter of Matthew and by the time you're done,
you'll have read all of revelation and for the 52 weeks.
And so, so yeah, it's one chapter of day. Very doable. Kids,
I'm we are in final exam season in my home.
And so kids, they're reading and reading and reading and
(03:50):
studying and studying. So I know that they can read
God's Word. And because they are always studying and reading
and doing these kinds of things. So something that I
often say is if you can do algebra, you can
read the Bible.
S2 (04:08):
So now what if you can't do algebra though? What
if you. What if you can't do that?
S3 (04:13):
Yeah, yeah. You may not be able to do algebra,
but you can if you they get all sorts of
assignments at school. My big point is you do it already.
So if what we want to do is just build
this habit of, um, reading the Bible. But it's funny, I,
I was talking to one of my kids, math teachers,
and I was saying my daughter is very Stem, so
(04:36):
she has that brain math. And I said, well, she
didn't get it from me. And she said, well, you
can't do math. And I was like, oh yeah.
S2 (04:46):
No.
S3 (04:46):
So I get that.
S2 (04:47):
I get.
S3 (04:47):
That.
S2 (04:48):
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Well, we are talking with Trillia Newbell
and she's the author of 52 weeks in the Word
Student edition. And as I mentioned, it really is more
like a journal. I mean, you give us the plan
of what to read, but then you give us space
to reflect on what we're reading. And so what I
love about that is you are not spoon feeding us
(05:10):
God's Word. You are sharing. Okay, here's what we're going
to read today. But you draw out the lessons that
God is showing you. And that's what's so exciting about
reading God's Word, is that it's a word that speaks
directly to our hearts. And so, you know, I might
be reading Luke eight today and write one thing, and
Eric might write something completely different that kind of stood
(05:32):
out to him or what God was speaking to him.
And and we hear and we sense God speaking to
us as we read.
S3 (05:39):
Absolutely. And, you know, it's interesting that you say that
because one of the things that I have heard or
that teachers and Sunday school lessons are also using this
so that students can come together and talk about what
they're what they're learning. And learning in community is really
it's such a healthy way to, um, learn and read
(06:01):
God's Word. Because, like you said, Eric might get something
that you don't. and vice versa. So this can be
done as an individual, but then you can get together
with friends or in the Sunday school, or in a
youth group and discuss what you're learning and what you're
reading about.
S1 (06:20):
You ask about where did where is Jesus in these
chapters as they read through each one of them? And
then where do you see the gospel in these chapters?
I think in the beginning that would be easy. Uh,
Jesus is born. That that makes sense. Okay. He he
came to save sinners. And that starts as a baby
being the incarnation. So I think that's. Does it get
(06:41):
harder as you go through the books of the old
or of the New Testament, or does it get easier
because you're starting to work that muscle of where is
Jesus and where's the gospel?
S3 (06:50):
I think it gets easier. So the interesting thing is,
it's much easier to see Jesus in the New Testament
because everything is it's so clear. It's the Old Testament
where you have to do a lot more digging and
thinking and thinking, okay, is this a is is this
a prophecy? Is this foretelling or is this pointing to him?
Of course. Yes it is, but we that that's kind
(07:12):
of a harder exercise. But, um, where I want kids
because I think they're going to see Jesus, where they,
where I hope that they can grow is in seeing
the gospel. So seeing where God's, um, mercy is being displayed,
where someone's repenting and there's forgiveness, where, um, where someone's
(07:33):
they see, oh, there. It's completely forgiven. Maybe it's a
parable and their sins are completely washed away and they
don't have to. You can't earn God's favor. Or maybe, um,
just something that reflects, oh, this is God's grace and
mercy and and to undeserving sinners. And that, I think,
is a different muscle that kids will have to exercise
(07:57):
to see. Okay, where do I see the gospel displayed
in in the text? And a lot of the New
Testament also is instruction and one another's and, and so, um,
understanding that we are saved by grace. Um, period. Also,
we obey Jesus. And so this is what it looks
(08:18):
like to follow him. And so, um, that is that
is what I hope that people will, um, see. And
as you said, this is this is for students, but
it's also for anyone who has never read through the
New Testament and hasn't really exercised that kind of muscle
thinking through where they see the Lord in the text.
S2 (08:40):
Daniel texted in, he says, I've been going through a
Bible in the year reading plan and it's so rewarding.
Sometimes I, you know, lose track of things, but then
I just catch up and keep going. And so students,
I think, will find that same thing, the rewards of
reading and getting into God's Word. And what's great about
52 weeks in the word, the student edition is you
(09:02):
can start at any point of the year. This is
not something you got to start in January and work
through your way through December. It's not dated. You can
start at any point of the year and carry it through.
And I know you're hoping that students, maybe even this summer,
will pick this up and really dig into God's Word.
And what are you hoping that students will come away?
Or maybe. Maybe there are many things.
S3 (09:24):
Oh, there are many things. But the big thing is
that they will love God with all their heart, mind, soul,
and strength and love their neighbor as themselves. And so
if they can learn to read the scriptures and grow
closer to the Lord, they love God. Um, see him
become more familiar with who he is. They that will
(09:45):
transform your heart. And so that's what I'm praying for.
Transformed hearts for the glory of the Lord. And a
love for him and a love for neighbor. And I
believe the the Word of God can do that.
S1 (09:57):
Do you have a story about someone that has taken
you up on this call? Maybe not the student edition,
but since you've had it out a little bit longer,
52 weeks in the word, someone that was kind of
reluctant to do this and jumped into it and it
really did change who they are.
S3 (10:13):
Yeah. I have so many stories of people who have
amazing things like, um, older, uh, there was a story
of a older woman and her daughter, and her daughter
got her to read 52 weeks in the word. And
her mom had never read through consistent consistently. And it
(10:33):
transformed her mind, helping her have peace. There were so
many of these stories, and it has been one of
the most remarkable things. And the thing that makes me
so excited about it. It has absolutely nothing really to
do with 52 weeks in the word. It has everything
to do with the Bible and God and His power
(10:53):
and his glory, and his ability to change hearts when
you get into His word. And so it's it has
been one of the more rewarding and inspiring things to,
to watch and to listen to. But it I have
story after story after story of people who were transformed
by the scriptures because they decided, okay, I'm going to
(11:16):
take up this challenge and I'm going to read. And um,
what a blessing.
S2 (11:21):
What a blessing it is. And this resource, again, really
more like a guidebook, a journal where you can jot
down what you're learning as you are reading step by step.
And then, of course, there are some thoughts and notes
from Trillia as well, and even some question prompts for you.
So it's really an all encompassing guide. So glad I
have my copy of 52 weeks in the word, because
(11:43):
I have my notes there too. So I love the
way you've laid this out for us to dig into
God's Word. And that's really the big takeaway is what
we learn from him. So thank you for for guiding
us through that.
S3 (11:56):
Oh my pleasure. Thanks so much for having me.
S1 (11:59):
All right. Again, you can find out more information about
this student edition or even the larger edition for anybody. Also,
when you head to our website, Eric, and all 52
weeks in the word the student edition.
You're listening to Moody Radio 89.3. And mornings with Eric
and Bridget.
S2 (00:09):
Well, one thing I love are journals. As a journaler,
I love like, perusing new ones. The designs, the papers,
how it's laid out, and the book I hold in
my hand. 52 weeks in the Word by Trillia Newbell
not only helps you get through the Bible in a year, well,
this one is a student edition to New Testament. But
(00:29):
there's it's there's places for you to journal what you're
reading and learning along the way.
S1 (00:33):
There's a lot of that, actually. There's a lot of
time for you to sit and dwell on what you've
been learning and reading, and that's what makes, I think
this very helpful for students. For all of us, though, really,
I think this is a resource that, yeah, it says
Student Edition, but I could cross that out and put
the Eric edition also in there. I think it would
be very helpful for me.
S2 (00:51):
And I think that's okay with the author. Trillia because
you call yourself a student for life.
S3 (00:58):
I am a student for life because we will never
exhaust learning about the Lord. And the Bible is so
rich and 66 books we. I mean, we will always
be learning. And so I am a student for life.
S1 (01:11):
All right, so let me start before we even, like,
crack the cover of this book, you say everything you
need to know before you start. And you say the
Bible is God breathed. Could you just explain that statement
to us?
S3 (01:23):
Yeah. So the Bible is, um, well, it's very theological, actually. So.
And I didn't prep for that question, but the Bible
is the infallible word of God. So it is inspired
by the Lord. And he gave people the words to write.
But there are all sorts of authors throughout the scriptures, um,
who were inspired by the Lord to write down what
(01:45):
he wants to teach us and to tell us about
himself and about his people.
S2 (01:51):
Yeah, and it's truly amazing when you say, we'll never
exhaust the Word of God. It's knowledge for us. I mean,
I've heard of theologians who studied it all their life,
you know, the Greek and the Hebrew and the old
and the new, and they're still learning new things about
God as they read. It's truly remarkable.
S3 (02:10):
It is remarkable. And and there's so many different meanings
about words, which is why it's important to learn how
to not just read the word which, um, 52 weeks
in the word helps people to read the word, but
to pause and also study so that we can understand what,
what what we're reading. And so there are theologians and
(02:31):
experts always trying to dig into that the language and understand.
Yet also Jesus tells us that a kid can understand it.
So we, we, we want to ask God to, to have, um, clear,
simple understanding of what he has to tell us. And
I believe he will faithfully do that.
S1 (02:53):
Yeah. So you tackled just the New Testament here. And
I think this is helpful because I think if a
student feels the the courage to step in, study the
New Testament and then to actually say, hey, I was
able to do that, I think. Then jumping into the
Old Testament will help. This will give them the courage
to do that. Then also I think, but this is
(03:14):
it's laid out in a way again, 52 weeks. So
it's throughout the year. But it's it's not it's not over.
Like you don't have a ton of reading to do,
but there's enough there to keep you busy and to
keep you occupied, I think.
S3 (03:28):
Yeah, it's one chapter a day. So if you read
one chapter of Matthew and by the time you're done,
you'll have read all of revelation and for the 52 weeks.
And so, so yeah, it's one chapter of day. Very doable. Kids,
I'm we are in final exam season in my home.
And so kids, they're reading and reading and reading and
(03:50):
studying and studying. So I know that they can read
God's Word. And because they are always studying and reading
and doing these kinds of things. So something that I
often say is if you can do algebra, you can
read the Bible.
S2 (04:08):
So now what if you can't do algebra though? What
if you. What if you can't do that?
S3 (04:13):
Yeah, yeah. You may not be able to do algebra,
but you can if you they get all sorts of
assignments at school. My big point is you do it already.
So if what we want to do is just build
this habit of, um, reading the Bible. But it's funny, I,
I was talking to one of my kids, math teachers,
and I was saying my daughter is very Stem, so
(04:36):
she has that brain math. And I said, well, she
didn't get it from me. And she said, well, you
can't do math. And I was like, oh yeah.
S2 (04:46):
No.
S3 (04:46):
So I get that.
S2 (04:47):
I get.
S3 (04:47):
That.
S2 (04:48):
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Well, we are talking with Trillia Newbell
and she's the author of 52 weeks in the Word
Student edition. And as I mentioned, it really is more
like a journal. I mean, you give us the plan
of what to read, but then you give us space
to reflect on what we're reading. And so what I
love about that is you are not spoon feeding us
(05:10):
God's Word. You are sharing. Okay, here's what we're going
to read today. But you draw out the lessons that
God is showing you. And that's what's so exciting about
reading God's Word, is that it's a word that speaks
directly to our hearts. And so, you know, I might
be reading Luke eight today and write one thing, and
Eric might write something completely different that kind of stood
(05:32):
out to him or what God was speaking to him.
And and we hear and we sense God speaking to
us as we read.
S3 (05:39):
Absolutely. And, you know, it's interesting that you say that
because one of the things that I have heard or
that teachers and Sunday school lessons are also using this
so that students can come together and talk about what
they're what they're learning. And learning in community is really
it's such a healthy way to, um, learn and read
(06:01):
God's Word. Because, like you said, Eric might get something
that you don't. and vice versa. So this can be
done as an individual, but then you can get together
with friends or in the Sunday school, or in a
youth group and discuss what you're learning and what you're
reading about.
S1 (06:20):
You ask about where did where is Jesus in these
chapters as they read through each one of them? And
then where do you see the gospel in these chapters?
I think in the beginning that would be easy. Uh,
Jesus is born. That that makes sense. Okay. He he
came to save sinners. And that starts as a baby
being the incarnation. So I think that's. Does it get
(06:41):
harder as you go through the books of the old
or of the New Testament, or does it get easier
because you're starting to work that muscle of where is
Jesus and where's the gospel?
S3 (06:50):
I think it gets easier. So the interesting thing is,
it's much easier to see Jesus in the New Testament
because everything is it's so clear. It's the Old Testament
where you have to do a lot more digging and
thinking and thinking, okay, is this a is is this
a prophecy? Is this foretelling or is this pointing to him?
Of course. Yes it is, but we that that's kind
(07:12):
of a harder exercise. But, um, where I want kids
because I think they're going to see Jesus, where they,
where I hope that they can grow is in seeing
the gospel. So seeing where God's, um, mercy is being displayed,
where someone's repenting and there's forgiveness, where, um, where someone's
(07:33):
they see, oh, there. It's completely forgiven. Maybe it's a
parable and their sins are completely washed away and they
don't have to. You can't earn God's favor. Or maybe, um,
just something that reflects, oh, this is God's grace and
mercy and and to undeserving sinners. And that, I think,
is a different muscle that kids will have to exercise
(07:57):
to see. Okay, where do I see the gospel displayed
in in the text? And a lot of the New
Testament also is instruction and one another's and, and so, um,
understanding that we are saved by grace. Um, period. Also,
we obey Jesus. And so this is what it looks
(08:18):
like to follow him. And so, um, that is that
is what I hope that people will, um, see. And
as you said, this is this is for students, but
it's also for anyone who has never read through the
New Testament and hasn't really exercised that kind of muscle
thinking through where they see the Lord in the text.
S2 (08:40):
Daniel texted in, he says, I've been going through a
Bible in the year reading plan and it's so rewarding.
Sometimes I, you know, lose track of things, but then
I just catch up and keep going. And so students,
I think, will find that same thing, the rewards of
reading and getting into God's Word. And what's great about
52 weeks in the word, the student edition is you
(09:02):
can start at any point of the year. This is
not something you got to start in January and work
through your way through December. It's not dated. You can
start at any point of the year and carry it through.
And I know you're hoping that students, maybe even this summer,
will pick this up and really dig into God's Word.
And what are you hoping that students will come away?
Or maybe. Maybe there are many things.
S3 (09:24):
Oh, there are many things. But the big thing is
that they will love God with all their heart, mind, soul,
and strength and love their neighbor as themselves. And so
if they can learn to read the scriptures and grow
closer to the Lord, they love God. Um, see him
become more familiar with who he is. They that will
(09:45):
transform your heart. And so that's what I'm praying for.
Transformed hearts for the glory of the Lord. And a
love for him and a love for neighbor. And I
believe the the Word of God can do that.
S1 (09:57):
Do you have a story about someone that has taken
you up on this call? Maybe not the student edition,
but since you've had it out a little bit longer,
52 weeks in the word, someone that was kind of
reluctant to do this and jumped into it and it
really did change who they are.
S3 (10:13):
Yeah. I have so many stories of people who have
amazing things like, um, older, uh, there was a story
of a older woman and her daughter, and her daughter
got her to read 52 weeks in the word. And
her mom had never read through consistent consistently. And it
(10:33):
transformed her mind, helping her have peace. There were so
many of these stories, and it has been one of
the most remarkable things. And the thing that makes me
so excited about it. It has absolutely nothing really to
do with 52 weeks in the word. It has everything
to do with the Bible and God and His power
(10:53):
and his glory, and his ability to change hearts when
you get into His word. And so it's it has
been one of the more rewarding and inspiring things to,
to watch and to listen to. But it I have
story after story after story of people who were transformed
by the scriptures because they decided, okay, I'm going to
(11:16):
take up this challenge and I'm going to read. And um,
what a blessing.
S2 (11:21):
What a blessing it is. And this resource, again, really
more like a guidebook, a journal where you can jot
down what you're learning as you are reading step by step.
And then, of course, there are some thoughts and notes
from Trillia as well, and even some question prompts for you.
So it's really an all encompassing guide. So glad I
have my copy of 52 weeks in the word, because
(11:43):
I have my notes there too. So I love the
way you've laid this out for us to dig into
God's Word. And that's really the big takeaway is what
we learn from him. So thank you for for guiding
us through that.
S3 (11:56):
Oh my pleasure. Thanks so much for having me.
S1 (11:59):
All right. Again, you can find out more information about
this student edition or even the larger edition for anybody. Also,
when you head to our website, Eric, and all 52
weeks in the word the student edition.
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