Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: The crew of seventy-two -- I. Why teach the Good News? : The one-note teacher -- because Jesus is everything we need ; The God report card -- because the Good News is like nothing else ; The "gospel day" trap -- because the Good News is for church kids too ; The factory-preset fourth grader -- because the Good News changes hard hearts ; The mom in Queen Esther's bedroom -- because the Good News is the Bible's theme song -- II. How to teach the Good News : The talking donkey and Jesus -- teaching the Good News from the Old Testament ; The longest list in church -- teaching the Good News from the New Testament ; The grapes that taught Good News -- taking the good news beyond lesson time ; The war on sin and bad songs -- taking the Good News into all of life ; The class in the boiler room -- living the Good News through prayer ; The skis I never wore -- making the Good News your great hope ; The true minister -- Appendix : Twelve answers to the objection that teaching God's free grace leads to lax obedience.