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Summary:

In this episode, Michael Easley sits down with Liz and Jack Hagler, the creative duo behind the “Patrick Wigglesworth Bible Adventure Series.” This graphic-novel resource helps children understand the overarching story of Scripture. Liz brings a background in graphic design and illustration. Jack contributes theological training, pastoral experience, and an engineering mindset. Together, they explain how the project developed over decades of homeschooling, ministry work, and a shared desire to help kids see the Bible’s big picture in an engaging way.

The Haglers emphasize a “show, not tell” approach. They aim to help children experience Scripture through story, humor, and visual storytelling instead of abstract instruction. The Haglers explain how feedback from their own children and grandchildren shaped tone, humor, and accessibility. They repeatedly learned that kids must love the character before they engage the message.

They also highlight laughter, memory, and interaction as key learning tools. Children retain truth better when they can laugh, draw, and ask questions. The series spans Genesis through Deuteronomy, with more books coming soon. It helps families read, discuss, and remember God’s story together. The episode underscores discipleship that begins at home and invites children into Scripture through creativity and joy.

Takeaways:

• The Haglers created a graphic-novel Bible series to help kids understand Scripture as one connected story.
• Their approach focuses on “showing, not telling” to make biblical truth more engaging for children.
• Real feedback from their kids and grandkids shaped the tone, humor, and effectiveness of the books.
• They believe laughter and creativity significantly improve how children learn and retain spiritual truth.
• The series emphasizes helping families read Scripture together and talk through God’s story at home.
• Their goal is to help children see the Bible as both understandable and personally meaningful.

ABOUT LIZ AND JACK HAGLER

Liz is the illustrator of The Bible Animal Storybook, Questar Publishing (1990) and The Early Reader’s Bible (1991). She is also co-author, with her husband Jack, and illustrator of Hooked on the Book: Patrick’s Adventures Through the Books of the Bible (2012). She has B.A. in Art and English from University of California at Davis. Liz studied graphic design at California College of Arts and Crafts and has taught many years of Sunday School as well as homeschooling their three children. 

Jack has been a pastor, teacher, executive coach, senior project manager, homeschool principal and co-author of Hooked On The Book: Patrick’s Adventures Through the books of the Bible (2012). Jack received his M.Div. from Western Seminary. 

Links Mentioned:

Patrick Wigglesworth’s Bizarre Bible Adventure Set by Liz and Jack Hagler

Patrick Wigglesworth website

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