EXTON, PA — Ascension will expand its “Bible in a Year” franchise on Jan. 1, 2027, with a daily family-focused podcast and video series, broadening one of the most successful religious media properties as it targets households with children ages 7 to 12.
The company said The Bible in a Year: Family Edition (with Fr. Josh Johnson) will adapt the format of its flagship podcast into 365 daily episodes featuring Scripture readings, age-appropriate reflections, children’s Bible questions and prayer. The series will draw from Ascension’s forthcoming The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Beginners.
The launch extends a brand that Ascension says has surpassed 1 billion downloads since The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) debuted in 2021 and reached the top spot across Apple Podcasts.
Unlike previous entries in the company’s “In a Year” series, the Family Edition will debut simultaneously as an audio podcast and a YouTube video series, giving families the option to listen or watch together.
“The Bible is God’s inspired Word,” host Fr. Josh Johnson said. “We’re not just going to read Bible stories—we’re going to discover how every story points us to Jesus Christ.”
Johnson added that his goal is to help families “grow closer to Jesus, closer to one another, and closer to the Church.”
Fr. Mike Schmitz, whose original podcast established the franchise, pointed to the challenge of adapting Scripture for younger audiences.
“For Fr. Josh to be able to pick up the Family Edition and say, ‘Okay, how are we going to present this in a way that is age-appropriate?’… it’s going to be incredible,” Schmitz said.
Ascension has released a pilot episode ahead of the official launch to introduce the program’s format and preview how Johnson will guide children through Scripture over the yearlong series.
Pilot episode: https://youtu.be/4kmsLaab3pI?si=WNihGBq83lD56FG6
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