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Resources
Books
For adults
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Praying for your unborn child, by Francis and Judith MacNutt, published by Hodder Christian Paperbacks (ISBN 0-340-48806-9).
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100 ways to teach your children about God, by Karyn Henley. Lots of ideas on how to teach your children faith as you go about your everyday lives together.
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Shepherding a child’s heart, by Tedd Tripp, published by Shepherd Press (Second Edition, 2005, ISBN 0-9663786-0-1). How to speak to the heart of your child. You won’t agree with everything, but there are some very helpful and biblical insights into the parenting role.
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A Little Kosher Seasoning, by Michele Guinness, published Hodder and Stoughton (1994, ISBN 0-340-58600-1). Combining life and faith as inspired by the writer’s Jewish heritage. Especially good on family ‘Sabbath’ meals. Accessible, funny and mostly for women.
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How to be a God chaser and a kid chaser, by Tommy Tenney and Thetus Tenney, published by Fresh Bread/Destiny Image Inc (2001, ISBN 0-7684-5006-3). Various writers’ perspectives on balancing passionate Christianity with practical parenting. Includes a good prayer guide to help you pray scriptural values into your children’s lives.
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Seventeen things my kids taught me about God, by J. Mack Stiles, published by Kingsway (ISBN 0-85476-823-8). Developing spiritual sight and maturity through experiences with and insights from children. For everyone, not just parents.
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How to talk so your kids will listen, by H Norman Wright, published by Regal Books from Gospel Light (ISBN 0-8307-3328-0). Does what it says on the cover.
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Parenting in the pew, by Robbie Castleman, published by IVP (ISBN 0-8308-2340-9). Helping children to enter into ‘adult’ worship.
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Motherhood and God, by Margaret Hebblethwaite, published by Geoffrey Chapman (1984). Motherhood as part of a relationship with God from a Catholic perspective.
For young children
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Stories Jesus told (0-551-03072-0) and Animal stories (0-551-03230-8) by renowned children’s authors Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, published by Marshall Pickering. Wonderful insights for very small children (and their parents.) These stories bear reading and re-reading repeatedly which is just as well given the number of times our children asked for them (especially the first volume).
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Anything by Karin Henley especially:Tails series, story books with partner devotional activity books.
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God’s Story, (The Bible told as One Story) Published by Kingsway Publications(0-85476-818-1). A fantastic stepping stone from Bible Story books to the full Bible (readers 7 and up, listeners 4 and up).
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God’s Story and Me, published by Tyndale House Publishers (0-8423-4361-X) 52 weeks of active devotions for children. Includes the author’s version of the Bible text, a comment, a prayer and activities to reinforce learning and worshipping. Ages 4-8.
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The Toddler’s Bible, a very simple Bible from baby to preschool age and Toddler’s Devotions (Christian values with stories, pictures and questions) both by V. Gilbert Beers and published by Cook Communications.
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The Beginner’s Bible, published by Kingsway (Children 3-8 years).
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The Lion First Bible, by Pat Alexander published by Lion.
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Me Too Series, by Marilyn Lashbrook, Candle Books.
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Insightful retellings of Bible stories with great illustrations and teaching points. Accompanying recordings have the stories, sound effects and songs.
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Teddy Horsley Books, by Leslie J Francis and Nicola M Slee published by NCEC (National Christian Education Council). These books are really good at building bridges between young children’s day to day experiences and major Biblical themes.
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First Festivals, (series of three books) by Lois Rock, published by Lion Publishing. Stories, crafts, songs to explore Harvest, Easter and Christmas.
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Jesus and the Very Busy sister, Jesus Shares a Picnic etc (Treasure Chest series), by Lois Rock, published by Lion Publishing. Beautifully retold and applied.
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God’s Little Guide Books, 10 little books on the ten commandments from Christian Focus which manage to bring relevant teaching to very young children in simple language in a way they can understand and relate to.
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Join in - Jump on, Children’s Bible reading from Scripture Union. Booklets of undated Bible readings and activities for 50 days for older infants/younger juniors.
For older children (over 7s)
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Hotshots, series of undated Bible reading notes from Scripture Union Australia, available in the UK. Each volume has about 60 days' worth of intelligent and insightful notes and application.
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The Lion Bible for children, retold by Murray Watts, published by Lion (ISBN 0-7459-4046-3). A superior story Bible for slightly older children. This is beautifully written and illustrated and covers a much wider range of material than some story Bibles.
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The Anglican Family Prayer Book, by Anne E. Kitch, 2004, Morehouse Publishing (0-8192-1940-1). Prayers and family traditions based around the church year to provide a framework for parents and children to pray together. Prayers for all times of the day and special occasions. Especially good on special seasons like Advent. All ages.
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Ten boys/girls who …made a difference, changed the world, made history, used their talents, didn’t give in, by Irene Howat, published by Christian Focus. Bite-sized biographies of Christians used by God in varied ways.
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How They Lived in Bible Times, by Graham Jones and Richard Deverell, published by Scripture Union. Background to the civilizations of Bible times with lots of illustrations which really helps the Bible (and history) come alive.
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Anything by Patricia St John, especially Treasures of the Snow and Star of Light, published by Scripture Union.
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The Lily Series, written by Nancy Rue and published by Zonderkidz. A duel series of factual workbooks and companion stories on issues facing 8-12 year old girls. Particularly good is The Body Book (it’s a God thing) (0-310-70015-9) about the changes facing girls in puberty.
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Dear Diary – A Girl’s Book of Devotions, by Susie Shellenberger, published by Zonderkidz and tied into the Lily Series (see above). Addresses real issues in pre-teen girls’ lives.
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Massive Prayer Adventure, by Sarah Mayers published by Scripture Union and tied into Snap Shots. Inventive and imaginative ways to pray and how to work out your prayer style.
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Topz, Dated programme of Bible reading notes for 7-11 year olds from CWR with believable characters and relevant applications.
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Benny’s Barmy Bits, by Alexa Tewkesbury, published by CWR. Ties into the Topz Bible reading scheme (see above). Good stuff on handling pressure and bullying.
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Mary Jones and her Bible, Author unknown, published by Christian Focus.
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Trail Blazers Series, Youth Biographies of Christians who made an impact for God. Good variety of titles, the quality varies from volume to volume. We particularly liked the volumes on Billy Graham and Richard Wurmbrand. Published by Christian Focus.
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CT Studd, No Retreat by Janet and Geoff Benge in the series 'Christian heroes: then and now', published by YWAM Publishing. "Inspiring true stories of men and women who answered God’s call."
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A pilgrim’s progress, by John Bunyan, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, published by Hodder Children’s Books (ISBN 0-340-72754-3). This wonderful retelling impacted all the members of our family.
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Children of the Voice (The Trilogy), by Ishmael, published Radical Resources (Silver Fish Publishing). (1-902134-03-6) Exciting story with powerful Christian teaching which our children have asked for again and again. We often find ourselves referring back to the teaching embedded in the story as issues come up in every day life.
CDs
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50 five minute Bible stories, (Children’s Ministry). Very engaging. We find that these are great for the children to listen to if they don’t feel like going to sleep yet. Also reassuring for children who have had a bad dream.
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God’s wonderful world & Thank You God For Snails by Julia Plaut (Children’s Ministry). Fun songs to sing and dance to. These are CDs we use most often for our family worship times.
Other resources and ideas
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The Family Time Course by Mark and Lindsay Melluish. Book, workbook, DVDs all available from New Wine Direct. See www.newwinedirect.co.uk. These comments are from the promotional materials: "The Family Time Course is a 10-session course on family life and parenting children, providing help, guidance and inspiration to parents seeking to keep God at the centre of their family life. It is largely aimed at those with children under 12, although much of the material is relevant to those with older children too. It tackles practical issues, but is more a course about life skills - about adopting a lifestyle that creates a rhythm in life for families. It’s different from other courses on parenting because it aims, through reaching ideally both parents, to reach the whole family." See www.discoverfamilytime.com.
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Act out the daily Bible passages with small children.
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Reading the Bible outside – e.g. mountain passages in the mountains, things about biblical cultures in museums.
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Choose holiday destinations you can use to teach about faith – e.g. on a trip to Amsterdam, our family took time to go to Corrie ten Boom’s house.
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Send a Cow www.sendacow.org.uk – or any other Christian agency (buy someone an alternative present).
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A Rocha – learning together how to care for creation. See en.arocha.org.
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MIC - Christian pop and hip hop from South Africa aimed at school-aged children. MIC disbanded recently, but CDs are still available to buy. Our favourites are 'Re-Invention' and 'Snapshot'. Steve Solo (pop and rap) and The Captain (more rock-based) are from the same stable. Check out MIC Moving Pictures (DVD) too. This band has had a major influence on our son’s life: the song lyrics go deep and the role models are very male and sold out for Jesus.
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Veggietales. A particular favourite is LarryBoy and the Bad Apple which has powerful teaching on temptation.
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