Skip to main content

Don’t Waste Your Summer: Read with and to Your Kids! (From the Gospel Coalition)

I love this blog post. Here are some great book resources to read with and to your children. I've said it many times before but I highly recommend "The Jesus Storybook Bible" for small kids (and I promise that you will enjoy it too). Since the kids and I enjoy watching the Chronicles of Narnia movies, I thought it would be great for us to go to the library and start reading through the actual books. So far, we have finished the first book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". So don't let the summer slip by you. Capitalize on this time to spend with them with some great books (especially the greatest book...the Bible)!


Don’t Waste Your Summer: Read with and to Your Kids!

by Juan Sanchez

Don't waste your children's summer (or yours for that matter) on television and video games. Instead, utilize this time to read with and to your children. One thing for sure, you should be reading Scripture with your family on a regular basis, and you can enhance your family Scripture reading with helpful devotional material. Beware of children's material that merely promotes moralism. I prefer books that help explain the storyline of Scripture (biblical theology) and present a BIG God! Here are some helpful suggestions:

General Resources

1. Catechism for Boys and Girls

2. Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Bruce A. Ware (This is systematic theology for kids—great stuff!!!!)

3. Window on the World: Prayer Atlas for Children by Daphne Spraggett and Jill Johnstone (helps you pray with informed intentionality for the nations)

Resources for Use with Younger Children

1. Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland

2. The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos (my wife’s personal favorite)

3. The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sallie Lloyd-Jones

4. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm (my personal favorite!)

Resources for Use with Older Children

1. Grandpa’s Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption by Starr Meade

Resources for Use with Pre-Teens/Teenagers

1. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

2. Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters by Joshua Harris

My charge to moms and dads would be to read Scripture with your children regularly and supplement Bible reading with the catechism and devotional reading. Each family must find what (time and place) works best for them. Also, use summer to read (together) through Christian literature like The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis or Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.

Summer is also a good time to read Christian biographies with your family. So, don’t waste your kids’ summer by allowing them to vegetate in front of a television or computer screen. Instead, take advantage of this time to spend quality time together, making memories and making much of God. I pray that these resources may be of great benefit to you and your family as you seek to raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


Juan Sanchez is the senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, and a council member with The Gospel Coalition. He blogs at Straight to the Heart.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

November Birthdays & Anniversaries, Speaking at CFC, Call to Fast & Pray (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/2)

November Birthdays & Anniversaries This month, we celebrate the lives and love stories within our church family. Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating this month — may God bless you with continued joy and grace in the year ahead! Happy Anniversary to these wonderful couples marking another year of love and faithfulness: Mickell & Aprile Daley – 3 years (11/28) Van & Joann Johnson – 4 years (11/12) Jonas & Alicia Welcher – 5 years (11/13) Quincy & Stephanie Amekuedi – 8 years (11/9) William & Patricia Weeks – 14 years (11/26) James & Sharon White – 24 years (11/26) Lawrence & Kim Roberts – 27 years (11/14) Wil & Contina Lucas – 28 years (11/15) Elder Larry & Susan Fortenberry – 40 years (11/21) Elder Sean & Angelique Cherry – 41 years (11/24)   Senior Birthday Surprise A special birthday blessing to our Minister of Music,  Spence Martin — may your day be filled with love and joy from your Mt. Zion fami...
Post a Comment
Read more

Youth Sunday, J. Allen Lewis Scholarship Winners, A Word to Our Graduates (Pastoral Emphasis for 6/14)

  Today was Youth Sunday , where our children and youth were leading and participating in the worship service. Our children read scripture, prayed, sang, and ministered a fine arts piece. We heard a message from a youth speaker, Abigail Campbell, who encouraged us to work hard and leave the rest to God.  Celebrating Our Graduates We also recognized and celebrated all of our graduates. Whether you completed high school, earned a college degree, completed graduate studies, or achieved another educational milestone, we rejoice with you and thank God for your hard work and perseverance. We are also grateful for the impact of the Delta Academy and GEM programs , which have been meeting at Mt. Zion. We appreciate the investment these programs make in developing and encouraging young people, and we thank Ms. Daniel and Ms. Owens for their leadership and partnership. J. Allen Lewis Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to this year's J. Allen Lewis Scholarship recipients: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome New Members, M:T Expo, DRM Victory Choir (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/26)

  Welcome New Members   We’re excited to welcome our newest member and those who came forward recently! Latesha Jones – Completed her New Members Orientation and Membership Interview. Arwilla McCary – Joined on Christian experience and rededicated her life to Christ Claudia Z. Davis – Joined on Christian experience and is a candidate for baptism Louis Eldridge – Candidate for baptism We praise God for each of you and look forward to growing together in Christ! Missions:Together Expo     On Saturday, November 1, 2025 (9 AM–1 PM) , join believers from across the Triangle for the Missions:Together Expo at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Apex, NC. This year’s theme asks: What does it look like for spiritual maturity to lead to mission? Grow Up and Go... In Your Own Home – Gospel hospitality Grow Up and Go... Next Door – Gospel proclamation Grow Up and Go... To the Nations – Sent further Come ready to be inspired and equipped for mission wher...
Post a Comment
Read more