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

Responding to the Flooding, Christmas in July Food Drive, New Sermon Series (Pastoral Emphasis for 7/13)

Responding to the Flooding All of us are painfully aware of the devastating flooding that struck our nation recently. As of Friday evening, the confirmed death toll in Texas has risen to 129, with at least 150 individuals still missing across the state. Our hearts are heavy, and we grieve for the lives lost and the families enduring unimaginable pain. One of the first things people tend to do is look for someone to blame. Was it the fault of the warning system not being early enough? Was it the fault of the government (state and federal)? Was it the fault of God? If God is so good, why do we suffer with natural disasters like flooding that takes the lives of seemingly innocent people like young children? The reality is that the fault lies with us. Humanity decided to rebel against the Creator God, thereby, ushering in sin and the fall from God's perfect creation. Natural disasters happen because we live in a fallen world ravaged by sin. Natural disasters like these floods are trag...
Post a Comment
Read more

Congrats to High School Graduates, JA Lewis Scholarship Winners, VBS (Pastoral Emphasis for 6/8)

 đźŽ“ Congratulations to Our High School Graduates!   (l to r: Zeb Merrill, Uriah Bracey, Kalyn Clark, Gabrielle Harris, Logan McDonald, Avery Carranza (missing)) We are so proud of each of our students who have completed this important chapter of their journey. Your hard work and determination have not gone unnoticed. As you step into this next phase of life, remember Proverbs 3:6 — “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” 🏅 JA Lewis Scholarship Winners We’re thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s JA Lewis Scholarship: 2nd Place ($500): Brooke Logan McDonald 1st Place ($1,000): Zebulin Merrill Congratulations to both recipients for their academic achievements and pursuit of excellence! 🎓 Honoring Our College Graduates We also celebrate our members who have earned college degrees this year: Undergraduate Degree Recipients – Your perseverance is commendable. We pray continued blessings on your future endeavors. đź“š Small ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Recently Came Forward, Series Break, Book Launch Party (Pastoral Emphasis for 8/10)

Recently Came Forward We’re excited to share that Kiara Avery has come forward as a Candidate for Baptism . We rejoice with her in this step of faith and look forward to celebrating her baptism soon! Series Break   We’ll be taking a short break from our Plumb Line sermon series next Sunday, as Anita and I will be away for Gabrielle’s college move-in weekend . Thank you for your prayers for us and for Gabrielle as she begins this exciting new chapter.   Book Launch Party   I’m thrilled to announce that we’re hosting a Book Launch Party for my new book on Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM — and everyone is invited! This will be a special evening to celebrate together, hear more about the book, and enjoy fellowship. If you’ve reserved a copy, you can pick it up and pay at the launch party. We’ll also have additional copies available for purchase. Please register ahead of time so we can plan for seating, refreshments, and other details. Let’s make it a night of joy, conne...
Post a Comment
Read more