Last month, I have won the prize for bloggers at Crossway which was
25$ on the online store. After much thinking, I choose a book and
funny enough I had picked the next book that will be sent to
bloggers. I was advice of this and was able to select another book
since I was going to receive Big Truth for Young Hearts shortly
after.
When I first became a Christian - some 12 years ago - I started
thinking about how I would teach my kids about God and Jesus
Christ. I worried a bit about it simply because I wasn't coming
from a Christian family. I would have to learn from scratch almost.
My husband on the other hand had been raised with some Christian
values.
I didn't have to worry because to explain the basis of Christianity
it is quite simple. However, when you come to more theological
aspects of things, anyone might wonder where to start. Well, I am
happy to tell you that someone already thought about it and wrote a
book for you.
New on the market is Big Truths for Young Hearts written by Bruce
A. Ware. The book is supposed to encourage and enable parents of
children 6-14 years old to teach through the theology in an
understandable, chapter-a-day format. However, I find that 6 years
old might be a little too young… especially for children for which
the attention span might be short. I can see myself doing a
chapter-a-day with my 8th year old son who is able to concentrate
on things that is read to him. However, my soon-to-be 6 year old
son would have difficulties.
Nevertheless, I decided to dig into this interesting book to
discover more about it. The chapters are divided in 9 sections;
God's Word and God's Own Life as God, God as Three in One, Creator
and Ruler of All, Our Human Nature and Our Sin, Who Jesus Is, The
Work That Jesus Has Done, The Holy Spirit, Our Great Salvation and
The Church of Jesus Christ. As you can see, it is not easy subjects
to talk about with children. But questions might arise about some
specific one like - What is the trinity? What is sin? What is
baptism? And so on.
I find that the author explains in simple terms as well as with
illustrations the concepts approached in this book. I see our
family using this book as part of our homeschool year and I am
planning to sit down with my oldest son during the nap time and go
through this book slowly. I want to make sure that he will
understand the theology presented in the book. Not only will he
learn more about God but I suspect that I will too.
To top it off, at the end of each chapter, you will find some
questions to help you discuss the chapter with your child. There is
also a memory verse which you can decide to learn as a family
together. What a great way to instill a good habit in our children
and in ourselves. The Bible does mention about keeping God's word
in our heart.
On this Remembrance Day, I was doing my chapter of the book Power
of a Praying Woman and wrote on facebook about Psalm 103 and the
reasons to praise God. Funny enough while digging in Big Truths for
Young Hearts, I come across the chapter God Provides All good
Things in the World which also mentions Psalm 103. Is it a
coincidence? I think not because in the struggles we are
experiencing with our business we need to be reminded to praise Him
in all circumstances - no matter what is going on. I definitively
got a confirmation of my previous lesson when I read that
chapter.
I strongly recommend Big Truths for Young Hearts for any families
who want to give a solid base of theology to their children.