Resources for Teaching Young Children to Love God

Overview of Family Worship:

• SojournKids Family Worship Guide by Rob Plummer and Jared Kennedy (PDF download).
• The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions by Terry L. Johnson, (Christian Focus, 2003).
• Raising Children to Adore God: Instilling a Lifelong Passion for Worship by Patrick Kavanaugh,  (Chosen Books, 2003).
• Family Worship, In the Bible, in History & in Your Home by Donald S. Whitney,  (Center for Biblical Spirituality, 2006).

On Childhood Baptism:

• Childhood Baptism and Church Membership: A Position and Policy for Sojourn Community Church by Scott Holman and Jared Kennedy (PDF download)

Bibles for Children:

• My First Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Tyndale, 2005).
• The Adventure Bible for Early Readers, New International Reader’s Version, (Zonderkidz, 2000, 2008).
• ESV Children’s Bible, English Standard Version, (Crossway, 2005).

Bible Storybooks:

For infants (under age 2):

• Baby’s First Bible, The First Bible Collection, (Reader’s Digest, 1996).
• “Shaped Board Books” by Hazel Scrimshire, (Christian Focus, 1998).

For toddlers (ages 2 & 3):

• A Bible Alphabet by Alison Brown, (The Banner of Truth Trust, 2007).
• Read-Aloud Bible Stories, 4 volumes, by Ella K Lindvall (Moody Press, 1982, 1985, 1990, 1995).
• The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm (Crossway, 2004).
• The Toddler’s ABC Bible Storybook and A Toddler’s 123 Bible Storybook by Carolyn Larsen (Crossway, 2007, 2008).

For preschoolers (ages 4 & 5):

• 365 Bible Stories for Young Hearts, (Crossway, 2006).
• The Christian Focus Story Bible by Carine MacKenzie, (Christian Focus, 2004).
• The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers his name, by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Zondervan, 2007).
• The Life of Jesus For the Very Young by Isobel Tallach, (The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982).
• This is No Fairy Tale by Dale Tolmasoff, (Crossway, 2005).

For children in grades 1 & 2:

• Carine MacKenzie’s Bible Time (illustrated by Duncan Maclaren), Bible Wise (illustrated by Fred Apps), and Bible Alive (illustrated by Jeff Anderson) series (Christian Focus Publications).
• The Golden Children’s Bible, (Golden Books, 1969, 2006).
• The Big Book of Questions and Answers about Jesus: A Family Guide to Jesus’ Life and Ministry by Sinclair B. Ferguson (Christian Focus).
• The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos, (6th edition, Eerdmans, 2004).

For children in grades 3 & 4:

• Grandpa’s Box by Starr Meade, (P & R).

For children in grades 5 & 6:

• Herein is Love: A Commentary Series for Children, From Paradise to Promise Land: Genesis-Joshua, volumes 1-6, by Nancy E. Ganz, (Shepherd Press, 2002, 2002, 2002, 2006, forthcoming, forthcoming).

Audio Bibles:

• Inspired by the Bible Experience: New Testament, Audio Recordings (Zondervan, 2006)— A free Bible Experience podcast is available for iTunes at Zondervan’s website.

Catechism–Simple Questions and Answers that Teach Bible Truth:

• A Catechism for Boys and Girls, revised by Jared Kennedy (PDF download)
• My 1st Book of Questions and Answers by Carine MacKenzie (Christian Focus, 2001).
• The Big Book of Questions and Answers: A Family Devotional Guide to the Christian Faith by Sinclair B. Ferguson (Christian Focus, 1997).
• Truth and Grace Memory Books, volumes 1-3, by Thomas K. Ascol, (Founders Press, 2005)—catechism and Scripture memory for ages 2-18
• See the short devotionals on the Westminster Shorter Catechism written by Maureen Bradley at wscdevotions.com.

The Basics of the Christian Faith:

• You may want to check out Dr. Ray VanNeste’s “Children’s Hour Books” blog (childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com), where he reviews all the books that he reads to his sons.

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5):

• I Love My Bible! by Debby Anderson, (Crossway, 2005).
• The Learn About God board books series by Carine MacKenzie, (Christian Focus, 1999)
• I Believe: The Nicene Creed illustrated by Pauline Baynes, (Eerdmans, 2003).
• Most of All, Jesus Loves You! by Noel Piper, (Crossway, 2004).
• Pastor Daddy by Lindsey Blair and Bobby Gilles; illustrated by Tessa Janes, (Sojourn Community Church, 2008).
• Sammy and His Shepherd: Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23 by Susan Hunt (Reformation Trust, 2008).

For children in grades 1-2:

• Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin, (Eerdmans, 1985)—retelling of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress in a chapter book on a 4th grade reading level.  A DVD version is available as well.
• Gumtree Gully: A ‘Two Ways to Live’ Bush Yarn by Kel Richards, (Matthias Media, 2005).
• Queen Victoria’s Request: A Story of Grace and Mercy by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, (Christian Focus, 2008).
• The King Without a Shadow by R.C. Sproul (P & R, 1996).

For children in grades 3-5:

• Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Bruce Ware, (Crossway, 2009)

Bible Memory:

• My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts by Susan Hunt. (Crossway, 1998).
• Hide the Word: Scripture Memory Songs, Volumes 1-8, by Mark Altrogge (Forever Grateful Music).
• Truth and Grace Memory Book, volumes 1-3, by Thomas K. Ascol, (Founders Press, 2005).
• Seeds Family Worship, Volumes 1-5 (Extreme Writers Music)
• Sojourn Family Bible Memory 2008: Romans by Matt Harner and Jared Kennedy (PDF download)

Prayer Guides:

• My Thankful Heart by Sally Lloyd-Jones, (Tyndale, 2004).
• Christian Focus’ Prayer Board Books series by Carine MacKenzie, (Christian Focus, 2001).
• My 1st Book of Bible Prayers by Philip Ross (Christian Focus, 2004).

Music:

• Awesome God by Sovereign Grace Kids (Sovereign Grace Music, 2004).
• Teach Me While My Heart is Tender by Judy Rogers (Judy Rogers, 1995).
• Seeds Family Worship, Volumes 1-5 (Extreme Writers Music)
• Hide the Word: Scripture Memory Songs, Volumes 1-8, by Mark Altrogge (Forever Grateful Music).
• Songs that Jesus Said by Keith and Kristyn Getty (Getty Music).