Review: Instant Bible Lessons for Nursery (Give Thanks to God)

The church nursery is often thought of as simply a place to babysit children so they do not disrupt the church service. However, it is so much more than that! The church nursery is where babies and toddlers begin to form their perception of the church, experience God's love, and learn foundational truths about who God is and what He has done.

Obviously with this age group, caregivers will need to be flexible and allow freedom to spend time exploring the activities that especially capture the children's interest, but I appreciate a curriculum that is designed just for the youngest members of the congregation and that is intentional about teaching God's truth to them through systematic lessons.

The simple concepts and foundational truths in this curriculum are perfect for young children to grasp, and the activities provided take into account their developmental abilities, providing activities that will stimulate them with sights and sounds, and challenge and encourage their fine and gross motor skills. The lessons teach Bible stories that this age group can relate to and concern things familiar to them such as family, home, pets, food, and clothes, through activities and objects they will enjoy such as building blocks, snacks, songs and rhymes, pictures and visuals, reading books, and coloring.

One concern I had with the curriculum is that although it is listed for ages 0-18 months, some of the activities include supplies such as yarn, paper, and paper fasteners that would not be appropriate for a young baby and could even be choking hazards. Hopefully, the caregivers using the curriculum would be wise enough to choose appropriate activities from those listed based on the age of those in their care and provide appropriate supervision.

Disclosure: I received a free electronic copy of this curriculum for review as part of the Rose Reviewer Program from Rose Publishing. 

Book Review - A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue

A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue by J.A. Myhre

Set in Africa, this fictional chapter book gives children a glimpse into the culture of another part of the world including topics such as poverty, gender treatment, education, and conflict.

While the book does not give an outright Christian message, it does weave in some biblical themes such as bravery.

One thing that would have been helpful to add is a pronunciation guide for all of the names. Some of the names may be hard to pronounce consistently if reading aloud, such as "Mbega" or "Njili."

This book will lead readers on an intriguing adventure that will have both children and adults eager to know what happens next.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.

Book Review - Gospel Conversations: How to Care Like Christ

Gospel Conversations, by Robert W. Kellemen

Someday, I hope to pursue my master's degree, but my financial situation will not allow me to do that at this time. However, while I was reading this book, I felt like I was taking a course on Biblical Counseling. Yet, this book is not just for pastors or professional ministers, but also for "ordinary" Christians who desire to learn more about counseling others from a Christian worldview. I believe this book is best suited for a layperson or small group of lay people who desire to serve others in a counseling role. The author notes that this book is best used in a small group setting where members can counsel one another to gain hands-on experience in counseling. While book knowledge of how to counsel is good, wisdom and experience can also be gained through real-life practice in counseling.

In this book, the author lays out the qualifications of biblical counselors and provides guidance to help equip counselors as they learn to care like Christ. The book is like a training manual that includes workbook-type pages to be filled in as well as a "tweet-sized" summary of each chapter. This is a good book to work through if you sense God's calling to help others through counseling.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Gospel Conversations blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.

Book Review - Why Easter?/Why Christmas?

The children’s devotional books Why Easter? and Why Christmas? seek to help families remember the true reason for the seasons of Easter and Christmas. Each book provides four weeks of daily devotions for families to share in the month leading up to the holiday to help children discover the events that led to the very first Easter and Christmas.

The books are very visually appealing. Each day’s devotion is given on a two-page spread. The right side contains a full-page illustration related to the Bible story. The left side consists of a page of writing with a suggested Scripture passage to read, a summary and explanation of the Bible story, a one-sentence main point, discussion questions, a Bible verse to memorize, and a classic hymn to sing. I like the emphasis on Scripture memory. However, families would have to adapt the material based on their children’s age, as memorizing an entire verse each day as the book suggests would be difficult for younger children, but might be a challenge that older children would enjoy. 

I like that the book not only encourages reading and memorizing but also encourages parents to help their children comprehend what they are reading and singing through discussion questions and explanation. This is a book designed for families to go through together, not for children to read on their own. While these books provide families with a good guide to read, discuss, and share God’s Word together each day, I would have liked to see some hands-on activities included as well for children such as crafts or games to help reinforce the daily lesson.

Overall, these are great guides to help children and families ground their holiday celebrations in Christ, the true reason for both the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of each of these books as part of the Why Easter?/Why Christmas? blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.

Book Review - Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14 NIV).

Peace is something the world longs for. This Christmas gift book by Stephen J. Nichols helps readers to learn about and reflect on the true peace that is found only in Christ. That peace is described as a permanent, not temporary, peace. It does not come in material things like Christmas gifts or decorations. The true peace on earth we all desire and celebrate at Christmas came in the ordinary, unglamorous manger. God's gift of peace is like none other.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

This book takes readers on a Christmas journey from Genesis to Revelation, looking back at God's promise that pointed to the coming Messiah and exploring the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus the Savior, through whom we can have peace with God.

Throughout the book, in an easy-to-read format, there are readings, Scriptures, song lyrics, quotations, writings, and artwork. The book concludes with readings for each week of Advent, as well as several pages to record the reader's own family Christmas traditions.

This would make a nice book to give as a gift and to read during the Advent season to help keep your mind and heart on Christ, the Prince of Peace, as you go about your Christmas celebrations.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV).

Disclosure: I am to receive a free copy of this book from Reformation Trust Publishing as compensation for my review.

Book Review – The Priest with Dirty Clothes

The Priest with Dirty Clothes was written by R.C. Sproul and illustrated by Justin Gerard. This book presents the truth of Christ's redeeming and atoning work through an interesting story.

Before coming across this book, I myself was not familiar with the account in Zechariah 3 on which this story is based. However, it is a great picture of our status before and after we are in Christ.

This picture book begins with the tale of two young children whose clothes become dirty while playing in the mud. Their grandfather begins to tell them the story of a new priest who is to preach a sermon before the king. As he is making his way to the castle, the priest's clothes become dirty, muddy and stained. He is not able to stand before the king wearing these filthy garments. Later, the prince presents the priest with his own clean clothes in exchange for the priest's filthy clothes.

In the story, the king represents God the Father, the prince represents Jesus, and the priest represents a Christian. The allegory presents weighty truths such as salvation by grace, justification through faith, and the believer's righteous standing before God. The priest in the story learns that there is nothing he could do to earn new clothes, and he is told that he must continue trusting in the prince's goodness as he continues to wear his clean garments.

The book includes a section for parents that helps to explain the meaning of the story and who or what each character represents. This is an important section to review as it helps readers to better understand the concepts presented through the story. Children may not fully understand the concepts; however, reading through the story more than once may be a good idea.

Disclosure: I am to receive a free copy of this book from Reformation Trust Publishing as compensation for my review.

Read the biblical story of Joshua the high priest in Zechariah 3:1-5.

Review: His Kids United Christmas Vol. 1

The “His Kids United Christmas” album contains 12 Christmas songs featuring the voices of children. I consider this CD a blend of traditional and contemporary music. The CD includes some traditional Christmas carols with traditional sounds that will bring back memories of Christmases past, as well as some new songs with lyrics about today’s Christmas traditions, all while still pointing to the same ancient true meaning of Christmas – the Savior born in Bethlehem. While some songs are slower paced, many of the songs have a nice upbeat sound that makes you want to move, dance, and tap along to the music. After the tracks were finished playing, I wanted to turn the CD on again to listen to it some more. The lyrics are powerful and will inspire listeners to let their light shine and share the true light and love we celebrate at Christmas.

Click here for a free download of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” 

Disclosure: I received a free digital download of this album as part of the His Kids United Christmas Vol. 1 blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.