Book Review - Sammy and His Shepherd: Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23

Sammy and His Shepherd: Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23 was written by Susan Hunt and illustrated by Cory Godbey. This outstanding book takes young readers on a fun and faith-filled journey through the twenty-third Psalm.

This book walks through Psalm 23 phrase by phrase in an enjoyable story, helping children to better understand this familiar psalm. The title of each chapter of the book includes one phrase taken from Psalm 23 and goes on to expound on that phrase through the story of Sammy the sheep and his experiences. 

Sammy is a joyful sheep who is happy to be under the care of a good shepherd. He encounters a sad and dejected sheep living on the other side of the fence. This sheep, which does not even have a name, belongs to a bad shepherd, and her needs are not being met. Sammy befriends this sheep, and Sammy’s good shepherd later purchases her. She is given a new name, Precious, and becomes part of the flock. As they journey together, Sammy patiently helps Precious understand what it means to live as part of this flock.

The story is a wonderful parable of the Christian life, living as part of the flock under Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Although this book is intended for children, even adults can learn valuable lessons from the simple truths of the faith that are presented. At the end of each chapter, readers are pointed to a "Talk About It" section located at the end of the book. These questions and thoughts are important to help young readers connect the story of Sammy and Precious with the real-life idea of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. One thing I might change about this book is the consistency of these sections in regards to the type and number of questions and activities. The "Talk About It" section for some chapters contained several questions, Bible verses, and thoughts, while others contained only a few. Some sections featured questions requiring higher levels of thinking, while others included mostly simpler comprehension and review questions.

The illustrations in this book were very well done. The excellent use of light and color in the illustrations helps to capture the mood throughout the story. Dark hues are used to show the depression, misery or hardship experienced in the story, while lighter colors are used to illustrate the hope radiating on the better side of the fence. The newfound joy and peace of Precious are evident throughout the pictures, as her ears appear to perk up little by little throughout the book.

Many children are encouraged to memorize Psalm 23, and this book would be a good resource in helping children to comprehend the meaning of the words they are learning. This book will help readers to understand some of the background information relating to sheep and shepherds that formed the basis for such biblical passages. Many children love animals, so this book will connect with children and help to illuminate biblical truths.

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

"The Lord is my Shepherd...."
Click here to read the rest of Psalm 23.

Psalm of the Week

Psalm 5

 ¹Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
 ²Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
 ³My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 ⁴For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
 ⁵The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
 ⁶Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
 ⁷But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
 ⁸Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
 ⁹For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
 ¹⁰Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
 ¹¹But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
 ¹²For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

King James Version

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Psalm of the Week

Psalm 4

 ¹Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
 ²O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
 ³But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
 ⁴Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
 ⁵Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
 ⁶There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
 ⁷Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
 ⁸I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

King James Version

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Book Review – Eric Liddell: Finish the Race

Eric Liddell: Finish the Race, written by John Keddie, is a biographical account of Eric Liddell. The book relates the story of Eric’s life including his family background, childhood, education, athletic accomplishments, missionary work, death, and legacy that continues.

Eric Liddell was a humble man committed to following the Lord and leading others to do the same. An outstanding runner, Eric became an Olympic gold medalist and world record holder. He is well known for holding to his conviction regarding the Lord’s Day (Sunday). When an Olympic event he was supposed to run in was held on Sunday, he gave up the opportunity to participate. He participated in an alternate Olympic event and won a gold medal anyway. Eric remained true to His beliefs and did not allow his Olympic fame to deter him from carrying out the work God called him to do. Although Eric was not an outgoing or eloquent speaker, the Lord used him and his experiences to influence many for Christ. Throughout his life, Eric was involved in speaking in evangelistic meetings, teaching young boys, preaching, and doing missionary work in China.

Through the story of Eric’s life, children will learn truths about Christian beliefs and who God is. They will also be inspired in their own Christian journey. As children are growing, it is beneficial for them to have good Christian role models and heroes to learn from as they are learning more about themselves and what it means to live as a Christian in the real world. This book is part of the Trailblazers series, which presents the stories of other Christian heroes including Gladys Aylward, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, and Adoniram Judson, among others.

The book’s chapters were short, and each chapter left the reader wanting to know what would happen next. Chapter discussion questions are given near the end of the book to help readers dig deeper into the truths presented. I think that this book would be ideal for home-schoolers as part of a unit study. Published in Great Britain, the book contains some expressions that may seem a little awkward to American readers, such as dates printed in a different form (e.g., 21 January instead of January 21). Nevertheless, the focus on sports and athletic competitions is something that would appeal to young readers of different backgrounds. The intended age groups printed on the back cover of the book are ages 7-9 (someone reading to them) and ages 9-14 (reading by themselves). I personally feel that this book would be better suited for the upper end of this range.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Christian Focus 4 Kids Blog Tour.

Check out these Bible verses for inspiration in your own Christian journey: Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:14.

Courageous

The movie Courageous is available on DVD Tuesday, January 17, 2012.



Lord, may this movie be used to strengthen families in faith and love and encourage parents to fulfill their duties in instructing their children in Your ways.

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 KJV

Psalm of the Week

Psalm 3

 ¹Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.   
 ²Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
 ³But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
 ⁴I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
 ⁵I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
 ⁶I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
 ⁷Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
 ⁸Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

King James Version

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Psalm of the Week

Psalm 2

 ¹Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
 ²The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
 ³Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
 ⁴He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
 ⁵Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
 ⁶Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
 ⁷I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
 ⁸Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
 ⁹Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
 ¹⁰Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
 ¹¹Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
 ¹²Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

King James Version

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A Library of Resource Books for Children’s Ministry

--- Building Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide

--- Collaborate: Family + Church

--- Energizing Children’s Ministry in the Smaller Church

--- Fashion Me a People: Curriculum in the Church

--- God Sightings: The One Year Bible NLT

--- God Sightings: The One-Year Companion Guide

--- Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design

--- Kidmin Leadership

--- 9 Things They Didn’t Teach Me in College About Children’s Ministry

--- The Quick Guide to Discipline for Children’s Ministry: 101 Good Ideas for Bad Behavior
--- Stretch: Structuring Your Ministry for Growth

--- Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions

Psalm of the Week

Psalm 1

 ¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

 ³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 ⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

 ⁵Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

 ⁶For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

King James Version

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