On the Way Around the World

I’m going to try and set up a semi regular blog whenever i hear about different churches that are using the On the Way material around the world. Today i received a request from a church in Singapore who are using the curriculum. It just goes to show how multicultural this material is. It has everything you need for teaching God’s Word to a variety of ages but is flexible enough to allow you to adapt it to your needs as a small or large church, a community group or family.  If you want to find out about this material which is being used by the church across the globe follow the links below to the English editions… and if you use it yourself I’d love to hear from you. If you like send me a photo of your group or the crafts/puzzles they’ve done.

Preschool: http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/44/-/d_series

3-9s: http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/41/-/d_series

9-11s: http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/42/-/d_series

11-14s: http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/12/-/d_series

VBS/Holiday Club: http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/45/-/s_s_1

Games books: http://www.christianfocus.com/search/do/-/-/n_t?term=game&type=all

In less than 20 words and a link… This week’s book for 2033’s pastor

The Church is not a what – but who. The church is made of people like you.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1431/-

In less than 20 words and a link… This week’s baby shower book

This series introduces God’s wonderful creation through colour, animals, water, food and other wonderful things from a child’s life.

http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/63/-/d_series

Our Home is Like a Little Church

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1319/-/sr_1

Someone pointed out to me that one of our books, Our Home is Like a Little Church, has got a really healthy crop of recommendations on Amazon.com – 11 positive customer reviews out of a total of 12 is very good. I’d lke to encourage Christians who read and enjoy a Christian book to put a product review of it on Amazon – even just a short sentence. It can be really helpful.

Born to be King

http://www.christianfocus.com/search/do/-/-/n_t?term=Born+to+be+king&type=all

It’s a bit early to be thinking about Christmas but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to be organized…

This review is by a Christian mom from the states…

These brightly colored picture books tell the story of Christ’s advent, beginning with the angel’s visit to Mary and ending with the flight to Egypt.  They are a good read-aloud books for preschoolers and could be read independently by some five and six year olds.

These books not only get the biblical facts straight, but also are theologically sound and consistent.  Each book asks the young reader to consider what earthly kings are like (for example, “If you were a king, you’d sleep in a palace and wear wonderful clothes”), and then asserts that “Jesus is a different King.  He is a better King.  He is the best King.” (Mary and Joseph Love Jesus).  Each book ends with a brief application emphasizing that Jesus came to save us from sin.  Jesus “came to die on a cross and not to fight with a sword.  If you love him, he will give you a life that will never end.” (Simeon and Anna See Jesus).

I will read these books to my children and buy them as gifts for others.

Diane Olinger,

OPC, Glenside, Pennsylvannia

New Horizons, December 2006

Books for New and Developing Readers

In addition to the Little Lights series that I’ve blogged about already this week new and developing readers can benefit from the following two publications:

The Creation Series by Carole Leah

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1312/-/sr_1

– a set of eight books that covers the story of Creation while introducing children to key vocabulary and theological concepts.

The Christian Focus Story Bible by Carine Mackenzie

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/159/-/sr_1

This is a children’s story bible that gives a young reader the opportunity to read a short sentence or two on their own. It also shows how Jesus Christ is throughout Scripture.

The Bible’s Big Story – Salvation History for Kids

I love this little book. It’s easily remembered rhymes and Bible verses, with the simple but engaging illustrations take you and your children through the span of Salvation History from Creation to the Fall, the flood to the Exodus, the Exile to the Crucifixion and beyond.

This is real history, God’s salvation History and our future.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1592/-

The Author: James Hamilton is an Associate Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Preaching Pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky

Review:These short poems memorably summarize turning points in the Bible’s story line and view the whole Bible with Christian eyes. Andy Naselli ~ Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota

My First Book About The Bible

With the addition of this little book on God’s Word – the My First Series now comes up to eight titles. Each cover is a different colour, making a row of eight little candy-coloured booklets that children will love to collect and learn from. Written by Carine Mackenzie this book will help you train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:5-7.
Children need to know about God and his Word. We all do. We need to know that God’s Word is true, eternal, pure, living, perfect, inspired, without error.
It’s exciting to see God’s Word at work in our world and children will see this too as God’s Word acts as a seed, a sword, a fire and food in people’s lives.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1551/-/sr_7

Grandpa Mike Talks about God by Michael Lawson

Really good Children’s talks and stories are like gold dust these days. In fact when you are running a children’s slot in a service there are a lot of boxes you need to tick.

It’s got to be biblical, there needs to be some solid teaching in there, it has to be easily understood and enjoyable for the youngsters. It’s got to be flexible too – something that can fit in with a short time slot or a longer one. It’s not asking much – but it’s something that has been hard to deliver until now.

Michael Lawson’s book – Grandpa Mike Talks About God has the perfect balance of engaging story and solid bible teaching. There are 34 examples of the character of God, each illustrated with an annecdote from real life. The stories themselves are short but meaningful and the bible teaching is developed in different sections allowing people with shorter schedules to adapt the material to suit.

Delightfully illustrated this is one of those books that will become a family favourite.

Other Information

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1030/–

Michael Lawson is the Department Chair and Senior Professor of Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Grandpa Mike’s gentle, down-to-earth book encourages children to get to know God in a deeper, fuller way. Aimed straight at the child who is beginning to wonder about his or her faith-“Is God big enough?” “If he really knows me, how can he love me?”-Lawson opens up theology in an age-appropriate way. Not cotton candy or simplistic, this book is a great one for parents and children to discuss together, and when they have digested it, they will have a better understanding of God than many seminary students.

Marlene LeFever, Vice President of Educational Resources, Cook Communications Ministries

Dr. Lawson, AKA Grandpa Mike, makes the nourishment of theology appealing to kids. What a wonderful and needed contribution to our diets! This volume holds the promise of training our children and grandchildren to put their confidence in God and not forget the works of His hands.”

Dr. Michael Easley, President, Moody Bible Institute

Little Hands Life of Jesus by Carine Mackenzie

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1168/-/sr_1

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/486/-/sr_2

There are two books to review here – same author and same artist.

The Little Hands Story Bible has been re-illustrated and updated to accompany the new title that Christian Focus Publications produced several months ago entitled The Little Hands Life of Jesus.

Both these titles have interactive questions and application spots which will engage the children and bring the spiritual truths of the bible stories home to their lives.

I love the artwork and it’s fresh but warm traditional style.

These are books that will appeal to children who enjoy the simple fun approach of cartoon illustrations – but they are also traditional in style so that they don’t trivialise the bible narrative.