Dan Darling, Teaching and Discipleship Pastor
Early last month, Angela and I led a forum sharing some tips on how we intentionally teach our kids Scripture and theology. As I explain in this blog, we do this because God has given us a unique stewardship, to pass along the story of the gospel from generation to generation. Parenting is, in many ways, discipleship.
Below I have highlighted some helpful resources for parents:
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
If your family doesn’t have this book, your family needs to have this book. This is the best children’s Bible on the market. What makes it good is Sally points each story, from Old to New Testament, to Jesus. It’s important for us to teach our kids that the stories in Scripture are not just moral tales, but signposts to Christ. This book is good for all ages.
Apologia Curriculum
This is a formal curriculum for parents—a way to discuss theology in a way they understand. In many ways it serves as a catechism. These run in a four-year sequence:
Who is God? Who Am I?
Who Is My Neighbor?
What On Earth Can I Do?
I like this series for a few reasons. First, it is thorough. Second, it is accessible and easy to understand. Third, it has age-graded workbooks, from pre-school age to middle school, through high-school.
It’s important for us to teach our kids what it means to be a Christian, to transmit the body of truth from our generation to the next. This series does it well.
The New City Catechism – Gospel Coalition
This is a terrific, interactive iPad app created by The Gospel Coalition. It has a parent’s version and a children’s version. Like a standard catechism, it is a series of questions and answers. It also has video explainers from influential Christian leaders like Tim Keller, Matt Chandler, Kevin DeYoung, and others. It also features songs that can help kids remember the truths they are learning.
The Honor Club
My wife is doing this with our kids this summer as a way to help teach our kids to have good manners and learn honor and respect. The series is not just teaching, but features fun crafts and games, with ways to help kids learn the pertinent Scriptures and to form good habits.
Leading Little Ones to God
A very simple way to teach little kids the Bible, particularly K-2nd or so.
Big Truths for Little Hearts - Bruce Ware
This is more of a reference book than something you’d go thru with your kids. I recommend parents reading this so they can be equipped to answer the tough questions their kids ask about God, eternity, etc.
The Apologetics Study Bible for Students - Sean McDowell
This is terrific resource for parents, especially for those with middle-school and teen age kids. It has sections that offer good, biblical answers to cultural questions kids have.
ESV Student Bible – Crossway
I appreciate this study Bible. It is loaded with very helpful tools to help students study and know their Bible well.
Teen People of the Bible;
Crash Course
These are my two student devotionals. Teen People is a 100-day journey with the young people of the Bible. This is a fun way to encourage students to engage their quiet time. Crash Course is another 100-day devotional, this time we tackle the five most important areas of a teens’ spiritual life.
Below I have highlighted some helpful resources for parents:
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
If your family doesn’t have this book, your family needs to have this book. This is the best children’s Bible on the market. What makes it good is Sally points each story, from Old to New Testament, to Jesus. It’s important for us to teach our kids that the stories in Scripture are not just moral tales, but signposts to Christ. This book is good for all ages.
Apologia Curriculum
This is a formal curriculum for parents—a way to discuss theology in a way they understand. In many ways it serves as a catechism. These run in a four-year sequence:
Who is God? Who Am I?
Who Is My Neighbor?
What On Earth Can I Do?
I like this series for a few reasons. First, it is thorough. Second, it is accessible and easy to understand. Third, it has age-graded workbooks, from pre-school age to middle school, through high-school.
It’s important for us to teach our kids what it means to be a Christian, to transmit the body of truth from our generation to the next. This series does it well.
The New City Catechism – Gospel Coalition
This is a terrific, interactive iPad app created by The Gospel Coalition. It has a parent’s version and a children’s version. Like a standard catechism, it is a series of questions and answers. It also has video explainers from influential Christian leaders like Tim Keller, Matt Chandler, Kevin DeYoung, and others. It also features songs that can help kids remember the truths they are learning.
The Honor Club
My wife is doing this with our kids this summer as a way to help teach our kids to have good manners and learn honor and respect. The series is not just teaching, but features fun crafts and games, with ways to help kids learn the pertinent Scriptures and to form good habits.
Leading Little Ones to God
A very simple way to teach little kids the Bible, particularly K-2nd or so.
Big Truths for Little Hearts - Bruce Ware
This is more of a reference book than something you’d go thru with your kids. I recommend parents reading this so they can be equipped to answer the tough questions their kids ask about God, eternity, etc.
The Apologetics Study Bible for Students - Sean McDowell
This is terrific resource for parents, especially for those with middle-school and teen age kids. It has sections that offer good, biblical answers to cultural questions kids have.
ESV Student Bible – Crossway
I appreciate this study Bible. It is loaded with very helpful tools to help students study and know their Bible well.
Teen People of the Bible;
Crash Course
These are my two student devotionals. Teen People is a 100-day journey with the young people of the Bible. This is a fun way to encourage students to engage their quiet time. Crash Course is another 100-day devotional, this time we tackle the five most important areas of a teens’ spiritual life.