Resources for Parents
Dr. Jerry Lawrence, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, 2009
For parents of children:
Bell, Steve, and Valerie Bell. Faith-Shaped Kids: Helping Your Child Grow Spiritually. Chicago: Moody Press, 2001.
A delightful book that shares principles the authors discovered while raising their own children. They believe faith formation is not something we teach our kids but something that is learned together as a family. Family Resource Articles at the end of the book provide helpful and practical ways to include God in our everyday family lives (i.e. "Getting to Know You": A Family Game).
Fuller, Cheri. Opening Your Child's Spiritual Windows: Ideas to Nuture Your Child's Relationship with God. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001.
One of my favorite books! Cheri Fuller explains that as children grow, there are windows of opportunity when they are most open to learning about God. If we make the most of these times, we can help raise children who enjoy, love, follow and serve God. Each chapter is filled with practical ideas for making the most of each window of opportunity.
Trent, John T., Rick Osborne, and Kurt D. Bruner. Parent's Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children. Focus on the Family. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000.
This book is FILLED with practical information and helpful resources for parents on “How to Pass on Your Spiritual Legacy” including a blueprint for designing “Your Family Portrait,” a step by step plan unique to their family. This plan may include family nights and family devotions, but also encourages mealtime, drive time, teachable moments, and holidays to impart spiritual truths to children in fun and exciting ways.
For Parents of Teens:
Hastings, Wayne. Trusting Enough to Parent: Replacing Fear with Active Trust as You Raise Your Children. Colorado Springs, CO: Faith Parenting Cook Communications, 2000.
Wayne Hastings writes to encourage parents in the midst of the fray to respond with trust instead of fear as they raise their kids. As we trust the Lord to help us, He meets us where we are and directs us with His wisdom. As we love and listen to our children and take the time to know and understand them, we can help prepare them for adulthood that lies before them.
Rice, Wayne, and David Veerman. Understanding Your Teenager. Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1999.
Growth spurts, hormones rage, and insecurities simmer and suddenly their precious child becomes a stranger they hardly recognize. It doesn't have to be this way. Rice and Veerman affirm that parents remain the most important people in the lives of teenagers throughout adolescence. Part I paints a picture of our teens’ world and their developing values and beliefs. Part II gives principles to continue to build a close relationship with our kids and prepare them for the road ahead.
White, Joe, and Jim Weidmann. Parent's Guide to the Spiritual Mentoring of Teens. Focus on the Family. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
This book builds upon the Spiritual Growth of Children (see above) that helps parents prepare for spiritually leading children during their teen years. Focus is given to walking alongside teens, building strong parent-teen relationships, succeeding in conflict-causing issues, discipling for lasting spiritual impact, and building a passion in teens to be wholehearted disciples.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
Dr. Jerry Lawrence, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, 2009
For Family Times:
Guthrie, Nancy. One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
MacGregor, Jerry, and Patti MacGregor. Family Times. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1999.
Simpson, Amy, ed. (Alexander, Donna L., et. al.) Growing Little Helpers: Service Projects Preschoolers Can Do. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 1998.
Smithouser, Bob, ed. Movie Nights: 25 Movies to Spark Spiritual Discussions with Your Teen. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2002.
Widemann, Jim, and Kurt Bruner. Family Night Tool Chest Series. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor/Cook Communications, 1997.
TOP PICK! Solid, biblical resources by Heritage Builders and Jim Wideman, the “Family Nights Guy.” These books provide lessons, activities, and tips as a guide for parents in teaching their children in fun, creative, and simple ways.
For children:
Allen, Joey. Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: A Four Book Series. Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2005.
The Gospel
The Mission
The Scriptures
The Trinity
Excellent series of story books that teach theological concepts to children ages 4-7 in age-appropriate language. (Available on Amazon.com)
Anderson, Debby. Are Tigers Ticklish? Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1991.
Anderson, Debby. God Knows My Name. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003.
Anderson, Debby. I Can Talk With God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003.
Anderson, Debby. I Love My Bible! Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005.
Anderson, Debby. Jesus is Coming Back! Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005.
Anderson, Debby. Let's Talk About Heaven. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1991.
Lawson, Michael S. Grandpa Mike Talks About God. Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2007.
Omartian, Stormie. What Happens When I Talk to God? Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2007.
Osborne, Rick, and Marnie Wooding. God’s Great News for Children: Leading Your Child to Christ. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 2002.
Tangvald, Christine Harder. Someone I Love Died. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1988.
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Related Topics: Library and Resources, Christian Education, Parenting, Children, Parent Resources