Document 6446241
Transcription
Document 6446241
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church RAISING CHILDREN IN THE MINISTRY The M aster’s Seminary – The M inistry Home Selected Scriptures If you have ever had an aquarium with tropical fish you probably know about a very common fish, the Neon Tetra. It is a small fish, semi-translucent, with a brilliant red and blue stripe running down its body. Neon Tetra’s are passive fish, inexpensive, and beautiful, hence their popularity. But have you ever thought of where Neon Tetras come from? Have you ever wondered if they know the difference between living in a jungle stream in the Amazon basin or living in an aquarium at some doctor’s office? Raising children in the context of ministry is like raising them in an aquarium, out of their natural habitat. Your children will be looked at, scrutinized, whispered about, and treated differently just because they are the “Pastor’s Kids” (PK’s or MK’s–Missionary Kids). In addition to that, God is also watching how you raise your children in the context of ministry. For these reasons you need to make sure your children are raised properly. In fact, your ability to raise children is the proving ground for your ability to lead and serve in the church. It is for these reasons that this lesson will be devoted to “Raising Children in the Context of Ministry.” I. YOU MUST HAVE PROPER GOALS FOR RAISING CHILDREN IN THE CONTEXT OF MINISTRY A. Primary goal is your child’s salvation. B. Secondary goal is your child’s sanctification. C. In the average Christian home, what activities take up the bulk of a family’s “free time?” 1. What takes up the bulk of your family’s free time? 2. If a good portion of your family’s free time is focused on the world and the things of the world, how do you suppose that will affect your children? 3. Christian parents tend to gravitate towards two extremes. First, they either allow their children to be so engulfed in the world, that they become like the world. Or secondly, they withdraw from the world, thinking that isolation is the primary factor in producing sanctification. How do you find balance? Page 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church D. As a Christian parent, what three areas should constantly be considered in relationship to your child’s needs? 1. Your child’s knowledge and understanding of God’s Word should constantly be evaluated because – 2. Your child’s walk with the Lord should constantly be evaluated because – 3. Your child’s character and personal testimony in the world should constantly be evaluated because – E. If you have as your primary goal the salvation and sanctification of your children, what impact should that have on your home, the time you spend with your children, and the activities they are involved with? F. Consider the final goals of parenting listed below. Why is achieving these goals so important? G. 1. Your child becomes independent of you 2. Your child becomes dependent upon the Lord 3. Your child has life skills to live for God in the world as a responsible citizen In light of the final goals of parenting listed above, when is the real test of your faithfulness and success in raising your children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord” confirmed? Page 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church II. GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER WHEN RAISING YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CONTEXT OF MINISTRY A. Remember that your life, your marriage, your walk with the Lord i.e., your example, is the greatest parenting influence in your child’s life apart from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Why? B. Remember as your child gets older (2 to 3 years old and up) to make it your habit of addressing their heart problems as well as their outward behavior. Why? C. Remember to be consistent in your discipline, be consistent in your discipline, be consistent in your discipline, and don’t give up being consistent in your discipline! Be consistent! Why? D. Remember not to discipline your child out of anger, revenge, or exasperation. You must always discipline your child in love and the fruit of the Spirit. Why? E. Remember that as your child gets older (2 to 3 years old), before dealing out consequences for disobedience your child should: 1) know what they did wrong, both the action and heart problem, 2) have willfully disobeyed what they know is wrong, 3) understand why they are being disciplined, 4) know what to do after being disciplined, and 5) have your love affirmed to them both before and after being disciplined. Why? F. Remember that you must start training your child as soon as they are born by developing routines and habits. Think about what you are doing because habits are hard to break. The first five or six years of a child’s life are the most crucial years of parenting. When your child is six years old, they should know how to obey quickly, without complaint, and completely. They should have respect and reverence for you as a parent and should understand the Biblical principles for the rules and instructions you give them. Children are like cement. When cement comes out of the truck it is easy to move around, but soon afterward it gets hard. The only way to move it is with a jack-hammer and a backhoe. Parenting takes the most work and commitment while your children are young. Do not neglect to diligently parent your children in the younger years! (Prov. 19:18) Why? Page 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church G. III. Remember you can neither save nor sanctify your child. You can only expose them to the Word of God, teach them to submit and obey, pray for them, and provide a strong example in your life, the rest is up to God. Why is it important to remember this? BE AWARE OF THE UNIQUENESS OF YOUR CALLING AND HOW THAT RELATES TO YOUR CHILDREN A. I Tim . 3:2, 4 An overseer, then, . . . must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity B. Tit. 1:5-6 . . . appoint elders in every city . . . if any man is above reproach, . . . having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 1. If a pastor has incredible teaching and preaching gifts, but his children are not under control with all dignity, and they can be legitimately accused of living lives of rebellion, what affect will that have on his ministry? 2. Let’s just say you are in a growing ministry which God is blessing and everything seems to be going great, but your children are not under control. They are not examples of well-trained obedient children. They can be legitimately accused of regular rebellion and you cannot keep them under control with all dignity. What do you think the people in your congregation will do? What do you think you should do? C. II Tim . 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an exam ple of those who believe. D. Tit. 2:6-8 Likewise urge the young m en to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an exam ple of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to sham e, having nothing bad to say about us. E. I Pet. 5:1-3 Therefore, I exhort the elders . . . shepherd the flock of God am ong you, . . proving to be exam ples to the flock. 1. Why is it especially important for those in the ministry to be examples of biblical parenting? 2. What is the only way to “prove” your ability to faithfully raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord? Page 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church 3. IV. When a pastor realizes that he has neglected his children in the area of parenting and he realizes that they are not under control with all dignity and he thinks of stepping down from the ministry, what kind of temptations do you think will present themselves? UNIQUENESS OF PARENTING IN THE CONTEXT OF MINISTRY A. Everyone is watching you and your children to see how to parent according to the Bible. They assume since you have formal Bible education and you are in the ministry that you will apply what the Bible says about parenting to your own children. B. Unlike other people in your congregation, having disobedient children will force you to either compromise the Word of God or remove yourself from ministry. C. If you have disobedient children, you may never hear about it from the people in your congregation. Congregations tend to have a great love for their pastor and are usually willing to overlook their disobedient children for fear of hurting, losing, or being put on the pastor’s blacklist. D. If you do have disobedient children and it is discussed among the elders, you might discover that the elders are very lenient because it is common for elders to have disobedient children too. E. In the ministry, you are the highest profile person in the church, or at least one of them. Because of this, your skill in parenting or lack there of, will either positively or negatively affect those you minister to. People become like their teachers. F. Your children have the blessing of being saturated in the ministry and regularly exposed to the Word of God. This makes them more accountable before God. To whom much is given, much is required. G. Because your children are “PK’s” people will expect them to know the Bible well and be saved from an early age. Resist the temptation to try and force salvation or sanctification upon your children. What I mean by this is, don’t think that just because they are convicted of their sin some night and you get them to pray the “sinner’s prayer,” that they are saved. You know someone is saved when they bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance. So, tell them that, don’t encourage them that they are saved unless their life shows they have been transformed by God’s saving grace. Remember, unbelievers can learn to obey and follow rules but they cannot be sanctified. Therefore it is futile to try and get an unbeliever to live like a believer – and that unbeliever may be your child! You may be able to enforce the right outward behavior, but you cannot regenerate the heart. Page 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Hughes _ Calvary Bible Church H. In the ministry you will have different priorities for your children than the people of the world. You will be tempted to conform to what the world says is the ideal parent. As a parent in the ministry you may not be able to involve your children in piano lessons, ballet, basketball, baseball, soccer, dance, voice lessons, etc. because you have a different set of priorities placed upon you by the Word of God. Therefore be careful not to parent according to the world – instead, parent by the Word. I. Make sure you don’t use your children to hide from your ministry responsibilities. You need to spend time with your children and at times maybe even indulge them with your continual presence, but don’t use spending time with them as an excuse to avoid doing what God has called you to do. On the other hand, don’t neglect your children and hide from them for the sake of doing ministry. Remember that we love God by keeping His commandments and God commands you to diligently love, train, instruct, and discipline your children. Our ministry is never pleasing in God’s sight if we have to sin against our children in order to minister to others or sin against God by spending inordinate amounts of time with our children. J. Fathers must keep in mind that though their wife may spend more time the children, the father is the head of the home and is responsible for the training of the children. The buck stops with the father of the home! K. Make it a point to ask people you trust for feedback concerning your children. Find people who love you enough to tell you the truth and you initiate their evaluation of your children. It is much easier for you to ask others how your children are doing then for them to tell you how your children are doing without being asked. L. Don’t pit your children against the ministry. Explain to them how they are an integral part of the ministry and why you do the things you do. But don’t teach them through your neglect to resent the ministry because you cannot say “no” to a ministry opportunity and say “yes” to them. Sooner than you think, they will leave home and then you can try to study, preach and teach yourself to death. Page 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch WISDOM FROM PROVERBS FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN Proverbs are axioms, truths, or truisms. They are not absolute formulas, but true in a general way. For instance, you might tell a person that if they cross the street without looking both ways, they will get hit by a car. This is a truth, but not an absolute. The person may cross the street without looking several times without getting hit, but that doesn't mean it is a wise thing to do. As the verses from Proverbs on parenting below are studied, remember that just because you apply wisdom in training your children it doesn't mean they will always respond correctly. Yet, like the illustration above, that doesn't mean you should reject God's wisdom from Proverbs on how to parent. The wisdom is always right, though the outcome may not be certain. God's way is always the best way. It also needs to be pointed out that there is much more for children and parents in Proverbs than the verses below. In fact, chapters 1-9 were written by Solomon for a teaching curriculum for young men, hence all of these chapters could be included. The Scriptures below also make it clear that parents are responsible to see that the children learn the whole counsel of God's Word, hence every bit of God's Word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (I Tim. 3:16), which is one of the primary goals of parenting. I. ADMONITIONS TO CHILDREN A. B. Listen To Your Parents’ Advice 1. Prov. 1:8 Hear, m y son, your father's instruction, And do not forsake your m other's teaching; 2. Prov. 6:20 My son, observe the com m andm ent of your father, And do not forsake the teaching of your m other; 3. Prov. 23:22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your m other when she is old. Don't Bend To Peer Pressure 1. C. Prov. 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. Learn From Discipline 1. Prov. 19:27 Cease listening, m y son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 2. Prov. 23:15-16 My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad; And m y inm ost being will rejoice, W hen your lips speak what is right. Page 7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch D. E. Seek Wisdom, Speak What Is Right 1. Prov. 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. 2. Prov. 24:13-14 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the com b is sweet to your taste; Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. Don't Be Envious Of Evil Men Who Prosper 1. F. Don't Be A Heavy Drinker, A Gluttonous Lazy Person 1. G. H. Prov. 23:19-21 Listen, m y son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way. Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of m eat; For the heavy drinker and the glutton will com e to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a m an with rags. Seek To Please Your Parents 1. Prov. 23:25 Let your father and your m other be glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you. 2. Prov. 27:11 Be wise, m y son, and m ake m y heart glad, That I m ay reply to him who reproaches m e. Give Your Intellect, Emotions, And Will To Do What Is Right 1. I. Prov. 23:17-18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. Prov. 23:26 Give m e your heart, m y son, And let your eyes delight in m y ways. Respect Authority 1. Prov. 24:21-22 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change; For their calam ity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that com es from both of them ? Page 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch II. REASONS TO BE A GOOD PARENT A. B. Obedient Children Bring Gladness But Disobedient Children Bring Grief To Their Parents 1. Prov. 10:1 The proverbs of Solom on. A wise son m akes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his m other. 2. Prov. 17:21 He who begets a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 3. Prov. 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him . 4. Prov. 23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him . 5. Prov. 28:7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a com panion of gluttons hum iliates his father. Teach Your Child To Work 1. C. III. Prov. 10:5 He who gathers in sum m er is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts sham efully. Teach Your Children To Respect Others 1. Prov. 15:20 A wise son m akes a father glad, But a foolish m an despises his m other. 2. Prov. 19:26 He who assaults his father and drives his m other away Is a sham eful and disgraceful son. 3. Prov. 20:20 He who curses his father or his m other, His lam p will go out in tim e of darkness. 4. Prov. 28:24 He who robs his father or his mother, And says, "It is not a transgression," Is the companion of a man who destroys. TECHNIQUES AND GOALS FOR PARENTS A. We Reprove Our Children Because We Love Them 1. Prov. 3:12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights. Page 9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch B. C. If We Love Our Children We Will Discipline Them Diligently 1. Prov. 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 2. Prov. 19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. Dedicate Your Child For Godliness 1. D. Discipline Removes Foolishness From Your Child 1. E. Prov. 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom , But a child who gets his own way brings sham e to his m other. Give Correction To Your Child 1. IV. Prov. 23:13-14 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you beat him with the rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with the rod, And deliver his soul from Sheol. Instill Wisdom Through Corporal Discipline And Verbal Reproof 1. G. Prov. 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will rem ove it far from him . Discipline Preserves Your Child's Life 1. F. Prov. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov. 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you com fort; He will also delight your soul. THE VALUE OF DISCIPLINE A. Teach Your Children To Receive Discipline 1. Prov. 12:1 W hoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. 2. Prov. 13:18 Poverty and sham e will com e to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. Page 10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch B. 3. Prov. 15:32 He who neglects discipline despises him self, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. 4. Prov. 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you m ay be wise the rest of your days. Increased Discipline For Increased Disobedience 1. Prov. 15:10 Stern discipline is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. Fathers and mothers, I charge you solemnly before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, take every pains to train your children in the way they should go. I charge you for the sake of your own future comfort and peace. Truly it is in your interest so to do. Truly your own happiness in great measure depends on it. Children have ever been the bow from which the sharpest arrows have pierced man’s heart. Children have mixed the bitterest cups that man has ever had to drink. Children have caused the saddest tears that man has ever had to shed. Adam could tell you so; Jacob could tell you so; David could tell you so. There are no sorrows on earth like those which children have brought upon their parents. Oh! take heed, lest your own neglect should lay up misery for you in your old age. Take heed, lest you weep under the ill-treatment of a thankless child, in the days when your eye is dim, and your natural foe abated. If ever you wish your children to be the restorers of your life, and the nourishers of your old age, – if you would have them blessings and not curses – joys and not sorrows – Judah’s and not Reuben’s – Ruth’s and not Orpah’s, – if you would not, like Noah, be ashamed of their deeds, and, like Rebekah, be made weary of your life by them: if this be your wish, remember my advice betimes, train them while young in the right way.1 1 J. C. Ryle, Duties to Parents, pgs. 36-37. Page 11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch FURTHER RESOURCES FOR PARENTS Books on Parenting 1. Raising Your Child to Love God; Andrew Murray, Bethany House Publishers % Nuggets on parenting which every parent can glean and apply. 2. The Godly Family: Essays on the Duties of Parents and Children; Soli Deo Gloria % Gems from Puritan writers on parenting. Great devotional reading. 3. Worldly Saints; Leland Ryken, Zondervan % A book that focuses on the Puritans and how they lived. It has very helpful sections on Puritan family life. 4. Successful Christian Parenting: Raising Your Child with Care, Compassion, and Common Sense; John MacArthur, Word Publications % Sound biblical principles for parents from one of the world’s foremost Biblical expositors. 5. The Duties of Parents; J. C. Ryle, Old Path’s Gospel Press % From my reading, one of the best books on parenting that can be had. Its strength lies in presenting Biblical principles in a clear, concise way. The only shortcoming of the book is that the reader longs for more. 6. A Good Start; Charles Spurgeon, Soli Deo Gloria % A collection of sermons addressed to children, young men, and young women. Good for adults too. 7. The Things You See; Lawrence Lucas, Self Published % Practical observations from a father of a large family on how to raise godly children. 8. Teach Them Diligently; Lou Priolo, Timeless Texts % A good resource for parents wanting practical ideas on how to teach their children the Bible and sound doctrine. 9. God’s Call to Young People: Sermons for the Rising Generation; Soli Deo Gloria % A collection of sermons by famous Puritan preachers of New England. 10. The Improvement of the Mind; Isaac Watts, Soli Deo Gloria % Isaac Watts, a Puritan of the Elizabethan era, is considered the founder of hymnology. He was a brilliant writer, poet, preacher, and theologian. In this work Watts discusses how to teach children. 11. Shepherding Your Child’s Heart; Tedd Tripp, Shepherd Press % One of the better books on parenting in recent years. Tripp does a good job at explaining the reason why parenting should go after the heart of a child, which drives their actions. Provides sound and needed advice for parents today. Page 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch 12. The Heart of Anger; Lou Priolo, Calvary Press % This book is a great source for parents whose children struggle with anger. It clearly and simply explains how to deal with the internal source of anger – improper thoughts and misguided motives. This book will also help parents who may be struggling with anger themselves. 13. Polished Cornerstones: Projects for Daughters on the Path to Womanhood; Pam Forster, Doorposts % This resource is full of great ideas that will challenge parent and daughter alike. It is designed to be used with daughters of all ages. 14. Plants Grown Up: Projects for Sons on the Road to Manhood; Pam Forster, Doorposts % This resource is full of great ideas that will challenge parent and son alike. It is designed to be used with sons of all ages. 15. For Instruction in Righteousness: A Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child-Training; Pam Forster, Doorposts % This book is valuable in the sense that it gives you a categorized grouping of verses that are related to a particular sin. 16. Our 24 Family Ways; Clay Clarkson, Whole Heart Ministries % A nice little tool for teaching your child about biblical values and Christian character. It contains pictures, questions, memory verses, etc. It also comes with a chart that can be hung on the wall (or refrigerator) for easy reference. 17. Family Night Tool Chest; Jim Weidmann and Kurt Bruner, Chariot Victor Publishing (a division of Cook Communications) % The entire series is a wonderful resource to assist parents in conducting their very own family devotion. It has some wonderful ideas in communicating some awesome truths, but one should not build their theology from it! Bibles 1. Gold and Honey Bible; by Melody Carlson; Gold n’ Honey Books & Good for older preschoolers who are ready to digest more details of the Bible stories. 2. The Bible Tells Me So: The Beginner’s Guide to Loving and Understanding God’s Word; by Mack Thomas; Gold n’ Honey Books & This book combines a story with Bible facts. Children will learn about the books of the Bible, its divisions and authors. It explains the authority and inerrancy of God’s word. 3. My Little Bible Picture Book; Chariot Books (a division of David C. Cook Publishing) & Nice little devotional type book for 2-4 year olds. Page 13 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch 4. The Tiny Tots Bible Story Book: Bible Stories for Preschoolers; by John and Kim Walton; Chariot Books & Combines bright, bold pictures with simple Bible text, but doesn’t sacrifice biblical meaning. Excellent Bible for training your little ones how to sit still for Bible reading time (6 mos. to 3 years). 5. The Picture Bible; Chariot Victor Publishing & This classic book tells the events of the Bible in comic book format, also includes background information to the books of the Bible, people and events. This is a great favorite for 5-10 year olds. 6. Read With Me Bible; An NIV Story Bible for Children; Zondervan Publishing House & Engaging illustrations captivate children. The Bible stories are good though it skips over details and provides the big picture in the Bible stories. Parents can supplement the left-out details as they read this Bible to their children. Ages 3-8. 7. The Rhyme Bible Storybook; L. J. Sattgast with illustrations by Toni Goffe, Zonderkidz (the children’s group of Zondervan Publishing House) & This Bible tells each of the major biblical stories using rhyme. It also contains colorful pictures that are sure to catch the attention of younger children. A great way to introduce your child to the wonderful stories that are found in the Bible. Books for evangelizing your child 1. I Believe in Jesus: Leading Your Child to Christ; by John MacArthur; Tommy Nelson Books & John MacArthur explains salvation as he traces God’s plan from the beginning of time to Heaven. Simply done and easy to understand. 2. Leading Little Ones to God; by Marion M. Schoolland; William B. Eerdmans Publishing & A good book for family devotions. Explains the attributes of God, salvation, and the Christian life in a complete way. Includes a helpful “lesson plan” for parents with each section. 3. The Gospel for Children; John B. Leuzarder, Calvary Press & A simple yet complete guild to help parents teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ. Books for teaching doctrine 1. A Young Person’s Guild to Knowing God; Patricia St. John, Christian Focus Publications & Stories that illustrate different aspects of God’s character and the Bible doctrines, includes questions to think about. Written in the United Kingdom, so some vocabulary may not be familiar. Ages 5 and up. Page 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch 2. The Big Book of Questions and Answers: A Family Guide to the Christian Faith; by Sinclair Ferguson; Christian Focus Publications & Provides a systematic way to teach children about the Christian life. Designed to help parents talk with their children about the Bible. Ages 4 and up. 3. A Faith to Grow On; John MacArthur, Nelson & John MacArthur teaches children about key doctrines and spiritual disciplines. 4. Jesus is Coming Again; by David R. Reagan; Harvest House Publishers & The Rapture, Tribulation, and Return of Christ simply explained. This book is a must for all parents desiring to help explain end-time events to their children. 5. In the Days of Noah; Gloria Clanin, Master Books & A well-illustrated book that teaches sound biblical doctrine about the time of Noah, the flood, and dinosaurs. 6. Dinosaurs of Eden; Tracing the Mystery Through History, Ken Ham & A well-illustrated book that teaches sound doctrine about dinosaurs by one of the world’s foremost experts. 7. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?; John Morris and Ken Ham, Master Books & Two of the world’s leading Creation Scientists give sound Biblical instruction about dinosaurs. 8. Noah’s Ark and the Ararat Adventure; John D. Morris, Master Books & A well-illustrated book that has beautiful pictures of Mount Ararat, the mountain believed to be the resting site of Noah’s ark. John Morris, one of the leading experts on the ark and Creation Science, teaches about the ark from the Bible and from the history of Mount Ararat. Books which tell stories that teach biblical principles 1. Young Reader’s Christian Library; (4" by 5 ½"); Barbour Publishing, Inc. & An entire series of Bible stories, classic stories, and biographies which teach Biblical principles. 2. Adam Raccoon; A series by Glen Keane; Chariot Books & Simple stories about Adam Racoon and King Aaron the lion which teach Biblical principles. 3. What Would Jesus Do?; By Mack Thomas; Gold n’ Honey Books & This story provides an excellent way for parents to remind their children to live for the glory of God. The companion book In His Hands continues the same themes. Page 15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch 4. Pilgrim’s Progress; by John Bunyan, retold by Gary D. Schmidt; William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company & An abridged version of Pilgrim’s progress, very well done, with incredible illustrations, one of our family’s favorite editions. Has a couple pictures that might be scary for younger ones. 5. Pictorial Pilgrim’s Progress; by John Bunyan, Moody & A good beginner version for small children with pictures on every page. Story is heavily abridged. 6. Pilgrim’s Progress; Cheryl V. Ford, Tyndale & The best unabridged modern English edition of Pilgrim’s Progress and the sequel which tells of the journey of Christian’s wife and children to the Celestial City. Has Scripture references that relate to the allegory and questions for discussion. 7. Treasures in the Snow; Patricia St. John, Moody Press & Great book to read aloud to your children ages 6 and up. This book teaches the consequences of anger and unforgiveness and the sweetness of a clean heart before God. 8. The Christopher Churchmouse Treasury; Barbara Davoll, Sonflower & Short stories that illustrate biblical truths. Engaging reading for ages 4-8. 9. My Heart Christ’s Home; Rober Boyd Munger, with Carolyn Nystrom, Intervarsity Press & A masterful story that explains how Christ wants every part of your life. All ages. 10. The Priest with Dirty Clothes; R. C. Sproul, Nelson & A story of God’s love and forgiveness. 11. Tales of the Kingdom; David and Karen Mains, Cook Communications & First in a series of three allegorical story books which teach Biblical principles. Our family really enjoyed this series (best for ages 7 and up.) It contains some scary moments. I personally like the first book the best. 12. Tales of the Resistance; David and Karen Mains, Cook Communications & Second in a series of three allegorical story books which teach Biblical principles. 13. Tales of the Restoration; David and Karen Mains, Cook Communications & Third in a series of three allegorical story books which teach Biblical principles. 14. The Little Preacher; Elizabeth Prentiss, Calvary Press & The story of a boy who grows up with a very harsh father, a loving mother and who just doesn’t seem to fit in. Teaches important lessons about life’s struggles and God’s providence through those struggles. 15. Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life; Peter Leithart, Legacy Communications & Well-written stories that teach proverbial truths. For children, 7 and up. Page 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack H ughes _ C alvary Bible C hurch 16. Big Thoughts for Little People; Kenneth N. Taylor, Tyndale House Publishers & Colorful pictures fill each page as your child is exposed to each letter of the alphabet. Unlike other ABC books, this book brings a spiritual truth and offers Bible verses to learn. & Other books in the series: Giant Steps for Little People - emphasis is on the sermon on the mount and the ten commandments. Wise Words for Little People - emphasis is on the book of Proverbs. Good News for Little People - emphasis is on stories about Jesus. 17. God’s Wisdom for Little Girls; Elizabeth George with paintings by Judy Luenebrink, Harvest House Publishers & Wonderful pictures and flowing rhyme help to teach your daughter about the Proverbs 31 woman. 18. God’s Wisdom for Little Boys; Jim & Elizabeth George with paintings by Judy Luenebrink, Harvest House Publishers & Wonderful pictures and flowing rhyme help to teach your son about the character of a proverbs man. 19. The Princess and the Kiss; Jennie Bishop, Warner Press & A great story that will help to teach your daughter about the importance of purity. 20. The Very First Christians; Paul L Maier with illustrations by Francisco Ordaz, Concordia Publishing House & The highlight of this book is the pictures, but the writing gives a very accurate account of what took place. 21. Little Pilgrim’s Progress; Helen L. Taylor, Moody Press & This story is adapted from John Bunyan’s classic and does a wonderful job of putting it in simple language. The majority of the characters are children, thus enabling your child to picture themselves in the various situations. Page 17