Parenting is hard work.
It requires a lot of time, tons of intentionality, and plenty of help. While time and intentionality is up to us, thankfully, there is no shortage of help. In addition to the community that God has given us (that teaches, encourages, and corrects us), we’ve been given a sea of resources that help us to better shepherd our children.
Here are five that I believe will be helpful to you:
1. Catechism-for-Young-Children
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a series of questions and answers that help our children to consider the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. Help your child to memorize one question at a time and use it as a springboard for further discussion. They may not understand it all now, but consider it as seeds you’re planting into your child that, by God’s help, will bear much fruit in the future.
2. Everything a Child Should Know About God
Designed for ages 3-6, this book helps children to consider wonderful biblical truths in language that they can understand. Consider it a “Theology Track” for children. Short lessons. Great illustrations. Good follow-up questions. It provides a good curriculum for parents who are unsure as to what to teach their children.
3. The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New
Maybe your child learns better through story! Well, here’s a great resource for you. This book is designed to communicate deep theology in story form. This book is created for children ages 6 to preteen and is written by the same author of our Sunday School curriculum.
We talk a lot at SMR about how true change in life happens when we deal with our heart, not just our behavior. Guess what? That’s just as true when it comes to our children. But what does it look like to deal with your 5-year-old’s heart and not just their behavior? Tedd Tripp provides some great insight on what gospel-centered parenting can look like.
All of God’s Word ultimately points us to Jesus. How wonderful would it be for our little ones to know and see that truth from their earliest years. The Gospel Story Bible does a wonderful job of telling key stories within the Bible in a way that’s accessible and Christ-centered. It’s also the Bible that we use within our Sunday School classrooms.
Hope you find these resources to be a blessing to your family.
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.