CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
It is our conviction that spiritual growth in our children begins with spiritual growth in us. We hope these resources help you practically with the spiritual formation of your children at home, but we also hope they inspire your imagination and vision for parenting. As you minister to your children, we pray you see the gospel manifested not only during specific “spiritual” moments but in each ordinary word and deed throughout the day, little moment by little Christ-soaked moment. May you come to know the gospel ever more deeply for yourself, and may that knowledge overflow to an ever-increasing awareness of Christ's life-giving presence, even in every mundane interaction with your child.
Print Resources
The Biggest Story
The Bible is full of exciting stories that fill children with awe and wonder. But kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people. In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung--a best-selling author and father of six--leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ’s death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.
Ages 4-11
The New City Catechism for Kids
The New City Catechism for Kids is a modern-day resource aimed at teaching the core doctrines of the Christian faith to children ages 4-11. This 64-page booklet contains each of the 52 easy-to-understand questions and short answers found in The New City Catechism designed to help children understand who God is and what he has done. Answers that are short enough for children to read, understand, and memorize.
Ages 4-11
Stories of the saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage.
From Augustine to Mother Teresa, officially canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta, discover seventy of the best-known and best-loved saints and read their riveting stories. Each saint is illustrated in a dramatic and stylized full-color portrait, and included in every entry are the saint’s dates, location, emblems, feast days, and patronage. Taken together, these stories create a rich, inspiring, and entertaining history of faith and courage.
Ages 10+
What Every Child Should Know about Prayer
Best-selling author Nancy Guthrie and much loved illustrator Jenny Brake team up on this biblical theology of prayer for children. Nancy explains in child-friendly language what prayer is, how and why we should pray, and the things we can pray about. There is a Bible verse for each topic, and a prayer for children to make their own. This book will introduce children to the gift of prayer and will encourage them to enjoy speaking to their father God.
Ages 4+
Tiny Theologians shop
This small shop creates discipleship tools perfectly suited for parents teaching their children core tenants of the Christian faith! From attributes of God, to church history and the doctrine of union with Christ, this small company creates beautiful and functional products to teach deep truths to small minds.
Ages 2 to 12
Non-print Media
Slugs and Bugs Sing the Bible
Slugs & Bugs has applied its unique blend of sincerity and silliness to 18 brand-new songs filled with lyrics straight from Scripture. The captivating melodies will have you and your kids memorizing Bible verses without even realizing it. Features special appearances by the African Children’s Choir, author Sally Lloyd-Jones (A Jesus Storybook Bible, Thoughts to Make your Heart Sing and other brilliant children’s books), and a host of Nashville’s finest musicians (like Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor).
Ages 1+
Everyone loves a good story—especially children! But what we sometimes overlook is that the Bible is more than a collection of great stories. It is the real account of God's love for the world. In this full audio recording of the best-selling The Big Picture Story Bible, join author and narrator David Helm on a journey through the whole storyline of God's Word from Genesis to Revelation. Help your child follow along and engage with the story in a deeper way by purchasing a copy of the fully illustrated print edition, available online or at your local Christian bookstore.
Ages 2+
Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids podcast
Truth Seekers is a podcast for kids of all ages that journeys through the stories of the Bible. Sherilyn Grant hosts this podcast with the goal that these stories help bring the Bible to life for you and your family, that through the telling and reading of God’s Word, you and your family will understand more clearly God’s plan for salvation, His deep love for us, and how we can apply His truth to our lives.
Ages 7+
The award-winning Jesus Storybook Bible, written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago, now comes to life as short animated videos. Narrated by British actor David Suchet, this 4-volume DVD set covers stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Each DVD runs approximately 1 hour each. Videos are also available for download.
Ages 4+
Suggested Practices
Body Prayer
Body prayer is simply using our bodies to pray. In the book of Genesis, we read that God created our bodies and called them good! The Psalmists describe the people of God praying bodily: kneeling, standing, bowing. When we stop to notice our bodies and the presence of the Holy Spirit in them, it can make for a time of rich connection with God. Remembering that in Jesus God himself took on a body, we invite you to invite your children to pray with their bodies.
Praying for the Church
Praying for others in our church family can help our children see themselves as part of a larger body of Christians. We invite you to take a moment and sit down with your child and make a list of everyone they love at Jonah’s Call--kids and adults! Encourage your child to pray through the list, either extemporaneously or as you lead. Moving through these lists at natural times during the day--before bed, at meals, etc.--can be a wonderful way to increase our children's capacity for empathy and their connection to their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer for the Poor and Oppressed
The Bible teaches us that God cares especially for the vulnerable. We invite you to do some research with your kid about poor and oppressed communities in the U.S. and abroad. Talk about the causes of their circumstances, and invite your child in their own words to ask God’s blessing on them, for God to comfort and liberate them. Consider joining this practice of prayer with the practice of giving alms, inviting your child to give some of their money either to our Relief Fund at Jonah's Call, or to another Christian relief organization.