{"id":7539,"date":"2014-07-05T13:03:37","date_gmt":"2014-07-05T18:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/frenchrevolution\/?p=7539"},"modified":"2014-07-05T13:03:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-05T18:03:37","slug":"how-parents-can-teach-the-gospel-to-their-children-and-themselves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/frenchrevolution\/2014\/07\/05\/how-parents-can-teach-the-gospel-to-their-children-and-themselves\/","title":{"rendered":"How Parents Can Teach the Gospel to Their Children – and Themselves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/p>\n

To all the other mommies and daddies out there who still curl up at night with their little ones, I want to tell you about\u00a0The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name<\/a><\/em>. Frequently, children\u2019s books are lacking \u2014 especially the kind that attempt to teach eternal truths with cute vegetables, squirrels, or action figures. I was recently told about this book \u2014 an accurate, compelling way to teach children about God and a valuable resource for adults. It just so happens to be camouflaged as a kids\u2019 book.<\/p>\n

A portion from the first chapter shows how it\u2019s different than others:<\/p>\n

Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn\u2019t do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn\u2019t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It\u2019s about God and what he has done. Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you\u2019ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren\u2019t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). They get afraid and run away. At times they are downright mean. No, the Bible isn\u2019t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It\u2019s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It\u2019s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne \u2013\u00a0everything \u2014 to rescue the one he loves.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

My six-year-old loves to listen to this book over others, even when given the chance to switch to more modern tales. As an added bonus, my teenagers love to read it to her, since it presents such a compelling Jesus, who is at the \u201ccenter of God\u2019s great story of redemption\u201d \u2014 he is at the center of their story, too. In fact, when I was talking to a friend at a hair salon recently, she commented that it was hard for her to understand the Bible. When I got home, I sent her this storybook, along with an actual Bible\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0and an explanation, of course.<\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s easy to measure your success as a person of faith by how many C.S. Lewis books you\u2019ve read. But when you need to be reminded of the basics, this is a great place to start.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, I\u2019m in good company. Tim Keller, pastor of\u00a0Redeemer Presbyterian Church<\/a>, said that he believes \u201cevery Christian should read this book.\u201d<\/p>\n

This post first appeared on National Review\u2019s Summer Reading Symposium<\/a><\/strong><\/em>
\nRead more on the\u00a0Patheos Faith and Family Channel<\/a>\u00a0and follow\u00a0David on Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do kids’ books about faith sometimes drive you crazy? Here’s a great, theologically correct book that you and your kids will enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Parents Can Teach the Gospel to Their Children - and Themselves<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do kids' books about faith sometimes drive you crazy? 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