“And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 11:19
We desire talking about God to come naturally for our children – a simple and eager expression of themselves as they grow in understand of Him.
However, talking about God aloud has never come very naturally for me because I tend to ramble (I am much better when I can write and edit my thoughts!). Sometimes I over complicate things. I feel like I lack the proper “kid language” for these “big concepts.”
Why can’t we see God?
Where is the soul?
Why do I need to do right?
Why do we pray?
Spiritual development has become a bigger part of our days, now that our oldest is three and a half and is understanding and questioning his world.
He goes back and forth from loving to pray before meals and bedtime, to being very self-conscious about praying aloud. We let him move at his comfort level, and model our faith for him to see. I don’t think he really grasps the concept of an invisible God right now, but he does enjoy prayer time overall.
I’m always looking for resources to bring spiritual discussions home to children on a simple and accessible level. Like the books I received compliments of Graham Blanchard Publishing. Their supportive materials for parents about sharing God with young children have helped me introduce spiritual concepts clearly for our son.
Four new titles come out this October 2013 which I got to preview, and they each lend a hand in teaching Christian principles to very young children.
Each book in the “Knowing My God” series written by Callie Grant shares directly quoted scripture and then includes colorful photos and supportive text. There’s also a section at the back with tips for the grown-up reader. I really appreciated the connection between Creation and getting to know God. These books will bring the concept of God into sharp focus for small ones.
Jesus Shows Me illustrates a segment of John 15:9-14 with a photo of an animal parent caring for its young, which shows kids how God loves people.
Jesus Invites Me is the second book in the “Knowing My God” series by Jodie Stowe, and explains Matthew 11:28-30, in which Jesus calls people to learn from him and to follow him. Children are invited to explore what a response to God looks like in their lives.
All of Me that You Can’t See depicts a child living out how the unseen parts of himself – heart, mind, strength, soul – grow along with his physical body. This illustrated rhyme invites the child reader to become aware of his or her own spiritual self. This book was my personal favorite because I have never seen a book about “the soul” for such small readers.
Mud Puddle Hunting Day is an adventurous story of a young girl’s splashy walk in the rain. With detailed illustrations and a light-hearted text, it teaches young hearts to praise God for life’s small wonders and enjoy God’s amazing world.
Each book retails for $8.99 and they will also be available as E-books!
How do you share spiritual concepts with very young children? I would be interested to hear any tips you might have!
WIN IT: One reader wins a set of these new books (not released yet!)! ARV $36. Enter in the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks to Graham Blanchard for providing copies for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.
My kids started asking about the age of 2. We read from the children’s bible and they attend sunday school to learn more.
My kids started asking about the age of 2. We read from the children’s bible and they attend sunday school to learn more.
My children started asking about god around age 2. We started reading a children’ bible story book every night before bed to them , we still do. They also attend Sunday school every week while we are at mass.
My children started asking about god around age 2. We started reading a children’ bible story book every night before bed to them , we still do. They also attend Sunday school every week while we are at mass.
They were toddlers. I was as honest as a mom could be.
They were toddlers. I was as honest as a mom could be.
my kids (twin 4yos) really started asking questions about God about a year ago. they love to hear Bible stories, say their prayers and sing songs about God. These books look really great!
my kids (twin 4yos) really started asking questions about God about a year ago. they love to hear Bible stories, say their prayers and sing songs about God. These books look really great!
Too young to discuss
Too young to discuss
We’re not there yet, but soon!
We’re not there yet, but soon!
I think it’s weird that you have to teach about god. You would think that if he were real, children would be born with a knowledge or at least an awareness of his presence. Should spirituality really have to be TAUGHT?
Also, the question “Why do I need to do right?” can be answered without the mention of god. Children naturally want to do right, without fear of eternal punishment. They just naturally LOVE.
RE: Janine
As Christian parents, naturally our blog will discuss products and activities helpful to our family’s spiritual development. We believe the Bible which tells us it’s our role as parents to “teach them diligently” (Deut 6:7).
Regarding morality apart from God, I refer you to Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis as that contains a full treatment of the subject which you may find interesting to read. I know I did!
I believe, in part, children are born with some awareness of God’s presence: the Bible says “the heavens declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19:1) and also that innately, humanity has some understandinging of God’s laws – “the law written in their hearts” (Romans 2:15). But as with all things in life, concepts still need to be taught so a fuller understanding can be reached. Electricity is real, even though babies have no knowledge or awareness of it – as they grow, they are taught about the power of electricity and become fully aware of how it works in their life. So it is with spirituality. Children need God explained to them in words they can grasp… as they grow they can handle deeper thought processes about an abstract concept.
We are all spiritual beings, but “being spiritual” is not the same as knowing God. Knowing God is a relationship… if I’d never met my husband, he wouldn’t cease to be real. If I’d heard of him or met him in passing, I still couldn’t say I really “knew” him. I had to MEET my husband personally, spend time with him, talk to him, and get to KNOW him to understand who he was and fall in love with him. So it is with God. We must show our children God and His loving nature so they might “meet” Him and get to know him. And hopefully one day fall in love with Him.
We teach our children about God then, because we want them to grow in knowledge and understanding of Him: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18).
I think it’s weird that you have to teach about god. You would think that if he were real, children would be born with a knowledge or at least an awareness of his presence. Should spirituality really have to be TAUGHT?
Also, the question “Why do I need to do right?” can be answered without the mention of god. Children naturally want to do right, without fear of eternal punishment. They just naturally LOVE.
RE: Janine
As Christian parents, naturally our blog will discuss products and activities helpful to our family’s spiritual development. We believe the Bible which tells us it’s our role as parents to “teach them diligently” (Deut 6:7).
Regarding morality apart from God, I refer you to Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis as that contains a full treatment of the subject which you may find interesting to read. I know I did!
I believe, in part, children are born with some awareness of God’s presence: the Bible says “the heavens declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19:1) and also that innately, humanity has some understandinging of God’s laws – “the law written in their hearts” (Romans 2:15). But as with all things in life, concepts still need to be taught so a fuller understanding can be reached. Electricity is real, even though babies have no knowledge or awareness of it – as they grow, they are taught about the power of electricity and become fully aware of how it works in their life. So it is with spirituality. Children need God explained to them in words they can grasp… as they grow they can handle deeper thought processes about an abstract concept.
We are all spiritual beings, but “being spiritual” is not the same as knowing God. Knowing God is a relationship… if I’d never met my husband, he wouldn’t cease to be real. If I’d heard of him or met him in passing, I still couldn’t say I really “knew” him. I had to MEET my husband personally, spend time with him, talk to him, and get to KNOW him to understand who he was and fall in love with him. So it is with God. We must show our children God and His loving nature so they might “meet” Him and get to know him. And hopefully one day fall in love with Him.
We teach our children about God then, because we want them to grow in knowledge and understanding of Him: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18).
My daughter likes Veggietales and they touch base on it on those shows. I haven’t talked to her about it yet, I feel she’s too young right now but we’re definitely going to teach her.
My daughter likes Veggietales and they touch base on it on those shows. I haven’t talked to her about it yet, I feel she’s too young right now but we’re definitely going to teach her.
My 4 year old has been asking questions for awhile. We recently changed curriculum at our church, and the new curriculum is awesome! He remembers his Bible stories now and randomly talks about them during the week. But he definitely still has those questions that make you freeze…mommy, I want to go to heaven right now, why can’t I? 🙂
My 4 year old has been asking questions for awhile. We recently changed curriculum at our church, and the new curriculum is awesome! He remembers his Bible stories now and randomly talks about them during the week. But he definitely still has those questions that make you freeze…mommy, I want to go to heaven right now, why can’t I? 🙂
Julie, I was just re-reading your post and when I came to the invisible God part I remembered one of my kiddos saying he wanted a hair cut like God. It turns out he thought the priest was God. LOL.
Julie, I was just re-reading your post and when I came to the invisible God part I remembered one of my kiddos saying he wanted a hair cut like God. It turns out he thought the priest was God. LOL.
We talk about Jesus everyday in this home, so our kids learn from the very start who God is.
We talk about Jesus everyday in this home, so our kids learn from the very start who God is.
We say family prayers starting when our babies are born. We also go to church on Sundays. It seems like talking about God is just a regular part of our life. We aren’t preachy about it. It just comes up throughout the week. =)
We say family prayers starting when our babies are born. We also go to church on Sundays. It seems like talking about God is just a regular part of our life. We aren’t preachy about it. It just comes up throughout the week. =)
My son is 3.5 and just started attending a church preschool, so I am hoping it will spur him to talk about it!
My son is 3.5 and just started attending a church preschool, so I am hoping it will spur him to talk about it!
P got interested in the last year as he looks forward to his church class every Sunday. He loves the stories and crafts he makes. My older boys talk ask bible questions all the time and we all love reading the stories together.
P got interested in the last year as he looks forward to his church class every Sunday. He loves the stories and crafts he makes. My older boys talk ask bible questions all the time and we all love reading the stories together.
Well dd was in a Christian school last year for pre-k so she learned all day about God. I so wish we could afford to keep sending her. We are also Catholic so she will be attending some type of bible school/classes at least until she’s 15-16! 🙂 We also talk to her about God and answer any questions she has. I love listening to her singing all the songs she learned last year – some I remember from when I was a kid – others are new to me! Since she will be in a public charter school next year, we have been preparing her for the “absence” of God in her teachings. We’ve told her that God will always be with her and just because God isn’t taught there, it doesn’t mean she can’t pray before her meals or talk about God or even sing about God if that is what she wants to do. WOW this got long – ok I’ll stop!
Well dd was in a Christian school last year for pre-k so she learned all day about God. I so wish we could afford to keep sending her. We are also Catholic so she will be attending some type of bible school/classes at least until she’s 15-16! 🙂 We also talk to her about God and answer any questions she has. I love listening to her singing all the songs she learned last year – some I remember from when I was a kid – others are new to me! Since she will be in a public charter school next year, we have been preparing her for the “absence” of God in her teachings. We’ve told her that God will always be with her and just because God isn’t taught there, it doesn’t mean she can’t pray before her meals or talk about God or even sing about God if that is what she wants to do. WOW this got long – ok I’ll stop!
My daughter just turned 2 so she hasn’t asked about God yet, but we do read her storybook Bible and pray at dinner time and before bed. We tell her every night that God loves her.
My daughter just turned 2 so she hasn’t asked about God yet, but we do read her storybook Bible and pray at dinner time and before bed. We tell her every night that God loves her.
My boys are one and three, and talking about God grows naturally out of praying before meals and at bedtime, reading Bible stories, and attending church. These look like great books — thank you for introducing me to them!
My boys are one and three, and talking about God grows naturally out of praying before meals and at bedtime, reading Bible stories, and attending church. These look like great books — thank you for introducing me to them!
Luckily, after years of teaching in a church setting, talking with young children about God is a very normal task for me. It was so stinking cute this weekend, Charlie, who is just about to turn one, folded his hands with the biggest, cheesiest grin when Maggie said it was time to pray. Seriously, melt my heart kind of cute!
Books are always a very easy way to introduce new concepts and I would love to have these as well. The bible both kids received from the church on their baptism is amazing! Seriously, best kids bible. The pictures and stories are easy to read and follow. Maggie will sit and read the entire thing with us. And now, she walks around singing Jesus loves me. It’s so cute.
We have been talking more about how God doesn’t like it when we are mean to others so we have to try to remember how God would want us to act towards others. Or, if she is scared, we tell her to give it to God and help her find other ways to feel better.
He started Sunday school at 2 1/2. In the middle of a prayer at church, he says loudly, “Where’s God?” If they’re asking the questions, it’s time to start teaching the concepts.
He started Sunday school at 2 1/2. In the middle of a prayer at church, he says loudly, “Where’s God?” If they’re asking the questions, it’s time to start teaching the concepts.
It is indeed quite difficult to introduce God to our kids but it is a feeling unlike any other. In my case, we read stories from the bible before bedtime and sing songs of praise. I enjoy it a lot and I can see that my kids love doing it too. The random talks about God is very amazing and some of their questions are really amusing. Oh kids. 🙂
It is indeed quite difficult to introduce God to our kids but it is a feeling unlike any other. In my case, we read stories from the bible before bedtime and sing songs of praise. I enjoy it a lot and I can see that my kids love doing it too. The random talks about God is very amazing and some of their questions are really amusing. Oh kids. 🙂
What a fabulous post! Spirituality is a large part of my life and I’ve wondered how I’m going to share my love for God with my daughter (i ramble too!) She’s only 14 months but I think early exposure is good thing and the books look like a great resource. Thanks so much
What a fabulous post! Spirituality is a large part of my life and I’ve wondered how I’m going to share my love for God with my daughter (i ramble too!) She’s only 14 months but I think early exposure is good thing and the books look like a great resource. Thanks so much
God is a HUGE part of my life and I know that these would be some good tools to use with my children one day.
God is a HUGE part of my life and I know that these would be some good tools to use with my children one day.
My daughter was about 3. Her step-dad is a pastor, so she is in church on a regular basis and we even just finished vacation bible school!
My daughter was about 3. Her step-dad is a pastor, so she is in church on a regular basis and we even just finished vacation bible school!
My daughters are now 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. Tho they have had a lot of exposure to God, and praise music, VeggieTales, etc. The questions really started this year. They received a Bible from one of their Aunts for Christmas, and we read one
“story” from it every night. My 3 1/2 yr old, obviously has a better grasp than the younger. She has definitely started talking about and asking about God a lot more. The Bible, VeggieTales, and songs have definitely helped with introducing the concept of God to her. Tho she does look for Him, which I love! She points out the window and talks about all the things she can see the God created. I wish I had more books to explain God, but as of now, we have a limited supply. This is a GREAT giveaway! Thank you!
My daughters are now 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. Tho they have had a lot of exposure to God, and praise music, VeggieTales, etc. The questions really started this year. They received a Bible from one of their Aunts for Christmas, and we read one
“story” from it every night. My 3 1/2 yr old, obviously has a better grasp than the younger. She has definitely started talking about and asking about God a lot more. The Bible, VeggieTales, and songs have definitely helped with introducing the concept of God to her. Tho she does look for Him, which I love! She points out the window and talks about all the things she can see the God created. I wish I had more books to explain God, but as of now, we have a limited supply. This is a GREAT giveaway! Thank you!