CVC kids Resources
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We know that music is very subjective and can even be divisive. These songs, however, are scripture…word-for-word. So, if you listen consistently, your family will be memorizing Bible verses before you know it.
Our favorite Bible storybook for preschoolers is The Beginner’s Bible, but if you find yourself looking for something a bit simpler for your toddler, the Read and Share Toddler Bible is our recommendation.
Featured Topic
Prayerfulness
Big headline about prayerfulness goes here and speaks to the intent behind this section of the webpage.
This section right here goes into the topic even deeper maybe even highlighting one or two sections or resources on the page below. Both of these statements could be long or short.
FAMILY DEVOTIONALS & READ-ALOUDS
LONG STORY SHORT
Marty Machowski
Long Story Short was an ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist for good reason. Designed to be used ten minutes a day, five days per week, this fantastic devotional takes your family through the Old Testament, while always pointing forward to God’s grace through Jesus Christ. The gospel message is deeply ingrained in each day’s focus. CVCKids loves how Machowski leads you straight into Scripture, covering important things that can get skipped over in storybooks. There are also nicely done summaries of the Scripture reading, meaningful questions, suggested activities, and prayer prompts. Another high point is that this devotional can be used with a wide range of ages, so your entire family can be involved. We couldn’t agree more with a review by Justin Taylor, managing editor of the ESV Study Bible. He says, “Long Story Short is the best material for family devotions I’ve ever seen. If you’re looking for something careful, creative, and Christ-centered without being corny, confusing, or condescending look no further.” Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, comments, “I have never seen a devotional book that is so well suited to family devotions and to children, even as it is faithful in relating biblical truth.” Bonus: Machowski has also written a New Testament devotion in the same manner, called Old Story New.
FOUNDATIONS: 12 BIBLICAL TRUTHS TO SHAPE A FAMILY
Ruth Chou Simons and Troy Simons
Although we already have an outstanding, highly-recommended, pair of family devotions on our list (Long Story Short and Old Story New by Marty Machowski,) we’ve included this one because of some key differences. Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family, is less about grasping the biblical narrative than it is about the foundational truths that come from that narrative and shape how we live, things like…
…Love God above all else and with all you’ve got.
…Hate sin, especially your own.
…Hide the Word in your heart to live by it.
Each of the twelve truths has a key verse tied to it, followed by five devotions on topics related to it. Before any of the devotions begin, the Simons first give a pep talk to parents, sharing insight for how to create a regular, family worship time in their homes. The cherry on top is that the book is quite beautiful because Ruth Chou Simons is a best-selling artist, and her paintings fill the pages.
THE OLOGY: ANCIENT TRUTHS EVER NEW
Marty Machowski
Andy McGuire
God has designed the family to be the central place where children are discipled, which means parents are meant to be spiritual leaders within their homes. This makes it incredibly important for moms and dads to teach their children about God and His ways, and Marty Machowski has written a fantastic resource to equip them to do just that. The Ology is essentially a systematic theology book written especially for children. It is divided by topic, starting with a theology of God, and moving to a theology of people, sin, the promise and the law, Christ, the Holy Spirit, adoption into God’s family, change, the Church, the end times, and God’s Word. Beyond the fantastic scope of the content, the joy of this book lies in the simple analogies and lovely illustrations. Every entry is swathed in Scripture references and clearly explains the concept that is being presented. This book is very accessible for children and might even teach parents a thing or two as well!
THOUGHTS TO MAKE YOUR HEART SING
Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jago
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing is a beautifully written compilation of 101 devotions about God’s great love for you. Each devotion truly does make your heart sing as it brings to light an amazing aspect of the affection and faithfulness of God. The readings feel very personal and intimate and applicable. The lavish illustrations and the simple-yet-profound insights open wide each biblical passage for even the youngest among us. Don’t let that fool you into thinking that an adult won’t be encouraged by reading this book. The encouragement is for all!
INDESCRIBABLE: 100 DEVOTIONS ABOUT GOD AND SCIENCE
Louie Giglio
Nicola Anderson
If you have a child who is curious about and interested in nature, science, and the way things work, this devotion book is for you! Brightly illustrated and filled with so many interesting and cool facts about the world God created, each of the 100 devotions includes a Scripture passage, short prayer, and highlights something wonderful about God. There are three books in this devotional series: Indescribable, How Great is Our God, and The Wonder of Creation.
THE FAMILY COOKBOOK DEVOTIONAL: 50 RECIPES FOR FAITH, FOOD, AND FUN
Amber Pike
Amber Pike has created a resource that not only gets you cooking with your kids, but also helps you disciple them along the way. Within The Family Cookbook Devotional, you’ll find fifty simple recipes with full-color photographs. An aspect of each recipe brilliantly connects with that week’s memory verse. Pike also directs you to read another Bible passage to further explore the topic, followed by three questions to think about, and several ideas to kick-start a time of prayer. To top it all off, there are six days worth of dinner devotions, during which you are encouraged to review the memory verse and use the provided questions to guide your conversations. That’s a whole lot of content, but the good news is that none of it feels overwhelming. So, for a fun, tasty, practical way to study God’s Word, we recommend The Family Cookbook Devotional.
40 DAYS 40 BITES
Trudi Parkes
Children are naturally “me-centered,” with a very narrow view of the world that revolves mostly around themselves. Let’s be honest, though. Adults can be the same way! But we can move our focus from the small world of our own personal lives to the larger world that exists beyond our homes, schools, and neighborhoods. We can discover other countries and issues that we aren’t exposed to on a regular basis. One great way to do that is to pick up a copy of 40 Days 40 Bites by Trudi Parkes. In this fantastic book, Trudi highlights a different country, people-group, or world problem each day for forty days. She includes a brief description, some interesting facts, a Bible verse, prayer prompts, photographs, maps, and more! Both informative and convicting, this book will have you praying for all sorts of things you may have never considered, giving the Holy Spirit ample opportunity to work within your household. What a wonderful way for grownups to begin to raise mission-minded children with a heart for the nations.
CHRISTIAN HEROES: THEN AND NOW
Janet and Geoff Benge
The Benges are a husband and wife writing team, one a former elementary teacher and the other holding a degree in history. They have written a 49-book series of child-friendly biographies chronicling the lives of Christians who have lived for the glory of God and made a difference in the world. These true stories are exciting, compelling, and inspiring. They are great for reading aloud together as a family, capturing the attention of children and adults alike. Some of the names you may come across are Lillian Trasher, C.S. Lewis, George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael, among many others.
