Welcome parents and families to our Parent Resource page. What a blessing and a responsibility it is to be a parent! God has blessed your home with a child, but as you know, children don’t come with manuals. Teaching children about God can be a daunting task. Fortunately, though, you are not alone on this wonderful and challenging adventure of parenthood.
Here at First Brethren we, the church, (yellow) want to partner with and equip you, the parents, (red) through this journey. This partnership is our ORANGE philosophy. Our two influences combined creates a greater impact in a child’s life.
One way we at First Brethren partner with parents is by providing you with resources! It can sometimes be hard to wade through the good, the bad, and the ugly of all of the available options. This web page highlights some resources we have found to be helpful and God-centered. Though this list is not by any means comprehensive, our hope is that it will provide you with some great places to start. It is also important to note: there is only one perfect resource, and though we try to select some of the best other sources available, there are likely some mistakes in these.
This brings us back to our first and best source – the BIBLE!! Consistently diving into the
Bible with your kids can be difficult, but also life changing.
Your kids may ask some really hard questions, and you may not know all of the answers,
but that’s okay! Grow with your family as you dive into God’s Word together!
Apologetics for Families
Kids Answers by Answers in Genesis
Kids Answers is a website for parents and kids seeking answers about the Bible, science, our world, and so much more! This resource is put together by the Answers in Genesis group which created both the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. This website includes articles, videos, activities, and more for families to dive into together.
Parents can start here to get a quick overview video of this site for their kids: https://answersingenesis.org/kids/parents/
Focus on the Family: Teaching Kids to Defend Their Faith
“Teaching Kids to Defend Their Faith” is an article from Focus on the Family that helps parents begin their journey in helping their kids understand some basic apologetic concepts.
“Fox and the Hard Day: Picture Book Apologetics with James and Ruth” by J D Camorlinga
While James and Ruth talk about their hard day, a cynical fox appears and challenges their belief in God. How can they believe God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful when there is so much pain and evil in the world? This colorful story will encourage deep conversations, help equip children with faith-strengthening tools, and embolden them to defend their Christian beliefs from an early age.
“Possums and the Empty Tomb” by J D Carmolinga
While James and Ruth are playing outside, they meet a trio of ‘possums that challenge their belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Join them as they think carefully about what they believe and why they believe it as they defend what they know to be true.This colorful story will encourage deep conversations, help you equip your children with faith-strengthening tools, and embolden them to defend their Christian beliefs from an early age.
“Crows and the Missing Piece: Picture Book Apologetics with James and Ruth” by J D Camorlinga
While James and Ruth piece together a puzzle, they meet a pair of crows. Was the Bible carefully passed down, the crows wonder, or is it a mish-mash of mistakes? Has our Bible changed over time? Should we worry about errors and lost truths?Join them as they think carefully about what they believe and why they believe it, and defend what they know to be true.
“Pig and the Accidental Oink!: Picture Book Apologetics with James and Ruth” by J D Camornlinga
While James and Ruth are playing outside, they meet a grumpy wild pig that challenges their understanding of the universe and God’s creative work.Join them as they learn to think carefully about what they believe and why they believe it as their father teaches them how to defend what they know to be true.This colorful story will encourage deep conversations, help you equip your children with faith-strengthening tools, and embolden them to defend their Christian beliefs from an early age.
“Chameleon’s Can of Worms: Picture Book Apologetics with James and Ruth” by J D Camorlinga
While James and Ruth are fishing, they meet a relativistic chameleon that steals their bait and challenges their understanding of truth and right and wrong.Join them as they learn to think carefully about what they believe and why they believe it as their mother teaches them how to defend what they know to be true.This colorful story will encourage deep conversations, help you equip your children with faith-strengthening tools, and embolden them to defend their Christian beliefs from an early age.
“Pitfalls: A Quick Guide to Identifying Logical Fallacies for Families” by J D Camorlinga
This handy book presents logical fallacies with easy to understand language and engaging illustrated examples. It’s the perfect reference guide for families! What IS a logical fallacy? Simply put, it’s an error (innocent or not) in reasoning. Learning to identify and avoid logical pitfalls is an important part of thinking and communicating well.
“Pitfalls 2: A(nother) Quick Guide to Identifying Logical Fallacies for Families” By J D Camorlinga
This handy book presents logical fallacies with easy to understand language and engaging illustrated examples. It’s the perfect reference guide for families!What IS a logical fallacy? Simply put, it’s an error (innocent or not) in reasoning. Learning to identify and avoid logical pitfalls is an important part of learning to think and communicate well.
“The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New” by Marty Machowski and Andy McGuire
The Ology by best-selling children’s author Marty Machowski is a stunningly illustrated beginner’s theology book to help kids of all ages understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. This storybook of systematic theology takes abstract concepts in the Bible and makes them easier to understand with the use of creative examples, illustrations, and analogies. The Ology is a starting point to learning theology and aims to create a hunger and desire in children to learn more as they grow older. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations so the entire families can enjoy it together. The story begins in the cellar of the old stone cathedral, where Carla and Timothy uncover a life-changing treasure: a carefully wrapped, ancient book known as The Ology. Young readers will discover a tale of adventure, mystery, and wonder, which will lead them to the truth about God, themselves, and the world around them.
Drawing tweens into the thrill of high-stakes investigating, respected cold-case detective Wallace trains them how to think rather than telling them what to think. Showing kids how to test witnesses, examine the evidence, and more, he gives them the investigative skills they need to understand and defend the truth about Jesus.
“Case for Christ for Kids” “Case for Faith for Kids” “Case for a Creator for Kids” by Lee Strobel, Rob Suggs, and Robert Elmer
With clear facts and answers to the questions kids and those new to faith ask most, this adaptation of Lee Strobel’s New York Times bestselling and award-winning The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator uses kid-friendly language, examples, and easy-to-understand information to introduce young listeners to the research and evidence behind the question of whether Jesus really was the savior the Bible promised, and what that answer means for our lives today.
“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis
Mere Christianity explores the core beliefs of Christianity by providing an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. This book can have difficult vocabulary and some higher level philosophical reasonings, so it would be more appropriate for older teens and adults.
Talking with Your Kids about Jesus will give you the confidence you need to have the conversations that matter most in today’s skeptical world. In a friendly, parent-to-parent voice, Natasha Crain will walk you through essential topics on Jesus’s identity, teachings, death, and resurrection. Each chapter clearly explains what skeptics are saying and provides a concise, easy-to-understand response you can discuss with your child (one that can be tailored for any age).
Parents
This quick 17 minute video dives into some developmental stages of kids and how to begin to teach children about the existence of God and the Trinity to even very small kids. In this video, Elizabeth Urbanowicz dives into different activities and discussions you can have with your kids about believing in God.
Dr. Mikel Del Rosario talks with Natasha Crain about how parents can better engage with their children, focusing on practical ways to answer their questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible.
Kids
This short video series dives into some of those tricky basics of Christianity that we sometimes take for granted. This series can help kids create a solid foundation for their faith as the series dives into who is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as well as the issues of sin and the path to salvation.
Teens
This video by Got Questions Ministries dives into the proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be, using Biblical and historical evidence.
This video series dives into the basics of apologetics and those difficult questions about Christianity and our faith.
Parent Resources
Focus on the Family Parenting Pages
Focus on the Family has numerous articles and podcasts covering many challenges parents face in today’s world. These websites can be excellent resources when parents find themselves facing specific challenges and seasons.
Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast
A great podcast about Christian Parenting is the Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast. In this podcast, parents can get practical, faith-based inspiration through all stages of parenting — raising toddlers, navigating the school-age years, preparing for puberty, and seeing your teen soar with confidence. Each episode is between 8-15 minutes long. Below are links to a couple of our favorites!
** Creating Spiritual Habits in your Family
** Managing Technology: Part 1 and Part 2
“Oh Baby: Devotions for New Parents” by DaySpring Publishing
“Oh Baby” is a Devotional for new and expecting parents that provides encouraging and challenging Biblical truths paired with short prayers. “Each daily devotion reminds new parents that God is close to them and is intimately interested in their feelings, worries, and fears surrounding parenthood.”
“You Have What It Takes: What Every Father Needs to Know” by John Eldredge
“You Have What It Takes” is a very short booklet for fathers with kids of all ages. It discusses the important message fathers should teach their kids, the important messages fathers need to hear themselves, and the important message the Father has for His children. This short booklet provides a brief dive into these topics and is a great starting block for fathers seeking to grow as Christians, men, and dads.
“Don’t Miss It: Parent Every Week Like It Counts” by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy
“Don’t Miss It” by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy reminds parents that phases are not just periods of time to be survived, but opportunities to be maximized. It gives parents a simple strategy for parenting every week like it counts. It can help them reprioritize their time with their kids; it may even change how they see their kids and themselves. This short book is great for parents with kids of all ages.
“Parents with Broken Hearts: Helping Parents of Prodigals to Cope” by Bill Coleman
“Parents with Broken Hearts” by Bill Coleman is a book for parents whose hearts have been broken by wayward children. Licensed counselor Bill Coleman dives into the spiritual and emotional struggles of parents with prodigals, and provides ways to hope and healing through God.
“Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp
Shepherding a Child’s Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child’s heart into the paths of life.
“Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls” by Gary Thomas
Parenting is a school for spiritual formation, says author Gary Thomas, and our children are our teachers. The journey of caring for, rearing, training, and loving our children profoundly alters us forever…even when the journey is sometimes a rough one.Sacred Parenting is unlike any other parenting book on the market. This is not a “how-to” book that teaches readers the ways to discipline their kids or help them achieve their full potential. Instead of a discussion about how parents change their children, Sacred Parenting turns the tables and demonstrates how God uses children to change their parents.Stepping beyond the overly-tilled soil of method books, parents can learn a whole new side of parenting. They’ll be encouraged by stories that tell how other parents handled the challenges and difficulties of being a parent – and how their children transformed their relationship with God.
Family Resources
Planting Seeds of Biblical Truth
52 weekly devotions containing faith-affirming biblical principles that will help you do what no one else in this world will ever do as well as you: build a lasting, thriving faith in God into your child’s heart.
Seeds Kids Worship
Imagine being able to look back at the end of the year having memorized twenty verses together as a family. That’s a big accomplishment!
Family Style Devotions: A Six-Month Family-Focus on Jesus’ Amazing Life
A daily devotional for families that centered on the life of Christ, touching most everything written about Him in the four Gospels. View all 147 days on the website or sign up to have one delivered to your email inbox daily.
“The Bible Made Easy for Kids” by Dave Strehler
Due to its sheer volume and small print, children may find it difficult to read a standard version of the Bible. This creative learning tool, read along with the own Bible, encourages children to discover the exciting connection between Bible stories and God’s plan for their lives. There are line drawings that can be colored in, simple maps, interesting charts, and basic timelines that get kids excited about their journey from Genesis to Revelation. This book is not a Bible, but along with the Bible, it is a great guide for parents to use with family devotions, or for children to use in their personal Bible study.
801 Questions Kids Ask About God with Answers from the Bible
One of the most intimidating parts of starting to learn about God as a family is having kids ask questions parents don’t know the answers to. There are many things in the Bible we may never know the answer to while here on Earth, but there are also many resources, such as the one listed above, that can help to answer some of those questions and bridge some of the gaps. As well, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the church staff with questions!
Other Resources
3 years – Kindergarten
The Beginner’s Bible
This book is not a literal Bible but a collection of Bible stories that are put in simple, age-appropriate language. It includes 96 Biblical stories from Creation to Jesus’ Second coming. This is the Bible used in the 2’s room and in Garden.
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Another good Bible for this age is The Jesus Storybook Bible. This again is not a literal Bible, but a collection of Bible stories that are put into simple, age-appropriate language. This book contains more difficult words than The Beginner’s Bible above. This is not a specific Bible used in any classes at church, but it is still an excellent option and resource.
Classic Bedtime Bible Stories and Devotions for Kids
This book includes numerous stories from the Bible that are paraphrased and paired with a short devotional. The devotional helps to break down the passage and highlight Biblical truths from the passage. It also has a short prayer at the end of each devotional to help children learn to praise God.
1st – 3rd Grade
NIV Adventure Bible
The NIV Adventure Bible is a literal Bible translated from the original languages of the Bible. This is a very readable translation that still sticks to the literal meaning of the Bible. This is the Bible we use in LOFT and all Children’s Sunday School classes. This Bible can be a stretch in the reading levels of younger elementary students, so it could be good to also read translations such as the New Living Translation (NLT) or Storybook Bibles alongside the NIV Adventure Bible.
4th – 6th Grade
NIV Adventure Bible
The NIV Adventure Bible is a literal Bible translated from the original languages of the Bible. This is a very readable translation that still sticks to the literal meaning of the Bible. This is the Bible we use in LOFT and all Sunday School classes.
Middle & High School
Tyndale Holy Bible NLT
The NLT Bible published by the publishing company Tyndale, is a literal Bible translated from the original languages of the Bible. The New Living Translation (NLT) is a very readable translation that is great for all Christians, and great for the reading level of most Middle and High Schoolers. This is the Bible our Youth Ministry uses.
Boundless
Boundless is a Focus on the Family community for Christian young adults who want to pursue faith, relationships and adulthood with confidence and joy. It includes blogs and podcasts on relationships, adulthood, faith, and so much more.
Christian Entertainment
This is an award-winning audio drama series created for ages 8-12 and enjoyed by the whole family. Episodes often start with the grandfatherly Mr. Whittaker (“Whit”), who runs an ice cream shop called Whit’s End. They last an average of twenty-five minutes and bring biblical principles to life, through a balance of fun, faith and imagination. There are videos, books, articles, radio programs and so much more at adventuresinodyssey.com! We also have some Adventures in Odyssey discs available at the church library for you to check out!
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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family website that provides parents with an overview of popular music, TV, books, movies, and even Youtube channels from a Christian perspective. This is a useful tool to help parents discern whether a form of entertainment is appropriate for their children and family. Check out some of the reviews now at pluggedin.com
Brio
A faith-based magazine for teen girls filled with inspiring profiles, cultural insights, health & beauty tips, faith-filled features and added fun!
Clubhouse
A children’s magazine that includes crafts and recipes along with faith-based articles.
Clubhouse Jr.
A younger version of Clubhouse that is geared for younger children but still includes activities, crafts, recipes and focuses on the Bible.
