Several print versions of Pilgrim’s Progress exist. My recommendation is that you start with the simpler versions first, and then, when your children are familiar with the story, do get the original. Abridged versions take out a good bit of the spiritual discussion to keep the storyline going. The original contains much more than a simple story; in a way, it’s a lot like a sermon told in story form. That’s a pleasant way to hear a sermon; and there is much truth therein. Be prepared: Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress in 1678. It is not impossible to understand, but it is similar in style to the King James Version of the Bible. For this reason, obtaining it in audio is an excellent approach to learning the original edition.

We have read this one before, when David was about five. Little Pilgrim’s Progress is the same storyline as the original, but the main characters are children, and the language and concepts are simplified and explained so that children readily understand them. It is excellent, and I think an important introduction to the story. It has adequate pictures to help children follow along. This is a good one to read to your children first.

Last year, I purchased Dangerous Journey, which is a picture book version that I purchased primarily for the artwork. The story is adapted, presenting the major events in Pilgrim’s journey, with full page color  pictures throughout. The pictures are of excellent quality, British in style. (Two or three of the pictures are scary: page 67, for example. A  sensitive preschooler might not like a few of the pictures.) I think I like this book more than our children do. I like it very much for the artwork, but for the story, I think that Little Pilgrim’s Progress is better.

There are other “updated” versions available. They seem like they’ve updated the language for modern audience. I don’t know much about them, but if the style of writing in the original is distasteful, it might be worthwhile to investigate these.

As we were listening last weekend, I was particularly interested in a discussion about how to distinguish God-honoring fear and sinful fear. Since this has been a recurring topic that I think of during quiet moments, the discussion caught my ear. We tend to think all fear in a parent is sinful, not trusting God. I think we overlook fear that is God-given and profitable spiritually, including, but not limited to, the fear of God. Lee found the excerpt on Project Gutenburg. I don’t have any answers, but at some point I’ll write another installment in the parenting by fear series. Here is the excerpt.

 CHR. Indeed the Word saith, “He hath blinded their eyes, lest they should see”, &c. But now we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so consequently fears that their state is dangerous?

HOPE. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man.

CHR. Then I say, sometimes (as I think) they may; but they being naturally ignorant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they do desperately seek to stifle them, and presumptuously continue to flatter themselves in the way of their own hearts.

{369} HOPE. I do believe, as you say, that fear tends much to men’s good, and to make them right, at their beginning to go on pilgrimage.

CHR. Without all doubt it doth, if it be right; for so says the Word, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [Prov. 1:7, 9:10, Job 28:28, Ps. 111:10]

{370} HOPE. How will you describe right fear?

CHR. True or right fear is discovered by three things:–

1. By its rise; it is caused by saving convictions for sin.

2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.

3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his Word, and ways, keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or to the left, to anything that may dishonour God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully.

HOPE. Well said; I believe you have said the truth. Are we now almost got past the Enchanted Ground?

CHR. Why, art thou weary of this discourse?

HOPE. No, verily, but that I would know where we are.

{371} CHR. We have not now above two miles further to go thereon. But let us return to our matter. Now the ignorant know not that such convictions as tend to put them in fear are for their good, and therefore they seek to stifle them.

HOPE. How do they seek to stifle them?

{372} CHR. 1. They think that those fears are wrought by the devil, (though indeed they are wrought of God); and, thinking so, they resist them as things that directly tend to their overthrow.

2. They also think that these fears tend to the spoiling of their faith, when, alas, for them, poor men that they are, they have none at all! and therefore they harden their hearts against them.

3. They presume they ought not to fear; and, therefore, in despite of them, wax presumptuously confident.

4. They see that those fears tend to take away from them their pitiful old self-holiness, and therefore they resist them with all their might.

Similar Posts:

• Tired
• Choosing Our Children’s Bible
• A Child’s Look at the 23rd Psalm
• Bravery and Fear
• Paying Attention in Church

If you have young children, you should get this book.

Each lesson includes a page to discuss with children, including a character quality from Scripture, a definition, scripture verse, illustrating picture, examples of how the verse applies to a child, and an appropriate prayer relating to the topic. The second part of the book includes lesson plans for teaching the topics, including discussion questions and role play examples.

Click here for two sample lessons.

A couple reasons I think it’s a valuable book:

• First, explaining terms like gentleness and mercy to young children is a challenge, even for parents who have grown up in church and are mature believers. Nevertheless, helping children define those ideas helps them put them into practice.  If you’ve ever struggled to explain something on a child’s level, you’ll find this portion helpful.
• Second, Younts makes the connection between the child’s life and the Scriptures. She uses examples that are appropriate for preschoolers and young school age children. Her role play examples are excellent and utilize a particularly effective teaching method that mothers might overlook. If you’ve ever struggled to help children apply Scripture to their lives, you will find this book helpful.
• When I was a younger mom, I often skipped over the prayers in devotional books. But these are also useful as we pray with our children and help them articulate how to ask God for help. They are a useful tool.

The book could be used in a formal teaching setting, but they could also be used in casual family conversations about God. It could simply give a mom ideas for teaching her children to be good before she’s correcting them for being bad. It’s especially good for a mom that sometimes feels discouraged that she doesn’t know how to teach the Bible to her children or how to explain biblical truths to her children well.

An elementary child may be interested in reading through the book on her own, because the lesson portions are separated from the picture and character trait, and the text is not too overwhelming. It might even make a good plan for a child to use for personal devotions. I could see a child adding a few applications of his own in the blanks, or a parent writing applications as children suggest them.

Ruth Younts is the wife of Jay Younts, who wrote Everyday Talk, a parenting book that I really like. You can see my review of that book here.

In case you were wondering, I have not been compensated in any way for writing a review.Similar Posts:

• Four Parenting Links
• Everyday Talk: Book Review
• Wisdom Treasure Hunt this Month
• A Problem

I know Nicole would enjoy discussing it with someone instead of just reporting what she appreciated, so if you have a copy, take some time to go introduce yourself and share what you’re learning. If you want to buy the book go here. And if you want to see a copy, I’d be happy to show you my marked up copy next time you come over.Similar Posts:

• For Example
• Is Thankfulness Scriptural?
• The Titus 2 List
• How to Blog About Your Children
• When They Don’t Want to Listen

This book is published by Regular Baptist Press, and is a traditional Bible study book in its format, unlike her other three (Happy Heart, Happily Married, and Parenting with Wisdom). Like other Bible study books, it has guided questions throughout each chapter, and illustrations and applications of the biblical truths. Each chapter also includes a theme verse and song that fits the theme.

Basically, mom takes a title or name of God for each chapter, and guides the reader through a greater understanding of who God is. This topic sounds basic, and I know the idea isn’t new; however, this is not a book that will bore mature believers or lose new ones. Mom’s use of the question and answer format is fantastic. While many Bible study books are banal in their questions, mom’s questions are actually helpful in guiding the reader to understand the text better.

Mom first makes a case for even paying attention to the names of God. Names don’t have the same significance in our American culture that they do in the Bible, so she is wise to start here.  Each of the following eleven chapters take a single name or title of God. To see the Table of Contents and Introduction, click on this link. To read Chapter 1, click on this link.

Glimpses of God by Debi PrydeSimilar Posts:

• Seeing the Potential in Our Children
• Prerequisites for a Discussion on Biblical Discipline
• Leading Little Ones to God
• Are You Being Governed Increasingly By God’s Word?
• A Light on the Path: Proverbs for Growing Wise (Book Review)

Here are some questions I’ve been asking myself as I study this issue.

• What is Banned Books Week all about?
  Is all censorship equal?
  Is all censorship evil?
• Don’t libraries censor every time they choose to purchase one book over another?
• How does the First Amendment relate to parents concerned about the required reading in their children’s schools?
• If parents have the right to control what their child reads, then why is the ALA universally concerned about “challenges”?
• Are there any Christians who have spoken intelligently about censorship?
• Is there a difference between what is appropriate for adults and what is appropriate for children?

My intention this week is to discuss these questions. I also intend to discuss how objectionable elements can be used to teach Christian children discernment. I also intend to discuss why I limit nearly entirely objectionable elements for the literature I give my own preschool children.Similar Posts:

• When Christian Children Should Read the Bad Books
• Is All Censorship Equal?
• Censorship, Schools, and Children
• Are Christian Children Nerds?
• More on Good Censorship

My husband’s parents purchased this book for us when David was a baby, the same book they used with their children. Originally published in 1962, it is doctrinally sound, has small enough lessons for a preschooler, and contains excellent questions for understanding. Each lesson comes with a hymn. Most are unfamiliar, but we’ve simply been reading those as poems.

The title and some people’s comments about this book and others like it remind me of a danger with a devotional book. I don’t know whether I expected to finish the book and have my children immediately express a desire for salvation, but that hasn’t happened! I am reminded that a book doesn’t lead a person to God. God must draw a child to Himself.

The organization is different than other devotional books. It is designed topically rather than chronologically. The first lessons are on the attributes of God, progressing through concepts important for understanding salvation. The final lessons are on Christian virtues, such as giving, serving, and praying. The book would be particularly helpful for parents who have not grown up in church, who may find it difficult explaining the Bible in a way that a young child can understand. In this respect, it is an important book for giving a vocabulary to parents who desire to teach their children about God.

For most of the book, the lessons have gone over Bethel’s head, currently three and a half years old; however, I’ve noticed the last few weeks she’s actually paying attention. She still doesn’t usually get any questions right, even factual ones, but her cognitive ability is growing quickly. I remember great leaps with David about this age, too. David (who will be five this summer) understands the lessons perfectly, and can often answer the questions correctly. It has been a good book for him.

Next I think we’ll be going through Big Truths for Little Kids, which is another book that focuses on doctrine rather than simply Bible stories. We’ve done parts of this book, but never gone systematically through it. I’ll report when we finish.

Similar Posts:

• Three Most Important Money Goals
• Thoughts on Salvation
• The First Step of Obedience
• Get Wisdom!
• The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes

(This is cross posted at SharperIron.)

Because a wise man studies his speech (Prov. 15:28), parents and teachers of children would do well to consider Jay Younts’s book Everyday Talk, studying with him how to apply Deuteronomy 6:6-7 to their lives and talking about God’s Word “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (v. 7). Similar to Lou Priolo’s book Teach Them Diligently, Everyday Talk focuses on just one aspect of discipleship rather than several. The similarity is not surprising, considering that Priolo gives much credit to Younts on the acknowledgment page of his book (Teach Them Diligently, p.iv).

Readers looking for scripts of conversations to help children obey, be respectful, and behave will be disappointed; however, practical suggestions and good study questions at the end of each chapter help parents apply the given principles to their specific situations. For this reason, Everyday Talk would be an excellent tool and guide in a discussion class. The study questions are perhaps the most valuable component of the book.

The book is not organized by discussion topic; rather it follows a progression of ideas about communication: from examining one’s own walk with God to effective listening, to directing and responding when children disobey those commands, and finally to understanding how our responses to disobedience reflect our priorities. The book concludes with several loosely related chapters. Younts explains how parents should adjust everyday talk based on the child’s age. (One shouldn’t give commands to or correct a four-year-old the same way one would a fourteen-year-old.) He argues that the teaching of wisdom extends the protection of the home when children are young. Two chapters address talking about sex and music. Several others highlight more general topics such as talking about the deceptiveness of the world, communication between husband and wife, and swearing.

Key thoughts that make this a valuable book for parents include the discussion on teaching children to pray. Some seem reluctant to tell children exactly what to say when they talk to God. Younts reminds the reader that Jesus gave specific words to His disciples when He taught them to pray; he encourages parents to do the same. In this way children have the building blocks to make their own spontaneous prayers.

In Chapter Three, Younts addresses the common practice of lecturing instead of engaging in true give-and-take conversation. Talking without listening is a sure method for speaking unhelpful or unedifying words. This key discussion provides a helpful pattern for parents to follow as they speak with their children.

Chapter Four is about giving directions children must obey. Significantly, Younts provides a good explanation of biblical authority as it relates to discipline. That explanation is important as a response to the teachings of Christians who deny the legitimacy of using parental authority. At the same time, Younts recommends lucidity in lieu of unbiblical harshness when exercising that authority. Here is how he explains it:

God does not want your children to obey you simply because you are bigger than they are and can physically control them. Obedience is more than giving in to coaxing or threats. God wants your children to obey you because it pleases Him and blesses them. (p. 44)

The next chapter follows up with a discussion about responses when our children disobey our instructions. Using the example of Moses and his relationship with rebellious Israel, Younts challenges the reader to respond in an extraordinary, God-centered way.

If you make the matter primarily a personal offense against yourself and respond in anger and frustration, you will do what any ordinary parent might do. . . . In Numbers 20, Moses’ anger got in the way of the real problem. The people were not trusting God to provide water for them. They got mad at Moses. Moses responded as if the problem were only between himself and the people. Yes, the people were ungrateful, forgetful and disrespectful to Moses. But Moses forgot he was not the main figure. The central figure was God. (pp. 63-64)

At several points, I wished for more discussion of ideas that seemed confusing or vague. Most significantly, in Chapter Two, “Your Children and the Gospel,” Younts emphasizes how the gospel touches every area of our lives. What he says is excellent, but I wished for more development. He does not discuss how to explain difficult concepts to young children. He does, however, discuss how a parent can use a child’s inability to obey (pre-salvation) to present the necessity of salvation, but he is unclear in exactly how asking God (pre-salvation) for help to obey leads to asking God for salvation. Younts does not indicate any difference between the child’s response or the parent’s instruction before or after salvation. I wish he had clarified this part more. Still, I don’t intend these observations to negate the book’s value.

Younts’s strengths are using biblical examples to illustrate parenting truths and carefully challenging without discouraging parents. He is authoritarian without being harsh. Everyday Talk offers something new in the discussion of published child-rearing resources. The book is biblically sound, encouraging, and worth the time to read and consider.

Read chapter one here.

Read Jay Younts’s blog here.Similar Posts:

• Get Wisdom!
• Helping Toddlers See Discipline as an Adornment
• Unintentional Teaching
• Teaching Indirectly
• Assertive Discipline for Parents

I’m always on the lookout for good Christian books for my children. They’re sometimes hard to find. They’re either insipid and shallow or the artwork is terrible. Sometimes the Scripture isn’t exactly used appropriately.

I’m especially interested in books on Proverbs. I found this book several years ago, particularly happy to see the illustrations by Nancy Munger, whom I appreciate for her happy faces.

The author selected Proverbs that are understandable and applicable to children. She explains each proverb in verse form, and includes the biblical text underneath. The illustrations match the text, and both are well executed.

The other day, I pulled this book out to read to my children. Bethel (age three) in particular enjoyed this book. She kept looking at the pictures long after I had finished reading.

I’ve seen the Elizabeth George books, I wanted to like them, but ultimately I was disappointed with the text and artwork. The poetry made me cringe, the application didn’t fit the Scripture, and the artwork didn’t seem to fit the audience. The Kenneth Taylor book on Proverbs does a better job with application, but I don’t like it as well as the Sattgast and Munger book.

Wisdom, what is it?
It’s treasure untold!
It’s better than rubies
Or diamonds or gold!

For when you know God
And follow His ways,
Then you will be wise
The rest of your days!

(The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

I saw a troop of ants go by
One sunny summer day.
They gathered up my picnic crumbs
And took them all away….

Wouldn’t it be lovely
If we were just as bold
To do the things we ought to do
Before we’re even told?

Similar Posts:

• The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes
• Glimpses of God
• Can We Get Wisdom from Mentors?
• Learning to Be Wise
• Book Review: Sammy and the Shepherd

I noticed the library had a new acquisition in the children’s room: Why War Is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker.

Here is what Publisher’s Weekly had to say about the book.

In a startlingly graphic exploration of the horrors of war, Vitale (When the Wind Stops) first paints folk-like landscapes in his signature style, showing graceful, brown-skinned mothers cuddling their children, and birds soaring through the jungle. Then he crushes them, covers them with gray paint, or smears horrid, waxy substances over them, and collages the results—which, like the fruits of war, are the stuff of nightmares. Walker’s (There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose, Smelling Me) text is equally frightening. Of a “blissful” mother and child, she writes, “They do not smell War… Marching slowly/ toward them.” She shifts into second person: “War tastes terrible/ & smells/ Bad… You could die/ While/ Choking/ &/ Holding/ Your/ Nose.” Accompanying the latter passage, Vitale shows a creature made of some unspeakable, dripping, brown and green muck, in whose depths plastic soldiers are buried and whose face has the shape of a skull. The final spread offers a view from inside a deep well. Its walls are encrusted with some brackish substance, and 11 dark faces—mothers, children, a man in a suit—peer down into it. “Now, suppose,” Walker concludes, “You/ Become War/ It happens/ To some of/ The nicest/ People/ On earth:/ & one day/ You have/ To drink/ The/ Water/ In this place.” Leaving kids feeling more aware than ever of their helplessness in the face of real and terrifying issues beyond their control, this book may be even more disturbing than a fact-based presentation. Ages 4-8.

Take a look at the book. Is it true that war is always a bad idea? As a part of the US military force, I recognize the horror of war. I believe war is a terrible thing, but sometimes the horror of war is necessary. If my husband and I did not believe this, we would not be a part of our military.

Is there never honor in war? Does all war kill indiscriminately? Does war ever care about the civilians going about their daily lives? This book shows the violence and evil and none of the good. It is not a good book on war for any child, let alone for those whose parents are a part of the US military.

Would you give this book to a child whose father or mother is deployed? Training for a mission? How do you pray for your pilot daddy, when you’re given a book telling you that war never cares for people, old buildings, and the environment?

I’ve found a number of children’s books on war, and never felt so angry as this. There are far better ways to teach children than this. This book has no place in a US military library.

Next week, we’ll be at the library in town. We’ll eat lunch with Daddy another day.

p.s. In all of the air force libraries, it appears to be only two places: here at Holloman, and Ellsworth Library in South Dakota.

Similar Posts:

• Somebody Is Bullying My Child: Part 1
• The Christian Military Spouse
• We Need Each Other
• Banned Books Week
• Military Deployment

We just finished The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes once again. I think this is the third or fourth time we’ve gone through it.

I have the older edition, the one with realistic illustrations. I feel somewhat strongly that the illustrations should not be cartoonish, because we’re trying to communicate the reality of God’s Word. Bible stories are not in the same category as their many picture books, so I like for the illustrations to be distinctive as well. I’m not suggesting that children will be confused, but that I have a specific goal that is communicated best with realistic artwork.

Each picture comes with a Bible story that Taylor explains in simple, easy to understand language, without distorting the truth of God’s Word. I appreciate that Taylor does not add conjecture or imagined details for interest. When we first started reading the book, I was bothered by the “negative” parts of the stories. It seemed, especially in the Old Testament section, that people were always making God angry. But I came to realize that without God’s anger at sin and wickedness, the need for salvation is minimized. I have concluded that the book provides a good balance.

The stories are short, but they are understandable for a young child, particularly for children ages 2 through 4, roughly. Our baby (13 months) climbs up occasionally on daddy’s lap when he’s reading, but most of the time she’s in the room, aware of the routine, but not understanding the story. Bethel (three years old next week) understands some of it. Some of her lack of understanding is developmental, I believe, and some is simply a lack of attention. Having pictures helps, and I’ve noticed that when the picture engages her mind, she’s more likely to pay attention.

Finally, each story includes good questions and Scripture references. We’ll probably come back to this book in a bit, and read the Scripture instead of the story.

For now, we started going through Leading Little Ones to God. I’ll tell you what I think when we’ve gone through it a bit more, but so far we’ve been pleased with it.Similar Posts:

• Paying Attention in Church
• A Light on the Path: Proverbs for Growing Wise (Book Review)
• Storytelling and the Third Person Trick
• Evening Devotions
• Over and Over and Over and Over