This is the third draft of this post.
I’m having a hard time writing what I really mean.
It all started because I bought a Bible storybook on Amazon and when I read the “Letter to Parents” inside the book it said something about a certain type of theology. Well, this made my ears perk up and I started skimming through the book to see why they even had to mention what theological camp they were coming from.
I got to one specific story and had to read it out loud to my husband because I wasn’t sure I agreed with it. After reading it aloud, I was sure. They were certainly in a specific theological camp–one that I’m not in!
This isn’t a theology that’s sending people to hell or anything totally creepy. But the way this book so desperately wanted to get this message across (and the way they were explaining it to kids) made me feel weird. I had to close the book and am going to pass it along to the thrift store. It’s not one I want to read with my kids.
What’s the big deal?
I mean, it’s the Bible, right? It’s a kids’ book! How off-base could it possibly be?
Well. Not much. I could gloss over the story. I could skip it, even. There are probably several other stories in the Bible that I would love.
But I’m the gate-keeper to my children’s hearts and minds right now. Just as I don’t allow them to watch certain television shows or play games on my phone six hours a day, I want to control…or at least filter what comes into their hearts about God.
I’ve told you how much I love What’s in the Bible? several times. Well, as much as I love it, I have introduced it to my children as they are older. Why? Because there are conversations and thoughts I don’t want my kids to have yet. I don’t want my kids to know that there are people who argue about literal days of creation. I just want them to know God created the world.
Now that Lydia is 7 and in 2nd grade, we have conversations about “what happened to the dinosaurs”, “where did the people who didn’t make it on the ark go” and other church-theological questions. But I want to be the one to introduce those themes to her!
So, when I find a Bible based book, I have to check it first. Not because I think them reading a book that’s different theology than my own is equal to watching PG-13 movies or listening to foul music. Rather, I recognize that my kids’ hearts are malleable now. I know my children’s view of God, the Bible and church is being formed now. I don’t want to confuse or muddy that understanding.
I say all this to say: I’m doing my best to bring you good books in this series. I want to do the legwork for you. That’s part of my “job” on this blog. I want to take the stress off your shoulders of “how” to teach your kids about the Lord. I want to put tools at your fingertips so you can do the important stuff of actually leading your kids to Jesus. And if you’ve been around me and my blog for awhile, track with me and semi-respect my opinion, then you’ll probably love every book I post. But I want you to recognize that it’s not me (clearly, I don’t think you all think that highly of me!), your pastor, your kids’ Sunday School teacher or Small Group Leader or Children’s Pastor or even some book or movie is going to lead your kids to the Lord.
That is your job.
God gave you the honor and privilege of introducing your kids to the Him. Take everything I say and recommend with a grain of salt. Recognize author bias and human error in books and teaching. Let the Lord lead you as a parent for the hearts of your kids.
My favorite verse about raising godly kids is of course, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Bible based books, Bible storybooks are tools to help you impress God’s Word on your kids’ heart. God thinks you can do it. So, do I!
ps: I know, I’m a few days behind on my 31 Days…but they are coming, I promise! (Did I mention we had lice and fevers around here? And that my car died and my dishwasher broke? And I’m leaving for Allume on Thursday?! YIKES.)
Amanda, Thanks for sharing your heart! What a beautiful encouragement you are to us mamas to be the ones to share Christ with our kids. And such a heartfelt reminder to screen even the Christian books and story Bibles. One of the main things I look for in books and Bible storybooks for our kids- is that they tell the stories and the gospel accurately.There have been a number of times when I’m in the middle of reading and story, and stop and say, “Hmmm. I don’t remember it that way from the Bible. Let’s go look.” And that when pull our the “big” Bible to hear the true story. Love it and get frustrated by it at the same time. 😉
I appreciate you!
~Jessica
I almost put that idea in the post, Jessica. When we don’t understand something (or see something that raises an eyebrow) it’s the PERFECT opportunity to open the Bible and dig deeper. What a great example to our kiddos!
Thanks, Jessica! 🙂
a
Thank you for sharing this! All we expose to and teach our children is highly influential. I recently bought a Christian DVD that has won an award but uses words we don’t want our children to hear. It was very disappointing. I don’t even think some things should make it to the thrift store or into little hands.
Hi Amanda!
I found your blog a few months ago and have REALLY been enjoying the series you have been doing. Although I do not have any children yet, I am passionate about teaching truth to kids. I have found so many resources for kids that are either so “watered down” or focused on an agenda other than the Word that they are inaccurate. I believe that what we teach children about God at a young age strongly influences what they believe about Him as adults.
I have been loving reading your ideas for how you have been teaching your kids a love for God and the Word. This year I began teaching kindergarten at a christian school. I have been really enjoying seeing my students eyes light up as we talk about the Bible and about God. This series has given me some great ideas for resources to look into and use to help in spurring on a love for God and His Word, and to recommend to their parents so they can (hopefully) continue the teaching at home! Thank you for doing what you do and for taking the time each day to instill of love of God in them.
– Christin
Would be interested in knowing the book.
I agree with C. Martin…as a lover of books, I’ve actually thrown books and DVD’s away instead of donating them to Goodwill. Just didn’t feel right about that content ending up in another child’s hands. 🙁 Thank you Amanda for your tireless work in your reviews, blogs, posts, and sharing of yourself and ideas! If you wouldn’t mind, would you e-mail me the title of the book you’re referring to. I’m sure your review is accurate, and I don’t want to be mid-story, or mid-sentence with my children and retract statements. My discerning daughter picks up on ever-y-thing and would want a thorough explanation as to why we wouldn’t be continuing the story. Thanks!!
I totally agree with being the gate keeper to my children. But a tangent of that…
If I don’t want to expose my children to what I consider wrong theology, I don’t want to spread it to others either. You might not want to pass it on to the thrift store either.
My husband and other family members have often looked at me funny when I say I don’t want my son to be in the room when certain shows are on, or to be exposed to certain music seeing as he is only 4 months old it probably seems odd. But we are the gatekeepers, and it starts early. I want to make sure that I am intentional and consistent from the beginning with what I allow to enter my child’s heart and mind.
Hope you binned that book you wouldn’t read to the children instead of giving it to the thrift shop. That’s what I do with children’s bible books I wouldn’t read to my children.