Curriculum Review: New City Catechism created by The Gospel Coalition

New City Catechism Sunday School Curriculum Review

 & Adapted use for my local church proposal 

Price   Curriculum: Retail $90  Westminster Bookstore $58,  Amazon today: 58, CBD $50 

 Books for students:  Retail: $1.99  CBD $1.49 per book

Created by: The Gospel Coalition Edited by: Melanie Lacy              Published by Crossway.

Publisher Description:

The New City Catechism Curriculum features fifty-two engaging lessons developed from the questions and answers of The New City Catechism, designed to help children ages 8–11 learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith in a Sunday school, classroom, or homeschool setting. Each lesson includes three different outlines for 30-, 45-, or 75-minute sessions, a Bible passage and memory verse, a list of suggested materials, detailed instructions for activities, suggested prayers, and activity pages available for digital download—all created so that teachers can help children better understand the truth of God's Word and how it connects to their lives. The New City Catechism Curriculum is available as a boxed kit, containing lessons divided across three volumes, a resource book, and four copies of The New City Catechism for Kids.

Kit includes:

• 3 lesson volumes containing detailed outlines for a variety of settings.
• 1 resource book containing graphics and activity pages needed for the lessons. Also available as free digital downloads with purchase of a kit.
• 4 copies of The New City Catechism for Kids, a simplified version of The New City Catechism. Additional copies of this are also sold separately.

The kit is: 4 books. The orange, blue, and green are the LEADER or TEACHER guides. Purple is handouts/resources, and there are 4 small student books. 

Orange has the lessons on questions 1-20, blue is questions 21-35, Green is questions 36-52, the backs of the TG have the questions covered in that book for easy access. The lesson plans are so easy to follow, adjust, and know the content, each lesson has a suggested memory verse, big idea. aim, virtue, and bible passage cover page. Each TG book has the same intro written by the editor- a short sweet explanation of what a catechism is, the goals of this curriculum, and the goals of delivery with management types included (engage, connect, nurture heart application, how to pray and prepare), The lessons engage higher-level thinking and real-life application. 

Purple is the resource book to make copies of handouts, posters for lessons (also if purchased you can access the purple book content online.) It also contains 4 tiny and cute student books- which are just the 52 questions and answers. 

Student books: We are thinking we will have our students write down the concepts, passage, and key learning connected to the Bible study (teaching time) for each question.

We only have a 30 minute time slot and each part of the three guides gives a time limit with each activity- and suggested ways to use the curriculum in 30, 45, or 75 minutes- which is great.

I love that the main learning is to open your bibles, read one passage together, and then a brief vocabulary, concept, examples by a teacher, then discussion and activity suggestions to really learn the material, and connections to life virtues if you are living out this concept.  (we won’t likely have a lot of time for virtue connections) We will focus it as a weekly concept and Bible passage to learn and read together.  The teacher will prepare by planning how to read the passage together, what vocabulary needs to be explained, discussed, etc. (and the guides seem to do this well.) And will lead the large group in reading the passage together and briefly teach the content. 

I hope to pilot it this year with our grades 3/4/5 class. It seems solid theological curriculum and we will adapt to our needs by focusing on the content and concepts over memorization of the questions and answers in our short teaching/learning time. I think it will be easy to prepare from, and personalize to the teacher’s delivery style, and then focus 10-15 minutes on small group discussion.  We will allow parents to choose the memorization piece at home.  

My plan for the time: (will change with actually experience and input from our people)

 10:30-10:40 am singing (or start class with small group review as parents check in?)

 10:40 review/open with prayer

 10:45-11 am Teacher leads the large group through the Bible passage, shares the Q/A. 

 11:00-11:05 Students write the passage and key word definitions in their small book or notebook? Or we give stickers to place in? (but writing reaches their brains better.) 

 11:05-11:20 am (we should encourage parents to get their youngest children first and oldest children last.)  Small Group discussion time.  4^th grade boys, 5^th grade boys, 4/5 girls. 

 

Because Catechism is a liturgical word, could be a trigger- or make us seem too ‘high church’, we think we would call this the New City Curriculum, and here’s a draft of what we might give parents/teachers to describe it as:

 A one/two year curriculum where we are taking big theological concepts and letting our upper elementary students study the doctrine and what it means from the Word of God by taking one bible passage each week and discussing the key concepts it teaches, and thinking about how this applies in life.  

 Each week will feature doctrines that build on one another like: eternity, trinity, God, glorifying God, the law, sin, redemption, the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, His death, faith, salvation, Holy Spirit, Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Word of God.  

 The curriculum is organized as the traditional reformed churches catechism, but our emphasis will not be on memorizing Q & A, our emphasis will be on studying these key concepts from the Bible, and being sure that our children grasp the vocabulary, concepts, and teaching from key passages in the Bible.  We will review the concepts, not the Q & A. 

 

If approved as a curriculum, I plan to start a model of taking the curriculum and adapting it to focus more on thinking/learning than memorizing.   That would be built as a review document for the discussion leaders and would share the key learning to write in each student book. (or stick in).  But it's almost all in the curriculum- so I just need to be sure our teachers have the goal in mind. 

 I also want a scope/sequence list with the Question, the answer, the passage, the key concepts, etc.  So you have an overview in a few pages of the full scope and plan.   

 I have not yet read every part of every lesson/activity.  But here are some observations:

 ·       It seems very neutral, straight forward introductory level concepts that would build a solid foundation of key vocab, concepts, and doctrine.  And the aim is to help children grasp the life concepts of faith.

·       Example big ideas:

·       Those who have been redeemed by Christ have the confident hope of spending eternity with the triune God free from sin.   (q52)

·       When we pray, our attitude mattes (q39)

·       Example aims:

·       To help children anticipate eternal life confidently (q52)

·       To help the children consider how what we know about God should influence the attitude with which we pray (q39) 

 

So the parts of the curriculum we would use:  (and I think it’s understood that we choose curriculum for the outcomes to teach, and we trust our teachers to pick/choose the activities to deliver the content and teach the concepts.)

•  TG: Intro page with:  question, answer, Big Idea, Aim, Memory Verse, and Virtue listed.
• Student q & a books- to add the content learned.
• Teacher would read the whole lesson and choose how to use the 15 minute teaching time. (but the curriculum has a teaching outline for 15 minutes already done and they seem well done and the discussion/question time is prepared as  5 minute time, but there are activities to include as well.)
•  Teacher or curriculum support would create a teaching point note page with:
•   discussion or activity plans for small group,
• what to write in the student books (passage, vocab or aim/big idea- copied or rephrased)
• what to review

Pros:

• Bible study for our students- with thinking and talking expected of all students.
• Simple preparation, but solid teaching concepts/doctrine.
• Curriculum is designed for 30 minutes or 45 minutes- our other curriculum is designed for 60-75 minutes.
• Clear big idea stated, clear aim, key passage. (direct, easy to follow, and what will be accomplished in one day’s lesson- in CDG the aims/outcomes spiral, but a list of 10ish is presented with most lessons, so our teachers have to figure out which one-three to cover in one class, and how to build/review.)
• Will meet the needs and levels of ALL our kids- as some our of families are very biblically literate and some of our families choose us because we teach the Word of God, but the children will be able to: be exposed to a concept- and if it’s new- that’s expected. If it’s not new- reading the passage and the discussion can expand to the child’s knowledge, wonders, and questions.
• Systematic- we can choose which topics to cover, and the depths- but if we are designing a plan to create biblically literate children this seems like a great systematic approach to build in.  

Cons: 

• Catechism (could be a trigger- and if followed directly the curriculum expects each q & a to be memorized, so if our plan isn’t clearly communicated, our teachers could emphasize the true catechism and memorizing the q/a)
• Memory verse for each week, but not time to really emphasize this aspect or learn in class, even hear all the students recite the next week.
• No one has read all the teaching outlines. 
• Virtue visions- not time for, but they seem interesting and fun, perhaps could be shared with parents to discuss at home (making it a pro?)

Book Review: Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honnegger of Noonday releasing August 14, 2018

I finished the book in three sittings, in less than a week, and I must say, this book is therapy for my soul as I’m potentially reinventing my life this fall. I’m predicting NY times bestseller. The author reaches us in our head, hearts, and hands, with an amazing sister-like approach, honesty, truth, and love, that moves the reader to action. I read a lot of books from well known Christians, and this by far is my favorite book in this past year or more.

I was drawn to the title....Imperfect Courage. I was intrigued by the cover. I was motivated to read this book when I read the description about Jessica invites you in to learn self compassion. and the description of promises that she would help the reader soul search and embrace her God given identity, passions, self, and expand and create a culture of collaboration, community, sisterhood, all while being set free from whatever entraps you. And she vulnerably and authentically achieves this with compassion, real life testimonies, and her own tough love honesty.











She encourages you in a therapeutic(my word) soul searching process. I read tons of women’s Christian life and inspiration books, many which are the same instruction manuals,and are easy to read and ignore, but not so with this book. Jessica is your encourager, cheerleader, role model, and shares the testimonies of others who have joined her in this journey. 

Spoiler. 
The book ends with the encouragement of being a light as bright as the noonday, and how she named the company. While the book is light on scripture, it boldly and genuinely shares an authentic faith, her connections, and the truth she shares is very biblically driven with a Christian world view. I loved it and learned so much and feel like she has helped me process and plan out my own growth mindset to face my fears with God driven imperfect courage.

Book Review: The Eternal Current by Aaron Niequist

When your faith is shaken by life to the foundation or core-- you have options, our traditional responses are:

1) Double down to your faith that no longer works and it's practices that already isn't working for you.
2) Give up your faith- jump ship.  Pitch it...

but this book leads you to think- to have a growth mindset- seeking the Way of Christ, by inviting Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help you see that there are more options, more ways to deepen your faith, to live in love with the Lord Jesus, and to swim in the eternal current. 

Facebook Link to Aaron's 3 minute intro to the book.

As someone who was not familiar with a lot of formal practiced based faith practices, after the first two chapters I had more questions than answers, but from chapter three on, Aaron took a chapter to explain his discovery process, attempts in a church setting to include the liturgy, and other faith based practices, as well as his personal and family journey to live out faith practices in deep, meaningful ways. 

The book gives resources, ideas, and examples of these practices with the analogy of all of us swimming in the eternal current, and provides hope for even those who doubt their faith (as Aaron once did while working as a music team minister!).   It's thought provoking, encouraging, and generated ideas, thoughts, and personal connections for me to explore, build on, and recognize that I already had created my own faith based practices and found others, I just wasn't calling them 'practices.' 

This is a book that made me think, that I want to review/re-read- list quotes that I highlighted- and really process, examine, and enhance how ask God what practices would help me know Him better, not just believing him Him, but living a life that reflects and practices beliefs moment by probably pushes me from really liking it- to finding it amazing. Many books I read seem like a moment, hour by hour, season by season. And that makes it a GREAT book in my mind, and review, or for someone else, but this book the reader is a participant in, and also has a well researched with suggested readings to grow further. 

Waterbrook says this about the book:
A call for Christians to move past the shallows of idealized beliefs and into a deeper, more vibrant, beatitude-like faith rooted in sacred practices and intimate experiences with God.

This is what drew me to the book and I was not at all disappointed. As a believer, my hope is that faith is rooted in intimate experiences with God, and that is what this book highlights. And this is what will take time to develop and experience with God. (I highlighted 4 % of the book in a pdf form- that makes is so hard to highlight- it's that good). I'm going to paste some favorite quotes here- to give a picture of some thought provoking statements. 

*participate in that eternally flowing good work through practices that allow God’s Spirit to do what only God can do. Grace alone makes the River flow, but we need to wade into the water. Grace alone makes the vine grow, but we need to build the trellis. Grace alone makes the wind blow, but spiritual practices help us humbly open the window, day by day, moment by moment. The invitation is participation. (location 83)
* Location 190 And so we began to experiment with different forms, practices, and ways to worship.

*Location 205 God’s grace drenched us as we stumbled and splashed around with new (old) practices and worship forms. I couldn’t wait to see what was around the corner.

*Location 279 But at the Practice, there is nowhere to hide and it forces me to engage. I’m not sure I always like it, but I know I need it.”

*Location 427
I began to understand that the invitation of Christ has to do with far more than my personal salvation. While I am clearly a sinner and my only hope is Christ, securing a guarantee about my eternal destination did not seem to be Jesus’s central concern.

*Location 445 
We cultivate our God-given talents so they can be used to help the whole. We soak in the Scriptures to let God’s story wash over us. We draw close to the poor because Christ is with them in a special way. Discipleship and mission and community no longer sound like optional add-ons but are essential to living fully into the invitation. When we get clear about the full extent of the big story, a practice-based life becomes a tangible way to humbly say yes

*Location 535
Brother Lawrence] thought it was a shame that some people pursued certain activities (which, he noted, they did rather imperfectly due to human shortcomings), mistaking the means for the end. He said that our sanctification does not depend as much on changing our activities as it does on doing them for God rather than for ourselves.

*Location 909
What is the ache that this beatitude addresses? • How do we tend to avoid and distract ourselves from this ache? • What is the kingdom reality that Jesus offers to address this ache? • What practice can help us align our ache with Jesus’s kingdom vision?

* Location 1071
“When you boil it all down, each spiritual discipline is simply a slightly different way to offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.” It really is that simple . . . and life changing.

*Location 1104
“For the next three to six months, what concrete practices will help me close the gap between my deep longing and my lived reality in terms of my relationships with God, myself, my community, and the world?” 

*Location 1218
Ecumenism helps us humbly receive and participate in the full reality of what actually is—so the world might know the One who holds it all together.

*Location 1240
Sabbath keeping, biblical lament, Lectio Divina, praying for the world, washing feet, inductive Bible study, Passing the Peace, the discipline of celebration, and on and on.

*Location 1428
It’s challenging when you realize that almost none of the commands can be fully obeyed in a traditional church gathering. (a comment on we can't live faith alone or only in church!) 

Having not having been part of the Practice, when Aaron Niequist (author) talked about the Eternal Current- a river of grace- swimming in the stream-- with these new practices- I admit I had confusion and felt like I might not grasp the book since these analogies seemed pretty generic and vague- and his initial comments about his childhood faith were more critical than my experiences in the same faith based group have been. So I didn't know if these new ideas would be relevant for me. But I love to learn- and I love to read- and my interest was peaked. 

After reading the first two chapters, as I said earlier,  I had more questions than answers, and I had no more book... so that was interesting- but when I was able to get the entire book- and continue reading- it all came together, and most importantly, most if not all of the basic terms, concepts, and examples were better defined and explained in subsequent chapters. So my worry was unnecessary. 

Each chapter explored a different aspect of learning to live a practice based faith. Aaron shares from his personal experience, reading, exposure through the Practice, and his acquaintances with other faith based leaders, priests, authors, musicians, etc. His embracing diversity and the One Church- the full church universal who all have different styles, traditions, etc but are worshiping the same God, and we can learn from one another. 

His call is challenging, complete with volumes of suggested reading if a reader wants to grasp with even more depth the concepts or practices highlighted, but there are also examples, and even some practices given to try immediately. So it is a great way to be exposed and learn how to swim in the eternal current...and I've continued exploring and pondering since I finished my first reading of the book two months ago, and now I have the hard copy to highlight, make notations, and really dig into. 

Bethany Partner Review: The Spirit-Led Heart Living a Life of Love and Faith without Borders by Suzanne Eller

Want to be set on a path of empowerment? Learn how to be confident & bold? Be comforted when you are hurt? Recognize that you are equipped and empowered by a helper to live a life of faith and love without borders?  This book will explain and share personal stories of how the Holy Spirit helps each believer deepen her faith, find courage, use her gifts, and handle uncertainty.

It is well written, in a conversational, approachable style. Each chapter shares the Word, a Spirit Led Promise, A Spirit-Led Invitation, and a prayer that challenges or reminds your heart of all that God reveals through the Holy Spirit.

This book is powerful, encouraging, thought provoking, and helpful.  As I started to read, my life was completely upside down as I grieved a relationship that is failed and the uncertainty of determining what is best for a child we've parented and loved as our own for over four years.  So my heart was broken and pouring out.  I had given up the thought that I could fix anything- or rely on myself- but struggling with how to hear God's voice, trust Him fully, and stay focused on His providence, plan, and provision for the immediate needs and every step of the way. 

Throughout this 'primer' on the Holy Spirit and all of the aspects He brings to the believer, I was encouraged, challenged, and able to recognize that the Spirit is with me and God will reveal in His timing and through the Spirit all that I need to know and experience.  So I found peace. I found comfort. I admit I've rested in revisiting head knowledge while taking what I know and learning to live out my faith and belief in my circumstances.

Suzanne Eller's counsel is wise. Her concepts about truth vs a lie or an almost truth, are spot on, and her theology matches the Bible well.  But it's her vulnerability and the fact that the book is written to ''us" or with the pronoun "we".  She has included you in what she is learning to remember, to frame her beliefs, and to explore how to grow and surrender to our Great God, with the Helper directing our minds and choices.

The book is one that I highlighted, starred, and marked up as I went. I love that there are group discussion questions at the back, and hope to re-read it with a group in the future. It's a book I can highly recommend. I love partnering with Bethany House Publishers and getting new books to read and review.

This quote is something I have shared from my reading, and adopted as a clear mantra for me:

I also found empowerment in this truth:
































My recent Holy Spirit connections....

The Holy Spirit- One aspect of the Trinity.  I enjoyed teaching my Sunday School class about the Holy Spirit this spring and all that he adds to knowing God, knowing that Jesus rescues us, and the Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us.   It's a practical promise to really grasp in your heart and mind.  And the Holy Spirit in Acts comes as fire, wind and breathe- with great power and presence, and with five year olds these are fun concepts to act out, discuss, and think about.

So when an opportunity to review a book about a Spirit-Led life came up, it seemed divine intervention that I should read it.  Even the cover is soothing, and brings about a calming feeling as you look at it. 

The Lord brings into our lives often by the work of the Holy Spirit things we need to know, be aware of, respond to, or grow in.  And this book is an amazing tool to help process the role of the Holy Spirit, as well as, to begin practicing the presence of God via the Holy Spirit in your life.   And processing faith based practices, has been something I've been exploring this year as I ask the Lord to RESTORE me as He would use me to glorify Him.  

Book review: Always We Begin Again by Leanna Tankersley

I have now read the book, listened (first) and I re-listened to parts of the book as well.  In my reading on the kindle, I highlighted aspects and copied quotes into a notebook to review again and again. 

Leanna Tankersley teaches us about ourselves by sharing her own introspection and process over her adult lifetime.  She speaks therapeutically when she reminds us that it is our job (especially as women) to dialogue with ourselves as you would a friend, not an enemy.  She shares that often our response to shame or to self is to treat yourself negatively, critically, but it really is important that we learn and remember how to treat me- and recognize we aren't failing, things are hard because things are hard,...  So she shares how she searches for herself, in a move it forward manner, including looking at the source, her deeper belief, knowing she's made for more, to be well, and to follow God's voice.  And to recognize that we often put ourselves in a cyclical pattern, instead of stepping forward in the next step of our journey. 

Her approach to receiving rest- is one I wholeheartedly agree with- she quotes St. Augustine "Our heart is restless until we find rest in Thee."  Then St. Benedictine- "Always we begin again." She sees this as the holiness of repetition.  The *practice* of beginning again is a gift you give yourself. 

This book uses terms and language that are counseling or therapy oriented, some religious and benedictine, and widely used, but can have different meanings, and one of the reasons I was drawn to this book.  Phrases such as:  "always begin again", "the practice", "listening" as a practice, being "centered", "be present", "hold space for myself"  terms that I've not been raised with to have the same priority as they seem to have today, but she also uses key theology phrases (I think in the same way I learned them) to share what seems to be a biblical world or self view- like "seal", "rooted", "breathed new life", "love', "God's grace", "mercy",... so this is part of my process- knowing that I am understanding the concepts. 

The author is sharing how she has learned that in life- it is necessary to 'begin again' often, but it's not as simple as saying 'redo' like we might do with our children on a morning when everything has been off.  For adults who are growing, communing with our Great Creator and God,  it's a bit more introspective than that.  She combines the liturgy, spiritual practices, and then creates her own terms from her life experiences that she uses from that point on. 

Not only must we 'begin again' but we must be willing to make sure we know we are 'held', 'sit in the truth', "eliminate the dead trees" that our blocking our view- we may need to "burn away" some raw edges, and put our big girl pants on (my term she has a more poetic way of discussing her inner 9 year old self) and face who we are, who we want to be, and how we may need to see ourselves differently with grace as we would a friend, so that we can move ahead, grow, and truly find rest in the Lord and in living this life.  She speaks poetically (similar to Ann Voskamp at times, but her own flair for words.) Mixed with words or concepts from "prophets, monks, and mystics" like "choosing the opening up," 'held-ness", "sit in this truth", "feel centered and rooted and you will feel connected to God and to your own soul,"  words that could be concerning or viewed as new age, but I am learning that we are in an era, where we find language that researchers will use, that people before our time used, that are religious or soul terms, and it seems we are mixing this language into our faith based practices because perhaps this language can articulate clearer, that which is hard to express and is within us.  So I admit, that's part of my uncomfortableness in hearing and reading this book. I'm working through the meaning and implications of the concepts being explained or revealed.  But I'm recognizing that it is a strength as I'm making this my own process and thoughts, and taking what perhaps on my own, I would never have found words to share. 

 My review is between I really liked it and it was amazing- because it's a book that draws you to think deeply (which makes it amazing in my thinking) but at times my own mind is too cluttered to really grasp all of the expressions and applications that the author used in her story telling, and I'm having to re-read and re-think as I internalize, and maybe that's an argument for marking it an 'amazing' book.  Perhaps I need my own scale! 

The book does whisper the Word throughout it, and the author shares how she comes to interpret and think about different people in the Old and New Testament and the process and message from the Lord as we have their examples to learn from in the Word.  I didn't overly examine them, but none of her connections gave me pause theologically or hermenutically. 

My first review a month ago, after only listening to it...

I'm still processing this book, and need to begin again-- as I listened to the book, and there are so many thoughts that if I were reading, I would re-read, take a note, process, etc.  I have paused as I read to internalize, but this book I will listen to several more times I imagine.  I was attracted to this book from the post on Ann Voskamp's blog, I was also interested as knowing that Shauna Niequist wrote the forward to it, and the title alone- it would have a language and feel that I've become familiar with through Brene Brown and Shauna Niequist books. The benedictine aspect intrigued me as I know that the liturgies and practices of old so often are still vital and essential. 

I found this book more intentional, more biblically oriented than I expected.  I sort of expected a level of cliche phrases that were pretty generic and undefined, and that is not what I got.  I was so pleased to have "begin again" explained, modeled, evaluated and as well connected to truth.  There are a few questions in my mind about some of Leanna's techniques to find herself, but that's real thinking and evaluating, so it is helpful. 

The author and I are close to the same age- and I can envision her life easily and her attempts to embrace rest as well as releasing hurt-- it takes being brave- vulnerable-authentic and real and that's what I appreciate most-- her unguarded sharing of her learning and processing how to be herself and be the best person she truly is- all the time.

Thanks to my public library for the audio version of this book and to netgalley for an e-version to review and share my thoughts.  

Book Review: Waterbrooks' Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett

Part of whispering the Word to our kids- is being sure we are in a mindset of faith, belief, and letting the Word transform us.  I choose to read mainly fiction and non-fiction books that will help me think at higher levels and evaluate, analyze or synthesize how I process and internalize the Word of God.  This book is a great example of that.  The characters thinking and processing of a few scriptures is shared throughout the storyline and is authentic, vulnerable, and realistic even in today's world.  So I'll recommend this fiction read to teens on up... and if you have a tween who loves historical fiction with a big of suspense I don't see any issues with letting them choose a 340ish page book to read.  It could easily be a literature circle book with 10 questions at the end of the book from the author, and you could analyze many great writing elements or character development reading this together and I expect you would ALL enjoy it thoroughly.... The authors style, depth, and writing would be a great model to mirror for developing writers.  

I read a lot of books. It's new for me to regularly be reading fiction again, and historical fiction especially with a little romance has always been something I enjoy. But Karen Barnett, a new author to me, has blown me away with her ability to make a national park come alive, with intriguing characters, and unpredictable page turning plot, as both Clark and Olivia search out their identity and ultimately their identity in Christ. 

This book releases June 5, if you pre-order and submit your receipts here, you can get her first park ranger book free!  

This book is well written, and the characters come to life, as they are so well developed, but not predictable. I like that faith is a theme of the story, but in authentic real ways. Scripture is shared when it fits a conversation or when it might be present in a character's mind, but it is not overly emphasized so that someone who may not believe in the Word of God would still enjoy the tale, and might be encouraged to wonder in similar ways. 

One of my favorite parts of their storyline is that both question what God is doing in their lives, is He even still present and guiding them, and what does He have in store for the next step. Without spoiling the content, I think Chapter 18 is a great representation of a real, alive and growing faith dialogue, that many don't think can be discussed out loud, but it is portrayed in a real and authentic way, and accurate to how I have had God work in my own life. 

I enjoy a lot of books. But I feel like after reading this book, my 5 star rating may over rate other books I've read previously. I am blessed to have an ARC from the publisher, I wanted to try a new author and I'm thrilled to share an honest, positive review... now time to see if my local library has her other books!

Book Review: The Lifegiving Parent by Clay and Sally Clarkson

The Lifegiving Parent:          Clay, with Sally's input, writes about "Giving Your Child a Life Worth Living for Christ." This book is, in many ways, a summary of the core parenting messages they have taught for over twenty years. Lifegiving parenting is about more than simply giving your children a "Christian life," but about giving them the life of Christ 

Clay and Sally Clarkson have their own ministry.  The online home is: https://wholeheart.org/

They are well known authors and trainers in christian ministry.  I've read only a few of Sally's books- my favorite being Different by Sally and Nathan Clarkson.   

I haven't read other books in the lifegiving series, and didn't even realize it is a series until I was into this book.  But the subtitle of giving your child a life worth living for Christ is definitely a goal in our home.   And Different is so inspiring and practical, I wanted to see if I loved this book as much.  

This book is more of a philosophical book to help parents process the foundation of their home based on who God is and how He is present in your home.  Clay seems to be the main author and boy, he is a solid biblical educator, who can explain what a word means in the greek and then explain why that concept is so relevant for today.  Sally in the foreward says this is a book that will give 'couples a book to read together to shape a philosophy of how to give your children the life of God in their homes."   Clay describes his goal as giving the "life of God" to parents which many parenting books overlook.    

I just assumed it would be a balance of philosophy and practical suggestions with stories that intrigued me and kept me reading.  I was incorrect.  This book is primarily the teaching from the Word of God about Who God is, and how to life not a christian life or create a christian home, but on how to center your life/home on the life of Christ and imitating Him.  

After the introductory chapter, the book shares 'heartbeats' to help you 'start living like a lifegiving parent.'   It follows a formula that is more than just the philosophy, but the meat of the book is primarily exegesis of the Word of God by Clay.  Each heartbeat starts with a story or cultural connection to explain the heartbeat, then shares passages from scripture that 'form a complete, holistic biblical idea.'  This is followed by some steps to implement this idea, then Sally's lifegiving Momoirs then Lifegiving ParenTips, and ends with a brief Startging the Heartbeat of Parenting Lifegiving.  

The book is systematic, linear, and does create a plan and strategies to life a Christ like life and replicate this in your home and in front of your children.  Many people will appreciate the style, the solid teaching, and the layout with little need to think for yourself about this principle.  I'm hoping that the companion guide written to go with the book will promote higher level thinking and more engagement. 

The heartbeats are great points and ideas for raising your children.  I found them to be sound and great ideas, and I learned about some greek words I did not know and grasped principals that I would not have been able to solidly support with biblical connections, if it weren't for the teaching in this book.  But I found the book itself to be very personality driven, and I suspect that many of the other Clarkson books are similarly developed, so if you love all the Clarkson books, this book will suit you well.  But if Different is your main connection to Clarkson's books, go into this purchase aware that it's not the story telling advice and connections as the main learning connection in the first 208 pages.  Then you get an update on where each child is today, and the book ends with appendixes of the 24 family ways, knowing your child's personality, and notes.  

The book did make me think about some of the teaching's and interpretations shared.  For instance there is a main point, that you need to know your child as good. At face value, I wasn't sure that I agreed with that statement. In our home, we often have discussed that we are all 'bad' because of the sin in our lives, but that Jesus makes all things new within us when we accept the free gift of eternal life by accepting his death, Resurrection, and substitution before God for our sins.  The author is making the point, that we need to recognize and acknowledge that our children are growing. learning, and deserve encouragement, recognition, and praise for the good that shows in your home and in their lives.  That I agree with.   But I did pause and think.  

I'm thankful for a life that has brought me under good teaching of the Word, for a Bible College one year education that had me think about family life and my role in a home where Christ is the center first of my marriage, and then of my home.  Teaching that had me recognize as a teen that I needed to live a Romans 12:1,2 life of transformation, and to know that it is my job to die to self, and live for Him.  My ultimate goal is to live for the glory of God and to grow to be more like Him, by renewing my mind, heart, and soul through the Word of God, prayer, worship, and christian fellowship.  So for me this book, was a good review in a very linear style of the foundation philosophical tenets of a Christ like life and how to transfer them through modeling this in the Shema (walk and talk) of life.  

It's not my favorite style of writing, or presentation format, but I know I am unique and many will be inspired and unable to put this book down.  In many ways I think my hesitance to wholeheartedly celebrate this book as a tool for all, is the direct teaching that sort of boxes parents in, or is suggesting a works based? (not sure if this is the right wording) approach to a faith based practice that parents could achieve these principles in much less formal techniques and I would have liked it more if those techniques were included in the author's perspective. 

Thank you Tyndale for the opportunity to review this book.  I love to share my views and to read ALL types of books.