Product Description
Available September 15, 2010.

Are children safe at your church? Have you taken any precautions to ensure they won't be abused? Do you know for certain that volunteers who work with children don't have criminal backgrounds? If you aren't sure how to answer those questions, you need Let the Children Come, by Jeanette Harder, who teaches social work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Through Let the Children Come churches and/or ministries can learn how to create procedures and
policies to keep children safe from abuse, and to help families break the cycle of abuse. ... Read more

Product Description
Six studies of six faiths.

The World Religions series explores the major religions of our world today. Focusing on the six main religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism, each title looks first at one person's experience, and then examines the facts, arguments and opinions from around the globe. Special debate panels, supported by a wealth of resource material, invite the reader to discuss the issues that are currently shaping our world.

Young readers will learn about their own faiths and will receive answers to important questions such as: What is Jewish Law? What is enlightenment? Do Sikhs believe in an afterlife? Should we question the truth of religious books such as the Bible? What does the Hindu way of life aim for? These questions and many more are explored in detail, providing readers with a glossary and resource guide for further reading.

Written by educators, these books are well researched, carefully written, and are credible resources for young students. Parents will appreciate the open and sensitive treatment of each religion. The World Religions series is an important contribution to helping increase cultural awareness and promote tolerance. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Energizing Children's Ministry in the Smaller Church
Excellentand very readable in a short period of time.
Enjoying as well as chock full of direction and ideas.
I recommend this for the whole church. ... Read more

Product Description
Aren't three- and four-year olds too young for catechesis? Not according to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This book provides a method for fostering a child's spirituality through respect for the child's awe and wonder. Published by Liturgy Training Publications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A must read
A must read for anyone interested in the CGS program.It provides both a nice overview of the philosophy of the program and describes the nuts and bolts of presenting some of the major concepts.Not a how-to manual by any means.

Wonderful guide for CGS
I am currently using this book as part of my studies while I am in the training for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It is as well organized as it can be, being that everything in the program is SO inter-connected. Others who have read this book with no previous experience with the Catechesis are provided with a wonderful insight and some background information. I highly recommend this book and the program itself!

A Great Book for Parents & Grandparents
This is a WONDERFUL book.I'm a Sunday School teacher, and I reccomend this book to both parents and grandparents who ask about things they can do in the home to support the faith of their children.The book provides background on the spiritual life of young children, and examples of things that can be done and how to do them - family rituals, children's prayer spaces, etc.It's a great resource and an inspiring read.

The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey
This book was an excellent help to me in planning how I can introduce the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to my religious education class.It is simple to follow and easily explained.I bought a second copy to give to my daughter to use with her daughters ages 3 and 5 to introduce them to the wonder and beauty of the Good Shepherd and the Mass.All around our parish I have been recommending it to parents of preschoolers to help them bring the children into the celebration of Mass but also to help them educate their little ones using the parables of Jesus. ... Read more

Product Description
Travel the P.A.T.H. to life-changing children's ministry leadership!

Craig Jutila, leader of the children's ministry for Saddleback Church, learned long ago that children's ministry requires skilled leadership and teamwork. In this book, through the four critical, foundational "pillars" of P.A.T.H. (Passion, Attitude, Teamwork, Honor) Craig shares key leadership insights and powerful practical leadership skills. A compelling portrait of what positive, visionary, passionate leadership looks like. Learn from one of America's top children's ministry leaders how to build (or rebuild) a purpose-driven children's ministry in your church. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Must Read!
I loved this book! Craig is an awesome author and speaker and is very practical and relatable. Our personalities are similiar, so I totally get where he is coming from in a lot of his personal stories. The book is very reader friendly and flows well. This book was so complete in that it talked about Children's Ministrytips, Christian growth and leadership. It covered every area because they are all so important in a successful children's ministry! I so enjoyed this book and learned so much from it and I look forward to reading every other book authored by him. Must read for any Children's Ministry worker in whatever capacity you serve.

OK
There is some good stuff here in terms of motivating people.Yet, again, as I have found with so many Christian works designed for children and family ministry--its rather shallow.There is little substance here in terms of scholarly or biblical depth.

So far so good.
I had trouble leading my Children's Ministry group and I found this book which gives us a beginners direction.Its not a super brain twister to read.It is OK. Good job Saddleback.

Just what I needed.
This book gives you the "big picture" view of Children's Ministry. It touches and motivates the heart to first seek Christ in our own lives. Only then we can effectively serve His ministry. I highly recommend this book.

GREAT HELP FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Craig has done an awesome job putting in to words what the heart of children's ministry leaders need.I loved this book so much I have purchased one for every member of my leadership team.
Can't wait to go through it with them! ... Read more

Product Description
This lively retelling of all the major events of The Old Testament is matched by exciting and finely painted action pictures. From the creation of the world and the fall of Adam and Eve, the stories unfold in historical sequence to give a complete and vivid picture of the people, places and events of the Bible. Information panels with photographs and historical illustrations add interesting facts about what life in biblical times was really like, and highlight learning points from each story. Suitable for children aged 8-12 years. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book some 25 scholars focus on the relationship between religion, children's literature and modernity in Western Europe since the Enlightenment (c. 1750). They examine various aspects of the phenomenon of children's literature, such as types of texts, age of readers, position of authors, design and illustration. The role of religion in giving meaning both in a substantive sense as well as through the institutionalised churches is studied from an interdenominational point of view (Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Anglicanism). Finally, the contribution of pedagogy and child psychology in the interaction between modernity, religion and children's literature is also discussed.

Various articles give a broad overview of the tensions between aesthetics and ethics and the demand for cultural autonomy in the development of children's literature. Children's bibles and missionary stories played an important part in the growing diversification of children's literature, as did the publication of illustrated reviews for children. Remarkable differences are highlighted in the involvement of religious societies and institutions, episcopally approved publishing houses and supervisory bodies in the publication, distribution and supervision of children's literature. This volume adopts a comparative approach in exploring the underlying religious, ideological and cultural dimensions of children's literature in modern society. ... Read more

Product Description
A young Japanese-American girl living in Honolulu with her family describes the beliefs and ceremonies of Shintoism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Introduction
Like the "I am Hindu" book, this book does not teach children much about Shinto itself, but it introduces them to the customs.

The book is physically small.It contains colorful pictures with captions, simple large print text, and pronunciation guides for foreign words.

I suggest checking to see if your library has the series. ... Read more

Product Description
It is important for children living in the multi-faith society of today to grow up with an understanding of the rich diversity of religious beliefs and customs that co-exist within their communities. Here is a lively and informative companion to religious education studies for children of primary school age. The main religionsHinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and others - are introduced in a clear, accessible manner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Terrific Book
Really a great book in that it gives you very good ideas. Anyone interested in starting their own ministry would benefit from this book.

Recommended highly.

Aida L. Irizarry-Santa
www.byreasonofpassion.com

Years of experience wrapped into a pleasant read
Steve Alley's experience in Children's ministry spans 25 years.Throughout that time, he has co-authored 14 volumes of his SKITuations drama curriculum with his wife, written the bible-school curriculum Biblical Choices for a New Generation, served as Children's pastor at three churches, and as a professor at Hope International University.He has boiled all of this experience and wisdom down into a very easy-to-read format and has used the running model of growing a garden to help us relate the complicated ideas to our own ministry.It is a very useful tool for the children's minister. ... Read more

Product Description

Many preachers are aware of the presence of children in Sunday morning worship and wish to include them effectively in worship, but have a hard time figuring out how to do so. Preachers who are unhappy with children's sermons in general and all the books of printed children's sermons in particular are looking for a theologically and educationally sound approach to preaching to congregations that include children. This practical guide offers preachers a variety of ideas and helps for making any sermon one that is suitable for both children and adults.

The author includes an introductory chapter on the importance of children's participation in worship during their elementary school years as part of their faith development. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how children "listen" to a sermon and the importance of planning for children in preparing sermons.

Customer Reviews (5)

most practical so far
I've read several books on incorporating children into a multi-generational worship gathering. Most are written from a more litturgical perspective, giving great arguments for the benefit and theories behind family oriented worship, but little practical advice for a more modern worship context.However, this book really helped give me some tools for making the sermon (lets face it, the hardest element for kids to connect with) more kid inclusive.I love that the goal is not to pander to kids or to give then a "childrens' sermon" that is seperate from the "real sermon", but to give them connecting points to the sermon that reinforces the truth that the sermon is for them too.Preaching to the entire family takes an incredible amount of creativity.You Can Preach to the Kids Too! helped build a framework for more practical, kid friendly sermons.The bonus is that most of the changes I've had to make also help the adults as well.

Pastor's point of view
I was looking for a book that would help my children sermons become more effective when preaching to children. preaching to children requires a special understanding of what grabs their attention, and keeps it for that short period of time you have it. Often my sermons were above kids understanding when I tried to keep it at their level. Carolyn gives great views and tools on the "type" of sermon and delivery. I wanted to keep it simple but yet powerful and real. You Can Preach to the Kids Too by Caroly Brown came recommend by a university professor and christian educator who's area of expertise is early childhood developement. Carolyn Brown offers great insight into what keeps children attention, the differentways children learn best. What Brown offers is not just "sit down and listen" but how to make the experience come alive. Recomend for children ministries.

A Must Read
If you preach, then you need to read this one! Great lesson on learning to make the sermon more meaningful not only to the children but adults as well. The book doesn't just give you theory but practical ideas for application and helps. The author doesn't always give a clear reason to why we do certain things with children, but there is enough to let you know why it is important.

All God's Children
Carolyn C. Brown provides many useful tools in her book.And as is quite common with ministering to children and youth, the more tools you can equip yourself with, the better.Her ideas of finding ways to encourage children to not only sit through a sermon but also to take something away from them are easily accomplished by even a fairly new sermon writer.

After suggesting that one alternative to a children's sermon is getting rid of it entirely, Brown showers the reader with ways in which to make a sermon more understandable and beneficial to all its listeners.From using language that children will understand to finding more exciting and illuminating ways of present Scripture, Brown continues to pack our tool boxes.

Several other ideas presented in the book provide options within the worship service itself, including not only the children but finding new and exciting ways to include the adults as well.

And in the sermon preparation itself, Brown opens the door for many possibilities from illustrations that relate to children to providing the children with projects and puzzles for them to work on in the pews.

Many of the points that are shared in this book are beneficial, some may seem quite basic.However, once they are put into action the results will be unmistakable.And remember, children are not the future of our churches; they are an active, full-bodied participant in the present.Let's not only treat them as such, let's show them they are important.

A Personal Favorite
This is my favorite book from my library (and you know how large a minister's library is).If you care about all the children of God (not just the ones over eighteen) than it should be in your library too.

Brown explains why it is important to preach sermons that reach children as well as adults.Telling a short children's sermon and then ignoring the kids for the rest of the service isn't enough.Pastors need to reach the children in the "real" sermon.

This book not only provided inspiration to preach to the kids, it also provided techniques, examples, and prompts to help me do it.From basic ideas like kneeling down to their eye level when you greet them at the back of the church, to things you probably would overlook like scripture stories children often find offensive, this book has it all.Even the most experienced pastor is likely to learn something new.

Some other features include:
- Important events in a child's year to preach on
- Organization and delivery techniques to catch children's attention
- Childhood experiences well-suited to be sermon illustrations
- Suggestions for using themes from popular children's stories
- How to use props well
- Designing effective children's bulletins
- Ways parents can help children be more involved

The book is well-written, well-organized, and easy to read.I skimmed it in a couple of hours and have refered back to it many, many times. ... Read more

Product Description
Six studies of six faiths.

The World Religions series explores the major religions of our world today. Focusing on the six main religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism, each title looks first at one person's experience, and then examines the facts, arguments and opinions from around the globe. Special debate panels, supported by a wealth of resource material, invite the reader to discuss the issues that are currently shaping our world.

Young readers will learn about their own faiths and will receive answers to important questions such as: What is Jewish Law? What is enlightenment? Do Sikhs believe in an afterlife? Should we question the truth of religious books such as the Bible? What does the Hindu way of life aim for? These questions and many more are explored in detail, providing readers with a glossary and resource guide for further reading.

Written by educators, these books are well researched, carefully written, and are credible resources for young students. Parents will appreciate the open and sensitive treatment of each religion. The World Religions series is an important contribution to helping increase cultural awareness and promote tolerance. ... Read more

Product Description
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Product Description

Now, with The International Children's Devotional Bible, children ages 6 to 11 can have a devotional Bible of their very own.Celebrated as the first Bible translated just for kids, the ICB is ideal for early readers.The artwork and familiar language of The International Children's Devotional Bible is sure to thrill the hearts of parents who are eager to get their kids turned on to the Word.

This beautifully illustrated story Bible is not a paraphrase, but the actual text of the popular International Children's Bible, from which are selected 260 complete Bible stories.There is a story for each weekday, bursting with illustrations by acclaimed artist Natalie Carabetta.

Customer Reviews (3)

What were they thinking?
I couldn't make it through Genesis reading to my 5-year old son from this book. The stories omit significant details, such as how God created Adam and Eve. I kept double checking to see if I'd skipped a page because with all that's missing, the final product doesn't make much sense. And then, whammo, we come to "sexual relations". I'm curious to know why the author found it necessary to do a such a hack job on the text, obliterating key points of the stories for supposed kid friendliness, and yet chose to emphasize the sex. Strange editorial choice. Aside from being intrigued by the author/editor's thought process and puzzling over how this edition may have evolved, I'm not impressed with this book.

There are other children's Bibles available that are easy to read and remain true the text. This is not one of them, and I don't recommend it.

Inappropriate translation for youngsters
One day, my 8-year old asks me what "sexual relations" are. Startled, I ask where she heard the term, expecting the source to be schoolyard chatter. Then she opens her Bible to page 6 and shows me the first sentence of Gen 3: "Adam had sexual relations with his wife Eve." My daughter continued, "sexual relations, sexual relations, it's all over the place, but what is it?" She points to another passage from Gen 24, describing Rebekah: "She was very pretty. She was a virgin; she had never had sexual relations with a man." I should appreciate the immediate translation of "virgin." Unfortunately, I think a Bible for "ages 6-11" should judiciously avoid the term. Are they trying to be "scholarly"? Then, my daughter remarks, "where is the oldest man...Methuselah? Or the one that never died [Enoch]?" She answered my question; this version is certainly not trying to be scholarly and exhaustive. It only deals with certain bite-sized portions of the Bible and excises huge chunks that it doesn't want to deal with, such as the geneology of Noah, which includes Methuselah and Enoch, etc. Therefore, I am dying to ask, why cut out so much of the Bible and yet try to be literal to the point of fundamentalism? And is this appropriate? Perhaps some of those people selling this Bible used for under one dollar agree that there's something not quite right with this book. It's too bad, because the drawings and editorial choices are generally good.

Good detail; adequate illustration; strange translation
I bought this book to use in my family's regular devotionals. I've been looking for a collection of well-illustrated Bible stories that is complete and accurate, yet written so preschoolers can understand. Although my search has not been exhaustive, this is as close as I've found.

This collection of Bible stories is apparently from a translation called "The International Children's Bible," an attempt at a Bible that children can read and understand. I give the effort a mixed review. For example, the Ark of the Covenant is translated as "God's Holy Box," which is too imprecise for my taste. Yet the text is overall easy to read.

The illustrations are adequate, and probably just right for children who know how to read. I'm reading these stories to my preschool-age children, however, and wish the illustrations were brighter and more engaging.

I like the prayer starters that appear at the end of each story. They help focus the reader's attention on what the story was supposed to teach. The included memory verses back up each story's message from elsewhere in the Bible.

This book is arranged in the same order as the Bible, but that arrangement is not well highlighted. For example, the story of Jesus's birth as told in Luke appears after the reader has already read a dozen stories about Jesus's ministry from Matthew and Mark. As a result, children might be confused, ... Read more

Product Description
The HELP! series provides highly practical, to-the-point advice for parenting and marriage problems identified as high felt needs from the Focus on the Family audience. The intent of the HELP! series is to offer quick, accessible, practical advice, an overview of the important elements of the topic, and realistic take aways for readers to immediately apply. Also includes additional resource referrals for where to get more help. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Help & Support
Very helpful reading for parents of adult children who live with you! It made me feel not so "alone" in the situation. Very helpful to me. ... Read more

Product Description
In every heart there is God's kingdom,
a holy place to pray.
Your soul is the home of God inside you,
each and every day. . .

"This is a wonderful invitation to children of all ages to enter into contemplative prayer and find inner peace, much needed in our troubled world. We can trust that God will work in the 6-minute silent prayer time of your readers - this is an outstanding opportunity to offer children."
-Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler, Director, Contemplative Outreach Ltd.

"Journey to the Heart tells you God is with you and loves you.Just remember God brought you to life so you should care and love Him too. Take time to pray with Him as I do."
-Austin Hopler, 9 years old

This simple, colorful, practical book uses rhyme and illustrations to teach children how to practice prayer of the heart, contemplative prayer, or "centering prayer." Ideal for parents, teachers, educators--and children ages 3-10. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A great gift for a young person
I gave this book to my granddaughter on her baptism day.It proved to be a very good choice.

Introducing Your Child To Centering Prayer

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6

Perhaps, like me, you have wanted to introduce and interest your children in Centering Prayer, but weren't sure how to do that. After all, most of us have taken an Introduction To Centering Prayer course that was composed of fourteen and a half hours and took six weeks to complete. How is a parent to condense that down into something our children will understand? Well a new book offers a way: Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children. This book, written by a member of Thomas Keating's organization, Contemplative Outreach, is an excellent guide and introduction to Centering Prayer for youth. It will appeal not only to the usual picture book crowd, but also to teens who will find it an accessible manual for contemplation. The book tells of God's presence within our hearts, how to access Him through the use of a sacred word "key" to unlock the door to our soul, and lays out seven simple steps to a six minute version of the prayer.

My nine year old daughter says... "It tells about how God is always with you and where you can go to be with God. And you could do it in silence or even when there's lots of noise."

My son, who is seven, advises... "It's a really good book. It's about God and the center of your heart where God is. You should get it...Yeah... You should get it!"

And well, there you have it, from the mouth of babes. We should listen.

Great book!
Very well done...Centering prayer is a great way to get children quiet and in touch with God during their busy day. Parishes all over the country are offering this prayer as part of their weekly offerings. Oh, by the way, the person who wrote the review "Dangerous for Children" needs to increase her medication and visits to the therapist.

another concerned parent
I have not read this book, but then, obviously, neither has "Concerned Parent". It is dishonest to review a book one has not read. I will balance out this false review to some degree by giving the book 5 stars.

Furthermore Concerned parent evinces no knowledge of the Christian contemplative prayer tradition or he/she would know that Centering Prayer is based on the practice of the early Christian monks described by John Cassian in his "Conferences", and "The Cloud of Unknowing", a mystical handbook written by an anonymous 14th Century monk. Centering Prayer is simply a distillation for modern people of the method recommended by these holy monks.

The Catechism does indeed endorse Centering Prayer, though not by name, when it says, "Contemplative prayer is the simple expression of the mystery of prayer. It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, an attentiveness to the Word of God, a silent love. It achieves real union with the prayer of Christ to the extent that it makes us share in his mystery."

This is a perfect description of Centering Prayer.

11-year-old Lexi's review
Since I'm over 50, it's hard for me to assess this book aimed at young readers. So I asked my friend Lexi B (11 years old) in Houston to read Journey to the Heart and give me her honest opinion of it. Here's what she wrote ...

"I read the Journey book more than two times, and its just amazing. A couple of times before I read this book I was having some problems connecting with God. And when I read it, it really did bring me closer. I am understanding a lot better what the lessons and readings in the church actually mean.

I really do recommend this book to children and or teens and pre-teens, to read this book and follow what it says. I believe that God will never let you go whether or not you know.

I really , really, really love this book!"

... Read more

Product Description
We live in violent times and it is very tempting to make easy and naive associations of good and bad, the righteous and the axis of evil. The articles in this book refuse to make such simple, uncritical and comforting distinctions. Indeed, they ask that we look to the origins of our own cultural/religious constructs to see what violence may lurk there and to realize that many acts of violence go almost unnoticed under the umbrella of societal norms or religious morality.This book contains essays from challenging thinkers reflecting on some of the many ways in which religion and violence overlap. It is not a comfortable read but it is a worthwhile one as it asks the reader to think beyond simple associations of religion and violence. Covering topics from the Holocaust to the violence of church music, from the genocide of women within situations of domestic violence, through the violence of economic systems to the violence of gender construction itself the book provokes and challenges. ... Read more

Product Description
This breathtakingly beautiful book will be read bychildren for years to come. The stories are simply and gently told butretain all the poetry and power of the Bible. They have been carefullychosen for the images they evoke, the symbols they represent, and themystery they contain. The illustrations, by world-famous artist UlisesWensel, capture scenes from the Bible with wonder, humor, andaffection. This is the most strikingly visual and readable childrensBible ever produced.

Includes glossary of names, places, and difficult Bible terms.

Stories from the Old Testament:

* Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

* The Story of Noah

* The Story of Moses

* Young David and Goliath the Giant

* Great King Solomon

Stories from the New Testament:

* A Cradle in a Manger

* Jesus in the Temple

* The First Disciples

* Five Loaves and Two Fishes

* The Last Supper

Dimensions (inches): 8 1/2 x 11 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful book!
I've been looking for the "perfect" children's Bible Book and am so glad Iwas lead to this book.My girls ages 4 & 5 love these stories and the pictures.

Great book for little kids
This is a beautiful book with large, historically accurate (almost) illustrations that engage children in the Biblical stories.Although it's not a complete Biblical overview, it does a great job.Because of the large illustrations, it's very good to use in classrooms discussions for elementary children. ... Read more