(Source- Creative Commons – Flickr)
Is it possible we’ve failed to bring the whole counsel of God as we teach the Gospel to our children? Many times, I believe the answer is, ‘Yes’.
In modern times, when families and churches think of teaching the Gospel to children, they think of Bible stories. We all know about Moses and the burning bush and Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. But did you or your children ever learn about why God destroyed thousands of Israelites in their rebellion, unbelief, and pride as they put other gods before Him?
Why Teach The Whole Counsel of God
The vision of David and Sally Michael, founders of Children Desiring God, is one of bringing before children, from the youngest ages, the whole counsel of God. In Acts 20:26-27, Paul declares to the Ephesian church that he is “innocent of (their) blood because (he) did not shrink from declaring…the whole counsel of God”. I assume that the responsibility Paul felt to impart this “counsel” to the church is the same responsibility we have to impart that “counsel” to our children. If we shrink from this responsibility, as Paul implies, we will be guilty of the blood of our children.
The vision of Children Desiring God teaches the whole counsel of God’s word thoroughly and clearly, building upon concepts from the youngest ages.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” ~Deuteronomy 6: 6-7
The Resources to Teach the Whole Counsel
Children Desiring God has a whole line of awesome curriculum for parents and Sunday School Teachers to use in teaching the Next Generation. The resources, including classroom-style curriculum, span many grade levels as well as studies for all ages, mid-week studies, and even materials in Spanish.
Fighter Verses are an incredible way to teach memorization of God’s Word.
Now, for parents, and use at home, Sally Michael has written books that can be used on the couch, snuggling, at bedtime or at the table in a more personal way between a parent and a child or in a family.
Don’t Overlook the Depth and Breadth of God’s glory:
- God’s Battle
- God’s Providence
- God’s Wisdom
- God’s Names
- God’s Word
- God’s Promises
- God’s Gospel
- God’s Design
Parents, I urge you to teach your precious children. You will be preparing them – ‘precept upon precept’ – to fight the spiritual battles and war ahead. Your children will indeed rise up and call you blessed for having taught them the richness and majesty of our Lord!
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,” ~Psalm 25: 4-5
Tammi Jarvis
These books look great. I would like to read them to my younger children and grandchildren.
Christine
I really love it when you recommend books. We have found many great books from your suggestions.
Jacqueline
Christine, that is so encouraging! Thanks for letting me know, because sometimes I think it doesn’t make a difference 🙂
it is God’s mercy and grace, dear mama. God bless you and your family 🙂
Kenda Bult
I would love to add these books to our bookshelves.
Jo Ray
I am very sorry I will miss this as I just learned of it and we will be moving then. God bless this initiative, for the glory of His Name!
Lonnie R B
The picture of that little girl is just too precious. God is a genius. Creating children just so, and our minds to just see them and want to know more about a topic because their adorable innocent look make us happy. The image popped out at me right away, and mommy alert went off “Oh, yay! Article about little children and how mama’s can be better at raising them! Yay!” I notice, even with people who claim to dislike children, that small babies and toddlers laughing, smiling, or looking just plain doe eyed will send them secretly smiling. Thanks for the info about the books, seems interesting. I know a friend who uses a similar curriculum and enjoys it.
Kimberly
My grandchildren love to read and be read to. They love to get a book as much as a toy and that makes us very happy! These look like wonderful books. I appreciate you, God Bless~
Kelly Spiro
LOVE Deep Roots at Home and all of the incredible information you share and ministry you give from the Word and your heart. God bless you as you continue to touch so many lives.
Janette
Thanks for the giveaway. My kids all enjoy reading a lot and I am always looking for good recommendations.
Nancy
Thank you for many insightful posts. I enjoy so many of them-always learning and being encouraged.
Ellie
I’ve shared your articles so many times! I live the variety of topics you cover, I feel like you fill a space as a mentor for me!
Jacqueline
Praise the Lord! It is His grace and mercy to us all! Thanks for that much needed encouragement, Ellie!
Misty
I agree that it is important to teach children the whole counsel of God. I was taught all the Bible stories growing up, but really only began to understand the whole counsel of God and how everything worked together as an adult when I began teaching my own children.
Danielle
This series looks great and a friend highly recommends it. I’d love to have them for assisting in teaching our little ones! Thanks to Deep Roots at Home for the opportunity!
Christy
I have always agreed with this mindset. I would LOVE to win these books to help me share His word with my babies!
rachel
These books look wonderful! Would love to use them with my boys!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Liz
I would be so blessed to own these books!!
Laura
Oh how wonderful of timing! I was just searching for resources to use! We are overseas workers spreading the Gospel in an area that flips from day to day with safety! We are in the states right now heading back in a month. And I am gathering 4 years of homeschool supplies! And we need some
Books that will help us teach God’s word.
Diana
Thank you for hosting this!
Marsha
Your so right, we need to teach the whole counsel of the Lord. And the fear of The Lord.
Vera Stalcup
Sounds like interesting curriculum
Erica
These books look great!
Barb S.
These look like wonderful books!
Gillian
Oh, I love this! I would so appreciate the books in our family’s devotional and family worship time.
Thank you!
alice
Thank you for this chance to win such wonderful books that will be a blessing for our family!God Bless you and your family!
Sarah
Would love to get to this conference, only about 8 hours from me. 🙂
megan tilley
These are great! Would love to add them to my daughter’s bookshelf!
chickie brewer
Thanks for hosting this awesome giveaways.. Would love to win the books!
Angelica Dimeo
I would love to win the children’s books for my son Orion
Annie Ellis
started to teach my child to pray at 2!
Leela
I love bible stories.
Angela Saver
I would love this for my niece & nephews! Thanks for the chance!
cay
I’m enjoying your blog and have found many encouraging posts. I am wondering about Children Desiring God, however. When I went to the website the majority of resourced looked classroom oriented rather than a program for home use. Costs are substantial reflecting what one might expect from a program purchased for a church. It would be great to hear more detail about how this can be used effectively in the home at a more reasonable cost. Just the stories as depicted above? Thank you!
Jacqueline
Hi, Cay! Yes, most of the CDG material is used as church curriculum. Much of it is written also by Sally MIchael and tha BIG goal is to go much deeper and really teach (as the title says) the WHOLE counsel of God at that age level in an incremental way. For home and use by parents, Sally wrote the books I’ve added photos of. They are much more for one on one use and the cost is for a family budget. Thanks for bringing that to my attention (to make it more clear). I went into the post and fixed that 🙂
I hope that helps 🙂 May God richly bless your family