“What kind of world would it be if relativism were true? It would be a world in which nothing was wrong—nothing is considered evil or good, nothing worthy of praise or blame. It would be a world in which justice and fairness are meaningless concepts, in which there would be no accountability, no possibility of moral improvement, no moral discourse. And it would be a world in which there is no tolerance.” – Greg Koukl & Frank Beckwith
Tag Archives: Worldview
Helping Children Think Christianly – Resources for Christian Parents Part 4
Kids have questions about life and faith…do you have answers? The good news is that there are answers out there and you don’t have to have PH.D behind your name to have access to them. Here is a resource that gives short, solid answers(1 page or less…isn’t that good news??) to the toughest questions out there.
It would be good to just have this around the house (bedside table and bathroom are two good spots). Who Made God? And answers to Over 100 Other Tough Questions of Faith by Ravi Zacharias and Norman Geisler
Product Description
A single-volume accessible summary of answers to the most commonly raised apologetic questions by some of the foremost evangelical apologists to equip lay persons as well as Christian leaders with biblical and practical answers to tough questions about the Christian faith, as well as its relationship to other faiths in an era where many listen with their eyes and think with their emotions. Companion book to Is Your Church Ready?: Motivating Leaders to Live an Apologetic Life.
From the Back Cover
In the quest for the truth, you need to know what you believe and why you believe it. Who Made God? offers accessible answers to over 100 commonly asked apologetic questions. Bringing together the best in evangelical apologists, this guide is standard equipment for Christians who want to understand and talk about their faith intelligently.
Part one answers tough questions about the Christian faith such as: • Who made God? • How can there be three persons in one God? • What is God’s ultimate purpose in allowing evil? • Where did the universe come from? • How long are the days of creation in Genesis? • Did Jesus rise from the dead? • Are the records of Jesus’ life reliable? • Does the Bible have errors in it?
Part two answers tough questions about other faiths, including Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, Transcendental Meditation, Yoga, Reincarnation, Buddhism, and Black Islam. Relevant stories, questions for reflection and discussion, and a comprehensive list of suggested resources help you dig deeper so you can be prepared to give careful answers that explain the reasons for your faith.
Helping Children Think Christianly – Resources for Christian Parents Part 3
Today we are going to talk about the older kids a little (6-14). Earlier this year, Theologian Bruce Ware came out with Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Bruce Ware that teaches the basics of theology in 2-3 pages snippets with a key verse of scripture to read and questions. This book project came out of his nightly bed time routine with his own kids — a captive audience and they don’t want to go to bed just yet ;).
Parents will learn a ton from this book! It is well written, but very accessible. You could buy it, and stay a day ahead of your child. Ware does a good job on teaching what Christians believe. This is a wonderful resource!
Reviews:
“A theologically rich resource to aid parents in training their children. Anyone who wants to help children grow in their love for Jesus and understanding of the Bible needs this book.” – Mark Driscoll, Pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle; President of Acts 29 and The Resurgence
“This is a great book for children and their parents on the classic doctrines of the faith. I heartily recommend it to every parent!” – Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife
“My conversion and discipleship as a young girl were significantly influenced by my parents reading to our family a book that taught biblical doctrine to children in a systematic way. The church today must be intentional in passing on to the next generation the core and precious beliefs on which our Christian faith rests. To neglect that responsibility is to leave those who come behind us vulnerable to every wind of (false) doctrine and to risk their rejecting our faith altogether. Big Truths for Young Hearts is a rich resource for parents, teachers, and others who care about helping the next generation know and love God and his ways. In addition to being a theology course for children and young people, it is also a great refresher course for adults.” – Nancy Leigh DeMoss, author; host of Revive Our Hearts radio broadcast
“Imagine a respected theologian devoting himself to training a new generation of pastors and scholars in the seminary classroom. Now imagine him driving home at night to teach that profound theology in simple terms to his children at their bedsides. Now imagine this father compiling those bedside conversations into a book available to all pastors, parents, and children alike. Imagine no more. My friend Dr. Bruce Ware has done it.” – C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries
Product Description
Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.
Sure, it’s easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you’re a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?
With Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6-14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.
The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children’s primary faith trainers-and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.
See the Show, Be the Show (how the media we consume shapes us)
I know we are in the middle of a series about helping kids think Christianly. But I came across a story that fits right in with that (HT / Summit). It is an article called “see the show, be the show.” And it is thought provoking to be sure. Now my intention here is not to censor everything or become the media place saying what “good christians” do and don’t watch. But I think we are being naive if we think that what we watch does not affect us. And the younger we are the more of an effect it has (cf. our children). The evidence for this is not antecdotal, but empirical and well researched. Plenty of Government studies have shown the causal link between advertising and certian behavior (e.g., Cigarette smoking). The equation on that one is really quite simple. More advertising causes more smokers…but TV is neutral right?
Take a few minutes and read and reflect on this article by asking what you consume and how often you do? And then there is what we allow our young children to watch…if we are wanting them to form virtuous hearts and character, then what are we putting in their little hearts? Remember, lessons are always being taught and children are always listening. Whenever the TV is on; school is in session.
(excerpt) “If it seems that not much good comes from much of the media kids consume, well, that’s exactly what researchers at the National Institutes of Health (working with Common Sense Media) concluded after examining 173 studies involving entertainment and behavior. Government researchers found that 80 percent of those studies linked media (defined as TV, movies, video games, music, the Internet and magazines) to adverse outcomes among children, including obesity, sex, smoking, drug and alcohol use, attention problems and poor grades. One of the five study reviewers, Ezekiel J. Emanuel, summarized, “The research is clear that exposure to media has a variety of negative health impacts on children and teens. … We found very few studies that had any positive association [for children’s health].” (more)
Helping Children Think Christianly – Resources for Christian Parents Part 1
This week I am going to do a series of blog posts on resources for helping kids begin thinking christianly about all of life. Parents play a fundamental and irreplaceable role in the worldview and character formation of their children. We are called to impart our faith to them so that the next generation will know and walk with Jesus Christ for a lifetime.
The first resource is for ages 4-8 and was written and illustrated by my friend Joey Allen. These works cover 4 basic areas: Gospel, Scripture, Trinity, and Mission and have been endorsed by people like Al Mohler. These are wonderful little books and I highly recommend them!
Product Description
The Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series introduces children ages four to eight to the fundamental teachings about God based on the Bible. The most foundational teachings of the Christian faith are presented in this four-book set at a level preschool and elementary children can understand. Colorful illustrations compliment every page of orthodox Christian doctrine, creating an enjoyable learning experience for the child. In contrast to self-centered theology and watered-down Bible storybooks, the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series promotes God-centered theology with simple and precise teaching while offering stability and a strong, lasting connection with the faith.• For children ages 4-8
• Teaches fundamental doctrines of the Bible
• Promotes basic theological ideas
• Builds a lasting faith at an early age
• Includes colorful illustrations on every page
• Four-book seriesThe Trinity promotes the doctrine that there is one God who exists in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This teaching is foundational for a child’s understanding of God; a fact about the Trinity is presented on each page, leading the child to a stronger faith.
The Scripture teaches children that the Word of God is true, inspirational, reliable, and dependable in all circumstances at all times.
The Mission presents the Great Commission in a manner that is easily understood by children. The world is full of people who need a Savior, and it’s up to us to share the gospel with them.
The Gospel relates a gospel message of salvation to children, at their level of understanding, planting seeds that will hopefully blossom into a Christian life of dedication to our Savior and Lord.
About the Author
Joey Allen is a missionary and artist who desires to see people all over the world worship God for who He truly is, and has traveled the globe to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia and was awarded the Cliff Chandler Graphic Design Scholarship. He is currently working on a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Joey and his wife Christy currently reside in Dallas, Texas.