The following is far from an exhaustive list, but rather, books that that are helpful for equipping kids in the truth of the gospel and in the defense of their faith. The list also includes a few good titles on parenting as well. Not a lot of good presuppositional literature out there for this age group so I have listed some classic and evidential titles that can still be helpful. If anyone knows of other books that have helped your children that are not listed here, please feel free to recommend them.
Bibles / Devotionals / Theology
The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New by Marty Machowski
A beautifully illustrated storybook of systematic theology. The Ology gives kids of all ages a beginner s theology book to help them understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. The doctrine of God, for example, is presented in the larger framework of creation, where the attributes of God are on display and easier to understand. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together.
The Child's Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos
Originally published in 1935, this beloved Bible storybook is still a favorite with todays children, parents, and teachers. More than 200 stories from the Old and New Testaments are retold in simple language appropriate for 4- to 12-year-olds, while remaining faithful to Scripture. Colorful illustrations enhance the text.
The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden by Kevin DeYoung
Kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people. Deyoung onnects the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth. With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible's core message—how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden—will draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God's promises are even bigger and better than we think. Ages 5-8 (read to me) Ages 8-11 (read to myself)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David---every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle---the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation---and at the center of their Story too.
The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments By Marty Machowski
Marty Machowski puts God's plan of salvation in Christ on continuous display in The Gospel Story Bible. The easy-to-read storybook introduces your family to many captivating people, places, and events from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, showing how each one ultimately points to Jesus.
Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God By Marty Machowski
The Bible can seem like a long story for an active family to read, but when you break it down into short sections, as Marty Machowski does, family devotions are easy to do. Long Story Short will help busy parents share with their children how every story in the Old Testament points forward to God's story of salvation through Jesus Christ. You won't find a more important focus for a family devotional than a daily highlighting of the gospel of grace. Clever stories and good moral lessons may entertain and even help children, but the gospel will transform children.
The Big Picture Story Bible (Book with CD) By David R. Helm
The Big Picture Story Bible presents this remarkable true story. Simple words and striking illustrations unfold the storyline of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. All ages will enjoy this exciting discovery of a God who keeps his big promise.
Big Beliefs!: Small Devotionals Introducing Your Family to Big Truths by David R. Helm
Big Beliefs! is a devotional expressly intended to enable parents to succeed and children to grow in grace and knowledge. Three weekly readings accompanied by suggested Scripture passages introduce and simply explain thirty-three key theological concepts found in the Westminster Confession of Faith (included in its entirety, in modern English). Questions following each reading will help you start a conversation about what you have learned each day. This nonthreatening, encouraging devotional will make a comprehensive beginning to your child's understanding of Christianity's big beliefs.
Old Story New: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God By Marty Machowski, Foreward by Dr. Tedd Tripp
Old Story New makes it easy for parents to stay on the life-giving course of sharing the gospel story with their family. This second volume in Marty Machowski's family devotional series continues the gospel story begun in the Old Testament devotional, Long Story Short. Using the same effective ten-minute a day structure, it connects children to living gospel truth through 78 New Testament stories. Simple discussion questions (and answers) for each day's devotion help children understand and connect the story of salvation to their own lives.
Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel By Joey Allen
The most foundational teachings of the Christian faith are presented in the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series at a level preschool and elementary children can understand. In simple and precise language, God-centered theology is promoted, giving children a firm foundation in God's timeless truth.The Gospel relates the good news of salvation to children, at their level of understanding. Even children can grasp God's saving love and His promise to adopt them and give them a home in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.
Big Book of Questions & Answers: A Family Devotional Guide to the Christian Faith By Sinclair B. Ferguson
Questions! Questions! Questions! Children are full of them. Where did I come from? What is God like? Is there only one God? The Big Book of Questions and Answers is a family guide to the Christian Faith. It contains a wealth of activities, prayers, and Bible references. This interactive resources material will bring families closer together as they learn about the Christian faith.
Big Book Of Questions & Answers About Jesus By Sinclair B. Ferguson
Following on from the success of the original Big Book of Questions and Answers, this book tackles the many questions that children have about Jesus, including: What was special about Jesus? Why did Jesus heal sick people? Why did Jesus have to die? How can I give my life to Jesus? An answer is given for each question, accompanied by a page of reading and a memory verse. To help the children take the message on board there are activities and suggestions for discussion. Prayers are also given to encourage them to bring every aspect of life to their Heavenly Father. An invaluable tool for introducing children to Jesus and helping them to get to know Him better, in an enjoyable and interactive way. Short listed for 'Christian Children's Book of the Year'.
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Hardcover by Carl Laferton
This beautifully illustrated hardback book takes children on a journey from the garden of Eden to God's prefect new creation.Retelling the Easter story through a Bible overview, children will discover that 'because of our sin, we can't go in' but because of Jesus' victory on the cross, an even better garden awaits us...
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Innovative collection of 101 simple-yet- profound thoughts on faith. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing shares profound spiritual truths from the Bible told in a conversational tone—drawing insights from creation, history, science, the writings of great thinkers and preachers and writers, and more—to turn the reader's eyes toward the God who loves them with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.Perfect for family devotions, bedtime, story time, or even as a companion to The Jesus Storybook Bible, this accessible yet theologically rich book reveals biblical truth in word and image-all working together and designed to do one thing: to make the reader's heart sing.
Everything a Child Should Know About God by Kenneth N. Taylor
A real children s Systematic Theology! What a great tool to complement children s story Bibles in communicating what the bible has to say about great Bible topics; God, Jesus, Salvation, Christian living and what happens in the end.
Show them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids by Jack Klumpenhower
The Bible says we love God because he first loved us. So if we are not primarily teaching our kids about God s love for us in Christ, we may miss our opportunity to capture their hearts. But what does it look like to teach a gospel-centered lesson? Show Them Jesus is an instruction manual for teachers of kids and teens written by a lay Bible teacher with 30 years experience. With a simple framework and lots of real-life examples, Klumpenhower s book helps teachers to identify and communicate the heart of the gospel to each child in each lesson.
God's Providence (Making Him Known) by Sally Michael
In this full-color guide to how God's providence works in the world, parents can stimulate a lively discussion with early elementary children about resting in God's sovereign care. Each chapter includes personal application and activities.
Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade
This book of daily readings aids memorization by devoting six days and meditations to each question. It explains the catechism in simple language, includes key Scripture readings, and takes just a few moments each day, allowing time for discussion and review. Useful in the home, church, or classroom.
Read Aloud Bible Stories by by Ella K. Lindvall (Author), H. Kent Puckett (Author)
The award-winning Read Aloud Bible Stories series has delighted children, parents, and teachers for decades. Written by Ella K. Lindvall and illustrated by Kent Puckett, these timeless stories of the Bible are retold in clear, simple language children will enjoy and understand. And parents will appreciate the care taken to simplify the stories without sacrificing any accuracy.
A Theology of the Family by John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, John Gill, William Gouge, Matthew Henry, Martin Luther, A.W. Pink, J. C. Ryle, R. C. Sproul, Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Watson. This book presents a perspective on the family largely forgotten by the modern church. Each of them give a powerful testimony that the twenty-first-century church needs to be reminded of what she used to believe about family life. These authors bring a measure of the correction and the balm necessary to heal our amnesia and return us to biblical order. The editor of this work has done the church a great service. He has obviously done extensive research and returned to eras where a Christ centered view of the family was understood much better. He has revealed the doctrine locked in the literary treasure chests of the past. .
The Children's Shorter Catechism (For children ages 2-9)
The Children's Shorter Catechism is an extremely effective way in teaching young children the basic principles of the Bible, and the Reformed Faith. It is taken from the 1647 Westminster Shorter Catechism and is housed in simple language which will aid children to learn fundamental Christian truths that are of utmost importance in the larger scope of God's redemptive plan for his church. Each question also has Scripture references which prove out the answer, allowing each question to be turned into a time of family devotion and bible study.This new version brings some of the antiquated language of the catechism up to date for younger children, and has been carefully translated for accuracy (it is not a scan or facsimile).
Westminster Shorter Catechism by Westminster Divines
In the opinion of B.B. Warfield, the Westminster divines left to posterity not only the most thoroughly thought out statement ever penned of the elements of evangelical religion but also one which breathes the finest fragrance of spiritual religion . Their most influential work, The Shorter Catechism, though more than 350 year old, is undoubtedly still one of the best introductions to the key doctrines of the Christian faith.
Parenting
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp
In this book, Paul Tripp offers parents much more than a to-do list. Instead, he presents us with a big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents. Outlining fourteen foundational principles centered on the gospel, he shows that we need more than the latest parenting strategy or list of techniques. Rather, we need the rescuing grace of God—grace that has the power to shape how we view everything we do as parents Freed from the burden of trying to manufacture life-change in our children’s hearts, we can embrace a grand perspective of parenting overflowing with vision, purpose, and joy.
Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
We need to provide our children with a consistent, persuasive, biblical framework for understanding the world God has made and their place in it. Instructing a Child's Heart is essential to Shepherding a Child's Heart. The instruction that you provide for them not only informs their mind; it is directed to persuading their hearts of the wisdom and truthfulness of God s ways. Impress truth on the hearts of your children, not to control or manage them, but to point them to the greatest joy and happiness that they can experience delighting in God and the goodness of his ways.
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life. Shepherding a Child's Heart gives fresh biblical approaches to child rearing.
The Disciple-Making Parent: A Comprehensive Guidebook for Raising Your Children to Love and Follow Jesus Christ by Chap Bettis
Your children will either live forever with Jesus or apart from him. Too many growing up in Christian homes will not follow Christ as adults. Do you have a strategy for parenting in today's hostile culture? "Chock full of biblical wisdom - you'll find yourself underlining line after line, page after page. -- Marty Machowski, Author, Long Story Short and The Gospel Story Bible.
Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney
Gathering together for worship is an indispensable part of your family’s spiritual life. It is a means for God to reveal himself to you and your loved ones in a powerful way. This practical guide by Donald S. Whitney will prove invaluable to families—with or without children in the home—as they practice God-glorifying, Christ-exalting worship through Bible reading, prayer, and singing. Includes a discussion guide in the back for small groups.
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies by Justin S. Holcomb
It's easy to convey the message to children that their bodies or particular parts of their bodies are shameful. This misconception fuels confusion, embarrassment, and secrecy, and often prevents children from recognizing or reporting sexual abuse. God Made All of Me is a simply-told, beautifully-illustrated story to help families talk about these sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, the home is the ideal environment where a child should learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others. God Made All of Me starts from the fundamental truth that God created everything and applies that truth to kids and their bodies. It equips parents to talk with both boys and girls about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others. God Made All of Me allows families to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse in the safety of their own homes.
Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
We must tell our kids of the grace-giving God who freely adopts rebels and transforms them into loving sons and daughters. If this is not the message your children hear, if you are just telling them to “be good,” then the gospel needs to transform your parenting too. Give Them Grace is a revolutionary perspective on parenting that shows us how to receive the gospel afresh and give grace in abundance, helping our children know the dazzling love of Jesus and respond with heartfelt obedience.
Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, Second Edition…by Paul David Tripp
Paul Tripp uncovers the heart issues that affect parents and their teenage children during the often-chaotic adolescent years. With wit, wisdom, humility, and compassion, he shows parents how to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication and learn and grow with their teens.
Other recommended parenting titles!
Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting by William Farley
Teach Them Diligently: How to Use the Scriptures in Child Training by Louis Paul Priolo
The Faith of a Child A Step-by-Step Guide to Salvation for Your Child by Art Murphy
Stand Fast in the Way of Truth: Fathers and Sons Volume 1 by Douglas Bond
Hold Fast in a Broken World: Fathers and Sons Volume 2 (Fathers & Sons) by Douglas Bond
Apologetics for Kids
Who Made Truth? Kids Can Prove God Exists: How Kids and Teens Can Know God Exists Using Easy Logic and Presuppositions by Mike Robinson A unique and easy way for your Kids and teens to learn how to prove Christian truth. Do you want to reach America’s largest mission field? Look in your home or Sunday School classroom: Young People! And with this new book they can learn to defend the Christian worldview. A fresh and simple way for your kids and youth to learn how to prove Christian truth. Research demonstrates that our child’s moral development is largely set before the age of thirteen. Find out the simple ways to nurture the intellectual and theological aspects of your child through biblical and philosophical truth. Help raise the next generation of apologists. Excellent for all kids 7-16 years old--or even adults. Your youth can know that God must exist.
Keeping Your Kids on God's Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain
Equip Your Kids to Respond Well to the Hard Questions That Threaten Their Faith. It's no secret that children of all ages are being exposed to negative criticism of Christianity as they spend time at school, with friends, or online. Are you prepared to talk with your kids about how they can effectively answer the tough questions that come their way? In Keeping Your Kids on God's Side, you'll find 40 of the most common challenges kids face—along with clear, easy-to-understand responses you can discuss together.
Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes By Nancy Pearcey
five powerful principles that penetrate to the core of any worldview--secular or religious--to uncover its deepest motivations and weigh its claims. A former agnostic, Pearcey demonstrates that a robust Christian worldview matches reality--that it is not only true but attractive, granting higher dignity to the human person than any alternative.
God's Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe by J. Warner Wallace
Join J. Warner Wallace, former atheist, seasoned cold-case detective, and popular national speaker as he tackles his most important case ... with you on the jury! With the expertise of a cold-case detective, J. Warner examines eight critical pieces of evidence in the "crime scene" of the universe to determine if they point to a Divine Intruder. If you have ever wondered if something (or someone) outside the natural realm created the universe and everything in it, this is the case for you.
Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective by J. Warner Wallace (written for 8- to 12-year-olds)
Between the ages of 8 and 12, kids often start to wonder if Christianity is true. In Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, detective J. Warner Wallace draws readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. In this children's companion to the bestselling Cold-Case Christianity, detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. Includes author illustrations and links to a website (coldcasechristianityforkids.com) where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.
JD Camorlinga's Picture Book Apologetics series (5-8 age range)
While James and Ruth are playing outside, they meet a grumpy wild pig that challenges their understanding of the universe and God’s creative work. Join them as they learn to think carefully about what they believe and why they believe it as their father teaches them how to defend what they know to be true. This colorful story will encourage deep conversations, help you equip your children with faith-strengthening tools, and embolden them to defend their Christian beliefs from an early age.
Pig and the Accidental Oink! (Volume 1) – Introduces the cosmological argument
Chameleon's Can of Worms (Volume 2) – Introduces the problem with moral relativism
Possums and the Empty Tomb (Volume 3) – Introduces evidence for the resurrection
Melissa Cain Travis' Young Defenders series (kids ages 7 and up)
Thomas and his father escape to their backyard tree house most evenings to watch the night sky through a telescope. Thomas is dazzled by what he sees of God's creation, but he has questions. 'Dad, how do we know God is out there?' he asks one night. 'I know the Bible says He's there. But how do we really know that's true?' Together, Thomas and his father begin to examine the cosmological evidence for God's existence. This is the first in an exciting new series of picture books designed to introduce kids to important questions of the Christian faith in terms even pre-readers can understand. Read this aloud with your family, and you'll come away knowing that 'the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of his hands' (Psalm 19:1).
How Do We Know God is Really There?
Lee Strobel's Case for… series for kids (9-12 year olds)
You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like: Was Jesus really born in a stable? Did his friends tell the truth? Did he really come back from the dead? Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers. Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, Case for Christ for Kids brings Christ to life by addressing the existence, miracles, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
Consequences of Ideas R. C. Sproul (Middle School)
The greatest thinkers of all time are impacting us still. From public-policy decisions and current laws to world events, theology, the arts, education, and even conversations between friends, history's most influential philosophies have wrought massive consequences on nearly everything we see, think, and do Thus it is critical for Christians to understand the ideas that are shaping them. The greater their familiarity with the streams of thought that have saturated Western culture through the ages, the greater their ability to influence this culture for Christ.
Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith by Greg Bahnsen (High Schoool)
This book is a compilation of several of Dr. Bahnsen's published works on Christian apologetics, including his Apologetics syllabus, articles on practical apologetic problems (like the problem of evil, the problem of miracles, etc.), and an exposition of Acts 17.
Pitfalls: A Quick Guide to Identifying Logical Fallacies for Families by J.D. Camorlinga
This handy book presents logical fallacies with easy to understand language and engaging illustrated examples. It's the perfect reference guide for families! What IS a logical fallacy? Simply put, it's an error (innocent or not) in reasoning. Learning to identify and avoid logical pitfalls is an important part of learning to think and communicate well.
The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning by Nathaniel Bluedorn
WORKBOOK EDITION: Includes spaces for readers to write in their answers to the exercises.What is a fallacy? A fallacy is an error in logic a place where someone has made a mistake in his thinking. This is a handy book for learning to spot common errors in reasoning.- For ages twelve through adult.
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