MISSIONAL WOMEN
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Missional Books for Kids. 

8/14/2015

8 Comments

 
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Books are my love language. Is that a thing? If someone has a new baby, gets engaged, has a major life event or generally crosses my path with a similar interest to me, I the need to give them a book.

All those pithy little sayings about books, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." (George RR Martin) and "Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination and the journey. They are home." (Anna Quindlen) are totally true for me. I have traveled the world and through time with a book open in my lap. I've been reading books to my kids since they were infants and desperately hope they fall in love with reading as I have.

Reading is more than an escape or the way to live another adventure. Books help explain new ideas, show new places and form new thoughts. I have tried to surround my kids with books that help them see this huge world God made--and to love the people in it.

By reading these books (and others) we've been able to have conversation about how God loves every one of us, how we can tell others about Jesus and I hope it's helped to ignite a passion for missions in their hearts.

Here's a few of our faves:

1. Ruby Slippers School by Stacy Towle Morgan

These are chapter books for new readers that tell the story of homeschooled sisters who follow their parents around the world meeting new people and solving mysteries. In each story, they learn about the culture and make a new friend. We love these because they put a face on people in far away country and help my kids see how God and Christianity is perceived in other places. For example, in their Egyptian adventure the kids learn about the hardship of a Muslim becoming a Christian.

2. Missionary Stories

Of course biographies of real missionaries are a must-read! We have several of Barbour Publishing's Heroes of the Faith which are perfect for bedtime stories. If you have a new reader who wants to experience the story for themselves, Heroes for Young Readers by YWAM are short books with simple text and great illustrations.


3. Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station by Paul McCusker

These are the Christian version of Magic Tree House, I think. In them, two cousins travel through time to solve a giant mystery. Sometimes they are experiencing a famous historical event like the Revolutionary War, other times they are meeting a historical character like Leif Ericsson. In each story (ok, each one I've read--my daughter has read all 16...), there's teaching of how Christianity was in that time and place.

{You can get a free PDF version of book 1 on my blog!}

4. African Heartbeat by Barb Christing

This is a picture book from World Vision about a little girl in the United States who sponsors a child and gets to see how much it changes both of their lives. It's a great look at child sponsorship and an easy way for our kids to see what small monthly giving can do. You might not sponsor through World Vision, but look into the organizations you do support and see if they have any resources for children. Even their websites sometimes have special sections to help kids understand their ministry.

5. Operation Christmas Child: The Story of Simple Gifts by Franklin Graham

We are big Operation Christmas Child fans in this house and even though this book is not designed for kids, my kids have loved it! It's full of short stories of how God has used the simple shoebox gifts to influence kids around the world for Jesus. Again, look at the organizations you support and love--they may have all kinds of stories and resources to read as a family.

Just as I hope my kids love to read books about pioneers crossing the prairies and soldiers winning battles and kids going on adventures, I hope they see books as a way to discover God's world. I pray the stories we circle around will pull tethers deep in their heart to people across the globe. After all, isn't that what God did? Gave us His story in the Bible so we could know Him and tell others of His love, too?

What books give you a heart for God's people?

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About Amanda

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Amanda White is a stay-at-home mom of two who blogs at ohAmanda.com and is the author of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. In her former life, Amanda was a Children’s Pastor — overseeing, organizing and developing ministry for kids in nursery through middle school, but now that she is a mom, her “skills” are used up on her kids!

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs.
8 Comments
Kaye Swain link
8/16/2015 10:25:36 am

Great list. I'm sending a couple of them that are new to me to my grandkids. Although not in print (they are audio)I would also add Down Gilead Lane www.keysforkids.org/ForKids/DownGileadLane/ReadListen.aspx along with another series from the same organization that is both print and audio - Red Rock Mysteries Keysforkids.org/ForKids/RedRockMysteries/ReadListen.aspx - They are awesome! Very Biblically based but lots of fun for kids. My grandkids and I have enjoyed them for years. They also have stories for the younger set there I believe. I'm hoping when I hit submit, the links will work. Else I will do a duplicate without the links but feel free to write me if you want them :)

Kaye

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ohAmanda link
8/20/2015 11:06:00 am

Awesome! I'm putting them on my wishlist now! :)

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Pamela link
8/18/2015 10:07:40 am

I'm so happy I chose to read this from Titus Tuesdays. Books are my love language, too. Everyone knows they will get books from me. My grandkids can't wait to open their books. My kids (long time ago!) loved listening to the Danny Orlis books.

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ohAmanda link
8/20/2015 11:07:03 am

Danny Orlis !Yes! I read some of those as a kid!

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Belinda link
8/19/2015 05:15:51 pm

Books must be a love language - no doubt about it!! Great list - and I'm sharing it this week.

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Melanie Redd link
8/20/2015 12:14:48 am

Hey Amanda,

Thanks for sharing such a great list of missional books for our kids! I remember reading similar stores as a child and teen, and now my husband and I are in full time ministry.

You never know how God might use these stories in the lives of your children~

I came over on Works for Me, and I'm glad to find your site today.

Blessings,
Melanie

Reply
Mary Carver link
8/20/2015 02:35:44 am

Hehe. Well, there I was, reading this post and thinking, "How do I not already know and love this person? She speaks my language AND knows more than me about books to read with my kids!" So of course it was you. Mwah! xoxo

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ohAmanda link
8/20/2015 11:07:40 am

Are you kidding me, Mary???

Reply



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  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Launch Team
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop