‘It is misleading to say that God accepts us the way we are. Rather He accepts us despite the way we are’ (Sinclair Ferguson).
And that is grace. Scripture brims over with this doctrine, so here are some titles I believe will help youngsters of all ages cherish this truth.
His Grace Is Enough: How God makes it right when we’ve got it wrong by Melissa Kruger (ISBN 978 1 784 987 619). Melissa Kruger is the director of women’s content at The Gospel Coalition. This is a delightfully illustrated rhyming book with a clear focus on God’s forgiveness. Straight to the truth of Christ, as one Amazon reviewer exclaims. An interesting extra is that full-size illustrations from this book can be downloaded from the Good Book Company website. It might be worth looking at that if this is a book you plan to use as part of a children’s address.
Pitched at a younger age range is the book What Is The Gospel by Mandy Goce (ISBN 978 1 845 508 203). However, if straightforward narrative is more what floats your boat, then stories of conversion and salvation are the perfect way to illustrate the doctrine of grace.
In that instance I’d recommend How God Changes People: Conversion stories from the Bible (ISBN 978 1 845 508 227). ‘I love, love, love this book! Theology meets Bible story in a beautiful, easy-to-understand way’ is how Connie Dever describes it.
For older teens and young adults Out of the Black Shadows by Stephen Lungu and Anne Coomes (ISBN 978 1 913 278 182) is a modern-day testimony of the abundant grace of God.
For older school students the Track series is gaining traction with several books by key authors. The book on Justification is a short easy read that covers this foundational doctrine in a non-intimidating way (ISBN 978 1 527 108 059).
Doctrine like this is not just the domain of the seminary student. The youngest child can be enveloped in the fullness of God’s grace, even to the point of understanding it when adults don’t… a doctrine so simple babes can be enlightened by it, and so rich that there is a lifetime of discovery to look forward to. Catherine Mackenzie is the Children’s Editor for Christian Focus Publications
