This book helps to ask questions about God no matter what you believe. Who is God? Where do I go when I die? Is God even real? This book answers none of these questions, but it asks them all! It is a thoughtful book that enforces no views but stresses the importance of a healthy dialogue, curiosity, love, and wonder.

A realistic, straight-forward approach to exploring one's faith and doubts, and talking with the next generation about important spiritual issues. A child's spiritual pilgrimage begins from the earliest moments of life and is shaped by the significant adults in the child's ever-expanding world. Yet often adults have an inadequate or unclear understanding of their faith, and are unsure how to impart their own Christian beliefs to their children in a credible and meaningful way. Oppenheimer offers guidance for adults who seek ways, for themselves and for their children, to "live with the questions" with a faithful openness and deep sincerity. She presents the possibilities for adults to "become as little children" in their faith, without naivete, and for children to "grow in wisdom and stature," without the need for dogmatic certainties. An encouraging book for those who face the challenge of living out the Christian commitment--of maintaining the balance of being true to Christ while being true to one's self and one's children.

In the New Testament, Jesus is explicit in communicating God’s heart for children. Yet what does it look like for that heart to encounter the contextual realities of life in the twenty-first century? This book explores the theological implications and practical realities of ministry with children in a globalized world. Affirming eight core beliefs regarding the place of children in creation – that they are created with dignity and intended to be placed in families, cared for in community, advocated by society, secured in hope, affirmed in God’s church, included in God’s mission, and engaged in creation care – this book traces the impact of such far-reaching issues as displacement, climate change, human trafficking, persecution, and gender discrimination on childhood development. Written by over twenty contributors from around the world, each section roots its premise in contextual theology, examines the implications for praxis, provides a case study, and includes questions for discussion and reflection. Through each chapter the conversation around childhood development is broadened, prioritizing the experiences of children and practitioners to truly reflect the realities of our changing world. This is an excellent resource for all those concerned with the current risks facing children, especially among the world’s most vulnerable populations, and what best practice looks like as the people of God work to bring God’s heart, and hope, to children in their communities and beyond.

Fr. Urteaga (1921-2009) is a writer who gave exceptional value to the human side of life, and its enrichment by an ongoing struggle for virtue. Likewise, he never lost sight of the importance of grace. He addresses parents in their sometimes-difficult job of raising children to be not only men and women, but Christian saints. His modus operandi is that life is truly worthwhile if it is lived for the love of God. In these chapters, he draws on his own rich experience as a teacher and spiritual director. He adds Christian doctrine, humor, and common sense to make God and Children a book for all parents and especially those of young children. Originally printed in 1960, this newly revised and slightly abridged version of Urteaga's book captures the spirit of his advice which is grounded in truth and is timeless in quality.

'Hindu Wisdom for All God's Children' introduces readers to the spiritual riches of Hindu India. Jesuit author Francis Clooney brings a wealth of scholarship and personal immersion in the thought and life of India to a wide range of students and seekers. In seven chapters Clooney draws on aspects of Indian religious life, both ancient and modern. They include the creation myths and the discovery of the self; realization of the self in theology and meditative traditions; the self-awareness of Gautama; the quest for direct experience of God in devotions to Krishna; the mystery of God in the traditions of Shiva; the cult of the great Goddess; and the spirituality of Mohandas Gandhi and Mahasweta Devi. Clooney offers insights into how people live out these traditions today, continually raising points for comparative reflection, inviting readers to bring their own insights into consideration. 'Hindu Wisdom for All God's Children' provides a fascinating introduction to deep and ancient traditions that will challenge and enrich the quest for the spiritual self.

This is a book of clues... clues to the awe and immensity of God that will lead children to think about, rather than "learn" about, God. Instead of teaching in the traditional sense, it provides "clues" for a shared journey toward discovering the Divine Mystery at the core of the universe. The recent trend in Christian education has been to emphasize knowledge, and to make church school more fun and entertaining. But in our zeal to pass on the basics of the faith, we have often neglected to guide children into truly experiencing the full wonder of the almighty. We have taught them about religion, but we have not always helped them to establish a deep and meaningful relationship with God. This book approaches the mission from a different perspective - one that identifies and reaffirms the spiritual experiences young people are already having. Each chapter suggest numerous ideas for use in classes, as well as a "Time to Reflect" section for adults to recall and meditate on their own spiritual life as children. Teaching The Mystery Of God To Children is an essential resource for any parent or church school teacher who is interested in the spiritual development of their children. Subjects discussed include: The Bible Art Symbols Music Sounds Movement Words Poetry Nature Sacred Space Koans and Miracles Death Judy Gattis Smith is the author of more than a dozen books, including Teaching to Wonder, Planting Spiritual Seeds, and Developing a Child's Spiritual Growth through the Senses (Abingdon). She has also written three books for grandmothers, and she is a regular contributor to Episcopal Teacher magazine. Smith has led more than 200 workshops and seminars, and has been a keynote speaker at conferences throughout the United States.

Releasing God’s Power in Children’s Lives Melanie Hemry and Gina Lynnes share personal accounts and true-life experiences of those whose lives were miraculously protected: A rebellious son prays when his mother is stabbed in the heart A woman struggles with barrenness A boy descends into drugs and gangs A two-pound, premature baby fights for life A son falls under the control of a cult These illustrations, and many others, show that God’s divine protection is available today for you and the children whose lives you touch.

The themes, words, and concepts in children's literature speak to the whole Christian community. Virginia Thomas and Betty Miller have examined children's literature and designed an extensive annotated list of children's stories, poems, folk tales, and fiction that express faith, belief, theology, and Christian principles. This unique resource/reference handbook gives the church the opportunity to function as a united community of believers. Children and adults have the chance to study and learn together -- grow as a whole community.Thomas and Miller offer a practical approach to children's literature that gives background and theory, an evaluation of techniques, "how-to" guidelines, suggestions for use, lists of books, two annotated bibliographies, and indices: subject and themes, genre, and book awards. Explains: why children's literature is a good resource for Christians where to find good stories how significant themes are adapted for different age levels how to evaluate stories how to use them Parents, teachers, and ministers will delight with children in this new approach to sharing, learning, teaching, and worship. The bibliography of books for all ages is a treasure-house of information. Features basic book information, summary, and themes values. This is an educational tool that provides a new avenue to understanding our faith.

This is an inspirational, insightful, spiritually sound, informative and compelling testimonial of the journey of a Christian mother of two, one with a mental handicap. You will find a wealth of knowledge and information about raising a child with a mental handicap or any child for that matter as well as an abundance of scripturally based conviction and guidance to face such a disability or child rearing in general. This bears witness as to what we can do with all of the troubles this life brings and where we can turn. The writer hopes this book will facilitate in finding more answers for such unparalleled issues that effect many lives and as such are far too urgent to ignore. God blessed parents and gave them one of His most precious gifts; a child to raise and love in the love we know through Christ which never ends, not even when a disability like this one hits home. You will find that every page reverberates and embraces the scripturally significant indications and the belief that children are gifts from God, disabled or not. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness; so imagine His strength in children, particularly those with a mental handicap or any other type of disability. "This book is a cathartic and heartfelt journey through the thoughts of a woman who has come to grips with the gift of her own child of challenge. It is an often taxing and sometimes painful read as Renee opens wide her heart with no strings attached. This will help many parents through the dark days of dealing with the realization that their child will be different from the other children at play." -Keith Wooden Pastor of Ovid Community Evangelical Church, Anderson, Indiana

I’ve often heard it said, “Children don’t come with an instruction manual.” I beg to differ. Children do come with an instruction manual; it’s called The Holy Bible. Raising God’s Children is a manual of sorts based on standard traditional and contemporary Christian values and is loaded with both natural and spiritual wisdom offering insight into what has been learned from every available resource—including, the wisdom of people who have raise