You Can Count on God: 100 Devotions for Kids by Max Lucado
Product Details
Web ID: 16459956Children's Devotional
"You Can Count on God" by Max Lucado offers 100 devotionals targeted to young children. Each scripture referenced is short and is followed with thoughts that would be easy to understand for this age group and a prayer. The "It's Your Turn" sections offer an opportunity for discussing with your child as to situations this scripture could be applied in their experiences or relationship with others. If your child can understand how this relates to their own lives, it seems more likely they will remember this scripture and then call upon it day to day. Good learning tool for sure. I'm glad to have this devotional for time spent with my grandchildren! Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Children's for the opportunity to read and review this title.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Devotional for Kids
I'm always on the lookout for books that I can share with my eight-year-old granddaughter, and this is now at the top of my list! Author Max Lucado has adapted his best-selling book, You Can Count on God, into this version that has 100 devotions just for kids. Each two-page entry begins with Bible scripture, and it's followed by a short devotion with even more scripture. The second page has an appropriate closing, and this may be a question, a prayer, or something for them to remember. As I thumbed through the pages, I noticed the catchy titles, the easy-to-understand text, and the different topics that are especially appropriate for young readers, with a variety of Bible stories and life lessons that will keep them from being bored. Titles such as 'Tucked Under God's Wings', 'More than a Little Lunch', and 'Best Brother Ever', along with reminders that 'God Cares for You', 'Jesus Prays for You', and 'God Can Use You'. This book is a wonderful way for parents or grandparents to share their faith with their children and grandchildren, but I can see it being a wonderful resource for Sunday school teachers and Youth Group leaders. This hardback copy with its navy-blue ribbon bookmark is perfect for gift-giving but do plan to keep a copy for your special young person. Help them to better understand God's Word, and to grow in their Christian faith. I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Children's Adaptation of Max Lucado Devotional
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own. What I Liked: I thought it was really neat that most of the daily key verses are not taken from that day’s Bible retelling. In my opinion, this approach really contextualizes Scripture, as the connection is made between a single verse and a slightly longer Bible story. I liked seeing the connections the author’s showcase between the Scriptures. My favorite parts of the devotional are the “It’s Your Turn!” sections with specific writing prompts and hands-on projects. These are fun, inviting ways to engage with the text. Some of my other favorite parts are moments when Lucado shares about his own experiences, as a child. In addition to adding interest, this also creates a personal connection with the reader and showcases Lucado’s warm, gentle tone. Some of my favorite devotional topics were: Real Success (Day 81) This is a discussion that contrasts the world’s idea of success (which, for a kid, might mean scoring a homerun or acing a book report) to Jesus’ definition of success, through the story of Mary and Martha. A Great Idea (Day 13) Day 13 is about being made in the image of God, based on the story of Creation. I like the opening line, “You are a great idea!” Tim or Jim? (Day 69) This wasn’t my favorite in the sense of it being really “enjoyable,” but it was a thought-provoking, convicting one for me. Discussion centers around two very different brother. One brother invests himself in helping and loving others, while his sibling is demanding and disappointed, always expecting others to do things for him. The Scripture reference on this one is Gal. 6:10. Respectful Critique Within the past six months, I have read another book adapted by Tama Fortner (Roar Like a Lion, by Levi Lusko), as well as another book by Max Lucado (Anxious for Nothing: Young Readers’ Edition). I appreciated both works by these authors. With that said, You Can Count on God is not my favorite adaptation. I have read a few of Lucado’s works over the years, and have observed a characteristic warmth and gentleness in his writing voice. I felt like I was missing Lucado’s voice, in this adaptation. I’m not sure if this was lost in translation, or if this is more of a reflection on the original (adult) version. I know the original has even shorter daily devotionals, about the length of Jesus Calling passages, with one-a-day for a year, so it’s possible that this book just reads differently, in general.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Easy To Understand
This 208-page book of devotionals for children is best for ages 6-10. Max Lucado is great at speaking in ways that are easy to understand. Each of the 100 devotionals begins with a Scripture verse. Then, the author gives a short story or example that either retells the Bible story or gives a present-day story that helps children to understand the verse. He goes on to explain how this Bible verse or story will apply to the child’s life now. So, unlike a Bible study or Bible story book, this book is filled with short devotionals. These can open discussions with parents, siblings or friends. I like how the author speaks directly to the reader and offers an action to take at the end of each devotional. It may be a prayer or an action that the child can take to apply the Biblical truth to their life. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ]
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
New Daily Devotional for Kids!
You Can Count On God: 100 Devotions for Kids is the latest by Max Lucado. This encouraging devotional is a great starting point to begin daily devotionals with children. Each day Lucado has provided a new verse surrounding topics that are near to our children’s hearts like friendship, bravery, forgiveness and protection. In addition to the daily verse, Lucado has provided narrative to help kids understand God's word and how it applies to their lives. At the end of each day's devotional there is an action item or prayer that puts what your child has learned into application. What I Loved: - This book is so sturdy! Kids can be hard on things and the hardcover paired with the thick paper will make this book last. - I enjoyed the action items at the end of each day's devotional. - The topics that Lucado has chosen will resonate with children. What I Didn't Love: - The book inside is a bit boring. I'd love to see some colorful illustrations throughout. - Some of the commentary chosen to support the day's verse seemed a bit off. For example, choosing to use the story of Ruth and Naomi to support 1 Thessalonians 5:11. - I would love to see more in the area of prayer. The provided prayers were super short which serve as a springboard but I'd love to see it guide children more through their own prayer rather than copying what is written.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A meaningful devotional for children . . .
As I read each of the devotions in this book, I felt uplifted by the author's positive words, his relevant anecdotes from life, the scripture he chose for each devotion, the Bible stories he shared to illustrate the theme of the devotion, and the prayer or other tip he included at the end of each devotion. The best elements of this book are the simplicity and candor with which these lessons and thoughts are shared with children ages 6 to 10. The lessons focus on what concerns them, wherever they are at in the life and spiritual walk with God. As to be expected, many of the chapters deal with being bullied, feeling alone, feeling different, feeling abandoned, and worrying about things that are out of their control. I was struck by how many of these issues are concerns for teens and adults, too. The devotions are reassuring, and I believe they will help youngsters realize they are not that different from everyone else in what they are feeling. More importantly, they will come to realize that they are created in God's image and that God loves them unconditionally. The practical side of these devotions is that each one has a theme, a short scripture, a narrative about the theme which may include anecdotes from real life or the Bible, and an 'action' step (Pray, Remember, or It's Your Turn) at the end of the day's lesson. The book is formatted in a user-friendly manner with clear graphics and a consistent layout for each day's devotion. The hardcover style will stand up to the wear and tear a child who uses this book on a regular basis will give it. The book launches with 'A Letter From Max'--a heartfelt, warm, friendly note from the author to welcome readers to the book. Highly-recommended to parents, grandparents, church libraries, youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, and adults who wish to be uplifted by the positivity presented in this book. I received a print copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own. ######################
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great, short devotionals for kids
As a Christian, I always hope to instill good values, and a trust in God, in my children. I want them to understand that God is there for them, He cares about them, and He will help them through the difficulties of life. This little devotions book is perfect for aiding in that quest. Filled with 100 short devotionals, each one contains a Biblical scripture, with stories (either Biblical or imaginary) and examples to help children relate to the spiritual teachings. They are written in a format easily accessible and understandable for children, but I wouldn’t say they are so simple that teens or adults also couldn’t glean from them. I love that they teach so many basic ways in which God can be, wants to be, present in our lives. Though they are easily understood, they contain powerful truths of spiritual importance. With titles such as “Who’s Your Goliath,” “The Lord’s Army,” “When You Can’t See,” and “Special Agent You!,” there are a multitude of varied devotionals that cover a variety of topics, all applicable to the challenges children face in this world. One of my favorite devotionals is 68, “Grace and Truth.” I absolutely love that Lucado emphasizes that when you make a mistake, you “don’t have to be all ‘fixed’ before you come back [to God].” He just wants us with Him. “God wants you back; that’s true. But then he’s going to start working on you and helping you be more like Jesus. And that’s his truth.” That’s powerful. I think this book can span across religious sects. While Lucado and I profess different religions, I still quite enjoyed, learned from, was uplifted by, and look forward to sharing with my children, his book of devotionals. ** I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fun but Serious Children's Devotional
This one hundred day devotional for young children has entries that are short, sweet, sound and simple. Each day is based on a different Bible verse with verses chosen mainly from the New Testament, which I like. Along with the verse and the devotional blurb, comes a short section that's either a prayer, something to remember or something to do. There are some fun things and some that would get a child to consider issues on a more serious level such as doing something good for someone who may not have been very kind to them, or that shows Jesus loves them. All in all, the layout is clear, has down-to-earth young person speak; there is comfort, and pro-activeness that encourages Christ-likeness. In a nutshell, "light and easy" could be used to describe the book. The possible drawback may be that there are no colorful illustrations, although there is a pleasing repeated motif on each page, throughout the volume. I pray that each child who reads and acts upon the verses and what he or she reads from this devotional will indeed grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and know that they can indeed count on Him. ~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~ January 2022 Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary copy sent by NetGalley and the Publisher.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com