God’s Power In Me: 52 Declarations and Devotions For Kids
God’s Power In Me: 52 Declarations and Devotions for Kids
Margaret Feinberg
After over two decades serving in children’s and family ministries and almost two decades of parenting, I have amassed a considerable collection of devotionals for children and youth. Our favorites are tattered, dog eared, and smeared with vestiges of PBandJs. I am always on the lookout for some new titles to add to our collection, not only because of the sorry state of several of our well-loved copies, but also because I can get bored reading and discussing the same topics year after year after year. When God’s Power In Me: 52 Declarations and Devotions for Kids landed on my desk from the publisher, I happily picked it up and then passed it around to my 9 and 12 year old children to get their opinions.
Noah, 9 years old:
(My children are deep into Star Wars and any comparison to the dark side and light side is a rave review.)
I like this book. I like that there is light in it, like the Light side of the force is God and the dark side of the force is Satan and the lies the author talks about. I like the format. The banner at the top of each devotional is really cool- it has a sun in it and it makes me think of the Light. I like the places to jot down notes at the end of each reading.
Elijah, 12 years old:
I like the way this is set up. I like how it is talking to you as a person, not the general world. The daily declarations are really interesting to me- I had never thought about devotionals that way before. The way the author counteracts the lies is always fascinating because it is always done in a different way.
Ms. Feinberg organizes the devotional around 52 declarations that counteract lies we may tell ourselves as Christians. These are meaty topics, and I greatly admire an author that is not afraid to discuss these with children. I have found that children and youth that have participated in the life of the church and have families that nurture their faith formation are more than capable of thoughtfully chewing on these topics and forming their own opinions. Each reading ends with a journal prompt that could easily be used as a discussion prompt.
I passed this book on to my late elementary school aged children, and found it to be a good fit with that developmental level. In my work in children’s ministries, I would use this in several ways. A copy will definitely be added to our lending library, along with a few blank journals, fun pens, and snack packs. (I like to have bundles ready-to-go so people can just grab and use.) I could see these used as ways to start discussions for mid-week small group gatherings. The journal prompts could be used with writing, conversation, or Zoom whiteboards. They could also be adapted for use through on-line polls, creating a springboard for conversation.
In my own family, a copy will be added to our family’s shelves. Our older children all keep copies of devotional guides next to their beds and wind down for the evening with a reading of a section. I find it most helpful to keep our selections available on easily accessible shelves in our family room, along with fun writing implements and blank journals. You would be surprised how often one of our children brings up something that they have read in their devotionals while we eat dinner together. Part of fostering their spiritual growth is providing interesting food for thought, coupled with time for conversation. Another great spot for putting devotionals is in the car so they have something to read while running errands around town. I also stash a pack of sticky notes so they can jot down thoughts or mark something they found interesting. Not that this is a high priority for me when searching for devotionals, but God’s Power in Me is hardcover and I find that they last much longer and through repeated readings when in that format.
If you are looking for a new title to add to your collection, check out God’s Power in Me: 52 Declarations and Devotions for Kids. It earned a spot on my shelves!
