For the past year, I’ve been reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology to my middle school boys. I’ve been thinking about how badly we, the Church, need a systematic theology for younger kids. I’ve been praying about that. Apparently, the same thing occurred to Marty Machowski as he was reading Systematic Theology with his teens.
Theology for Kids
I can’t tell you how excited I am that Marty Machowski has written the excellent The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New (New Growth Press, 2015) for 6-12 year olds (though I would absolutely read it to 4-5 year olds, knowing repetition of tough concepts is essential for children).
I love the metaphors he uses to explain abstract ideas in a concrete way for kids, and I found the truths contained in the book to be well-stated and clear.
The Ology by Marty Machowski
The Ology is 257 pages of beautifully illustrated theological goodness. Andy McGuire did an amazing job of illustrating abstract concepts, sometimes with fanciful drawings that match Machowski’s fanciful descriptions. (Anyone up for a wormy strawberry ice cream cone?)
The Ology has eleven sections. In winsome and creative ways, it accurately covers the theology of:
- God
- People
- Sin
- Promise and the Law
- Christ
- The Holy Spirit
- Adoption into God’s Family
- Change
- The Church
- The End Times
- God’s Word
Sections in the back cover vocabulary, theology questions, and theology answers.
Marty Machowski has been a pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania for over twenty years. He and his wife Lois are the parents of six children.
Books by Marty Machowski
Marty Machowski has provided an important and foundational resource for Christian families. I highly recommend The Ology for your family, and as a worthy gift for other families. Also, you’ll want to take a look at some other great books by Marty Machowski!
I’d like to thank New Growth Press for sending me The Ology by Marty Machowski, and a copy for the giveaway, in return for my honest review.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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looks like a really interesting topic
Looks very interesting! Would love to be able to look at a copy!
I’m interested in reading this for myself, then my granddaughter.
I see us using Ology as part of our morning devotional time. The more we know and study the better we can strengthen and defend our faith!
Thanks for bringing this to my attention… Looks like a good read aloud for apologetics!
Sounds wonderful, we would love to have a copy right now….perfect to read after dinner every night for discussion with the whole family.
I see us using this for my younger daughter as part of our devotion time
We’ve been looking for a book like this for our 7 and 8 yr olds. :).
We own several books on systematic theology, but I love that this is illustrated and geared toward younger kids. I’ve been looking for a good devotional book to read with my children and this sounds perfect!
I don’t know until I get ahold of it, but this will be used somehow.
We would use it during our family devotions and as a pastor, my husband, would be able to recommend it to his congregation. Thank you for sharing this resource to strengthen our faith.
Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve been “eyeing” this book for awhile. 🙂
It sounds like a keeper. I also enjoy Leading Little Ones to God. It helps me discuss the truth really easily to my children.
This looks wonderful – would love to use it with my two kids to strengthen the concepts for my middle schooler and reinforce/introduce them to my 8yo. Thanks so much!
This would be a great resource to share with young moms ~
I had not heard of this book before, but as someone that works with kids–sounds like a book worth having. Thank you for letting us know about it and for the give away.
Rhoda! You won! Please check your email and respond before 12/17. Thanks and congrats! ~ Danika
Thanks for making us aware of resources to assist us in raising the next generation for Christ!
Thank you for sharing your insight on this book! I have come across it several times in my search of books for our homeschool library and was interested in getting insight on it. It is definitely one we are interested in adding to our library.
This looks like the perfect theology book to read each day with my six-year-old son.
I already had this book on my wishlist 🙂
Wish I had this resource when my older children were younger and still in the home. The illustrations look amazing.
Wow! I am so excited about this book, I could really use this! I see reading it with my children over and over again. Thank you for this fabulous giveaway!
I was just looking at this book for Christmas, and I’m so glad you wrote a review. Thanks!
I have read Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem which is a short edition of the Systematic Theology. I would love to see this for our church’s kids to learn from. We (church library) do have 2 of Marty’s book. This will be a great book to have. I too would love to read from that and learn a lot too!
We could use it as a homeschool resource.
We would use as study times and read aloud. I totally agree that repetition is key to getting things to stick for younger kids. What a resource it would be!!
I would love to use this book in our homeschool.
WE would use it in 2 ways as a reader for pure reading (we are that kind of reading famiy to read this kind of book for fun!) and for use during our bible stody.
I’ve had my eye on this book for a while. . . love Marty M!
Hit enter too fast! I’d use it for school for my older two or maybe for family devotions.
That looks like a fantastic Christmas gift idea!
I see me reading this book to my girls as part of our Bible time
This looks like a great resource
I can’t wait to get this book! I plan to use it in conjunction with his OT/NT books and Sound Words. And I can’t wait to start your Bible Road Trip next school year!
We would use it as part of our homeschool.
I am so excited over this book, I really need a resource like it! I see myself reading it over and over again with my children. Awesome giveaway, thanks!
I would take each section and focus on it monthly and add additional resources to expand on it.
We would use this to reinforce the foundations. Theology is very important in understanding what you believe! Great resource!
I have been wanting to buy this for weeks. I’d love to have it for our family to teach my sons the foundation of what we believe.
WE have used Long Story Short and love it!
This looks like a great addition to our morning devo and Bible time. My oldest is 8, but I think all the children would benefit from looking at theology in a way that is less heavy and confusing, while still being rooted in the Word. Thank you for your insightful book reviews! I enjoy reading them all!
I would love to check this out! I know I need better training in theology, even the basics, so my kids definitely do.
This book sounds like it would beautifully encourage us as we teach the core doctrines of our faith…as we see our Mighty God’s character in each important Truth! Thank you.
This looks like a great resource to read with our 8,6, and 2 year old. Always looking for resources that help give a fresh, age-appropriate perspective on the truths that guide our lives.
I think we would use it in our family devotional time, or maybe in our “school” Bible time. It looks really interesting. We’re always on the lookout for good Bible and Theology books for our kids.
I would use it during our Bible class for homeschooling.
This looks great! I would love to read this to my 5 younger kids for our morning bible time.
I would use this as part of our morning devotions
I am not sure exactly how we will use it as a family but we will. Sometimes it’s good to let my son read alone and ask questions. Other times, it is best to go through as a family. I do know that if we win the book, I will use it and charish it
I could see this being used during our nightly family Bible study time. Our kids are aged 18-3, and it looks like there’s something for everyone in there!
This would be a wonderful resource to have especilly during our Bible study.
We would use this book during devotion time.
We would most likely use this during our morning devotions. It looks like a fantastic resource!
Looks like an awesome resource to complement our family devotions! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
We’d love a copy of sound biblical theology for my children.
Family devotions
I would use this in my family devotionals with my son!
This would be a great read aloud as a family, and my 8 year old would devour it.
Oh my goodness! This is much needed in my Christian homeschool library that I am assembling for our homeschool community!!!!!!
It looks like a great resource to maybe go over one concept weekly during Sunday school.
What an awesome prize this is! Thank you so much for offering it!
As part of our morning circle time so we can make sure it gets done! 🙂
This has been on my wishlist! It looks great!