A Page-Turning Storybook of Theology for Kids
In the cellar of the old stone cathedral, Carla and Timothy uncover a life-changing treasure, a carefully wrapped ancient book known as The Ology. What adults might describe as a beautifully illustrated storybook of systematic theology, the kids discover to be a story of adventure, mystery, and wonder that leads them to the truth about God, themselves, and the world around them.
Truth is for kids, not just for adults! So The Ology gives kids of all ages a beginner’s theology book to help them understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. The doctrine of God, for example, is presented in the larger framework of creation, where the attributes of God are more clearly on display. The Ology takes abstract theological concepts and makes them easier to understand with the use of creative examples, illustrations, and analogies. The goal is not to say everything that could be said about a theological topic, but rather to share the key thoughts behind a theological concept. The Ology is a starting point to learning theology and aims to create a hunger and desire in children to learn more as they grow older.
Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together. Read The Ology to preschoolers, read it with grade-school kids, and let older kids discover the “hidden” truths by reading the corresponding Scripture passages for each section. However you read it, The Ology will give your children a gift that will last a lifetime—a solid foundation of life-changing biblical truth that will point them to the God who loves them and gave himself for them.
I love the look and feel of this book – it just begs you to pick it up and leaf through it. It also calls to mind a picture of a family gathered together with The Ology and their Bibles, building a foundation for what they believe and why. The illustrations by Andy McGuire are gorgeous and they are detailed enough to appeal to a child’s curiosity without becoming too cluttered or distracting. Each theology lesson is well organized and presented in terms simple enough for beginning believers and children to understand. And the teacher in me was thrilled to see the section at the back for further research and discussion.
I don’t know, however, that I would call it a “storybook”, per se. Granted, there is a story element at the beginning and very end but the rest is more of a lesson/textbook format. This disappointed me a little bit because when I first heard about The Ology I immediately imagined all sorts of wonderful story-filled possibilities they might have implemented… and then none were used. It’s a great book – don’t misunderstand! But just don’t go into it expecting a storybook because it really isn’t.
Bottom Line: Beautiful, rich illustrations and simply explained truths make The Ology the perfect choice for parents looking for a systematic theology resource for the whole family. The topics can be kept simple or expanded through the multiple Scripture references, leaving parents with a wide range of options. This is an especially helpful resource for families with children of varying ages since it can be geared to different levels of understanding with little problem. This is a book I’m definitely passing along to my brother and sister-in-law for my nephew’s benefit!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Mt98lx
See what others are saying: http://litfusegroup.com/author/MMachowski
A companion The Ology CD from Bob Kauflin and Sovereign Music will also be available.
About the Author:
Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over twenty years. He is the author of the Gospel Story for Kids series, which includes The Gospel Story Bible, Long Story Short, Old Story New, and the Gospel Story Curriculum, as well as the Advent devotional and curriculum Prepare Him Room. He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
This looks gorgeous! and it sounds like a wonderful thing to discuss with my kid 🙂
It really is!