Listen Up

Listen Up

by Marty Machowski Family Devotional  New Growth Press After teaching a parable Jesus often said, "Whoever has ears, let him hear." In other words, "This is important, so you better listen up" and what could be more important than the good news of the kingdom of God? This family devotional provides a unique opportunity for parents to help their children "listen up" and hear the gospel as Jesus himself shared it. Jesus told simple stories using everyday activities and objects that point to surprising spiritual truths about life in his kingdom. In the parables children (and adults!) will learn to treasure the gospel. Children love stories and the parables provide a wonderful opportunity to engage their imaginations and help them understand and live out the good news of the kingdom of God. This thirteen-week family devotional is designed to help families explore the parables that Jesus taught through reading selected parables, activities, discussion questions, and "fun facts." Each five-day session includes Bible reading, discussion questions, a fun activity, and songs. Also available is Listen Up: Jesus's Parables for Sunday School (12-Week Children's Curriculum and Listen Up Music Album). Gospel truths told in simple, easy-to-understand stories Family activities, discussion questions, and Bible readings make leading family devotions stress free for busy parents. 10-minute a day format holds children's attention. Memorable stories that will give children the tools to remember key gospel principles. My thoughts: LISTEN UP is an absolutely brilliant lesson plan book for parents and/or grandparents to teach biblical truths from Jesus's parables to their children. I was thinking it'd be ideal for Sunday School teachers, too, and it is also available in that format which would make it easier for the teacher to prepare the lesson.  There is scripture reading, a small object lesson, stories, and discussion questions, all in a short ten-minutes a day, six days a week format. The author recommends preparing for the week by reading "Get ready" and "Get set" on Sunday, but if your Sundays are as busy as mine then it could easily be done on Saturday instead.  I love the idea behind this and recommend this book for parents and other Christian caregivers.  I also recommend looking into the LISTEN UP designed for Sunday School teachers as it is idea for classes and also for children's church. I received a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Meet 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 more than twenty years. He is the author of numerous resources for churches and families, including the Gospel Story for Kids series and The Ology. He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania Learn more at martymachowski.com. New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and kids Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry. For more information about Listen Up and other releases from New Growth Press, visit www.newgrowthpress.com.