10 Tools for Walking by the Way

I don't think I've blogged about the name of my blog. Eight years blogging, and I never stopped to chat about the significance of the name. Overdue.

"Walking by the way" is a phrase from Deuteronomy 6:7. "You shall teach {God's commands} diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." 

I am thankful for the gift of walking by the way with my children. I love the opportunities God has given me to point them to Him.

Here are ten tools that I've used to guide my children in truth. 

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible is easy enough for a child to understand yet provocative enough for me to have to fight tears every time I read from it. Love.

2. The Greatest Story Ever Told CDs
These CDs are simply the Word of God (KJV or NIV) read in such a way that children can understand them well. One of my favorite finds. 

3. Seeds Family Worship 
I always had great goals of memorizing scripture with my children, but they were never accomplished until we purchased the entire series of Seeds Family Worship CDs about three years ago. As a family, we have memorized over 60 Bible verses thanks to these songs!

4. Seeds Family Worship Memory Cards
SFW provides free memory cards to go along with their songs. We use these at breakfast time to review the Words we've hidden in our hearts.

5. The Answers Books for Kids
My little guy has been asking questions since he could speak. Sometimes these questions are difficult to answer. I have turned to these books more than once to help me explain hard concepts. 

6. Jesus Calling:365 Devotions for Kids
My sister in law purchased this edition of Jesus Calling for Elijah for Christmas. They boys and I have been reading it in the mornings together, along with the suggested scriptures.

I've purchased devotionals for children in the past and not been pleased–too cheesy, weird or wimpy theology, etc. But this book: I really like it.   

7. Christian Heroes of the Faith Books 
These books by Janet and Geoff Benge introduce many people who, by God's grace, lived their lives for Jesus Christ. I've read a few of these as read-alouds (I recommend starting with George Mueller if you have young children), and Elijah has recently read through a large stack. I love to hear the stories retold by Elijah as he narrates the books to me. We own lots of these, but I plan on buying more. 

8. Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages
The Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages was perfect for Simon when he was a preschooler. This book contains gobs (150 to be exact) of coloring pages for just about every Bible story there is. My favorite part was that it came with a CD-Rom, so I could just print the pages right to my printer and not have to worry about making copies from the main book. 

9. Lamplighter Theater
These audio dramas are more than entertainment; they plant seeds for great discussions about spiritual truths. 

10. What's in the Bible? DVDs
These have been a fun way to help my boys learn a little about each book of the Bible. Enjoyable and educational. You can read my complete review.