By Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith

God makes us the most unbelievable offer... to be our parent. Yes, even when we’re all grown up and have children of our own! ‘To all who did receive him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’. John 1:12 This is an invitation from God, to you, to be His child. But many of us don’t take up this offer. Or we don't live fully experiencing the connection, guidance and support that He wants to give us. Why? Because we're so busy doing the day-to-day grown upping of looking after everyone else. We've forgotten how to 'live on the child side'.

by Kristen Stevenson, Bible Society

As a family, we go through many seasons. Seasons of joy, frustration, triumph and pain. During one of our more difficult seasons, we regularly reflected on Matthew 6.25–34. The image of a lily standing in a field was able to give us strength that on some days we did not know we had. I don’t remember how we came upon that verse at that time. As so often happens, it was just where our Bible led us that day. God our Father knew we needed that verse at that time and so with an open Bible and an open heart we were supplied with what we needed.

by Joanne Gilchrist

Over the years, I’ve come across several anecdotal versions of ‘spiritual styles’ but last year, while writing Next Steps to Following Jesus with Shell Perris, I stumbled across David M. Csinos’s academic research while listening to Ronni Lamont on UCB Radio. I was intrigued because Shell and I had decided to add different ‘pathways’ for children to respond to the Bible text, based on different personalities or learning styles.

When my son was young, he liked me to act out the Bible. He wanted to “see it” for himself. When he was four he gave his heart to Jesus, completely off his own back, in a shop car park. He said “Mummy I’ve never asked Jesus into my heart let’s do it now”! A perfect example of childlike faith.

by Joanne Gilchrist

"I’ve never been much of a walker but I grew with a youth leader who loved hiking! One day, our youth leader decided we should start prayer-walking round the streets of our home-town on a Friday evening. Great, I thought. Two of my least favourite things - walking and praying aloud. But something amazing happened on those prayer walks and I found my voice. I discovered I could pray in a way I’d never imagined. I prayed with passion, with conviction - in spirit and in truth. What was it that made the difference?"

by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources

What version of this question have you or your child ever asked? Perhaps “Can God help me?”, “Will God protect me?” or even “Why didn’t God protect them….?” I’d love to shed some light on where God can be found in the storms of life and how you can help your child run to the strong tower of God and his word.

by Chris Spicer, dad, grandad, international speaker and author

Anyone who knows me knows my love of movies. Some of my personal favourites are those starring the late, great acting career of the Robin Williams. Films like Dead Poets Society (1989), Hook (1991), Patch Adams (1996) and August Rush (2007) to name but a few. Then there is our all-time family favourite, Mrs. Doubtfire (1993).

by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources

Why does the app God for Kids choose to begin the description of God with God is Invisible, God Feels, God Thinks, God Chooses, God is Good and God is Love? Are they the most important characteristics of God? Not necessarily. Are they the most fun or the most interesting? Possibly. Was I stuck for ideas? Definitely not!

by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources

ABCs, a nature trail and Baby Massage Blessing: 3 ideas to pray together to communicate and connect with each other and with your heavenly Father.

by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources

The 23rd March, 2020 was the first day of the UK “lock-down” and a day of new beginnings. For Joanne Gilchrist (creator of God for Kids app) and her family, it was a day of good intentions. “Finally,” methought, “we have the time to do the things we have always been too busy to do.” Like family devotion/prayer/worship/Bible time (or whatever you call it where you are from).