“Mommy, why does God allow tornadoes that damage homes and hurt people?”
“Mom, why doesn’t God keep Christians from getting sick? Isn’t it Satan who wants Christians to suffer and be sick?”
As my kids get older, they ask more and more questions about the tough things in life. Recently, I’ve been getting questions related to God’s sovereignty and his control over all things. When I am unsure of how to explain a topic to my kids, I often look for a book from a trusted author to help me explain it in a way that they can understand. Sally Michael wrote a new study for children, God’s Providence, released this past spring. For regular readers here, you know that I have written and raved about her other studies. And again, I found her book, God’s Providence, to be an excellent tool and resource for helping our children understand God’s control over all things.
Like her other books, this book is written in a devotional format. Each chapter is short and covers a different aspect of God’s providence. Using stories from Scripture, such as Moses, Elijah, Job, the Israelites, and the Apostle Paul, the author helps children see how God is always “watching and working” in the world. Through the devotional stories, the Scripture readings, and the discussion questions, children learn that God is in control over all things. His plans always work, nothing happens outside of his will, and its all for his glory.
We live in a fallen world where sin has damaged and marred all that God has made. Bad things happen, evil exists, people get sick, and storms ravage the world. Our children need to have a foundation and theology on which to stand for when their life is impacted by trials and storms. They need to know what they believe about God and why, for without deep roots of faith in a sovereign God, they cannot stand against the harsh winds of life. The truths about God’s providence that children will learn in this book will give them great hope and comfort when life seems uncertain and out of control.
I had the opportunity to ask Sally Michael a few questions about this book that I want to share with you today:
1. What is the most important thing parent’s can do in teaching their children about God’s Providence? “The most important thing parents can do in teaching their children about God’s providence is to rest in God’s providence. By that I mean, to be an example of truly trusting that all that happens to us is according to God’s plan which is good and for our good.”
2. Do you find that this is a difficult concept for children to understand? “I don’t think God’s providence is difficult for children to understand provided that it is explained in an age-appropriate manner.” Is there a certain age that you think children are able to understand? “I think God’s providence can be explained to the youngest of children using simple vocabulary such as “God is the boss of everything” or “God is in charge of everything.” Their understanding is limited but they can understand the basic concept.”
3. How important is it to a child’s faith to understand God’s providence over all things? “I think understanding that God is sovereign over all things gives children the confidence that they can trust God in all circumstances. There are no situations that arise that are out of God’s control or contrary to His promise that all things work for good for His children. Understanding this builds a foundation of trust and confidence in God that grows as a child experiences life circumstances that in time prove God’s good sovereign hand in them.”
4. How should we handle difficult questions children might ask as they think about and process what they are learning? “I don’t think we should shy away from difficult truths. We should explain God’s sovereignty over evil and suffering in clear and age-appropriate ways. Children are able to handle difficult truths as they don’t yet have the emotional baggage that adults carry. God is able to take care of His reputation and to prove Himself good.” Should we be prepared to have an answer to every question or is it okay to sometimes say, “I don’t know”? “We should be prepared to answer children’s questions adequately and correctly. When we don’t know the answer, we should tell them so and do further study. Those things which are a mystery known only to God we should state as such and note the vast difference between God and man. God is incomprehensible and His knowledge beyond our understanding.”
5. Is there anything else you’d like to say to parents who will use this book? “Read the book more than once and begin to practice these truths in real life. Point out God’s sovereign hand daily and His providence over all things. As you demonstrate that you trust God’s hand of providence, your child will begin to understand true faith. Encourage your child to trust God regardless of how the circumstances appear and remind them that the “good” of Romans 8:28 is that we be conformed to the image of Jesus.”
Almost as much as I love books, I also love to give books away! Today I am giving away one copy of God’s Providence. The reader will be announced on Saturday, October 12. US residents only. *Update* Elissa is the winner of the book. Congrats, Elissa! I will contact you for your info.
My dear daughter we adopted from a deaf orphanage in Africa would be most blessed to have to book to learn of the providence of God!! She has been through so including her deafness, her parents placing her into an orphanage because of her deafness they thought was a curse placed on thir Family, and her having gone through a 14 year long civil war in her country - knowing the providence of God could bring major healing to her heart and reconciliation to God in Christ Jesus, fullness of God’s truth and grace!! Thank you for this opportunity to be in the drawing for this special book!
Great topic, and one that parents are definitely still learning about, even as the next generation begins to consider the amazing extent of God’s great power and wisdom. Thanks for sharing!
I love new ways to share with the kids it seems they have so much understanding.
I am excited to read this today. I have been searching for some new and solid Bible teachings for my kiddos. Will defintely look into this one and others by Sally Michael!
I would like to win this book to begin applying my faith to daily life and learn to trust God’s hand in all circumstances. My husband and I are hoping to have children soon. I want to lead them by example and bring glory to The Lord.
I’d love to win a copy of Sally’s book, because I teach 6th graders the Old Testament at a classical Christian school, and God’s providence is one of the topics about which they ask the most questions. This resource sounds perfect to supplement my teaching.
Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the review and give away.
If my children can get ahold of God’s providence at a young age, it will help them tremendously as they grow. God’s sovereignty brings much comfort.
Understanding God’s providence is of great importance for all of God’s children.
This looks so inspiring. I have a three year old boy and I am in the hospital on bed rest at 23 weeks so I would love to read this to my two boys one day after this trial.
Looks like a great resource! I’ve been thinking about how the truth of God’s providence bolsters us and strengthens us for things we may not know are coming. I’d love some help in preparing my children’s hearts for the hard things in life BEFORE they happen. I think this book would help me learn so much too right along with my kids!
This sounds like a great book! I’d love to share it with my kids and teach them about God’s providence and sovereignty over all. Even now it would help, as I’m experiencing physical problems, and the boys ask “Why Mommy can’t you do this or that?”. It would help to explain to them that God is in control of everything, the good and bad, and just remind them that God is a loving, compassionate God in times of trials.
Thank you for sharing about this topic!
My kids and I just finished studying selections from Job to talk about the ways people react when things in our lives are sad and hard. This seems like a good follow-up study.
I have two boys and a girl due any day. I am really wanting to build our book shelf full of good written books relating around the bible. I just received her book, God’s Names, as a gift, and just love it. I really want to win this one too!
I was not raised in a home where we talked about faith or went to church. This book would be helpful.
Thank you for letting me know about the book. We are just finishing up with “God’s Promises” and it has been great for me and my 12,9, and 6 year-old. What a beautiful book to remind us to BELIEVE! God is good and thank you for your blog. It has been an encouragement to me in NJ.
I’d love to receive a copy of this book! My son is already starting to ask some good questions!
Thanks for sharing this, Christina! I had no idea Sally Michaels had books! I heard her speak at a conference once and loved the ways she talked about leader our children to our great God and this resource sounds wonderful!
Any tool that helps our children understand HIS word & HIM in a way they can understand and relate to is a blessing.
My son is at a great age where he’s inquisitive about the nature of God and wants to understand, not just be told, things. This would be a nice resource for him.
I’m very interested in the Desiring God resources. God’s Names and God’s Promises have been on my wishlist for a long time. Trusting God’s providence is an area that I struggle with and I would love some support for me and my kiddos in growing in that.
Love learning of great Christian books, thanks so much
Thank you SO much again. I just want to give a quick testimony about winning.
I am on day three of being in the hospital with my mom (for the third time this month), as doctors are stumped at what she has though she’s in an immense amount of pain. I entered your giveaway pretty late in the game, and as I was commenting I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be such a blessing to win this book in the midst of this trial?” Your email brought such a smile to my face and I had to chuckle at the PROVIDENCE of God. He warned my heart today. It was a nice thing after a tough few days.