God's Alphabet for Life: Devotions for Young Children
not part of a series
on Goodreads (17)
What’s inside...
God's Alphabet for Life: Devotions for Young Children by Joel R. Beeke is a Christian devotional book designed to teach young children spiritual truths using the letters of the alphabet. Each letter is associated with a biblical concept, character, or story, providing a framework for children to learn about God's word and His teachings. The book aims to instill godly values and virtues in children from an early age through simple, engaging, and age-appropriate devotions. It serves as a tool for parents and educators to introduce the fundamentals of the Christian faith to young readers, encouraging them to grow in their understanding of God's love and the principles of the Bible. Using the alphabet as a guide, this book provides 26 devotional meditations for young children (ages 4-9), based on Bible texts that children can easily memorize.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
74 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think God's love feels like?
Which letter or story in the book did you like the most, and why?
How can we show kindness and love like the characters in the book?
Can you think of a time when you felt God’s presence like in the story?
What is one thing you learned from this book that you want to remember?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and gestures to reflect the mood of the stories as you read them to your child.
Personalize the stories by correlating them with real-life incidents where possible.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their favorite character or scene from the book, expanding their engagement.
After reading, practice a simple prayer or act of kindness inspired by the book, demonstrating the lessons learned.
Be patient and attentive, giving your child time to form thoughts and express feelings about the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Kindness
Explanation: Through various stories and characters, the book teaches children the value of being kind to others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing toys with siblings or helping a friend in need at school.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book highlights characters who persist through difficulties, teaching children to not give up easily.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to keep trying when learning new skills, such as riding a bike or solving a puzzle.
Example Lesson: Faith in God
Explanation: Each devotion is framed around trusting and understanding spiritual faith, demonstrating reliance on God.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to have faith during their own challenges and to turn to prayer or meditation in times of need.
Example Lesson: Respect for Others
Explanation: The book teaches respect through biblical principles, showing the importance of treating everyone with dignity.
Real-World Application: This can translate to children treating their peers, teachers, and family members with respect and consideration.
Example Lesson: Gratitude
Explanation: Many devotions focus on being thankful for the blessings in life, fostering a sense of gratitude in young readers.
Real-World Application: Children can practice gratitude by thanking their parents for meals, expressing appreciation for friends, or keeping a gratitude journal.