Give Them Truth

I have always benefitted greatly from reading Starr Meade’s books. She is one of the few authors who succeed at writing for children without succumbing to cheesiness. Parents can use her books on teaching the Westminster Shorter Catechism and teaching the Heidelberg Catechism to their children, and learn plenty for themselves in the process. So naturally, I was honored and thrilled to be able to read and endorse Meade’s latest book, Give Them Truth.

It can be overwhelming for parents to think of all the things they need their children to learn before they leave home. I have three kids, and I remember thinking one day, “That’s three toddlers to potty-train, three kids to teach to read, to tie their shoes, to ride a bike, learn their multiplication tables, three mouths of teeth that will cut, fall out, and then most likely need braces, and three kids that we will teach how to drive.” That seems overwhelming enough, but my husband and I know that we have more than three kids, we have three precious souls that need to know their Savior.

What is it that our children need to know about God, and how do we even begin? Whether you are just starting out with your first bun in the oven, or you already have enough now for a volleyball team and are just feeling overwhelmed with it all, I commend this book to you.

Meade begins with a case for what our kids need more than anything else---the truth! Our children are theologians too. We want them to be good ones, because it is imperative that they know God rightly. And Meade urges us, “Our kids really can’t believe truth that they do not know” (31). 

But we aren’t merely filling our children’s minds with a bunch of doctrine that is irrelevant to their childhood. No, the truth is personal! Like it or not, our children will experience pain in life. They will suffer injustice. They will be let down and rejected. And hopefully, much of the time they will also experience great joy. What they know to be true about God, his Word, and themselves will shape how they react and cope in difficult times, and how they serve and celebrate in the good. 

The next two parts of her book break down what it is our children need to know about God, Scripture, humanity, Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, and God’s law, and some helpful guidance on how we can teach them these important truths. Once again, Starr Meade has provided a valuable resource to help parents understand the faith themselves, and teach it to their children.