As a parent of eight, I’m always on the lookout for Christian resources we can use in our family devotions. We’ve made use of some of the books from Marty Machowski before (The Gospel Story Bible and others), so I was eager to look at his latest book Listen Up: 10-Minute Family Devotions on the Parables (New Growth Press, 2017). I was not disappointed! Listen Up is a fantastic resource for families and guides readers through a thirteen-week series of lessons focused on the Parables.
Each week starts with an overview of what will be covered, and some prep-work that can be done for an object lesson/illustration introducing the theme for the week. Then 5 lessons follow and include discussion questions and prayer pointers, as well as a deeper dive for older kids or adults. From time to time, the book includes fun facts and points out other resources for further study. The result is an incredibly helpful resource that opens up the Gospels for young readers. Even as an adult and Bible student myself, there were new tidbits to learn — such as what flower is meant by the phrase “lilies of the field.”
The lessons are Gospel-centered and presented from a Reformed-perspective, yet the book is not an overt, over-bearing embrace of the Westminster Confession or anything like that. Conservative Evangelicals of all stripes will appreciate the teaching and themes emphasized in this small book’s pages.
This book goes hand-in-hand with a full-fledged Sunday School curriculum from New Growth Press as well. And the style followed appears to line up with a similar lesson series on Proverbs. Machowski also has Old and New Testament curricula available. Check out New Growth Press for these resources and more.
Parents, get this book! It will help you appreciate the Gospel more and open up the Four Gospels to the young hearts of your children.
Blurbs:
“Marty is a parent’s best friend when it comes to figuring out how to creatively and competently do what we really want to do, which is talk with our kids about what matters most — the word of God.”
—Nancy Guthrie, Author of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters
“Biblically faithful. Gospel rich. Theologically insightful. Practical. Creative. Engaging. These are some of the words that came to mind as I read through Marty Machowski’s Listen UP! I learned things I didn’t know about the parables, and repeatedly found myself thinking, ‘Parents and their kids are going to benefit so much from this book!’ Marty has obviously done his homework and excels at using the whole Bible to help us understand what Jesus is saying in the parables. Best of all, he consistently points us not only to the words of Jesus, but to Jesus himself as the only Savior of the world.”
—Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music
“If I ever had to return to my child-rearing years, I’d certainly want to take Listen Up with me. This book of family devotions, written in a lively, vivid style, presents an accurate account of Jesus’s parables and applies them well to the lives of every participant. Machowski includes excellent suggestions for object lessons, group activities, prayer, and ‘going deeper,’ while keeping the actual meetings under ten minutes! I can’t imagine that anyone would follow the book’s directions without becoming a better disciple of Jesus.”
—John Frame, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
Where to Buy:
Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or direct from New Growth Press.
Disclaimer:
This book was provided by the publisher. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.