Everything a Child Should Know About God by Kenneth N. Taylor

This simple theological resource book is separated into ten parts and each part is divided up into one-page topics and answers. For example, in the “Who is God” part, one page addresses, “God Has Always Lived.” Each page has scripture references and a question to ask as well. Using simple language, this is geared toward children 2-7. The parts are:

1. All About the Bible
2. What God Has Done
3. Who God Is
4. The Problem of Sin
5. Jesus Comes to Help Us
6. Jesus Wants to Save You
7. The Holy Spirit Helps Us
8. Why We Go to Church
9. Living as Jesus’ Friends
10. When Jesus Comes Back

Intended to be read by an adult to a child, this beginner’s theology resource aims to address topics about which children will likely be curious as well as those vital to understanding the basics of the Gospel and God’s Word. It uses only a few sentences on each page to just touch each topic, becoming a springboard for further discussion.

The language used leans just a touch on the “fluffy” side, but not in an overbearing way. The idea of being God’s friend is used multiple times (which we do see affirmed in scripture James 2:23, John 15:14-15) but because of the overuse of this phrase without explanation in children’s books, I tend to bristle when I hear it.

The author does a wonderful job of explaining things of God plainly, in language understandable for children, and I find the unique illustration style endearing. There are a couple of times when the author assumes that the child is already saved by using language like, “[God] is our Friend,” “Thank You, Jesus, for taking away our sins!” and “You are His child, and He will be with you and help you today and tomorrow and every day for all of your life.” There is also a prayer that says, “Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins. I’m happy that I will be able to live with You in heaven one day. Thank You for making me part of Your family!’ There is also a line or two that could possibly be seen as affirming unlimited atonement.

Despite this language, it’s clear that the author isn’t pushing Christian Universalism because of other lines in the text: “Now God can forgive us for being bad if we ask Him to.” “Someday our bodies will grow old and die. Then, if we love Jesus, we can go and live with God in heaven.” “One day God will punish everyone who deserves it, except those whose sins have been forgiven. Jesus says for us to come to Him and He will save us.”

There is a rather odd line that quotes Jesus in a clearly fictionalized way. “I will go down to earth, and you must punish me instead of the people who sin. They deserve to die, but I will die instead.” I don’t disagree with the content of the quote, it just seems a little strange to quote Jesus as saying something he clearly never said. There is also a prompt for the child to pray, “Thank you for dying for me. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”

Finally, in the section about “Why We Go to Church,” I was disappointed that God commanding believers to meet together is never mentioned, but instead, “If they didn’t go to church each week, they would gradually forget about how wonderful God is.” This explanation left me wanting.

Although I have listed several things that were not exactly as I would desire them to be, I do truly think this could be a helpful resource for families who want to talk to their young children about the things of God in a simple and understandable way. I would suggest simply substituting a word or two when the vocabulary isn’t what you’d prefer, but besides those occurrences, this “to-the-point” title will likely spark new conversations about God, His Word, and His people.

Also, note that Jesus is said to be born in a barn and the term Easter is used.

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