January 2024 Book Club Recommendations

January 08, 2024

Our goal in the Foundation Worldview Book Club is to provide resources for you to have meaningful, literature-based worldview discussions with the children God has placed in your care. We work hard to choose books with insightful, truth-based themes. However, we know that our subscribers will have different convictions about the content they allow in their homes, churches, and classrooms. We encourage you to read the recommended books ahead of time, to ensure that the content fits within the framework you have already established in your ministry context. Please also note that by recommending a certain book, Foundation Worldview is not endorsing every work published by a particular author. Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, Foundation Worldview will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book for Adults

The Doctrine of Repentance

Thomas Watson

Scripture consistently calls Christians to repent of our sin. Yet, this is a concept that is often overlooked in evangelicalism. The Doctrine of Repentance is a Puritan classic that explores the biblical concept of repentance and what it should look like in the daily life of the Christian.

Book for Children Ages 8-12

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Andrew Peterson

For nine long years, the lands of Skree have been oppressed and ruled by the Fangs of Dang, monsters who, above all else, seek the Jewels of Anniera. In the Glipwood Township, Janner Igiby and his siblings, Tink and Leeli, are attempting to live out normal lives until they are confronted by terrible secrets. With the help of their ex-pirate grandfather Podo, their mother Nia, Peet the Sock Man, and their loyal dog Nugget, the children must discover who they are before the Fangs do.

Question 1 - Janner and his siblings wrestle throughout the story with not knowing who they are or who their father is. According to the Bible, what is our true identity, and why is it important that we understand this?

Discussion Guide - Read Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 3:21-24, and Romans 8:12-17. Discuss how Scripture reveals that we are God’s image bearers, specifically designed as male or female. In Adam, we are fallen (sinful), but those who have repented of their sin and turned to Christ are children of God. It is important to understand this identity so that we know our value, which cannot be stripped from us, and also to understand that we need a savior.

Question 2 - The characters in this story often encounter scary situations or become afraid. What does the Bible say about fear, and how we should respond?

Discussion Guide - Read Psalm 56, Matthew 6:25-34, and Philippians 4:4-8. Discuss how the Bible commands us not to be fearful but instead to trust in the Lord, who is sovereign over all. Share about times in your life when you were fearful or anxious and how you either cast your fear upon the Lord or failed to trust Him.

Question 3 - By the end of the book, we realize that Peet the Sock Man was once a Throne Warden but went crazy after being captured. It can be difficult to understand why bad things happen to us. However, as Christians, what should we expect in this life?

Discussion Guide - Read John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:12-14, Romans 8:26-30. Discuss how we have been told that this life will be difficult. Yet God has promised that He will work all things together for the good of Christians by using all things to conform us more to the image of His Son.

Book for Children Ages 4-7

Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey

Tyler Van Halteren

This illustrated adaptation of Pilgrim’s Progress introduces little ones to John Bunyan’s classic with easy-to-understand illustrations and beautiful illustrations. Each chapter includes discussion questions to help children understand the truths revealed in the allegory.

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We recommend reading one chapter at a time with your child and discussing the questions provided at the end of each chapter to help your child better understand the allegory.

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