I approached this book with high expectations. How “awesome” to have help explaining some of the challenging questions kids ask about God; help that would go beyond the happy-face but thin responses we so often offer kids. “…the perfect resource for children, parents and Bible teachers” the cover said. This is the promise I held as I began this book.Unfortunately, the promise went unfulfilled. While the questions were many and varied - from “Does God Ever Sleep?” to “Is the Holy Ghost Really a Ghost?” – the answers were right out of any basic Christian Sunday School class curriculum. There was nothing wrong with Slattery’s answers; they just weren’t the step beyond answers I was hoping to find.
For example, the question, “Did Jesus Really Feed Five Thousand People with Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fish?” was answered this way:
“Yes, Jesus really did feed five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves of bread and two fish. He took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, and thanked God for what they had – even though it didn’t seem to be enough. Then Jesus broke the loaves. When the people had finished eating and were full, the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over (Matthew 14:13-21)!
God may not always give you what you want. But you can trust that God will always give you what you need.”
That is the biblical account, for sure; it’s the one kids usually hear - complete with a Bible reference. And for some, that answer might be enough. But I was hoping for more; something that would go beyond simply repeating the basic story as most Sunday School books do. Thus, I would rate it as a fairly standard resource or three stars.
(I was given a copy of If I Could Ask God Anything by Kathryn Slattery by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review. This opinion is wholly mine.)
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I am so glad to see you are doing book reviews! You have made many an impression on me with the books you are reading.
ReplyDeleteI read the most fascinating explanation about the feeding 5000 with just 5 loaves and 3 fishes. It went like this:
When Jesus gave thanks, He was demonstrating faith that God would provide. That faith inspired others who were there and they began to dig in their sacks for whatever was left. Soon, everyone must have been sharing what they had and, so, everyone had enough and there was food left! It was because of this simple act of faith that people realized that even the smallest morsel would be enough --- IF they trusted God.
I think that is lovely. I have this vision of people excitedly started to look and share and laugh and talk with people they hadn't before. I see it as a big family meal (goodness knows we live and die around the table!) with everyone bringing their "dish" and the table groaning under the "enough."
I am so glad to be catching up my blog reading! I have missed you!
I love that explanation - and the image you created, Matty!!!
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