If you’ve been wanting to feel more connected to God but can’t seem to find the time, you’re not alone.

Most days are full. Your thoughts are interrupted, your to-do list never ends and even when your heart wants more time with God, it’s hard to make it happen.

It’s easy to start feeling like you’re falling behind spiritually, even when you care deeply about your faith.

This free Bible study is designed to meet you right there.

Not by asking you to do more, but by helping you notice that God is already present in the middle of your everyday life.

What this study is about

Simple Moments with God focuses on learning how to connect with God in real life, not perfect routines.

Together, we’ll explore what it looks like to:

• Recognize God’s presence in ordinary moments
• Notice Him throughout your day in simple, meaningful ways
• Talk to Him naturally instead of waiting for the “right time”
• Let go of pressure and unrealistic expectations in your faith
• Build a connection with God that actually fits your life

This study is rooted in Scripture and designed for real moms in real seasons.

What you’ll receive when you sign up

When you join the email study, you’ll receive:

• A free Bible reading plan for the month
• Weekly Bible study emails that follow along with the plan
• Simple, practical teaching that connects to everyday life
• Reflection prompts to help you apply what you’re learning
• Encouragement that fits into your day instead of adding to it

There’s no pressure to keep up and nothing to do perfectly. It’s just simple, meaningful ways to grow closer to God.

Want to go deeper?

If you find yourself wanting more than just encouragement, you’re not alone.

Inside The Grace Circle for Moms, we take this same study deeper with:

• Short weekly teachings that break things down in a practical way
• More intentional discussions with other moms
• A quieter, more focused space for connection and growth
• Additional encouragement and support throughout the month

The free study is a great place to start. And if you’re ready for a deeper, more consistent space to grow, the membership is there for you.

Who this study is for

This study is for you if:

• You feel a little disconnected from God lately
• You want your faith to feel more natural and less forced
• You don’t have hours to set aside for Bible study
• You’re tired of starting and stopping routines
• You want something simple that actually fits your life

You don’t have to have it all together to start. Just come as you are. Go through the study resources at your own pace, whenever works best for you.

Prefer just the Bible reading plan?

If you’d rather go through the plan on your own without the emails, you can download it separately here. Each month, we have a free Bible reading plan with further discussions in the free Christian Moms with Grace Facebook group.

Join the Simple Moments with God free Bible study

Receive simple, encouraging Bible study emails designed to help you notice God in everyday moments, talk to Him throughout your day and grow your faith without pressure.

Blog posts part of this free Bible study for moms

The post Simple Moments with God: A Free Bible Study for Busy Moms appeared first on Families With Grace.

Finding ways to connect with God in everyday life can be challenging for anyone. But Christian moms in the thick of raising children can really struggle to do so. 

We are pulled in multiple directions at the same time, our thoughts are often interrupted, our to-do list never ends and quiet time can be nearly nonexistent (especially for moms of littles!).

But finding simple ways to connect with God throughout the day is important not only for our own spiritual life but also for our spiritual leadership for our children. 

I want to demonstrate what a real-life relationship with God looks like to my kids. And I know the more in-tune I am with God, the better mom I am.

The struggle is certainly real, though. Being 16 years into motherhood, I’ve had times where I felt more distant from God in the everyday pressures and busyness of raising children. 

I never got away from Him, but spending time with Him has been difficult during different stages in my life. 

Through all these phases, I’ve learned that connecting with God doesn’t have to come from adding more to your day. It often comes from noticing Him in the moments you’re already living.

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

Encouragement for moms of littles

When I had a toddler and baby and was getting almost no sleep at night, my brain could focus only on survival — and even that was iffy some days! 

During that phase of my life, I learned God knew exactly where I was and what my struggles were. Just because I was running low on Bible reading and prayer time, He knew right where I was. I was honoring and serving Him in taking care of the children He blessed me with.

Also during this time I was reminded of God’s grace. He knew my capacity and saw my struggle. I still remember a Sunday morning sermon from this time in my life. Well, I don’t remember the sermon itself. I got distracted by a verse that my pastor read from Isaiah.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

Our Heavenly Father knows how difficult it is for moms with littles. He gently leads us. 

I realized I didn’t need to feel guilty; I could just rest in Him. 

If you’re in that phase of life right now, know God isn’t angry with you when you don’t have as much time to spend with Him as you once did. Through the years, you will learn new ways to connect with Him — and that’s OK!  

How to connect with God in everyday life

Connecting with God doesn’t always look like sitting down with your Bible for a long stretch of uninterrupted time.

More often, it looks like small moments of awareness throughout your day.

It looks like:

• noticing Him while you’re getting ready in the morning
• talking to Him in the car
• pausing for a second in the middle of a busy moment

These small connections might not feel like much in the moment, but they add up in meaningful ways.

1. Connect with God in everyday routines (even in the bathroom)

My kids are now both in school all day, and I still struggle with finding alone time! That’s in part because my husband and I work from home together, but I know I’m not alone in this challenge. 

The most consistent alone time I have is when I’m in the shower and getting ready for the day. So, I’ve found showering is one of the best times for me to connect with God in everyday life. 

It sounds weird to talk about getting spiritual in the bathroom, but it works. Even before I had children, praying in the shower worked well for me because I had no distractions or interruptions. While performing a sort of mindless task, I realized I can focus on God more easily; I still continue to do that.

I usually spend about 10 minutes drying my hair on low with a diffuser (the joys of curly hair!). So, that’s when I read my devotion book and Bible then pray over requests on my prayer list I maintain in a free app on my phone.

I don’t shower every morning. If I do my hair turns to cotton candy! Plus, I also shower at night sometimes. 

On non-shower mornings, I start praying while I’m brushing my teeth. That may sound a bit silly, but it works for me to associate prayer times with part of my routine.

2. Connect with God in the car during busy days.

Another great time time to connect with God in everyday life is in the car. This is true especially if you get alone time in the car. 

I’m at a phase of motherhood where that happens more regularly now as I’m driving to pick up the kids from school and such. I have used this time to listen to Sarah Jakes Roberts’ sermons, but what I do mostly is listen to Christian music. 

Music is powerful and connects me with God more easily than anything else. Listening to Christian music helps me to focus on Him and reminds me of His presence. 

I maintain a Families with Grace playlist on Spotify that I usually listen to in the car (and while I work). Christian radio also works. And I continue the music with my kiddos in the car as well.

If you do happen to find yourself alone in the car, it can also be a great time to talk with God (eyes open, of course!). I’ve done that before, but more often I use car time for praise and worship music. 

3. Get up early (or stay up late) to have time with God.

When my kids were little and at home all the time, I’d get up early to have quiet time with God before the day started. This was past the earlier days I mentioned with a toddler, a baby and minimal sleep. Having 15 minutes to read my devotion book and Bible and pray got my day started off well. It was often my only quiet time in the day. 

If you aren’t a morning person, consider doing this at night before bedtime if you can. If your kids still take naps, use part of naptime to connect with God. 

Find something that works for you and your schedule, even if it isn’t every single day. Connecting with God isn’t an all or nothing activity. Small ways you connect with Him add up and help you grow spiritually.

4. Utilize resources to get into God’s Word.

I’ve been in church my entire life and have heard more times than I can count the importance of regularly getting into God’s Word. I agree completely, but what I don’t often hear is what that looks like and how to make that happen.

Honestly, if I pick up my Bible and just start reading at random, I don’t always get a lot out of it. My mind can start wandering even as I’m going through the words. I can struggle to connect what I’m reading to my own life.

For that reason, I most enjoy using a devotion book along with my Bible reading. I’ve used a variety of them through the years and do a different once each year. 

No matter what devotion book you pick, make sure it is focused on the Bible and encourages you to read from the Bible regularly. 

I enjoy having my devotion book on my Kindle and use the Kindle app on my phone along with the YouVersion Bible app to read. I love it’s all portable, so if I end up getting behind or not having a chance to read during my usual time, I can read anywhere I am when I am able to.

5. Have a verse of the day.

Reading your Bible and delving into God’s Word is important to help you connect with God and grow in your spiritual walk. You don’t have to follow a specific formula of Bible reading to grow on your spiritual journey.

In fact, I’ve found that sometimes picking one or two verses each day to focus on can help me go deeper in Bible study and focus more clearly. They all add up to increase my Biblical foundations and knowledge of the Word of God.

One of the most practical ways to focus on a verse of the day is using a simple Bible reading plan. Each month, I have a free Bible reading plan designed for moms available here on Families with Grace and in the Families with Grace store on Gumroad. 

The plans each have one to three verses per day with weekly reflection questions and a prayer journal page. We also discuss them in the free Christian Moms with Grace Facebook group. Join the membership group, The Grace Circle for Moms, to go even deeper with weekly videos and more.

Scripture cards are also a great way to focus on a verse a day. You can put them in an envelope or attach them with a ring binder clip and rotate through them to keep yourself encouraged and focused on God’s Word each day.

Enjoy Simple Moments with God

If you’re not sure where to start with this, having something simple to guide you can make a big difference. The free Simple Moments with God Bible study is a helpful tool for spiritual growth.

Just like the free Bible reading plans, this study series is designed with moms in mind so that you don’t have to have hours a day to spend in Bible study. 

It will meet you in everyday moments to help you develop a more intimate connection with God. With its own Bible reading plan, free devotional emails and more, join us for Simple Moments with God.

The post How to connect with God in everyday life as a busy mom appeared first on Families With Grace.

The Easter story is the most pivotal one in the entire Bible, yet teaching it to preschoolers can be challenging. The story includes some difficult themes to cover with little ones, and it can be hard to know how much to share and how to explain it in a way they understand.

Picture books are a great way to help bring the Easter story of Jesus to life for this age group, especially when they include lovely illustrations that help little ones stay engaged. Whether you are looking for the best Easter books for preschoolers to fill an Easter basket, one to read with your own children or one to use in a church setting, these three Berenstain Bears books are a great fit.

Why Easter books matter

Personally, I’m a huge fan of reading to kids. It’s one of the best ways to build vocabulary, strengthen your relationship and introduce new concepts in a way that feels natural and engaging.

Because the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is intense, using books with colorful illustrations and simple text helps young children begin to understand the true meaning of Easter in a way that isn’t overwhelming.

In the lives of my own children and the kids I work with at church (where my teen daughter and I help create curriculum), I’ve found Bible story books engage children in learning in ways they’re much more likely to remember.

The story of Easter is too important to skip over or water down completely. With the right children’s books, we can share it in a way that is both truthful and appropriate for young kids to learn the holiday is about so much more than the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg hunt.

I received copies of three Easter and Bible related Berenstain Bears books at no charge in exchange for providing book reviews and social media posts. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copies.

How we’re using these books in our church preschool class

My daughter and I create the curriculum for all K through 5 classes at our church, and she also teaches the preschool class during one service. She has always had a heart for young children, especially preschoolers, so she is constantly on the lookout for resources that will work well in a Sunday School setting.

Recently, she was out shopping with her brother and picked up a new book, The Berenstain Bears: The Very First Easter by Jan and Mike Berenstain. She thought it would be a great fit for her class, especially since the Berenstain Bears books are some of our family’s favorite books. 

That same day, I opened the mail to find that exact book along with two other Berenstain Bears titles for review. It felt like one of those little God moments where everything just lined up.

After looking through all three together, we quickly agreed that The Very First Easter is the perfect book to read to the preschool class on Easter Sunday. It became part of our curriculum—and one of our favorite Easter books—just like that.

(Don’t miss these simple DIY resurrection eggs and Easter object lessons for young children that pair well with these Easter books.)

Book #1: The Berenstain Bears: The Very First Easter

This book tells the Easter story in a clear and straightforward way that works really well for preschoolers. It begins with following our animal friends, the Bear family, on the night before Easter. Papa Bear is reading a story to the cubs, and then the book transitions into the story itself.

From there, The Berenstain Bears: The Very First Easter walks through the events starting with Palm Sunday and continues all the way through Jesus’ resurrection. The flow of the story feels natural and easy to follow, which is especially important for younger kids who are hearing these events for the first ​time.

What I appreciate most about this book is that it doesn’t shy away from the truth of what happened, but it presents it in a gentle, age-appropriate way. It keeps the focus on Jesus and why Easter matters without becoming overwhelming.

Out of all three books, this one is my top pick for teaching the Easter story in a church or classroom setting. It stays focused, it’s easy to understand and it clearly points back to the meaning of Easter for young readers.

Book #2: The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story

This book takes a slightly different approach to sharing the Easter story. Instead of reading it as a traditional narrative, this sweet story follows the Bear family watching children perform a play about Jesus at church.

Because of that format, the story includes a broader overview of Jesus’ life along with His death and resurrection. It doesn’t go as in-depth into specific events like the Last Supper, but it still clearly communicates the message of Easter.

This book also includes a page of related stickers, which are always a hit with kids.

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story is a great option if you are looking for something that connects the Easter story to a church setting, since kids can see other children learning and participating as well. It reinforces that Easter time is about more than traditions like candy and Easter egg hunts and instead points back to Jesus and salvation.

Book #3: The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find

This book is quite different from the other two, but in a really fun and engaging way. It’s a large, sturdy board book that includes a variety of Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments.

As kids flip through the pages, they can search for different items hidden within each scene. It turns the book into more of a feel book experience for kids, because they aren’t just listening—they’re interacting with every page.

This interactive element makes it especially appealing for toddlers and preschoolers who may have a harder time sitting still for a traditional story.

In addition to familiar stories like creation, Noah’s ark and Daniel in the lions’ den, The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find also includes parts of the Easter story, such as the Last Supper and the events leading up to the resurrection.

I really like this one as a supplement to the Easter story because it helps kids engage with Scripture in a hands-on way. It’s not just something they listen to—they’re actively involved in it.

Which Easter book is best for preschoolers?

All three of these books are great resources, but they each serve a slightly different purpose.

If you are looking for a clear and focused retelling of the Easter story, The Very First Easter is definitely my top recommendation. It works especially well for church settings, family reading time or anytime you want to walk through the story from beginning to end.

If you want something that connects the story to a church environment, The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story is a good choice.

And if you are looking for something interactive that keeps little hands busy while still pointing them back to Bible stories, the Search and Find book is a fun option to add in.

A meaningful Easter basket idea for kids

If you are putting together Easter baskets this year, these books are a great way to include something meaningful alongside the fun items on Easter morning.

It’s easy for Easter holiday season to become all about jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs, but adding in a Christ-centered book with a heartwarming story helps keep the focus where it belongs. These would also be great to read together throughout the Easter season as you prepare your child’s heart for what the day truly represents.

Plus, books are great basket stuffers to add to your book collection without adding more sugary candy.

(Check out also these great Easter basket ideas for tween boys and 200 Easter basket ideas that aren’t candy.)

Where to find these Easter books

You can find all three of these Berenstain Bears Easter books here:

Final thoughts

Teaching young children about Easter doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools, we can share the story of Jesus in a way that is both meaningful and understandable for them.

These books are a simple way to start those conversations and help little ones begin to grasp the incredible truth of what Jesus has done for us.

The post 3 Best Easter books for preschoolers that teach about Jesus appeared first on Families With Grace.

A couple of months ago, I was struggling and having a hard time with overwhelm and burnout that made their way into my spiritual walk as well. I was going through a Bible reading plan and dreading the daily readings. I was stuck in a book of woe, and it was just hard to read.

Then one morning, I took a deep breath and realized that isn’t what God intended. Following a Bible reading plan and reading through the Bible in a year was a great goal, but it wasn’t the only way to connect with God.

I felt the Holy Spirit whisper to me to go off plan and read the book of Luke. I switched up my reading, and felt such a great relief. My preconceived idea of what Bible reading should look like in that season was getting in the way of my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I worried I was disappointing God when all along, He just longed to bless and encourage me.

Maybe you’ve been there, too, and had a sinking feeling that your Christian faith has become just another task on your endless to-do list. Another area where you’re not measuring up. Another source of pressure in a life that already feels like too much.

But what if I told you that’s not what faith was ever meant to be?

What does faith without pressure actually mean?

Faith without pressure means living out your Christian faith from a place of grace and trust, not performance, comparison or constant striving.

Faith without pressure isn’t about lowering standards or caring less about your relationship with God. It’s about understanding what true faith actually looks like according to Scripture—not according to Instagram, not according to the mom at church who seems to have it all together and not according to the voice in your head that says you’re never doing enough.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says something that should change everything: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Read that again. Easy. Light. Rest. That’s God’s plan for our spiritual lives.

The truth is, God never intended for your relationship with Him to feel like a performance review. Faith without pressure means recognizing that you’re already loved, already accepted, already enough not because of what you do, but because of what Christ has done.

When faith starts to feel like hustle

Here’s what pressure-based faith looks like in real life:

You wake up feeling guilty because you didn’t get up early enough for a “proper” quiet time. You compare your prayer life to someone else’s and feel like you’re failing. You say yes to another church commitment even though you’re already drowning. You read Christian books about doing more, being more, achieving more for God.

You measure your spiritual health by how busy you are in ministry. You feel anxious when you rest because you “should” be doing something productive. You secretly wonder if God is disappointed in you. You’re exhausted, but you keep pushing because stopping feels like giving up on faith altogether.

Sound familiar?

This hustle mentality has infiltrated Christian culture so deeply that many of us can’t tell the difference between genuine faithfulness and religious performance anymore. We’ve confused being busy for God with actually knowing God. We’ve mistaken activity for intimacy.

But the pressure of life, including self-imposed spiritual pressure, wasn’t meant to define our walk with Christ. In fact, it often gets in the way.

Galatians 3:3 asks a piercing question: “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”

We start with grace, but then we slip into striving. We begin in freedom, but end up in bondage to our own expectations.

The comparison trap that steals our peace

Social media has made comparison a constant temptation. You see another mom’s beautiful Bible journaling spread and feel inadequate about your scribbled notes.

You watch someone’s morning routine video—complete with an hour of worship, prayer and Scripture memory while being dressed just so and making bread from scratch—and wonder what’s wrong with you for struggling to read one chapter while your toddler dumps cereal on the floor.

But here’s the thing about comparison: it’s always based on incomplete information. You’re comparing your full reality of the messy kitchen, the forgotten prayers, the days when faith feels hard with someone else’s highlight reel.

Great faith isn’t measured by how much you do or how perfect your spiritual practices look. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus told a parable about two men praying. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself, listing all his spiritual accomplishments. The tax collector simply beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said it was the tax collector who went home justified before God.

The one who came with nothing but honest need. The one who wasn’t performing. The one who simply trusted in God’s mercy.

That’s what God is looking for: trust. Not performance.

Comparison also distorts our understanding of what God is actually asking of us. Your calling, your season and your circumstances are uniquely yours.

God isn’t asking you to be that other mom. He’s inviting you to be faithful right where you are, with what you have, in this moment.

We are all different with different personalities, skillsets and passions. Outside pressure to be like someone else just doesn’t fit.

Understanding true faith vs. works-based faith

This is where things get really important. We need to talk about the difference between true faith and faith that’s actually just works dressed up in spiritual language.

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it crystal clear: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We can’t earn our way into God’s love. We can’t pray enough, serve enough or be good enough to make God love us more. He already loves us completely. That’s grace.

But many of us still operate as if we have to prove ourselves. We’ve intellectually accepted grace, but we’re emotionally still stuck in a works-based mindset. We think if we just do more good works, we’ll finally feel secure in God’s love. If we just try harder, we’ll finally feel like we’re good Christians.

That’s exhausting. And it’s not what God’s word teaches.

True faith is trusting God even when we don’t understand. It’s believing His promises when circumstances look impossible. It’s resting in His grace instead of striving for His approval. It’s showing up honestly with our doubts, our struggles and our real selves instead of pretending to have it all together.

Romans 5:1-2 reminds us that “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

Peace. Access. Grace in which we stand, not grace we’re scrambling to reach.

How grace replaces the pressure to perform

Grace is the game-changer. It’s what transforms Christian faith from a burden into a gift.

When you truly grasp grace, you realize God isn’t standing over you with a clipboard, marking down every spiritual failure. He’s not disappointed when you’re too tired for daily prayer.

He’s not comparing you to other Christians. He sees you through the lens of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and He sees you as beloved.

This is where the Holy Spirit becomes so important. The Holy Spirit isn’t some divine taskmaster pushing you to do more.

The Spirit is God’s presence with you, empowering you, comforting you and guiding you through love, not guilt.

When you live in grace, you stop asking, “What do I have to do to be acceptable to God?” and start asking, “What is God inviting me into today?” That shift changes everything.

Grace doesn’t make us lazy. Actually, the opposite happens. When we stop exhausting ourselves trying to earn love we already have, we discover the energy and freedom to love others genuinely.

We serve from overflow instead of obligation. We find deeper trust developing naturally as we spend time with God because we want to, not because we have to.

Titus 3:4-5 beautifully captures this: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Not because of what we did. Because of His mercy.

Recognizing and healing from faith burnout

Faith burnout is real, and it’s more common than you might think. It happens when the pressures of life combine with unrealistic spiritual expectations to create a perfect storm of exhaustion.

You might be experiencing faith burnout if:

• Reading your Bible feels like a chore instead of a delight
• Prayer feels obligatory rather than conversational
• You feel guilty more often than you feel loved by God
• Church attendance drains you instead of refueling you
• You’re going through the motions but feeling spiritually numb
• You secretly wonder if you’re cut out for this faith thing at all

If that’s you, please hear this: God is not disappointed in you. He sees your weariness, and He’s inviting you to rest.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

This was after they’d been busy serving and ministering. Jesus didn’t say, “Push through! Do more!” He invited them to rest.

You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to have seasons where you can’t do it all. You’re allowed to step back from commitments. You’re allowed to admit you’re tired.

God isn’t asking you to run yourself into the ground for Him. He’s asking you to abide in Him (John 15:4). Abiding isn’t hustle; it’s presence and staying connected. It’s letting His life flow through you instead of trying to manufacture spiritual fruit through sheer willpower.

Hebrews 4:9-10 offers this beautiful promise: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

God invites us to rest from our works. Not to prove ourselves through them.

Burnout often shows up most clearly when life is already hard, which is why pressure-based faith becomes especially damaging in difficult seasons.

Faith during hard times doesn’t mean faking strength

When life gets difficult, pressure-based faith tells you to put on a brave face, have all the answers and demonstrate unshakeable confidence. But that’s not what faith during hard times actually looks like in Scripture.

Look at the Psalms. David was brutally honest with God. He complained. He questioned. He expressed fear and doubt and anger. And God called David a man after His own heart.

Real faith doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. It means bringing your real self to a real God who can handle your real emotions.

Faith during hard times means showing up even when you don’t feel strong. It means crying out to God even when you’re not sure He’s listening and admitting you need help. It means clinging to what you know about God’s character even when your circumstances are screaming the opposite.

This kind of honest, pressure-free faith actually creates space for God to work. When we stop trying to be superhuman, we make room for God to be God.

Isaiah 30:15 says it perfectly: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”

Not in doing more. In rest. In quietness. In trust.

What a simple, grace-filled faith actually looks like

So what does faith without pressure look like practically? What changes when we let go of the hustle and embrace grace?

It might look like having a two-minute conversation with God while you’re folding laundry instead of beating yourself up for not having an hour-long quiet time.

It might mean reading one verse and sitting with it all day instead of rushing through three chapters to check a box.

It could be praying honest, messy prayers—”God, I’m so tired. I don’t even know what to say. Help”—instead of trying to pray “properly.”

A transformed life doesn’t happen through pressure and striving. It happens through consistent, grace-filled connection with God over time. Small steps. Daily choices. Honest conversations.

When we approach faith this way, something beautiful happens. We start to actually enjoy God’s Word instead of feeling obligated to read it.

Prayer becomes a lifeline instead of a duty. We develop deeper trust naturally as we see God show up faithfully in small ways.

And slowly, without us even noticing at first, we’re transformed. Not because we followed the perfect formula, but because we spent time with the One who transforms.

The freedom of seeking first

Matthew 6:31-33 addresses our tendency to worry and strive: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Seek first. Not seek perfectly. Not seek constantly while ignoring everything else. Just seek first, make Him the priority and trust Him with the rest.

This is where so much pressure melts away. When we’re focused on striving for God’s approval, we carry the weight of our performance. But when we simply seek His kingdom first, trusting that He’ll provide what we need, we find freedom.

God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for priority. And there’s a world of difference between the two.

Practical steps toward pressure-free faith

Here are some gentle, practical ways to start releasing pressure and embracing grace:

Start small. Instead of committing to an hour of prayer, start with five minutes. Instead of a detailed Bible study plan, read one passage slowly or use a simple Bible reading plan with just a verse or two per day. Small, consistent steps build sustainable rhythms.

Be honest with God. Stop trying to pray impressive prayers. Tell Him how you really feel. He already knows anyway.

Redefine faithfulness. Faithfulness isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, even imperfectly. It’s about returning to God again and again, not about never struggling.

Question the “shoulds.” When you hear yourself thinking “I should be doing more,” stop and ask: Is this actually from God, or is this comparison, culture or condemnation talking?

Give yourself grace. Extend to yourself the same grace God extends to you. You’re not a project to be fixed. You’re a beloved child learning and growing.

Focus on relationship, not rules. God wants your heart, not your religious performance. Time with Him is about connection, not just checking boxes.

James 1:5 offers this encouragement: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Without finding fault. God doesn’t condemn you for needing help. He gives generously.

An invitation to rest in faith together

If you’ve been living under the weight of pressure-based faith, I want you to know: there’s a better way. A way that honors God without crushing you. A way that leads to genuine transformation without the burnout.

Faith without pressure isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about understanding what God was actually asking for all along. Not perfection. Not performance. Just you. Your real, honest, imperfect, beautiful self, trusting in His grace.

If you’re tired of the hustle and ready to experience Christian faith the way it was meant to be—rooted in grace, marked by rest and full of genuine joy—I’d love to invite you to join a Bible study we’re doing on this very topic.

This isn’t another thing to add to your plate. It’s not about homework or obligation. It’s a space where we can explore together what it means to live in grace, to trust God more deeply and to let go of the pressures that have been weighing us down.

We’ll dig into Scripture together, share our real stories and discover practical ways to embrace faith without pressure in our everyday lives.

No performance required. No comparison allowed. Just honest women learning to rest in God’s love together.

Because here’s what I’ve learned: faith without pressure isn’t just possible, it’s what God has been offering all along. We just needed permission to receive it.

And sweet mama, consider this your permission.

God isn’t waiting for you to get it all together. He’s inviting you to come as you are—tired, imperfect, struggling—and find rest in Him. That’s where the transformed life begins. Not in the striving, but in the surrender. Not in the pressure, but in the peace.

Will you join us?

Read more from the series:

Faith burnout: When your relationship with God feels heavy

The post Faith without pressure: Why grace matters more than works appeared first on Families With Grace.

Finding faith-based adventure books for tweens that are both exciting and clean can feel like searching for buried treasure. That’s why I’ve loved The Issachar Gatekeeper book series from L.G. Nixon. 

A few months ago, I shared a review of the first two books in the fantasy series. The new book in the series, “The Ghost You Can’t See,” keeps the adventure going with a story that’s packed with mystery, courage and Biblical truth all while staying clean and tween-friendly.

I received a free copy of “The Ghost You Can’t See,” a Christian fantasy book for tweens and teens, in exchange for my honest review and social media coverage. All opinions are my own.

About “The Ghost You Can’t See”

As part of a series, “The Ghost You Can’t See” both continues with main characters we’ve come to know and love — namely Lucy Hornberger and her best friend Schuyler Williams — while also introducing new characters. 

Lucy, who we meet in the first book of the series, “The Ghost of Darwin Stewart,” is a young girl (13) facing all the struggles of real life like parents, chores, school and even a bit of romance. 

Early in the first book, Lucy’s world changes when she learns she’s been chosen to battle evil spirits. 

Instead of having special powers, Lucy is gifted with some magical items in the first book that let her see supernatural creatures not otherwise visible. Pretty quickly Schuyler joins her with the girls having been best friends their whole lives.

The pair quickly face a series of tests in the first book. Then in the second book, “The Ghost Writer,” Lucy’s spiritual battles continue as she comes to the rescue of a classmate who has been cursed. 

Like all great fantasy books, those in The Issachar Gatekeeper series let us see a mix of the real world and the magical world beyond. 

Lucy is working for The High King, who reigns over all that is good, to defeat Darnathian, whose true identity is the dark prince reigning over evil.

Having fought against evil with good in the past, Lucy has fully embraced her new life in this latest book and is ready to watch out for daemons (or evil spirits) and protect those around her. However, her path isn’t easy, and her challenges grow more complex with each book.

In this third book, Lucy faces struggles with friendships, new responsibilities at home and taking on a curse from hundreds of years ago.

Lucy remains the perfect heroine for the series with a mix of relatable strengths and weaknesses in both the real world and in the fantasy world. It’s a creative way to explore spiritual warfare in an age-appropriate, Biblically sound way.

Ghosts in a Christian fantasy book

Don’t let the word “ghost” throw you off. These books aren’t about haunted houses or spooky specters.

Ghosts are often taboo in Christian circles — and understandably so in the sense of departed souls haunting others. But, that is not the take or interpretation in these books.

Nixon, a devout Christian, portrays these ghosts as manifestations of demon spirits. Early in the series, for example, Lucy learns the ghost she sees isn’t the real Darwin Stewart but a demon taking his form.

Instead of spooky ghost stories, L.G. Nixon’s fantasy novels for tweens are faith-based adventures.

(Read about Nixon’s viewpoint on ghosts reflected in the books here.)

A faith-filled story with heart and purpose

This creative take on the supernatural makes it easy to connect the story’s deeper meaning to Biblical truths. 

“The Ghost You Can’t See” is a great book for digging into the ways the supernatural world affects our daily life in a way that is approachable and understandable to tweens. While reading the book, I found a variety of references to Biblical concepts. 

It’s an easy connection to make between The High King representing God and the dark prince, Darnathian, representing Satan — much like in The Chronicles of Narnia from C.S. Lewis.

Multiple passages throughout the book explain Biblical concepts in a great way that older kids will easily understand while also just reading a good book. This passage, for example, explains the importance of monitoring what we allow into our minds: 

Nixon does a great job of encapsulating the fantasy genre while also making Biblical principles accessible. It’s a relatable Christian middle grade book.

“The Ghost You Can’t See” is a perfect book for Christian moms who are fans of Harry Potter and looking for a clean Christian book series for teens with a young protagonist fighting against a dark force.

Why tweens (and parents) will love it

Yet, with all of that said, will tweens actually like the book? Is it relatable, engaging and thrilling? In short, yes to all of the above — and for good reason! Voracious readers and casual readers alike will be drawn into this fantasy adventure for tweens.

​”The Ghost You Can’t See” has lots of fantasy elements but is also relatable. Lucy is struggling with friend drama in the middle of spiritual wars. For example, Lucy faces doubts about her best friend early in this third book and finds herself losing heart. 

Feeling left out or cast aside by friends is something tweens can certainly relate to. Lucy certainly isn’t perfect and struggles with a variety of imperfections, even including being clumsy.

The book doesn’t use any inappropriate language. It does, however, use language that tweens and teens will relate to. The characters’ dialogue sounds like listening to a group of kids with sarcasm and slang terms unique to the series. For example, expressions like ‘Son of a buck snort!’ add humor without crossing any lines.

The story continues

One of the great things about a book series is getting to know and follow the characters throughout their journey. Just as in any other series like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, The Issachar Gatekeeper series gives tweens and teens the chance to see main character Lucy and Schuyler grow and change.

As they are growing and learning, so are young readers. It’s a great series in that it grows with the reader. 

As with any great series, each book ends with just enough of a cliffhanger to make you eager for the next book. As an avid reader myself, I appreciate that each storyline ties up in the book while also leaving us wanting more at the end just as all favorite fantasy books should do!

Getting your own copy

The Issachar Gatekeeper series really is worth adding to your tween or teen’s book list. This is the perfect time to get started with the series.

L.G. Nixon’s site is running a limited time offer to get the books in the series for $10 each and receive a copy of the seasonal novella from the series, “The Ghost in Your Christmas Present.”

You can also just purchase book three, “The Ghost You Can’t See” for $15.99 for paperback, $8.99 for ebook or $3.99 for audiobook. (As the mom of a dyslexic child, I love this series has the accessibility of an audiobook as well!)

If you’re looking for a clean, faith-filled fantasy adventure for tweens, “The Ghost You Can’t See” is a must-read.

Find more book reviews for tweens and teens from Families with Grace:

Christian books for teens: Why “The Ghost Writer” is a standout read

Book review: “The Message Student Devotional Bible”

Book review: “The Enneagram for Teens”

The post A Christian fantasy book for tweens and teens appeared first on Families With Grace.

Music has always been my way to connect with and learn about God, even as a child. Now as a mom and someone who writes church curriculum for children’s ministry, I see how powerful Christian kids’ worship music can be for helping little hearts learn big truths about God.

There are so many verses and concepts I remember due to songs I learned with catchy melodies that have stuck with me. The same is true for my own children.

The fruit of the Spirit? We can recite those thanks to a song the kids learned in children’s church.

Yet, I also know how little children work: they get bored of the same songs after a while. You may hear the song on repeat for ages, but eventually they are ready for a new song. 

Finding good children’s worship media resources is important.

I recently had a chance to preview the new Slugs & Bugs release “Sunday Songs.” I came away with some new Sunday School songs stuck in my head—in a good way!

As parents, we want to fill our homes with things that point our kids toward Jesus, but finding music that’s both fun and faithful can be tough. That’s what makes finding great Christian family music like Slugs & Bugs “Sunday Songs” such a gift.

I received a Slugs & Bugs “Sunday Songs” CD at no charge in exchange for providing a review and social media posts about it. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copy.

A bit about Slugs & Bugs 

If your family hasn’t discovered Slugs & Bugs yet, you’re in for a treat. Their songs are smart, Scripture-based and silly in the best way — the kind of music you won’t mind on repeat.

Slugs & Bugs is a ministry for families that provides great resources for teaching children about Jesus in fun and catchy ways. Back in 2006, Randall Goodgame and Andrew Peterson released the first Slugs & Bugs album and the ministry has been growing ever since.

In fact, Mr. Randall, as he goes by on stage, has toured Slugs & Bugs Live throughout the United States to play more than 350 shows. Since 2019, the ministry has also released four picture books and a 26-episode T.V. series.

The Slugs & Bugs YouTube channel is filled with terrific music videos of kids songs and fun lesson videos kids of all ages will enjoy.

The songs on this Christian kids’ worship music album

The Slugs & Bugs “Sunday Songs” album includes a mix of classic hymns and new Christian worship songs. Some children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School favorite songs on the album include:

• “Father Abraham”
• “This Little Light of Mine” 
• “I’ve Got the Joy”
• “Jesus Loves Me”
• “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

You’ll also hear some new songs that teach Bible stories. I love that the CD pulls out some lesser known Bible stories, such as the story of Joseph in the Old Testament who was sold into slavery. 

Pharaoh renamed Joseph “Zephenath Paneah,” which is one of the catchy songs on the album. That’s some Bible trivia right there!

I know the story well, but I didn’t remember the exact name change he had. I wasn’t even sure how to pronounce it, to be honest! But now I know.

And even better, children will love the song that will leave a lasting imprint on them for years to come.

One of the first songs released on streaming from the album is “Lydia, Seller of Purple.” This snappy tune tells the story of Lydia, which isn’t one of the New Testament stories often shared in children’s church. 

And then the album also includes three tracks of characters talking help children understand the Biblical truth they’re singing about in a fun way.

Whether it’s classic songs your kids already love or new tunes that tell Bible stories in memorable ways, “Sunday Songs” will have your family singing truth without even realizing they’re learning it.

Ways to use “Sunday Songs”

This Christian kids’ worship music works well for home, church or anywhere you want music that brings God’s Word to life for kids.

You can listen to in daily life—think car rides from one errand to the next—or during your family worship time. 

Yet, it’s also great for children’s ministry. From children’s church to Vacation Bible School to Sunday School, kids’ church programs can easily use the songs as part of instruction and worship time.

You can even use it for children’s choir. The other CDs released from Slugs & Bugs include sheet music and chord charts for purchase. “Sunday Songs” will likely have these released soon as well.

Where to get “Sunday Songs”

Right now, there are two options for getting Slugs & Bugs “Sunday Songs” album. First (and most ideal), you can order the CD for $19.99.

The songs are also releasing on streaming services, such as the Spotify app, two per month. With 16 tracks on the CD, it will take a while before they are all released.

However you listen, “Sunday Songs” is a joyful reminder that worship isn’t just for Sundays. Worship is for every moment of family life.

Find more reviews for Christian kiddos:

Book review: “The Message Student Devotional Bible”

Book review: “All the Things I Say to God”

Book review: “The Bible Food Truck”

Book review: “The Enneagram for Teens”

Christian books for teens: Why “The Ghost Writer” is a standout read

The post Christian kids’ worship music: Slugs & Bugs “Sunday Songs” appeared first on Families With Grace.

I’ve been a fan of study Bibles from the time I was a teenager. Devotional Bibles, however, are newer to me — and as a busy mom I’m quite loving them for my daily quiet time.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve explored a range of women’s Bibles — from the “ESV Women’s Study Bible” to the “She Reads Truth CSB”.

But when I picked up “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible,” it felt like the perfect blend of study depth and devotional encouragement. It’s easily the best women’s devotional Bible I’ve looked at.

Mom life is busy, so I especially appreciate Biblical resources that help me grow in my relationship with God in easy, concise ways.

I received a copy of “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible” at no charge in exchange for providing a review and social media posts about it. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copy.

​What is a devotional Bible?

If you’re not sure what sets a devotional Bible apart, here’s the quick breakdown.

• Regular Bibles contain just the Biblical text in a specific translation.
• Study Bibles add background notes, historical context, detailed maps and commentary to help you dig deeper into God’s Word.
• Devotional Bibles combine the best of both — the complete Biblical text plus devotionals, reflection questions and other tools to help you apply Scripture to your everyday life.

Some devotional Bibles lean heavily on inspiration. Others, like “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible,” balance encouragement with solid teaching, making it both uplifting and practical.

Because this edition is built on The Message translation, the language is fresh, modern and easy to understand, which is perfect for quick daily readings or longer reflection time.

First impressions

The cover design of “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible” is straightforward and clean. I got the terracotta leather-look edition. The front includes a gold triangle overlaid with a circle. 

To me, this represents the Holy Trinity in a simple way. The Bible is also available in hard cover and paperback with a cream cover featuring a watercolor landscape.

The Bible, which was released Aug. 5, 2025 by NavPress, includes 320 personal reflections from Christian women.

Each devotional study coincides with a passage of the Bible and helps women in all stages of life apply Biblical principles in their own spiritual journey. 

The graphic design throughout the Bible stays with the terracotta theme and color scheme in a minimalist, clean way that’s easy to read.

Along with the devotionals, “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible” includes a variety of character profiles for both men and women of the Bible.

What makes this the best women’s devotional Bible

Besides the basics and background information, what truly sets this Bible apart is its heart. The authors begin with introducing the Bible and their vision for it.

Their goal is not to rewrite the Word of God or take away from what is in the Bible. It is, however, to make the text more applicable to women and highlight the role women played in Biblical times. All the supplemental content is written by women for other women.

For a variety of reasons, including its place in history, the Bible is strongly patriarchal and male-dominated. The authors set out to address how women fit in and how much a God who let some horrible things happen to women in Bible times (and now) is One who loves them so completely.

What I appreciate most is the lack of platitudes. There is a deep-dive into topics. In fact, some of the devotionals are noted for being a possible trigger for women who have experienced various traumas.

Deep spiritual insights

In the truth of God’s Word, we see a lot of horrible things as well as a lot of good ones. Esther, for example, is my favorite book of the Bible and one of my favorite women in the Bible.

I’ve studied the book and its characters many times. I’ve taught Bible studies about Esther and written children’s curriculum about Esther.

Yet, “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible” included insights I’d not previously considered. We often dismiss King Xerxes’ first queen, Vashti, as being a mere blip in the story. However, she’s more than that. She was a strong woman in the Bible by her own right.

Vashti refused to be objectified by her drunk husband and his friends. She knew she’d be banished (or executed), but made the decision anyway, standing on her own principles.

And thankfully she did so to make the way for Esther to become queen and save the Jewish people. Esther was incredibly courageous in risking her life to save her people. We cannot dispute that. But would she have had any amount of courage to do so without the example of Queen Vashti standing up for herself? Maybe. Maybe not.

Yet, as the story progresses, we also take a closer look at Esther through a lens that is seldom talked about:

These are the kind of deeper insights that help women form a deeper connection to their God and their faith. We’re left with our own reflection questions: do we have enough faith and trust in God to stand up to injustice like Vashti and Esther?

Easy to read and understand

Another reason this is the best women’s devotional Bible for Christian moms in particular is that The Message translation is the easiest mainstream translation to understand. So if you are trying to get in Bible reading and devotion time in 10 spare minutes, you need to absorb and consume as much as possible.

Beyond just reading Scripture in a Bible app, “The Message Women’s Devotional Bible” offers a translation that is easy to read alongside character profiles and devotions that are simple and impactful. It can help mamas make the most of their devotional time when devotional time is limited.

Every two or three pages of this Bible is a devotion, character profile, section introduction, book introduction or other insight to help make understanding the Bible and applying its message to everyday life.

My final thoughts

I expected to like this devotional Bible for women, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. I had to literally make myself stop reading the other day so I didn’t miss a deadline and got back to work.

Anything that helps me draw closer to God through His Word is a resource I love. I’m an avid reader anyway. This felt more like reading for fun than for spiritual reasons, yet I was spiritually blessed through reading.

This isn’t just another devotional that will sit on your shelf; it’s a resource that will genuinely transform your daily walk with God.

Buy it for yourself. Buy it as a gift. Or do both!

If you’re looking for a devotional Bible for your teen, be sure to check out my review of “The Message Student Devotional Bible.”

Read more book reviews from Families with Grace.

The post Best women’s devotional Bible? A top pick for Christian moms appeared first on Families With Grace.

One of the first chapter book series I read out loud with my children was Harry Potter. The magic, intrigue and young hero create engaging stories of good winning over evil—but they lack a spiritual component.

And as lovers of fiction and a Christian family to boot, we also read through The Chronicles of Narnia. My kids enjoyed that as well.

Nowadays at 12 and 15, they do their own reading instead of us reading books aloud together. Finding an engaging Christian book series for teens is a bit like finding a unicorn.

That’s why I was incredibly excited for a chance to check out The Issachar Gatekeeper series by L.G. Nixon — an adventurous Christian fantasy series for teens. It reminds me of a mash-up between Harry Potter and Narnia.

I received free copies of “The Ghost of Darwin Stewart” and “The Ghost Writer,” two exciting Christian books for teens, in exchange for my honest review and social media coverage. All opinions are my own.

The main premise

We first meet Lucy Hornberger in the first book of the series, “The Ghost of Darwin Stewart.” Lucy is an average 13-year-old girl struggling with all things a young teen faces from friendship to chores to parent problems.

However, she also learned pretty quickly that she’s been chosen to vanquish ghosts. Her best friend, Schuyler Williams, is tasked with assisting her.

Together, they face intense spiritual battles and begin to understand the power and authority of The High King, who reigns over all that is good.

Lucy’s saga — and trials — continue in “The Ghost Writer” when she discovers a fellow student who’s been cursed.

Lucy is the perfect heroine for the series. She has faults and struggles youth readers will relate to. Even I — as a middle aged mama — found myself relating to her many times!

The recommended ages for this book is 12 to 17. That seems pretty spot on to me.

Ghosts in a Christian book

Don’t let the word “ghost” throw you off. These books aren’t about haunted houses or spooky specters.

Ghosts are often taboo in Christian circles — and understandably so in the sense of departed souls haunting others. But, that is not the take or interpretation in these books.

Nixon, a devout Christian, portrays these ghosts as manifestations of demon spirits. Early in the series, Lucy learns the ghost she sees isn’t the real Darwin Stewart but a demon taking his form.

(Read about Nixon’s viewpoint on ghosts reflected in the books here.)

How it connects to the Bible

Through The Issachar Gatekeeper series, Nixon draws inspiration from Scripture in ways that are both familiar to Christian readers and approachable for those new to the Bible. She crafts thrilling and mysterious stories without straying from Christian beliefs.

Much like in The Chronicles of Narnia, characters and situations aren’t called precisely the same as in the Bible. Yet, it also doesn’t take much thought for those familiar with God’s Word to pick out the key players.

The High King clearly represents God, while Darnathian, the main antagonist, represents Satan.

What Nixon does beautifully through her engaging fiction books is show stories and examples of the character of God and His goodness, mercy and forgiveness. The books showcase struggles of faith that everyone faces.

As an avid reader of Christian fiction myself, I love stories where the lessons are seamlessly woven in and don’t feel like a sermon. Both “The Ghost of Darwin Stewart” and “The Ghost Writer” do this very well.

Where to find these Christian books for teens

You could start with book two, “The Ghost Writer,” but I highly recommend beginning with book one to fully grasp the characters and storyline.

The series is sold at book retailers, but the best deal right now is on L.G. Nixon’s website. For $23.99 you get the two books mentioned here, the third book in the series (“The Ghost You Can’t See”) plus a bonus novella book “The Ghost in Your Christmas Present.”

Looking for more great Christina books for teens and children? Check out these as well:

“The Message Student Devotional Bible”

“All the Things I Say to God”

Family read aloud chapter books for kindergarten through 5th graders

The post Christian books for teens: Why “The Ghost Writer” is a standout read appeared first on Families With Grace.

One lesson I’ve wanted to instill in my children is God is always with them. They can talk to Him at any time. (As a mom, I love knowing that God is with them every moment, since I can’t be!)

So, we started teaching them to pray early on. It started as toddlers with simple prayers at bedtime and has evolved from there.

Yet teaching little ones to pray has its challenges. Prayer is intangible. It can be hard to understand.

While we want to encourage our children to talk freely with their Heavenly Father, we also want them to take it seriously. Finding the right balance is a struggle.

Whenever we find resources to make teaching our littles about prayer in a way they can understand, then we want to jump right on them!

Books about prayer for children are a terrific way to help our kids understand prayer in a relatable way. Reading to our children not only is good for them mentally and emotionally, it can also help them grow spiritually.

I received a copy of “All the Things I Say to God” at no charge in exchange for providing a children’s book about prayer review and social media posts about it. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copy.

Finding the right book to read

The tremendous power of books is they can teach us lessons without feeling like they are teaching. An avid reader myself, I’ve learned so many things from the written words of others.

Children’s books need to be engaging in their story-telling and in their images. Kids should come away with new ideas and lessons learned while enjoying the book enough they want to read it time and again.

“All the Things I Say to God” fits this bill well. It’s beautifully illustrated by Anita Schmidt and poignantly written by popular poet, writer and speaker, Tanner Olson.

The book follows a little girl named Abby who is learning all about prayer. We see her learn how to pray on her own and not just with her parents at mealtime, bedtime and church.

Asking the best questions

From the early days when my children were starting to grasp faith, my husband and I have told them they can ask any question. We’ll find out an answer if we don’t have one — even if the answer ends up being that nobody knows for sure.

God is big enough to handle our questions. In “All the Things I Say to God,” Abby asks the questions kids have about prayer.

The book begins with her asking her mom whether she can pray on her own. So from the beginning, we learn anyone can pray at any age and at any time, a crucial lesson for children to learn.

Talking to God as a friend

In Abby’s first solo prayer, we read her words that very much reflect how a child would pray. She starts simply with “Hi, God! It’s me, Abby.”

She goes on to tell Him about her favorite things in life, her dog and seeing a butterfly that day. Her prayer is short, simple and sweet. And that’s exactly how kiddos (and adults!) start with prayer.

I remember my own two children often praying at bedtime and talking to God about what happened that day. This is a great way to get children talking to God and realizing He cares about all that’s going on in their lives.

Growing in faith

But the book doesn’t stop there. The more Abby prays, the more she wants to learn about prayer and what she can pray for.

She learns she can ask God questions and thank Him for His gifts. The book doesn’t talk about Abby getting answers from God. It merely says she’s excited for Him to answer.

At first reading, I felt like that was a negative in the book. We all want to know how God answers our questions!

Yet, I thought about it further and realized it’s a great way to handle it. Our children would often ask questions as we read and this is a perfect discussion opportunity for kiddos who are ready to address it. For kiddos who aren’t, it just gets them thinking of what they can talk to God about.

Praying without words

“All the Things I Say to God” even covers how to pray when we have nothing to say. Abby’s mom tells her that she can simply be quiet, listen and think about God.

This is a lesson we adults need as well! Sitting quietly in God’s presence and allowing Him to talk to us is often overlooked.

Olson does a good job of introducing this concept in an age-appropriate way to help children understand prayer is communication, not just us talking to God but also us listening.

In fact, this section is one of my favorites in the book:

What beautiful words for both children and adults!

Praying for others

Finally, we see Abby learn to pray for others. She starts by telling God how much she loves her mother.

I love Abby’s very real conversation with God in which she says: “I love donuts with sprinkles, but I love my mom more.”

This makes me smile as a mama and also reminds me of what my kiddos said when they were younger.

Who the book is best for

If you are in a phase of teaching little ones to pray, this book is a great addition to your library that will open conversations with your children about prayer in their own life. Preschool through early elementary children would enjoy this book.

As someone who writes curriculum for children, I also love it for children’s ministries. “All the Things I Say to God” explains prayer well in a group setting, too.

Ultimately, the book helps children learn they can talk to God, too, about anything at any time and do so all on their own.

Find more resources for how to teach children to pray from toddlers through teens here.

The post Book review: “All the Things I Say to God” appeared first on Families With Grace.

As a Christian mom, I most want my children to know and have a relationship with God. So from the beginning, I have found ways to make the Bible part of their lives.

It started with illustrated, simple children’s Bibles and has progressed from there. Now at 12 and 15, my son and daughter need something deeper.

Yet, I have learned in my own faith journey that simply reading the Bible to check it off my to-do list isn’t super beneficial. I need to really dig into the Word in order to get the most from it.

This is true for my children as well. As a tween and teen, they need their own way to grow in their faith through personal devotion time. This looks different for each child — and that’s perfectly fine.

My daughter loves her current teen Bible with devotionals, but she’s had it long enough to have gone through them. Finding something fresh and engaging for her is important.

When I heard about “The Message Student Devotional Bible,” I had to check it out.

And, even better, I have a chance for you to get your own FREE copy of the Psalms portion of this Bible as well. You’ll find a button at the bottom of this post to get you right to it.

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

I received a partial copy of “The Message Student Devotional Bible” at no charge in exchange for providing a teen Bible devotional review and social media posts about it. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copy.

What is a devotional Bible?

Let’s start with talking about what a devotional Bible actually is. There are different options for Bible study and devotionals. One is a stand-alone devotional like this free 7-day “Finding Grace at Home” family devotional.

And the other option is a Bible with devotionals included and interwoven throughout. “The Message Student Devotional Bible” falls into this category.

While it includes the full text of the Bible in The Message translation, it has a devotional every few pages to help students go deeper.

What I love is the devotionals are concise and bite-sized. Just a few sentences long, each devotional is impactful while also fitting in with the time constraints (and attention spans!) of teens. Three reflection questions go along with each devotional.

Having worked with my daughter a couple of years ago on writing a mother-and-daughter shared journal, “Connecting with Grace,” I learned to spot the typical Sunday School-type questions. When I added those in for our journal, she was quick to call me out.

Sunday School is by no means wrong. I’m all for small group meeting to get into the Word! But, teens know these types of questions. They don’t go as deep or get as personal. Today’s teens crave sincerity and honesty more than ever.

The questions in this devotional Bible for students are spot-on with addressing topics and ideas that really matter in daily life without sounding too much like your favorite Sunday School teacher from second grade.

This makes sense because the devotional content comes from a variety of youth ministry professionals who know how to connect well with teens.

Why use The Message version?

In English alone, we have 450 versions of the Bible. That’s a lot! Many folks have their favorite. The Message is one of the more contemporary versions.

In its original text, the Bible was written in words that everyday people could easily understand. It was never meant to be a book that only intellectual scholars can read and understand.

Yet, one of the struggles with early translations is the words, phrases and metaphorical concepts that were easy for the average person to understand years ago are not as understandable today.

Contemporary translations, such as The Message, have been carefully researched and worked on to use modern words and phrases to convey the same message. This makes it easier for people today to understand.

Most teens are relatively new to devotionals and Bible study — just for the sheer fact of their limited age and life experience. Using a translation that makes it even easier for them to understand seems like a great starting point.

How to use “The Message Student Devotional Bible”

Right from the beginning, “The Message Student Devotional Bible” presents the Bible itself takes the main focus over everything else.

Of course, “The Message Student Devotional Bible” can be used as merely a reading source, but it goes much deeper with guides and plenty of additional content for students.

Each section and each book have a short introduction for context about time, place and author.

Every few pages is a short devotion that gets to the heart of the matter and presents three reflection and life application questions. There are 320 of these throughout the entire Bible and 26 included in the Psalms portion of it alone.

“The Message Student Devotional Bible” is also sprinkled throughout with 30 character studies of key players. Because, the Bible is full of all kinds of interesting people whose stories reflect God’s love played out in their lives.

Another great features of this devotional Bible is the large margins on each page that are perfect for making notes. (Personally, I love a devotional book or Bible with space to write so I don’t have to keep track of the book and a separate notebook.)

Where to get “The Message Student Devotional Bible”

The full version will be released by NavPress in the spring of 2026; however, the Psalms portion is available for purchase right now and is what I received.

You can purchase it around $10 at most book retailers — or you can grab a FREE copy of it here:

If you have a teen, know a teen or work with teens, this is a great resource you don’t want to miss!

The post Book review: “The Message Student Devotional Bible” appeared first on Families With Grace.