What Would Jesus Do?

by Mack Thomas, Helen Haidle, Kip Richmond (Illustrator)

What happens when a small-town pastor and a handful of children choose to live the way Jesus would? Faced with difficult decisions, they learn to love, share, and forgive in ways that impact the entire community.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Christianity, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 13, 1991

Reviews

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children’s retelling of In His Steps. I enjoyed the story and art. I liked that there were small chapters with a question at the end to apply the story to the reader’s life. It would be great to read and talk about with your child. I liked the historical setting, but I think it would be more interesting today if set in modern times.

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genuinely bad children’s book. Worst drawings I’ve ever seen. Loved the sexism, hated the Jesus parts.

Btw if you burn down a village of impoverished people it’s truly nbd

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls, 5 and 7, where drawn into this book. It was engaging and laid out what it looks like to live a life surrendered to Jesus in a very simple, yet profound way. This is a read again for our family.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my 3 young children as a sort of a devotional during lunch times. The writing was slightly uninspiring (I have to admit I haven't read the original "In His Steps" yet, so I hope it's better!) but my kids didn't seem to mind and it did clearly communicate some very important aspects of living out the Christian faith - with actions and not just our words. I did appreciate that each chapter ended with a Bible verse and 2 discussion questions, although they were a bit too advanced for my preschoolers. With 38 chapters, it takes approximately 2 months to finish, reading only on week days. I can imagine that we will add this to our yearly rotation for our "Morning Basket" read alouds.

[Mrs Lopez Overbooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is interesting and amazing!

It's has in each chapter a miniature story that continues on throughout the whole book but at the end of each chapter there are questions very specific to that chapter and the qualities and points it was trying to bring out. It really gets the kids thinking and I will confess it gets us adults thinking as well. I loved the scripture picks and being able to pull my Bible out and read those stories to Rosalie.

I highly recommend the book!! It brings back days of old for the children to see the innocence of that era but also that people were the same in that era. There were those that follow Jesus and those who merely named his name
This is a beautiful book to show just exactly what the word of God says we as Christians should be like.

[Suzanne Cefola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the idea of this book was an interesting one. However I felt like the story was a bit unrealistic. For example, you had children that were going to the city by themselves and roaming in a bad area of town. You also have children that met a stranger in the field, who ended up talking about Jesus and then their parents are OK with hanging around them all the time. Just a couple of things that personally I would not want a young child to read, which is what this book was designed to do. Maybe in a society of yesteryear but in today’s society, we really don’t wanna encourage our children to just be friends random adults and start hanging around with them as buddies.

[Sydni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a genuine story of the Love of Jesus.

When Claire, Bill, Jack, and Mr Martin become friends, they challenge each other to ask themselves a daily question... What Would Jesus Do? As their community and neighboring communities are faced with hardship, they work together to determine what Jesus might do in each situation and then act to help those around them with love and compassion.

This story is a children's version of "In His Steps" by Charles M. Sheldon can help children see the importance of being a Godly example in an ungodly world.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great reminder in different situation What would Jesus do if he will be in your place. IF we start doing what He have done, our life will so different. Very encouraging and Interesting book. I would love to read this book again!!

[Adrienne Organa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I adored this book when I was little, because I loved the pictures. But upon reading it as an adult I was rather horrified at some subtle predatory moments and was pretty annoyed with the writing as well. Not a book I’m going to share with my children after all.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
It was amazing!
Absolutely amazing!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too Elsie Dinsmore and sappy for my taste, but the underlying message is a good reminder-for all ages.

[Alyssa]

I read this book over and over when I was little. I thought it was the best thing ever. I would ask myself “what would Jesus do” in new situations. Brings back fun mems seeing it again🫶🏼

[Ashley Peabody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pray during this year weekends days .read the bible gods word go to church. God bless you.😇🙏👼

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book. It's a children's version of Charles Sheldon's "In His Steps" (which is another great read, by the way). "What Would Jesus Do?" is an engaging story with mild suspense, good discussion questions and applicable verses at the end of each short chapter, as well as encouragement for further reading of specific Bible passages which illustrate the respective themes of many of the chapters.

My kids begged for more each day and we always put the book down with reluctance (even after extra chapters). It's really given all of us food for thought. We were encouraged to ask "the four special words" in our own lives.

I highly recommend this. Another great family Bible time resource.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed being able to read this book to my grandsons, 4 and 7. We had some wonderful conversations about "What would Jesus Do?" and how acting on that question could change our attitudes, our homes, and our lives. We talked at length about "choosing the right" in association with that question. I heard some very insightful responses from both of them.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good retelling of In His Steps which also includes the story of In His Hands, though some of the characters' names are changed. There are questions and Bible verses at the end of each chapter.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book as an 8-year-old as well. :)

[Britt-goodie of newsieness · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was really little I read this book and was so intrested I read it in a day. Now,it's not that interesting to me

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember this one very well because we read it a long time ago but it was a very good children's book!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome, awesome, awesome book for children. Really helps them to see that they should live in a way that would please Jesus.

[Brittany Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great kids book. Lessons in being the bigger person and doing the right thing. Recomend for parents and kids.

[Jessalyn Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those who are in middle school . I believe so because of the reading level it is and because of the storyline and characters.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story with enjoyable illustrations, simple, lovable characters, and Biblical, character-building lessons.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the Bible verses, and it was a very good book.