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A Young Person's Guide to Knowing God
This book was especially written by Patricia St John for all young people who want to learn about God and get to know Him for themselves. Every chapter deals with a basic Christian belief and tackles some of the most searching questions the author was asked, including:
Who is God and what is he like?
Why is there so much suffering in the world?
Wasn't I born a Christian?
Does Jesus care about me?
Can I really know God?
Through enjoyable real-life stories, prayers and thought-provoking questions, the reader will discover what Christians believe and what friendship with Jesus can mean in their lives.
Who is God and what is he like?
Why is there so much suffering in the world?
Wasn't I born a Christian?
Does Jesus care about me?
Can I really know God?
Through enjoyable real-life stories, prayers and thought-provoking questions, the reader will discover what Christians believe and what friendship with Jesus can mean in their lives.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
9 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Patricia St. John
96 books246 followersPatricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2023
This is easily, and by far, the best devotional book I’ve seen, especially in the context of being written for young people.
My issue with most devotionals is that they are heavily “law” based (what you gotta do to receive God’s temporal favor), and very “me” centered (“what’s in it for me?”, rather than “what has God promised?”). This book puts God first by teaching the reader to ask Him for faith and forgiveness, and to hold onto His promises; rather than a list of to-do’s, a twelve step program, or implying that you need to be this great and conquering “person of God,” which leaves Christian’s dejected when they fail to adequately fulfill the list, or complete works that seem as enormously grand as biblical role models.
The book is organized by a couple themed sections. Within the sections we get 46 short stories (a parable, story, anecdote of P. St. John, or her own paraphrase of a Bible story). Following each story, that are only a couple pages long, we get an Authors Note, a Keynote, a Prayer, and a question to Think on.
In these post scripts is a focus on thanking God, instead of bargaining or burdening the reader.
Additional little bonus is the inclusion of the Apostles creed in the beginning of the book.
The only bad part is this skateboard cover. (No offense intended, and my apologies, toward the designer and publisher). It has nothing to do with the stories and I can’t see it appealing to anyone today.
Weather you are familiar with Patricia St. John, or have never heard of her, this is a fantastic devotional for you and your kids.
My issue with most devotionals is that they are heavily “law” based (what you gotta do to receive God’s temporal favor), and very “me” centered (“what’s in it for me?”, rather than “what has God promised?”). This book puts God first by teaching the reader to ask Him for faith and forgiveness, and to hold onto His promises; rather than a list of to-do’s, a twelve step program, or implying that you need to be this great and conquering “person of God,” which leaves Christian’s dejected when they fail to adequately fulfill the list, or complete works that seem as enormously grand as biblical role models.
The book is organized by a couple themed sections. Within the sections we get 46 short stories (a parable, story, anecdote of P. St. John, or her own paraphrase of a Bible story). Following each story, that are only a couple pages long, we get an Authors Note, a Keynote, a Prayer, and a question to Think on.
In these post scripts is a focus on thanking God, instead of bargaining or burdening the reader.
Additional little bonus is the inclusion of the Apostles creed in the beginning of the book.
The only bad part is this skateboard cover. (No offense intended, and my apologies, toward the designer and publisher). It has nothing to do with the stories and I can’t see it appealing to anyone today.
Weather you are familiar with Patricia St. John, or have never heard of her, this is a fantastic devotional for you and your kids.
April 14, 2025
Read this as our school devotional. Great book. Touches on a lot of topics. Great layout. Great devotional for kids
February 29, 2012
I read this book with the boys. Very inspirational. The format is a scripture reading, a story, many times an author's note that expands on what you learned in the story, a supporting scripture, a prayer and then something to think about. It has some great stories, many of them true stories, that inspire to live a life for Jesus and really get to know Him.
June 16, 2014
This is a devotional type book so it will be read over and over eternally - but we've read enough of it for me to know that this book is tops. Every story brings tears to my eyes and leads to amazing conversations with my kiddos. Great bible study book!
July 29, 2008
this book is really good! Definatly a must read!
July 22, 2017
This is a collection of 48 short stories that point to a Bible truth and encourage the readers to pray and think. The stories are divided into sections that each focus on different truths such as "I believe in God", "I believe in God's Son Jesus Christ", " ...Who died on the cross to save the world and me...", "Spiritual growth i) relationship with God", "Spiritual growth ii) Relationship with Others", "Trusting God", etc.
I think this book is currently out of print, but a friend who loves it lent it to me and we have really enjoyed picking it up and working through all these thought-provoking stories over a year's time.
For families looking for something fun, different and valuable to share around the breakfast or dinner table I would recommend this book. It is simple and inviting in that it only requires reading a new interesting story that is 2-4 pages long. My kids (not my 3-yr. old as much but especially my 10 and 11 yr. old kids) ALWAYS got excited whenI pulled it off the shelf.
I think this book is currently out of print, but a friend who loves it lent it to me and we have really enjoyed picking it up and working through all these thought-provoking stories over a year's time.
For families looking for something fun, different and valuable to share around the breakfast or dinner table I would recommend this book. It is simple and inviting in that it only requires reading a new interesting story that is 2-4 pages long. My kids (not my 3-yr. old as much but especially my 10 and 11 yr. old kids) ALWAYS got excited whenI pulled it off the shelf.
April 20, 2019
I read this to my boys who are 4th and 6th grade as part of our My Father’s World curriculum this year. MFW scheduled readings from this book but it skipped around. I liked this book so much that I read the every page to my boys.
This is a daily devotional with interesting stories from all over the world that are short and for the most part keep your attention. Each story is a chapter and it has a theme along with a Bible reference. For example: in chapter 24 the theme is: The Spirit produces joy. The Bible reference is John 16:30-33. At the end of each story there is an authors note, keynote (which is a verse to reinforce the story), a prayer and a think (something to ponder based on the story or lesson).
All in all, I thought this book was very well written. It gave me an easy way to do devotions with my boys each morning with ease and I think the stories were heartfelt and gave them something to ponder each day.
This is a daily devotional with interesting stories from all over the world that are short and for the most part keep your attention. Each story is a chapter and it has a theme along with a Bible reference. For example: in chapter 24 the theme is: The Spirit produces joy. The Bible reference is John 16:30-33. At the end of each story there is an authors note, keynote (which is a verse to reinforce the story), a prayer and a think (something to ponder based on the story or lesson).
All in all, I thought this book was very well written. It gave me an easy way to do devotions with my boys each morning with ease and I think the stories were heartfelt and gave them something to ponder each day.
July 2, 2021
My rereading this anthology of a variety of short, truth-illuminating stories that I first encountered as a child was thoroughly enjoyable, challenging and instructive.
Patricia St John, a prolific writer whose other books are well worth reading, groups this collection of narratives to illustrate answers to core beliefs of followers of Jesus. Further insights to each truth can be read in The Bible.
Some of the 46 stories rang a bell; many I recalled from my youth. This is a book for 'young people' but can be appreciated by anyone wanting to know God.
Patricia St John, a prolific writer whose other books are well worth reading, groups this collection of narratives to illustrate answers to core beliefs of followers of Jesus. Further insights to each truth can be read in The Bible.
Some of the 46 stories rang a bell; many I recalled from my youth. This is a book for 'young people' but can be appreciated by anyone wanting to know God.
August 31, 2019
This was absolutely excellent as a devotional with short stories tied into Bible passages teaching a basic theology of God and Christian sanctification. I would recommend any family to read it through for devotions some time when your kids are between, say, 8-14.
February 18, 2021
I loved this book. It was so inspirational and made even some of the most complicated concepts simple through its stories. Every story was a beautiful depiction of God’s undying love and desire for us to be with him. 👏👏👏👏 to this book.
April 22, 2022
This was a great book with lovely, applicable stories that helped us grasp the basics of Christianity. Highly recommend!
April 17, 2025
Exceptional book to read with your children. I loved how each story tied back to the scripture reading given and then supplied a couple questions to make you think about how to apply everything to your own life.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews