Offering the Gospel to Children

by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard

Church education programs for children often substitute children’s Bibles for Holy Scripture and simple moralism for imagination. Gretchen Wolff Pritchard shows how to offer the gospel imaginatively to children, with practical ideas on children’s worship, liturgy, drama, pastoral care, and study of the Bible. The final chapter includes an exhaustive annotated bibliography of children’s books for the parish library, and resources for parents and teachers.

Genres: Parenting, Faith, Education, Childrens

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Gretchen Wolff Pritchard is a wife, mother, and grandmother who has served as an Episcopal lay minister and the children's minister at the Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James in New Haven and founder of the Children's Mission of St. Paul and St. James. In addition to her books, she is the author and artist of THE SUNDAY PAPER.

Reviews

[Trace]

On page 153 of this book, the author poses the question "How can we invite children into real involvement with our worship of God?". I found that question nicely encapsulated the entire theme of this book.

The author attends an Episcopalian parish and therefore most of the ideas centered around the liturgical calendar...something my church doesn't follow - however I was so very impressed with the author's viewpoints and suggestions. Her whole focus is on helping children to take part in the Word and worship alongside us - not separately with what she dubs "kiddie gospel".

Her methods and suggestions felt organic and not like some of the 'entertainment-style' of Sunday schools we've been a part of in the past...

Her book list at the back was an added bonus!

[Jennifer]

This is one of the best books I have read recently about kids and religion (my current phase). It has the best explanation of kids and the Eucharist that I have ever encountered. It is not only a serious evaluation of what the church is failing to do for kids (by watering down the full gospel) but it is also a hopeful practical guide to how kids can remind us all of our humanity and need for God.

[Carol Roote]

The best book on Christian education I've ever read