5.0 out of 5 stars whether or not you already have kids, it's a GREAT resource

J.C. · August 2, 2022

This book is hands-down a necessity for any Christian parent. And I say that as someone who doesn't have children (I might someday?) - but if you have children in your life in ANY capacity, this book will help you be intentional with your time with them, mindful of your own priorities (for yourself and for them), and get you started in taking REAL steps toward discipling young people.Some things I most loved about this book:1) easy to read through a very conversational tone. I wanted to sit with each chapter and think about it (and if you have kids, you'll want to work through the end-of-chapter questions), but I could have absolutely read the entire book in a day.2) it's fun and creative. There are diagrams and charts and activities and handwritten sections, so it doesn't become monotonous. I wrote my own book this way, so I *may* be bias, but I think it makes the experience of reading more engaging.3) it is SO PRACTICAL and HELPFUL. It's full of examples, stories, and "steal this idea"s, which make it both inspiring but also like "oh hey, I can do this too!" I look forward to revisiting this time and again, and I plan on gifting this to all of my new parent friends! It's great for any stage of the parenting journey, and it also helps you think about your own walk with Jesus, how you've been formed, and how you can grow.I give it all the stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful and realistic guide to disciple your children

H.S. · August 3, 2022

Sarah Cowan Johnson has gifted my generation with a wise and practical guidebook in what modern family discipleship can be. Teach Your Children Well is laced with encouragement, hope, vision and practical steps to help guide our kids in their spiritual formation. This book is for those of us who are too tired to add a new complicated rhythm to our family culture, but to discover how tiny intentional moments within our current family structure can have deep impact. Having children in many different stages myself, I love how Johnson intentionally gives specific ways to help our children engage with Jesus from babies to teenagers. It really is so good and practical.For example, our family is headed into a new school year with four kids in four schools. Sarah shared a simple tool of doing a family time audit—assessing where our family spends our time, work, play, etc and finding the pockets in our days to both build or maintain some healthy rhythms for spiritual formation. The graphics and explanations of how this audit can serve, not guilt, a parent are so valuable.This book stands apart in its practicality and grace-filled tone—like Sarah is sitting with you, seeing you, hearing how overwhelming it can be to parent, and lovingly cheering you on. Because she, too, is in the trenches of parenting herself, I trust her words and guidance. This book is a wonderful tool—can’t recommend it high enough!

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, Practical, Biblical and Timely!

I.L.B. · August 16, 2022

This is a book that parents, grandparents, uncles, concerned adults, and churches have been praying for! Sarah shares a wealth of knowledge and practices that will position us in 2022 and beyond to do the most important job we have: passing the baton of our faith to the next generation.Many books talk about the importance of discipling our children, but don't give practical steps while others may share practical steps, but don't ground those practices in the Scriptures. Sarah does both, but she does this in a unique way because of her upbringing and her ministry experience on college campuses.Sarah was raised in a Christian home and has spent her adult life as a single person and then as a wife and mother following Jesus. I wish I could say it's common to meet people who grew up in Christian homes and grew up in the church that serve Jesus as adults, but sadly it isn't. Sarah credits so much of her grounding in the faith to her loving parents and the practices and rhythms they instilled in her. Her book will give you a fresh vision of your home life, your dinner tables, and how the everyday rhythms of life can powerfully shape your child's heart to love Jesus!Because Sarah served in ministry to college students for many years, she has first-hand knowledge of what many of our children will grow up to become unless we act now. She has seen firsthand the results of shallow discipleship in the lives of college students who grew up in Christian homes and grew up in the church. Many of these students either want nothing to do with Jesus or profess faith in Christ, but live their lives as functional atheists. In hearing their stories and understanding how their paths diverged from the faith, Sarah's book can help us avoid this pitfall for the next generation of children in our churches.Read this book! Apply this book! Invite Sarah to speak to a group of parents in your city. You won't regret it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Thoughtful, and Faithful: A Necessary Word for the Church in America

C. · September 13, 2022

I bought this book a week ago knowing nothing about Sarah Cowan Johnson. I'm a father of a toddler, and my wife and I are expecting our second child in a few months. I've read a number of books related to intentionally raising children to know Jesus over the past few years, and Johnson's book has quickly shown itself to be an absolute treasure. The author's diagnosis of the cultural moment we are in and the threats it poses to those seeking the way of Jesus is accessible, poignant, and relevant to every follower of Jesus (whether or not they have kids). Johnson draws from a variety of resources, voices, and experiences in her life and the lives of others to provide many helpful tools and suggestions for parents looking for practical steps to engage their children in spiritual practices that will cultivate an attentiveness for the presence of God in their lives. Most importantly "Teach Your Children Well" refuses to separate the desire to introduce children to an active and vibrant relationship with Jesus from each parent's own walk with Jesus. I'm very thankful for this thoughtful book, and I expect to recommend it to others and learn from it for years to come!

This book is an answer to prayer.

R. · August 2, 2022

I have three little ones aged 3, 5 and 7 and lately I've been questioning just how do get all the head knowledge about Jesus to translate into a relationship with Jesus for them. And then comes this gem of a book. What timing! It's so thoughtful + practical that I could highlight and underline the whole thing. It's definitely a keeper to have by your side as your kids grow and move through different life/spiritual stages.

Holistic Discipleship with Lots of Practical Tips

J. · February 21, 2023

This book is the perfect combination of heart behind how we disciple our kids and the coaching to actually do it well.