New Directions for Holy Questions: Progressive Christian Theology for Families

by Claire Brown, Anita Peebles, Perry Hodgkins Jones (Illustrator)

Overview

Rooted in the teachings of progressive Christianity for today's kids and parents

With accessible language, Bible stories, and connections to daily life, this book guides children and the adults who love them through the core teachings of Christianity. Kids have big questions about God and faith, and, while many of those questions don't have one clear answer, Christians throughout the ages have given us helpful ways to think and talk about what we believe.

Each chapter includes simple spiritual practices and questions for reflection, either in solitary reading or through conversation between children and caregivers or ministers. It is oriented towards anti-racism, gender equality, economic justice, care of the environment, affirmation of LGBTQ+ folks, trauma-informed practice, and global citizenship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640654556
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/18/2022
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	6 - 12 Years

About the Author

Claire Brown is an Episcopal priest, writer, facilitator, and spiritual director. Claire is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, and is the co-editor of Keep Watch with Me: An Advent Reader for Peacemakers. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, the School of Theology at Sewanee, and the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She lives in Athens, Tennessee.

PERRY HODGKINS JONES is an illustrator by night and a non-profit fundraiser by day. She grew up in New Jersey and now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her spouse, child, and two rambunctious cats. Perry is a graduate of Wellesley College and the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, where she received an M.A. in Religion and the Environment.

Table of Contents

Introduction for Kids v

Introduction for Adults vii

1 Who Am I? 1

2 Who Is God? 6

3 Who Is Jesus? 12

4 Who Is the Holy Spirit? 19

5 What Is the Church? 25

6 What Is the Bible? 31

7 What Is Worship? 38

6 What Is Prayer? 44

9 Where Is God When Bad Things Happen? 51

10 Why Did Jesus Die? 57

11 What Is Resurrection? 63

12 What Is Baptism? 68

13 What Is Communion? 74

14 What Happens When We Die? 80

15 What Is a Saint? 86

16 What Is Sin? What Is Forgiveness? 92

17 How Do We Care for Each Other? 98

16 How Do We Care for Creation? 105

19 What Is the Kingdom of God? 111

Acknowledgments 117

Editorial Reviews

"New Directions for Holy Questions will be a go-to resource for my family. The stories, questions, and practices within these pages are sure to spark spiritual wisdom and enliven the theological imaginations of all who read them, no matter how young or old they may be."
-David M. Csinos, associate professor of Practical Theology at Atlantic School of Theology, founder of Faith Forward, and author of Little Theologians

"The 'new direction' that is being described in this book is the idea that adults and children can grow spiritually as they wrestle together with their responses to questions of faith. Stories from the Bible, contemporary stories of justice, and spiritual practices appropriate for all ages are on the rich menu of this imaginative resource."
-Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Caldwell, McCormick Theological Seminary, professor emerita

From the Publisher