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Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism
Teaching the Shorter Catechism has never been easier. This book of daily readings . . . aids memorization by devoting six days per question. explains the catechism in simple language. Provides six different meditations on the main points of each question. Includes key Scripture readings. Takes just a few minutes each day, allowing time for discussion and review. Is useful in the home, church, or classroom.
349 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
127 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Starr Meade
32 books10 followersStarr Meade served as director of children’s ministries for ten years at her local church and taught Latin and Bible for eight years in a Christian school. She is a graduate of Arizona College of the Bible and has authored a number of books, including Training Hearts, Teaching Minds. Starr and her husband live in Arizona where she currently teaches home school students and is mother to three grown children and three grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 9, 2023
I’ve read this book with my family about 2 or 3 times. It’s a great introduction to the WSC, and the daily readings make it appropriate for family worship. I had a few (expected) issues with the comments about the sacraments, but overall, it’s a worthy read.
June 27, 2018
Kara and I started reading this together when Kate almost 1, and we finished the day before she turned 3.
Overall, it's a useful idea. I like the concept of reviewing one catechism question and answer a week, and I wanted to give it more than 3 stars. Unfortunately, much of the text sounds awkward when read aloud.
Question 102 on the second petition/request in the Lord's prayer focused on the (purely?) spiritual nature of God's kingdom (within people's hearts and in churchy stuff). Makes sense that Mike Horton would give this book a hearty recommendation on the back cover.
Here's a related article on teaching kids theology.
Overall, it's a useful idea. I like the concept of reviewing one catechism question and answer a week, and I wanted to give it more than 3 stars. Unfortunately, much of the text sounds awkward when read aloud.
Question 102 on the second petition/request in the Lord's prayer focused on the (purely?) spiritual nature of God's kingdom (within people's hearts and in churchy stuff). Makes sense that Mike Horton would give this book a hearty recommendation on the back cover.
Here's a related article on teaching kids theology.
March 28, 2022
Great way to be introduced to the WSC. Recommended.
May 23, 2008
Currently going through this book with my wife in preparation for our son. This book is very family friendly as it goes through the basics of the reformed faith by asking questions and giving answers. Each question is focused on for six days through short devotionals with scripture proofs which allows for good conversation and discussion. Still going through, but as of now, I am thoroughly impressed.
August 7, 2022
Didn’t exactly finish this time, but we’re done for now. I read this to my kids weekly and several years ago we read it as a family.
This book is good for family reading a little every day. It takes a principle from the Catechism and expounds on it with supporting scripture in small chunks. Perfect for elementary to high school age.
This book is good for family reading a little every day. It takes a principle from the Catechism and expounds on it with supporting scripture in small chunks. Perfect for elementary to high school age.
April 30, 2012
Andy and I read this at breakfast each morning. It's a good explication of the Shorter Catechism and a good way to do a short devotional before everyone heads out the door.
January 11, 2011
I use this with some of our High School students I interject the questions and do a study!
August 11, 2011
Excellent in explaining the Shorter Catechism to children.
June 20, 2012
Very good. Great help.
February 18, 2020
Great book to study the Westminster Shorter Catichism with your kids/family.
April 24, 2024
As a non-denominational Christian homeschooling parent, I wanted a way to really lay a good foundation in the Word of God. When my boys were in elementary school, we attended church regularly, memorized Bible scripture, told Bible stories, etc. When my boys reached 5th/6th grade, We read/listened to the Bible all the way through from Genesis - Revelation. Now, I know that they will not understand all the Word, but Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. So, that year was spent "building faith".
Since I have a Catholic background, I have heard of the catechism and was raised on it when I was younger till about the age of 10. What I like about this particular book is that at the stage in life that middle school boys are at, that is in the questioning phase, I wanted to give them a question/answer style study on why we believe what we believe, so of course I remembered my training in catechism from a young child. I wanted them to believe in God not just because we told them to, but God the Father calls us because the Word of God says so (John 6:44). Therefore, this particular book satisfied this developing stage. It opens up discussions and furuther digging, as well.
Instead of an eveyday study, however, we actually took 2 days to complete 1 question. The next study will be Pilgrim's Progress (By John Bunyan) for next school year, so this 2day/1 question worked for us.
I hope this encourages others to at least check it out! If you find things in it that you don't agree with, at least you have the opportunity to look up in the Word and find your answer. No book, but the Bible, is flawless. Blessings.
Since I have a Catholic background, I have heard of the catechism and was raised on it when I was younger till about the age of 10. What I like about this particular book is that at the stage in life that middle school boys are at, that is in the questioning phase, I wanted to give them a question/answer style study on why we believe what we believe, so of course I remembered my training in catechism from a young child. I wanted them to believe in God not just because we told them to, but God the Father calls us because the Word of God says so (John 6:44). Therefore, this particular book satisfied this developing stage. It opens up discussions and furuther digging, as well.
Instead of an eveyday study, however, we actually took 2 days to complete 1 question. The next study will be Pilgrim's Progress (By John Bunyan) for next school year, so this 2day/1 question worked for us.
I hope this encourages others to at least check it out! If you find things in it that you don't agree with, at least you have the opportunity to look up in the Word and find your answer. No book, but the Bible, is flawless. Blessings.
February 1, 2024
This is very well done. It takes quite a long time to get through if you follow the method they recommend, but it is very thorough. It is written from a Presbyterian perspective, so keep that in mind if considering.
April 20, 2023
Used this as a daily devotional in our homeschool and loved the lessons.
June 26, 2008
This book has a very good approach of sharing catechism. It is arranged per topic per week. Thus, you will find yourself have a better and thorough understanding on each topic of the catechism. I would recommend this book to all families..
It is best to start reading the book in groups among family members or friends. Read and grow and share together. It's excellent.
I have no idea which are the available spots for you to get this book. But in Medan,ID, you can definitely get the copy of it in my church MRII Medan or my office BiNus Center Gajah Mada Medan.
It is best to start reading the book in groups among family members or friends. Read and grow and share together. It's excellent.
I have no idea which are the available spots for you to get this book. But in Medan,ID, you can definitely get the copy of it in my church MRII Medan or my office BiNus Center Gajah Mada Medan.
August 24, 2015
This book provides the guidance needed for consistent family devotions. The Shorter Catechism questions are broken down into daily, bite-size segments that are small enough to keep the attention of younger children, but meaty enough to engage older children and adults. The only thing that I would change is the updating of the language; we prefer the original.
If you're looking for a devotional resource to use with your whole family, Starr Meade has written an excellent book that will keep your family in the word of God.
If you're looking for a devotional resource to use with your whole family, Starr Meade has written an excellent book that will keep your family in the word of God.
August 17, 2010
The devotional side of this book is very good and useful. My only complaint is that I had always taught my children from the original Shorter Catechism, and this books lessons use and quote from a more modern translation which was totally confusing when we tried to use it because they had memorized the original. I found that to use it, I had to have this book open, and the regular catechism, and that was tiresome to have to always do.
June 4, 2019
Because our four children’s ages and stages were so spread out, my husband and I found both the simplicity and depth of this book to be very helpful when we were actively parenting.
I remember that we did not always read the text as it was written but would use the text to help us formulate discussions which was not always easy for us because of the ten year age span from our youngest to oldest. We did appreciate Meade’s work greatly!
I remember that we did not always read the text as it was written but would use the text to help us formulate discussions which was not always easy for us because of the ten year age span from our youngest to oldest. We did appreciate Meade’s work greatly!
February 16, 2014
Have been reading this nightly with Jeremy since right before Kate turned 1, and we finished it the night before she turns 3. I really liked the idea of a catechism a week with 6 daily devotionals--each with a supporting scripture passage. It did feel forced at times. Maybe we will go through it with Kate at sometime in the firitre?
November 8, 2012
This is well written and we enjoyed as much as we were able to read until it became too difficult for a child of six or eight. I think we will pick it back up when our children are a little older.
April 1, 2014
Great for family devotions working through Westminster Shorter Catechism.
July 9, 2016
Very good.
July 25, 2023
A very useful book for family devotions. Or, Bible study with your children.
May 14, 2012
Excellent devotional for reformed families.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews