Get Wisdom! [Paperback]

Ruth Younts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2011

Question: What do our kids need? Answer: They need wisdom. "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom..." Proverbs 4:7
Designed for parents or teachers to use with children from K-5-through Grade 4, twenty-three lessons illustrate qualities of wisdom and godliness. Each lesson is presented in a simple format with illustrations to capture the attention of the child, and supplemented at the back of the book with suggestions for teaching the lesson. Every child of God both adults and children should work hard to show these traits more and more, because we love Jesus and want to be like him. That s easier said than done, isn't it? We struggle with sin every day, and we will fail. The lessons remind us that when we do, we will find forgiveness and the grace to continue to get wisdom at the foot of the Cross.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It's been said that wisdom is the ability to make the most God-honoring choice in any situation. As parents, God has given us no higher calling than to help our children see and choose this life-giving wisdom. If "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child", then wisdom is the only cure. Get Wisdom! is a treasure book filled with easy to use lessons for parents to teach wisdom at the dinner table, on the way to school, during evening devotions, or whenever works for you. Our children love the pictures and discussion questions in Get Wisdom! and we're thrilled to see them learning how to live out their faith through their daily choices. --Kirk & Chelsea Cameron

Whether for family or for church (or both!), I am always looking for great teaching material for children. Get Wisdom! is just the kind of curriculum I look for - logical, biblical, practical and fun. --Tim Challies

Ruth Younts has produced a wisdom character manual like I have never seen before. Forget that it was written for children, I need it! I wish I had been given such a fun, street-level and Christ-centered tool when my children were still at home. By the way, Ruth isn't able to talk about wisdom with such practicality and grace because she did graduate work in wisdom. No, Ruth has spent years at the feet of her Heavenly Father listening. She knows that he is not only the source of all true wisdom, but is Wisdom himself. --Paul David Tripp

Whether for family or for church (or both!), I am always looking for great teaching material for children. Get Wisdom! is just the kind of curriculum I look for - logical, biblical, practical and fun. --Tim Challies

Ruth Younts has produced a wisdom character manual like I have never seen before. Forget that it was written for children, I need it! I wish I had been given such a fun, street-level and Christ-centered tool when my children were still at home. By the way, Ruth isn't able to talk about wisdom with such practicality and grace because she did graduate work in wisdom. No, Ruth has spent years at the feet of her Heavenly Father listening. She knows that he is not only the source of all true wisdom, but is Wisdom himself. --Paul David Tripp

About the Author

Ruth Younts (M.A.R., Westminster Theological Seminary) is the Christian Education Director at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Moore, South Carolina. Ruth has been involved in Christian Education for over 30 years. She has experience in working with private Christian Education, Church School and home education. She and her husband, Jay, live in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, and have five adult children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Shepherd Press (March 10, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936908123
• ISBN-13: 978-1936908127
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, and powerful! March 17, 2011

By Kendall Coffman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Resources like this have been needed for a long time. I hope this is not the last book of this type that Ruth Younts writes or that Shepherd Press publishes. Parents and teachers need solid, biblical material that is accessible - and this book delivers.

First, the content and structure of the book. The value of this book is not in its quantity of content, but the clarity of content. It is easy to be confusing and scattered, but difficult to be clear and concise. Younts has put in the effort and achieved the latter. Each lesson (chapter), of which there are 23 in all, is made up of a wisdom trait like listening, truthfulness, kindness, etc. Then, a short and clear definition is given, a Bible verse is supplied, room for a child to write some examples is provided, a prayer is suggested, and a helpful memory tool is created.

Second, the teacher's guide in the book. The teacher's guide is meant to provide "teaching points, discussion questions, games, and role plays." A guide is provided for each lesson and opens with an activity. Most of the lesson guides walk the parent/teacher through a memory verse, definition, and discussion.

Third, the usefulness of the book. According to my best estimate, each lesson would take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Here is how I came to that figure:
Step 1 - Preparing the activity. The time required for this step varies, but most call for very minimal preparation like: bring a blindfold, crayons/paper, dry spaghetti noodles, etc.
Step 2 - Perform the opening activity (5 mins.) This step would include things like a game, activity, song, collage, role play, etc.
Step 3 - Practice the memory verse (3 mins.)
Step 4 - Define and explain the wisdom trait (2 mins.)
Step 5 - Discuss the lesson (5 mins....)
Once these steps are complete, you would have the option to add your own teaching time onto this if you desired. From a teacher's perspective, I don't think it would be a difficult task to stretch these lessons into 1/2 hour.

This book is versatile (it can be used for family devotions, Sunday School lessons, general instruction, and even during times of discipline) and powerful (simple, clear, biblical truth). The greatest benefit I see is that a parent/teacher can refer continually back to these definitions so a standard can be established. As a parent/teacher, have you ever struggled with defining words like respect or discernment for your 1st grader? Even more, have you ever struggled to teach these wisdom traits to your 1st grader? Get this book and struggle no more. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful little book! January 16, 2012

By Stacey W. Abdalla

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book at a conference at my church and my only regret was that I hadn't found it when my son was a bit younger - I think it would be great to do with a 4 to 6 year old...my son was 7 when I found it and he's ready for more, but that's just where he's at. At any rate, I highly recommend this book - it has short, simple, straightforward lessons as well as attractive pages and places for the kids to write. Love it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solidly grounded and eminently practical... March 26, 2011

By James Richard Batson Jr.

Format:Paperback

Get Wisdom! is written with full understanding that only in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and there is clear evidence that the author fully understands that only in Christ are any of us able to truly get wisdom.

The book is presented in a visually pleasing and accessible fashion, which will encourage and engage young hearts and minds. Each lesson focuses on a specific character trait, presenting a concise definition, application examples, and a related prayer. Above all, God's word is central throughout the book.

I have used, and will continue to use, Get Wisdom! as a resource in helping my children see the risen Christ as the One who sacrificed his life for ours, so that we might live our lives for him.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY HELPFUL October 21, 2011

By Erica Moseley

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We ordered this book after a friend recommended it, and I'm so glad we did! My 5 1/2 year-old LOVES reading this and discussing the topics. Some of it is a little 'old' for her, but we've made it work just fine. The topics are simple and explained well, the pictures and 'workbook' part are fun and cute. Solid Bible-based information and I love that it gives me a good way to start great spiritual discussions with her. VERY PLEASED!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Bible Lessons for K-4 May 12, 2011

By Anne TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This is a wonderful book of character lessons for children.

In the beginning of the book, Ms. Younts wisely begins by talking about what Christian wisdom is and how wisdom and the Gospel are related. She explains that we can't be good enough and we can't earn God's love. She also explains why we want to be good. The scriptures in this page are ones that I want to memorize with my children so that they will be written on our hearts. The next section gives a definition for each of 23 traits (like listening and orderliness), a Bible verse, a prayer, and a symbolic picture to help children remember what the words mean. The next section includes a lesson plan for each of the traits. There's a short introductory activity, the memory verse, discussion questions, and often role play suggestions for each trait.

At the very beginning of the book, Ms. Younts says that the best age range for this book is K-4. I agree with that age range. This book would be perfect for children's church or another time when you have children of these ages together. I thought of my church and the times that we have been volunteering to help watch children while the parents are taking classes at a local shelter. Most of the activities would work for home devotions as well. Only one of 23 activities wouldn't.

What I liked best about this book is the appropriateness of both the questions and the definitions. I know that my Kindergarten and Second grade daughters would both be able to answer these questions and understand the definitions. When I was a classroom teacher, one of the most difficult things was to structure an activity so that all ability levels could participate. Ms. Younts has done an excellent job with this book of making that possible with this book....

If you're looking for a book to use once a week for homeschooling, for family devotion times, for Sunday school, or for children's church with K-4 graders and you have multiple age children, I highly recommend this book!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Shepherd Press. Read more ›