New book is a resource for kids (and adults) asking big, holy questions!
Photo by @supernov on Unsplash
Kids ask questions
One of my favorite things about working with children is how curious they are. The world is so new to them and they are gathering experiences for the first time and they are learning how to be humans! They want to know why the sky is blue and when your family van will reach the destination and how old grandma is and where do babies come from. These are all nice, and normal, and somewhat eyeroll-inducing questions that you’ve probably heard from a kid in your life. But not all questions are as straightforward. Kids also want to know who God is and the church does communion and what happens when we die and how do we care for our planet. These are not easy questions, but they are holy, born of a sweet curiosity to be in relationship with God and with others.
So do grownups…
If you’re like most grownups, you’ll welcome all kinds of questions from kids in your life…but you might feel a bit…unsure about how to answer some of them. That’s ok, you’re normal! One of my favorite things I’ve ever learned as a grownup is that adults are all just figuring life out as they go, just like kids…but with bills and taxes and stuff. When I was a teenager I dreamed of being an adult and having a good grasp on life, and knowing all sorts of things that adults should know. But then I became an adult and I realized that I had a lot of questions, too! And not just questions that I call my dad for (like how do I tell when my tire tread is worn too thin and family medical history and what kind of bird was that on the side of the road). I have questions, even as an adult, about God. About church. About humanity. Questions that are more often “why?” than “what” and “where” and “when.”
What do you do when you don’t know the answer?
Grownups, it’s ok not to have all the answers. It’s ok to ask questions yourselves! And, it’s ok to ask questions right alongside the children in your life. There may not be a more powerful phrase for kids to hear adults utter than “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.” Especially about theological questions.
A resource to help with these big, holy questions about God and about life
On January 18, I had the honor of celebrating the publication of the book I co-authored with my dear friend Rev. Claire Brown, New Directions for Holy Questions: Progressive Christian Theology for Families.
This was a project entirely conceived and brought forth during the pandemic, and I honestly think it got me through the pandemic in some ways. This book addresses 19 questions that are a mix of standard systematic theology questions and questions that we know kids ask grownups, particularly religious ones. Each chapter addresses one question, from the theological anthropology of “Who am I?” to the alternatives to substitutionary atonement theology of “Why did Jesus die?” to the theodicy of “Where is God when bad things happen?” In each of these chapters, we offer some reflections on the questions, suggest a couple no-preparation spiritual practices, share a story about an individual or group pursuing justice, and sprinkle in some reflection questions that can be discussed, journaled about, or prayed about. This book is intentionally as antiracist, LGBTQIA+ affirmative and celebratory, trauma-informed, and culturally competent as we know how to be at this time. We crafted this book with the intention that it would be accessible for readers about 8-10 years old, and hopefully be a resource that kids could read on their own or read with adults.
Since January 18, we have learned that people are using this resource in creative ways far beyond what we’d imagined. Friends of ours have used this book as a youth group study guide, in conversation with adults in hospice, as a tool for confirmation class and new membership class, as a study book for church lay leaders, and much more. It has been humbling and wonderful and anxious and weird and beautiful to hear from folks about how this book is impacting them–and not just kids, but the adults, too!
We know that so much of faith formation happens outside of church worship or Sunday school times, and we hope this helps children and their grownups on their faith journeys. We also know that it can be lonely for families who are finding their progressive values are at odds with their churches…and we want anyone who is in that position to know: you are not alone. Your questions are sacred. Your curiosity about God is a gift, and can lead you into deeper and more authentic relationship with the Holy. So, beloveds, go ahead. Ask these big questions. Support children in your life who are wondering about God, about Jesus, about church, and about how Christians can live with justice towards each other and the earth. We are grateful for the opportunity to journey with you.
So if you are one of our readers–thank you! And if you are interested in ordering a book, please do so here! Also, we’d appreciate it if you took the time to review the book on Amazon or Goodreads. That helps us get more visibility, which helps get this book into the hands of folks who might find it useful. Thank you for your support!
