Wonder - by Meredith Miller (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Parents and caregivers who want to raise kids in the faith often feel ill-equipped, especially when it comes to talking about the Bible. How do they tell the stories in ways their kids can understand? What do they do with the questions (so many questions!) their kids will ask? And how do they make it something their kids actually want to do? Wonder addresses these pain points by combining creative Bible storytelling for kids, fun and engaging conversation prompts for families, and key contextual information for adults. Instead of simply presenting Bible stories, as a children's Bible would, this book actually equips grownups to talk about the stories with children. Each story is accompanied by historical, literary, and cultural background to help parents understand the original form, audience, and intention for the story. Meredith frames each story to help grown-ups talk with kids about how the story's original audience would have understood it, so kids can understand the life-giving story the Bible invites us all into. The book is organized into 52 stories for parents to work through with their children, and it can be used as a family devotional, but it can also simply be used as a reference book. Meredith shares language to equip parents to talk about what to say when God doesn't seem to make sense. This is a long-awaited guide for helping kids fall in love with scripture"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

From the bestselling author of Woven, a thoughtful and practical handbook to help parents talk about the big, complicated, and sometimes challenging book we call the Bible with their kids, to ultimately help their children fall in love with scripture.

Parents and caregivers who want to raise kids in the faith often feel ill-equipped, especially when it comes to talking about the Bible. How do they tell the stories in ways their kids can understand? What do they do with the questions (so many questions!) their kids will ask? And how do they make it something their kids actually want to do? Wonder addresses these pain points by combining creative Bible storytelling for kids, fun and engaging conversation prompts for families, and key contextual information for adults.

Instead of simply presenting Bible stories, as a children's Bible would, this book actually equips grownups to talk about the stories with children. Each story is accompanied by historical, literary, and cultural background to help parents understand the original form, audience, and intention for the story. Meredith frames each story to help grown-ups talk with kids about how the story's original audience would have understood it, so kids can understand the life-giving story the Bible invites us all into.

The book is organized into 52 stories for parents to work through with their children, and it can be used as a family devotional, but it can also simply be used as a reference book. Meredith shares language to equip parents to talk about what to say when God doesn't seem to make sense. This is a long-awaited guide for helping kids fall in love with scripture.

Review Quotes

"As a parent who has had to unravel and rebuild my faith from the ground up, one of the hardest parts was walking that road with kids who had big questions of their own. I certainly didn't have the answers. How was I supposed to respond to theirs? None of us want to pass down harm or confusion, so we often feel caught between saying nothing at all or repeating the patterns we're trying to unlearn. It just feels like a lot, you know?

Wonder is the reset for our physical and spiritual nervous systems. Meredith gently dissolves the pressure to be an expert and shows us how to be companions who are curious, honest, and excited to explore Scripture together. Wonder turns 'I don't know' into an invitation. This book is wise, compassionate, and genuinely fun. It's the book I wish had formed the scaffolding of my faith, and I'm grateful that my kids (and yours!) will have that gift."--Kristen LaValley, Author of Growing Up Saved - When Loving God Feels Like Losing Yourself

"In Wonder, Miller offers adults a compelling guide for reparenting ourselves in the faith and passing it on. Generous, captivating, and clear - Wonder will help liberate generations into the untamable presence of God who delights in our curiosity and loves us endlessly."--Shannan Martin, author of Counterweights and The Ministry of Ordinary Places

"Meredith Miller has written the resource every parent and pastor needs. Wonder is a book that equips us to move from teaching kids about the Bible to exploring it alongside them. If you've ever frozen when your kid asked a tough question about God, this book is for you."--Zach Lambert, Author, Better Ways to Read the Bible

"You don't need a seminary degree to talk to your kids about scripture. You need Wonder by Meredith Miller. With clarity and practicality, Meredith sets you free from the panic of answering your child's faith questions on the spot and ushers you into the joy of engaging with the Bible. I'm so grateful to parent in a world where we have access to a gift like Wonder."--Erin Hicks Moon, Co-host of the Faith Adjacent and Shelf Respect podcasts, Publisher's Weekly Bestselling Author of I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God

About the Author

Meredith Miller is a pastor and parent whose unique combination of seminary training, 20+ years' experience in family ministry, and research expertise make her especially equipped to help families get to know Jesus. Her ideas, scripts, and tips for talking about God and the Bible are practical and fun, making her a trusted voice for families who want to help their kids grow in faith in fresh, healthy ways.

Meredith is the Lead Pastor of Pomona Valley Church. Previously, she's been Curriculum Director for mega churches and a research assistant and consultant for the Fuller Youth Institute. Meredith holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as a B.A. in Religious Studies and Spanish Language & Literature from Westmont College.