The Case for Christ for Kids: 90-Day Devotional

The Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional, by Lee Strobel and Jesse Florea.  Zonderkidz, 2013, 199 pages. 

Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 8-12

Bottom Line: This devotional guide based on Lee Strobel’s books may be a good way to introduce middle-graders to regular Bible-study time.

Lee Strobel’s books have sold in the millions and have helped confirm Christians in their faith the world over.  “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29), yet in an increasingly skeptical age, young people and new believers can use some assurance that faith is reasonable.  The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator have all been rewritten for young readers.  This devotional guide is designed to break material into bite-sized pieces and help kids apply the evidentiary knowledge offered in the other books.  In the Introduction, Strobel recounts his journey to faith and stresses the need for an individual relationship with Jesus.  It is suggested that readers take the challenge to read one chapter of Matthew-John every day, in addition to the daily devotional; and since there are 89 chapters in the combined gospels the conscientious reader will reach the last chapter of John and the end of this book at the same time. 

It might have been better the devotionals followed the structure of the gospels, however loosely.  Instead, each two-page installment presents a story or intriguing fact, develops an application and ties in a Bible verse.  The Bible verses are from all over, and so are the lessons: aspects of Christian living, God’s laws and their purpose, the concept and importance of truth, etc.  Though rather lightweight, the purpose of the book is serious and a number of the devotionals will be interesting, even thought-provoking, to a young reader.  It could have been better thought out and organized, but for kids who are just getting into regular devotional time, the material here should excite their interest.

Cautions: None

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4.5 (out of 5)
• Literary value: 3

Categories: Middle Grades, Christian, Devotionals, Nonfiction