Review: I Belong: Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer One for Children

For this week’s “Wee-kids” Wednesdays here’s a review of a Christian children’s book.

Joyce Holstege.  I Belong: Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer One for Children.  Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, October 4^th, 2022. 46 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Reformed Free Publishing Association

Purchase: Amazon

Are you looking for a children’s picture book that goes over biblical truths for children to learn about God, Jesus and the Bible especially from a biblical perspective?  If so this book is for you.  It is a devotional explanation of the Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1 which raises the question “What is Thy Only comfort in Life and Death?”  It is meant for ages four to eight to be read by the parents or older children.  I appreciate that the publishers Reformed Free Publishing Association printed a resource for families such as this title.  I enjoyed this so much I do wish the author, illustrator and publisher would consider publishing other books like this one on other Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answers.

There are twenty two devotionals in this book, each one is accompanied with a full page of beautiful illustration.  I appreciate that the illustration is of a child or children in scenese of everyday life and living that makes it relatable that the truth we learn about God is for daily life and living.  Each devotional begins with a title such as “I belong to God in life,” “For me to belong to God, my sins must be paid for in God’s perfect way,” etc.  Several paragraphs are written for each devotional and there’s a verse from the Bible at the end of each one.  I found it helpful for our family that I read the devotional, have the kids look at the pictures and then we end with my kids reading together with me the ending verse and we talk about the verse and what I read.

I do appreciate that this is doctrinally rich and there’s a high view of God. One of the best analogy that the author gave for biblical truth is the scenario of a father grabbing a child quickly to save a child from burning smores falling on a child’s foot.  A child might not understand at first what the father is doing but the father’s quick action might seem rough but it is done out of love so that the child would not be burned.

If there is one constructive criticism I would have is I would say that there can be a call for a child to place his or her trust in the Lord.  I get that biblically any child’s salvation is the work of God’s sovereign grace and He took the initiative to save us (Reformed soteriology and order of Salvation richly explains this and I subscribe to it whole heartedly) but we must remember that a child needs to hear too salvation is by faith alone.  The child needs to have faith alone in Christ alone, while knowing that even faith is a gift from God’s grace.  Having said this I wish there were children’s books like this one with going over the richness of the Gospel and what our Triune God has done to save us and sanctify us and work in us.  This is the biggest reason why I would recommend this book to parents, children and churches to have in their nursery, libraries, church offices and lobby.  It is a beautiful book and the book has “beautiful feet” as far as sharing the Gospel truth is concerned.

NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Reformed Free Publishing Association without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

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