“What is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ …” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1)
It’s comforting to belong to God because you know he will care for you. The Bible tells you that when you pass through the deep waters and when you walk through the fire, God will be with you.
I Belong is a picture book for ages four to seven that explains each comforting phrase of Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1 to young children, in language that they understand. Colourful illustrations of a diverse group of children will capture readers’ imaginations as they learn what it means to belong to their faithful Saviour.
This book can be used as a short book of devotions for families with younger children or can be read by older children on their own.
About the author: Joyce Holstege teaches kindergarten at Heritage Christian School, located in her hometown of Hudsonville, Michigan. She has taught at Heritage since 1995. Joyce holds a BA in English and Education from Grand Valley State University and is a member of the Protestant Reformed Churches. She enjoys reading, gardening, and all things arts and crafts.
Meagan Krosschell lives in Randolph, Wisconsin. She studies graphic design at Madison College and enjoys drawing, camping, and ice hockey. Meagan is also a member of the Protestant Reformed Churches.
Click here to look inside the book!
An excerpt of this book can be read in Spanish. The whole book can be purchased in Spanish through Amazon.
I Belong is a well-written devotional book to use for teaching young children about Question and Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Throughout this book, the author does a remarkable job breaking down this Q&A into shorter phrases and explaining each phrase in language that is easy for young children to understand. Each phrase has an accompanying story (or two) which explain the meaning of the phrase, while also introducing young children to important doctrines of the Reformed faith. An accompanying Bible verse can also be found on each page, which is a wonderful way to tie this Q&A to the Word of God. The detailed and realistic illustrations, along with colorful fonts throughout the book, will make you and your children want to keep turning to the next page.
My children ask me to read this book to them every night, and we are currently working our way through I Belong for devotions before bed. Using this book has provided a wonderful opportunity for many thoughtful discussions about how we belong to God, who God is, Jesus dying on the cross, what it means to be a righteous child of God, what Heaven is like, and much more. Throughout the different stories, the author has incorporated many thought provoking questions, which provide us a chance to momentarily pause and discuss. As I read this book with my children, I know they are understanding and learning about God and doctrine, but they are also able to begin memorizing this important Q&A of the Heidelberg Catechism. – Randy Kuiper
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Must have for any family library!
This book is a wonderful means for parents to spend time with their children teaching them important doctrinal truths from the Word of God.
Each 2-page spread features a phrase from Question and Answer 1. This phrase is printed on a page with beautiful, realistic illustrations. Accompanying the phrase is a short paragraph that concisely explains the phrase from the Catechism. The opposite page contains a devotional to read to or with children. The way that the devotional is written will lend itself to good, solid discussions between parent and child. There are questions woven through the text that will allow parents to pause and talk with their child. Additionally, each section contains a story that any child will be able to relate to. They are stories based on school and home situations that will resonate with children. Also, sprinkled through the text are colored words and phrases. The content of this book is simple and easy to understand. Yet, I appreciate that the author presented important, meaningful content in such a way as to not seem fluffy, or trivial. The language used indicates that she has an understanding of a child’s ability to comprehend these significant topics without watering down the material. Much about the book makes it appealing for a child to read. Children appreciate variety in text. The text boxes, different sized, and different coloured fonts draw readers to the book. This book will make a valuable addition to your home or classroom library. –
by Kristin Stiles on booksataglance.com
Many parents would agree that it would be a great thing to teach our children the various catechisms that expound the great truths of biblical doctrine. But then when we go to approach that task, it almost seems overwhelming. There are so many questions and answers to teach/learn. The language is often antiquated and words and phrases are unfamiliar to children today. Where do we even begin such a noble, but seemingly impossible task? Well, like eating an elephant, you need to start with one bite at a time.
In her book, I Belong, Joyce Holstege takes the smallest incremental steps to teach your child the Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1. That’s it. A whole book – 50 pages – for one catechism question and answer. You can be assured, though, by the time you finish this book with your child, he or she will be able to recite the question and answer and explain what it means. How does she do it?
Holstege first presents the question (What is thy only comfort in life and death?) with its rather lengthy answer at the beginning of the book with a note to the parents. She encourages parents to work through this book one phrase at a time and only one phrase per week. Then, starting with the question, she restates it in simpler words and then provides an entire page explaining what it means in language that is simple and filled with examples and analogies that a child age 4-7 would understand. She continues the rest of the book by taking the very briefest of phrases, like “That I with body” or “both in life” or “henceforth to live with him” and she applies that same formula: rephrase and explain. She completes each page with a verse that fits very nicely with the concept being presented. As she works her way through this catechism question in 23 lessons, she clearly presents the character of God, our lost condition, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the hope of salvation. Spending this kind of focused time on a single catechism question will ensure that it is internalized by your child. There are 23 verses s/he can memorize along the way and, by the end, have a solid knowledge base of doctrine.
I am very impressed with this book. Holstege clearly put a great deal of thought and study into presenting this material to young children. I am hopeful that she will make this into a series that explores many more, if not all, of the Heidelberg Catechism questions.
Click here to read the review in the January/February 2022 issue of the Outlook
