Systematic Theology, Chapter 39

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Baptism in and Filling with the Holy Spirit.

Is Baptism in the Holy Spirit something distinct from regeneration as much of the Pentecostal movement of the 60s and onwards would teach?  Does it occur at the point of becoming a Christian or sometimes after conversion?

Many speak of a great blessing after becoming Christians from the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which made prayer and Bible study more meaningful, a new joy in worship, and was often accompanied by a spiritual gift such as speaking in tongues.

Several places Jesus speaks of a later coming of the Holy Spirit upon believers, John 20:22, Acts 1:5.

According to the traditional Pentecostal experience, Christians today should follow the apostles footstseps and the pattern of their lives, and seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit for more power in ministry.   Not just at the original Pentecost experience, but also in Samaria and Ephesus, people who were believers later recieved the Holy Spirit.

What does Baptism in the Holy Spirit mean?  7 verses speak about it in the New Testament.

The first 4 are from John the Baptist speaking of Jesus and how he will baptise people in the Holy Spirit (instead of just water as John did).

Two verses refer to Pentecost: looking forward to how jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

And finally, in 1 Cor 12:13, "For we are all baptized in one Spirit into one body- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."   Pentecostals will prefer to separate this verse, as it takes away from the experience of baptism, and gives it rather to all Christians alike at conversion.   Wayne Grudem means that Paul wast trying to say that baptism in the Holy Spirit takes place at conversion.

Grudem says that the day of Pentecost was a point of transition between the old covenant work and ministry of the Holy Spirit and the new covenant and the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament the work of the Holy Spirit was less extensive, for a few people, but Moses longed for the day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all of God's people.

King Saul for example, lost the spirit of God in his life, there was no examples of casting out demons in the Old Testament, and John the Baptist was the last in the line of old covenant experiences of the working of the Holy Spirit.

The work of the Holy Spirit in all Christians in the New Testament gievs us more effectiveness in witnessing and ministry, greater power for victory over the influence of sin, power for victory over Satan and evil forces that attack believers.

The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are intended not for individual use but for the corporate building up of the body of Christ.

Just because the disciples had a second experience at pentecost, this does not mean it should be taken as a pattern for us, as they were experiencing a transition from the old covenant to new covenant experience of the Holy Spirit.

Rather we are as those at Corinth, when we become christians we are all baptized in one Spirit into one body...

By classing Christians into "normal" and "spirit filled" Christians, we are making a class system, just as has been done throughout history, with carnal vs spiritual christians, ordinary vs sanctified christians.  Nowhere in the Epistles do we see Peter or Paul encouraging people to all find a baptism in the Holy Spirit, etc.

Rather as Christians we should all be seeking greater maturity (sanctification) and a closer walk with God.

The contemporary experience of those who say they have a baptism in the Holy Spirit are often taught that they should confess all known sins, repent of remaining sin, trust Christ to forgive their sins, commit all areas of their lives to the Lord's service, and yeild themselves fully to him, and believe that Christ will empower them and use them....of course that person will have significant growth in the Christian life!  Grudem says, we may expect that the Holy Spirit will graciously bring additional fullness and help them grow.

What terms should we then use?  If the term "baptism in the Holy Spirit," as an experience that every Christian should have after conversion, then we put Christians into two categories.   Rather, we might say, "a large step of growth," or "a new empowering for ministry,"

What is "being filled with the Spirit?"  This should result in renewed worship and thanksgiving, increased sanctification, increased power for ministry, and diversity in the use of spiritual gifts.  Many times in Acts we read about people being filled with the Holy Spirit, as an event that can occur again and again. 

Grudem says, "there is nothing wrong with teaching people to pray and to seek this greater infilling of the Holy Spirit, or to expect and ask the Lord for an outpouring of more spiritual gifts in their lives, for the benefit of the body of Christ." 

Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not always result in speaking in tongues. Many Biblical examples do not show speaking in tongues, but rather, speaking words of blessing, strength to overcome temptations, faith and maturity of life, sound judgement, powerful preaching, etc. 

Hannahs list of books for Christian parenting.

 You are a Christian parent, but not sure what resources to go to for wisdom to help you raise your kids right. There is so much out there, which book(s) are worth our time?

Here is my list of books that have been very helpful for us in raising our 5 kids, in a very secular Sweden, to give us a foundational understanding of how this all works from a Bible based point of view!

1.  Shepherding a Childs Heart, by Ted Tripp.  Basically anything from the Tripp brothers has been valuable, as they are not looking for quick fixes, but rather into the heart of the matter.  

2. On that note, how about Parenting (or in Swedish!, Föraldrarskap), by Paul Tripp.  This book continually gives you that feeling that he must have been peeking into your life as he was writing this book, because he really hits the nail on the head.  What is parenting all about from a Bible based viewpoint? 

3.  From a bit more of a practical standpoint, I would suggest Don Whitneys or Jerry Marcellinos book about family worship. 

Quite simply, it is not to late or too early to start getting in the habit of daily family worship! 

4. From a mom's point of view, i enjoyed this one:  Treasuring Christ, when your hands are full. 

More to come!

Hannahs list of favorite Christian kids music

 You have countless hours with your kids, driving in the car, hanging out at home, and you want that time to count!

You have listened to "baby shark" and "the wheels on the bus" so much that you feel you might explode.  

What now? 

Here are some solid suggestions, from a Christian point of view. 

1.  Everything from Songs for Saplings by Dana Dirksen. (and soon we will have the first CD out in Swedish!)

Pros: Your kids as well as you as a parent will soon be memorizing huge amounts of Bible verses and catechism concepts through song. 

It is easy enough to learn, both for kids from a very small age up to teenagers. 

There are tons of songs to work through, and just about all of it is free for streaming.  

Cons: You will have a time when you are sitting in an adult Bible study and as a topic comes up the SFS song that connects to that concept will fill your head.  A great problem to have though!

Some of the songs further on get a bit more complicated to sing, but more interesting musically, but the concepts still come clearly through. 

2. Slugs and Bugs by Randall Goodgame. 

I'll be honest, the name of the music put me off for a while, but this guy has some serious musical talent. 

Pros:  You will not be the least annoyed to hear these songs over and over, as the jazzy style is so well done!

You will find yourself internalizing great swaths of Bible verses through this music, some key verses and some that you might not have normally thought of memorizing. (Mostly key verses though). 

These are all free for streaming. 

Randall Goodgame has made a lot of music, but we prefer his Sing the Bible CDs more than his TV shows.  

Cons: There are a few silly songs that are fun but somehow take away from the depth of Bible memorization through song.   And there might be some CDs that are not, like "modern kid," which is still fun. 

3.  This is not exactly music but our kids can happily sit for an hour long car drive (ages 2, 4,7,10, and 12) if they can just listen to a new "Adventures in Odyssey." 

Pros:  I know that this is an evangelical Christian production, and can relax in that aspect that our kids are taking in something good. Always a moral lesson or gospel related value included that makes for great further conversations. 

Cons: We have had times when we had arrived home and yet sat parked in the driveway a few minutes just to hear how the story ended! 

You will be able to find a few free episodes to see what you think, but then you need to buy either the CD or a kind of yearly subscription.  WELL worth it! (or maybe asking for them as a Christmas present from relatives?)

4.  Sovereign Grace music has a great new series of songs out called "The  Ology," and takes theological core ideas down to a kids sized level, and in such great musical style that these ideas will soon be internalized and sung by you and your kids by heart. 

Pros: These songs are great! A little theatrical or out of the normal "kids music vibe," which is probably why our kids like them. 

Free to stream. 

Cons: There is not a ton of songs, but hopefully more will be coming.  

5.  Our kids do like them some Keith and Kristen Getty.  Especially their jammin live Christmas album.  If I allowed it, that would be playing in our house year round. 

Pros: Well arranged, these songs give our kids an inspiration as budding musicians for how far one can go instrumentally!

I know these songs are either scripture or solid Bible values and we both benefit from that. 

Cons: You will be picking up a wee Irish accent if you listen too much. :)

6.  Andrew Peterson, that incredibally cool guy that wrote the Wingfeather Saga, also has some great soul peircing songs.  His most famous and probably a family favorite being, "Is He Worthy." 

I must just pause and say, if you havent read his Wingfeather books, then get off your phone/computer and go do that!  And then for a second reading with your kids after that!

Pros: Andrew Peterson also has some great songs that speak to sorrow and hardships, such as a teenage girl who is insecure, a boy who is just going towards college and needs a reminder of how to remember which way to walk, marriage problems, depression, and all in a very classic beautiful style. 

Cons: What? Are there cons? 

7.  In terms of good learning songs, I cannot be complete without mentioning new city catechism.  

Despite the cover, these songs are indeed for kids. 

This goes directly and exactly through the catechism songs, although I do get the feeling of a 90's style VBS when I hear these songs.  Despite this fact, these do the job!

8.  Veggie tales. Love them or hate them, they are definitely a big part of our kids lives. 

Pros:  If you actually go through the songs, and not just the silly ones, you can get some good content to lay a good foundation for your kids.  Our kids especially like the lullaby one when we are heading home really late in the car and they need to relax. 

Cons:  There is a lot of silliness that is fun but can get annoying over time!  

In terms of worship songs sung on a kids level, we have not found the best response from our kids. 

Quite simply, they would rather sing the song as we sing it in church than that same song played up in a cheesy kid style.  

Dont be afraid to give them some favorites from the songs you sing in church!

Let me know what I could add to this list!

Knowing God by J.I. Packer. chapter 13 and 14.

 A group of us are going through the timeless classic book, Knowing God, by J.I. Packer. 

I am hoping to write a chapter by chapter summary of the kernels of value that are in this little book. 

Chapter 13, the Grace of God. 

"It is a staple diet in the Sunday School that grace is God's riches at Christ's expense." ....and yet there do not seem to be many in our churches who actually believe in grace. 

One must understand 4 crucial truths presupposed in the realm of the doctrine of grace. 

1.  The moral ill/desert of man. wow.  

Modern men and women have such a high view of themselves, and they tend to think that their few good virtues compensate for their sins and vices, so that they don't really think there is anything wrong with them. 

On top of that, they imagine God as a magnified image of themselsves, and because they are not bothered by their sins, they never consider truly God's condemnation over mankind which has utterly rebelled and are unclean and guilty. 

2.  The retributive justice of God. 

Just as in J.I. Packer's time, we also turn a blind eye to wrongdoing and try to correct things only as a last resort.  We then tend to think that this is a virtue, to not be overly principled and nitpicky, and consider that God must also be such.  

The idea that retribution might be the moral law of God's world, and an expression of his holy character, seems to us quite fantastic.  Yet God is very clearly the judge of all the earth and he WILL do right. 

3.  The spiritual impotence of man. 

We have reverted to the same pattern of ancient pagans, who try to force their gods to answer them by the sheer amount of gifts and sacrifices, in today's time this is done by the amount of good works and morality.  Yet the base line of the gospel is that "no one will be declared righteous in his light by observing the law. (Romans 3:20).   

4.  The sovereign freedom of God. 

We think that God is so "nice" that he must forgive us, yet the only thing we can rightfully claim from God is justice, and for all of us that means condemnation.     Paul says, "It does not depend on man's wlil or effor, but on God's mercy." (Romans 9:16). 

God's grace is his showing goodness to persons who deserve only severity. 

The words grace and salvation belong together as cause and effect.  How often are we true to that? 

There are three connections in the New Testament to grace: 

1. the source of the pardon of sin. 

2. The motive of the plan of salvation.  

"the stars, indeed, may fall, but God's promises will stand and be fulfilled." 

3.  the guarantee of the preservation of the saints. 

"I need not torment myself with the fear that my grace will keep me believing to the end.  Faith in it's origin and continuance, is a gift of grace."  (Phil. 1:29). 

It has been said that in the New Testament doctrine is grace and ethics is gratitude.   Love awakens love in return, and love, once awakened, desires to give pleasure, and the revealed will of God is that those who have received grace should henceforth give themselves to 'good works' and gratitude will move anyone who has truly received grace to do as God requires, and daily cry out, "Oh to grace how great a deptor, daily I'm constrained to be....take my heart oh, take and seal it, seal it from they courts above." 

Chapter 14. 

God the judge. 

Do you believe as God, our judge? 

"Many, it seems, do not.  Speak to them of God as a Father, a friend, a helper, one who loves us despite all our weaknes and folly and sin, and their faces light up; you are on their wavelength at once.  But speak to them aof God as Judge, and they frown and shake their heads." 

Whether we like it or not, God as judge is a strong and repeated theme in the the Bible, both Old and New Testament. 

The theme of God as judge is much  more prevalent in the law and prophets than even the point of the coming Messiah!  Wisdom literature and New Testament are also very sure and filled with this idea. 

What does it then mean? 

1. the judge is a person with authority.  "....as our maker, he owns us, and as our owner, he has a right to dispose of us, to make lawas for us, to reward us whether or not we keep them." 

2. The judge is a peson identified with what is both good and right.  He loves justice, fair play, and loathes people being mistreated. 

3. the judge is a person of wisdom, to discern truth. He needs no jury, as he is the seracher of hearts and the finder of facts. 

4. The judge is a person of power, to execute sentence. Unlike the worlds view of judge, God is both legislator, sentencer, and punisher.  And he can be because only he can be surely fair and right in all things. 

5. Retribution.  Christians, as well as non-Christians, will recieve according to their works. 

"For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that each one may recieve what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10)

The doctrine of final judgement shows us that man is accountable to his thoughts and deeds, and there is a dignity in each humble action.  Also, justice will finally triumph, and this gives calmness and assurance to those in the thick of the battle. 

Jesus is given authority to Judge on the Fathers right hand.

Index of the heart.  Our actions and words are an overflow of the heart,  When we are justified by faith, and then we build upon our lives, either with eternal or wordly means. And this will be whosn in the end, in the time of judgement. 

Also, where a man has been given much, much will be expected of him. 

No need to flee. We all will appear before the judgement seat, and we known we in oursleves are not fit to face the judge.  The most beautiful answer in the New Testament is: call on the coming Judge to be your present Savior. 

"As the judge, he is hte law, but as Savior, he is the gospel."   ....and then you will discover that you are looking forward to a furture meeting with joy, knowing that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1).  

 I recently made a big collection of uplifting children's books in Swedish, from a Christian mamma's point of view. 

Some of those books are readily available, and some require digging in antique and second hand stores. 

Here is your cheat sheet! 

I call this, WHERE CAN I FIND THAT BOOK. 

1. "Munken och Kulan."  av Åke Samuelsson.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

If you like this book, there are 5 more books and almost 50 CDs available! (Our kids from 5-11 love listening to his storytelling on CD during long car rides).

2. "Kulla Gulla" serien av Martha Sandwall-Bergström.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

I have hardly been to a second hand that does not have at least one of her books for sale.....

3.  Ulf Nilssons books about Kommissarie Gordon are also classics.

He has been writing more than 100 books, from 1979-2009.  

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

4.  Another classic book we will be reading is Nils Holgerssons underbara resa by Selma Lagerlöf.  

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

5.  Åke Holmberg looks to be a whole new line of books our kids have not yet seen! Ture Sventon is one of them. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

6. Lasse-Maja series by Martin Widmark.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

7. "Barnen från Frostmofjället." 

Library (audio book), Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

Even as a audio book!

8.  I have gotten a tip for books from Anna Andersson, which I have just reserved from the library...we will see if she makes the cut!

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

9. Bröderna Lejonhjärta.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

 

10. Pippi Långstrump, If you can purely take this as an imaginary story from another world, then it is playful enough to enjoy.  There are certainly ghosts, pirates, and a fair amount of speaking back or disrespectfully. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

11. Emil books by Astrid Lindgren seem to be ok, as well as the Saltkråkan books.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

12.  Kastrullresan by Edith Unnerstad. I will have to look more into this one!

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

13. Prostens barnbarn, Morfar Prosten, and more by Eva Bexell

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

14. Kerstin Arthur Nilsons childrens books.  We will definitely be looking into these more.

For example:

Krubban i Krokum

En kompis som Cliff

Frökens pojke

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, second hand, fairly easy to find.

15.  My 11 year old daughter has read "Tonje och det hemliga brevet," och "Våffelhjärtat," by Maria Parr. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

16. "Klas Klättermus"  by Thorbjörn Egner. 

Also from Thorbjörn Tegner, our daughter has just read "Folk och rövare i Kamomilla stad."   This books gets ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ . 

Another book by this same author is "Ole Jakob på Adventyr i Stan."  ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ . 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

17.  Muminböckerna by Tove Jansson

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

18.  Viveka Lärn 

One of her more famous series is "En ettas dagbok" which describes the life of a girl going in first grade.   Another of her favorite books is "Robert Karlsson och Kungen." 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

19. Barnen Hedenhös by Bertil Almkvist

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

20. Kung Deus gåva av Andréas Andersson, en allegori om syndafallet och försoningen.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

21. "Musse and Helium" books by Camilla Brinck are a great new addition (for me) to our list. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

If you like these books, there are 5 of them in the series.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

And now the international books that have been translated into Swedish. 

1.  Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.   Older classic book, written 1950-1956. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐    If you like this one, there are 8 more in the series. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

2. Wonder or in Swedish "Undret."  by RJ Palacio. 

   Modern story, 2012, ages 6 and up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

3.  The Wingfeather Saga, or in Swedish "Mörkret över Aerwiar,"  By Andrew Peterson.   Modern book, written 2008-2014.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

   

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

4.  "Det Lilla Huset på Prärien." or "Little House on the Prairie." by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Written from 1932-1943 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

5. Trädkoja med 13 våningar by Andy Griffiths.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

6. Heidi by Johanna Spyri is a well worth reading classic book.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

7.  Störst av allt  and Den Stora Hemligheten  by Patricia St. John. 

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find, but well worth the search!

8. Lassie by Eric Knight. 

Some books age really well. This book never seems to get old!

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

9.  Brevet till Kungen by Tonke Dragt is on our list to read!

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

10. Gullivers Resa by Jonathan Swift

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

11. Unga Kvinnor by Louisa May Alcott

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

12. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe  

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

13. Lars på Island by Kirsten Bang is also on our to-do list. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

14. Teskedsgumman by Alf Prosen is also needed to be read soon before we give a review. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

15. Sotarpojken by Lisa Tetzner is also on the to-do list!

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

16. Bambi  by Felix Salten.  

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

17.  Den Otroliga Vandringen by Sheila Burnford

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

18. Pojken och Lånarna by Mary Norton

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

19.  Bävertecknet by Elizabeth George Speare

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

20.  Prinsessan och de underjordiska by George MacDonald, 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

22. Kristens Resa by John Bunyan

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

21.  En Liten Prinsessa and Den hemliga trädgården by Francis Hodgson Burnett

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

22.  Hemlängtan av Michelle Magorian

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

23.  Anne på Grönkulla by L.M. Montgomery.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

24.  Sju Syskon by Ethel Turner.  I have not read this one yet, but am looking forward to reviewing it. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

25.  Joan Sandin and her books about Swedish people travelling to the USA, including "Den långa resan
till Amerika," "Den långa resan västerut," and "Hemma i det nya landet."

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

26.  I will be looking into Gunnel Lindes book Den olydige ballongen.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

27. "Pojken och Tjuvhanden" by Birgitta Kazen, and "Ser du örnarna, Dawit."

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

28. Den osynlige vännen, by Kari Vinje from Norway.

For example, more books include: Gud och jag är vänner, Ekorrlejonet, Mannen med ärret, Kamillas vän.

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

29. Ivan by Myrna Grant. Speaks of a Soviet Christian boy.

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

30. Urchin av M I McAllistar.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

31. Agaton Sax.

32. Ostindiefarian

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

33. Everything by Enid Blyton, but especially Fantastisk Fem. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Our kids also really loved reading her books about the Magic Faraway Tree. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

34. Cherry Ames (Sjuksköterskan)  by Helen Wells. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

35.  We will be looking into books from Lois Walfrid Johnson, especially the Windy Hill series.  

Only one of her books Främlingen i skogen are available in the library here in Gothenburg, in Swedish.   There are however, 4 or 5 books in the series. 

Library and second hand. A little bit harder to find.

36.  Judy Moody by Megan McDonald.  

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

37.  Små Människor, Stora drömmar, Anne Frank.  These books were written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and puts the holocaust and Anne Franks story in a simpler version for ages 4 and up to be able to handle.   Of course the actual book about Anne Frank is a classic too, Gömställe.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

 

38.  Min Vän Charlotte by E.B. White is also a classic book that is kind and good even when it is sad, and well worth reading for years to come. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

39.  Det susar i säven by Kenneth Grahame are also wonderful timeless books for kids to enjoy. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

Not small kids books but not quite chapter books either. 

1. Berättelsebibeln.   by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Written in 2006. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

2. "Obeskrivlig" by Louie Giglio.  In English, "Indescribable."  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Written 2017. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

3.  Alice och Leo och Pärlorna. by Christina Lovestam and Marie Åhfeldt.

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

            

READ ALOUD BOOKS or  FOR SMALLER KIDS

We will take the originally Swedish books first of all. 

1.   Elsa Beskow is a beloved Swedish author, classic and timeless. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

2.  "Madicken"  och "Barnen i Bullerbyn," by Astrid Lindgren are a great
insight on older days in Sweden, also with some hardships thrown in, but in general fun books to read.  Madicken och Junibacken Pims is especially recommended.  ⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

3.  While we are Astrid Lindgren, I will say that Jag vill också ha ett syskon and Jag vill också börja skolan are good. We have just reserved Rasmus på luffen, which was suggested to us. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

4.  So far, everything we have read from the Kråke Larsson series by Marie Bosson Rydell has been encouraging.   

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Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

5. Pelle Svanslös by Gösta Knutsson.  ⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

6. Sven Nordqvist has written the whole series of Pettson och Findus which are classics in our home.  

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Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

7.  The book series about Alla Barnen by Måns Gahrton is very funny. 

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 It highlights a huge family of brothers and sisters, retains a respect for family and parents, and often rhymes which makes the whole book quite singsongy and witty. 

8.  Saga sagor by Josefine Sundström and Emma Göthner.  

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Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

And now the international books that have been translated into Swedish. 

1. "Är du med mig Gud" by Allia Zobel-Nolan is a sweet story for kids before they go to bed to think about how our God is always with us. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

2.  Max Lucado has several books for children that have been translated to Swedish.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐       This one is called "Om du någon gång skulle undra," and focuses on how God loves us. 

3. Bror Groda och Bror Padda by Arnold Lobel really take on the joys and challenges of friendship, in a sweet way. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

  SEASONAL or for HOLIDAYS

1. "Livet med Jesus," by Susie Pool.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

2.  Kommissarie Smart och fallet med den tomma graven, by Michael J. Tinker. 

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Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

3. "Den Första Julen."  by Anders and Birgitta Johansson  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.

4.  Den bästa julklappen,  a great book as christmas approaches to read a daily short family devotional, plus a daily short Bible reading in a fun way for kids. 

Library, Christian bookstores, and online, easy to find.