It is incredibly encouraging to open a new book and see an author include Scripture on nearly every page. It reassures me that he wants me to spend more time in the Word than just reading his words. I value authors who write in an accessible way, addressing deep truths that lead readers toward focused meditation and wholehearted application. And being in a season of discipling two young boys away from worldly conformity (Rom 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17), my wife and I are grateful for resources that are not only helpful to our souls but also beneficial for theirs.
In this vein, Andrew T. Walker (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and his wife, Christian, understand, “It is really difficult to be parents in today’s culture…We hope and pray that we are discipling our children to use their knowledge of Scripture to stand firm against the war Satan is waging through mass cultural confusion.”1 Feeling this point with increasing urgency, it is my joy to recommend their book, What Do I Say When…? A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens. Covering a wide range of ethical issues—from human dignity and sexuality to technology and political engagement—this resource is theologically sound yet designed for family devotional times involving young and growing minds.
Each chapter provides a general overview of an ethical topic, a suggested memory verse, and a brief list of recommended resources. What I appreciate most, however, is the inclusion of conversational “floors.” “First-floor children are probably between the ages of four and eight, second-floor children are probably between the ages of eight and twelve, and third-floor children are probably between twelve and sixteen.”2 Each “floor” presents a series of truths to reflect on and a few conversation starters. In other words, it reduces the stress (and possibly fear) of planning and removes excuses for not engaging with meaningful subject matter.
Now that I’ve read the book myself, I’m eager to share it with my boys at the dinner table. I want them to understand the sufficiency of God’s Word—that it has answers to the most difficult terrain they’re just beginning to navigate.
Might it be a good fit for your family?
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1. Andrew T. Walker and Christian Walker, What Do I Say When...? A Parent's Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2024), 2.
2. Walker and Walker, What Do I Say When...?, 6.
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