The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids

The Purpose Driven Life
Devotional for Kids
Written by Rick Warren
Zonderkidz Publishing
Ages: 9-12
Price: $ 15.99

From the back of the book:

"You are not an accident.  Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for his purposes.  The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids includes 365 scripture based devotions meant to help you discover who you are in God's eyes and help you find your purpose in relation to Christ."

I have never read The Purpose Driven Life.  I don't know much about it, the purposes outlined in the book, etc.  I really don't know anything more than that about the book.  In reviewing this book, since I don't have the background information from the original, I will not be making comparisons from it.  I will be treating this book as its own entity.  Those of you who have that information should be able to see how this relates to that.

This Devotional is taken from material from The Purposed Driven Life and is  broken down into six sections, which I am guessing, are the 6 purposes.

Purpose 1: The Reason for Everything
Purpose 2: Faith and Friendship with God
Purpose 3: Your Part in God's Family
Purpose 4: Becoming Like Christ
Purpose 5: Serving God, Serving Others
Purpose 6: You Were Made for a Mission

There are 365 devotions, which I think is helpful...one book to use all year round.  Each day begins with a Scripture, has a very short devotion and then ends with a prayer.

I have mixed feelings about this book...

Pros:  I think this devotion could be used in conjunction with a Bible Study to make a complete quiet time for young believers.
I like that there is one book for the entire year.  I think the continuity there is helpful.
I like that many of the devotions center on who God is...I think that is a great way to begin our worship.  I have not finished the entire book...so I cannot fully comment on all the content.
I think that the little prayer at the end of each devotion is helpful for those who struggle with HOW to pray...they can follow the model.
It's a SMALL thing, but there is a book mark attached...SO HELPFUL for remembering where you are in the book!

Cons:  I am not sure if I would consider it enough as a stand alone item.  I believe that even young students are capable of developing the habit of being in the Word every day.  I think we dumb down the Word too much for younger students and keep them in milk too long.
It feels like all the content is spoon fed...the reader doesn't need to do anything but read from the book.  No questions to answer, no application.  It feels a little like I will give God five minutes, pray a little prayer and then on with MY LIFE.  How do these devotions change our lives or impact our thinking?  It would be wonderful if there was a workbook to go along with this to encourage digging deeper and applying what you read to your life.


I received this book in exchange for a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.