Writing for Children Series - Part Four

Adding Christian Values to Children’s Stories

Young minds are impressionable and easily absorb new ideas and concepts. As Christian writers, we should aim to add Godly influence to the words we write. That doesn’t mean that every story has to be ‘Christian’ but rather that each tale is based on Christian principles and values.

Be Ignorant of Evil
Romans 16:19 is an excellent verse to bear in mind when choosing subject material for children’s books. I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(NIV) There is much deliberation about the suitability of stories containing magic and witchcraft, but for me, this scripture is the deciding factor. When writing, I steer away from anything that is questionable.

Deliberately Weave Values into Your Stories
There needs to be a purpose to a story – a message that is conveyed in a fun package or in a more serious form. If you’re not sure of what values to convey, think of the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here’s a link to one of my children’s stories that is free-to-share on Faithwriters.com. It tells the story of a little boy who eats too much chocolate - the underlying message is self-control.

Pray for Inspiration
I pray daily that God will inspire and bless every word I write. Some of my children’s stories may reach a handful, others may go out to thousands, but the important thing is that they have potential to touch lives in a positive way. (Don’t forget that parents get to read a lot of children’s stories as well!)

Aim for Excellence
There are many gifted writers in the children’s market and some of them write ungodly stories. If writing for children is your passion, set some goals, aim high and improve your skills in every way possible. You may not see results straight away but God uses people who are willing to make a stand for Him.

Thank God for Lasting Results
Children love to hear a favorite story time and time again and the message can leave a deep impression in their hearts. I loved my childhood books and can still remember the stories, illustrations and covers of most of them. Ask God that the words you write will be a tool to build godly foundations in the lives of the children that read them.

This is the last in the Writing for Children Series, but I’ll be back next week with a new topic. Make a note to come back on Wednesday and have a look.

Debbie Roome works as a freelance writer from her home in New Zealand. Read some of her work at Suite 101 , Take Root and Write and Faithwriters.