A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Kristin Stiles
In the foreword to this book, Colin Buchanan explains why he wrote the song “Jesus, Strong and Kind.” He said that his goal was to pen lyrics that were simple but helped people to get to know Jesus. Well-known pastor, theologian, and friend of Buchanan, Sinclair Ferguson, took this song and developed the ideas by taking the reader deep into the biblical support that Jesus is indeed strong and kind.
There are four stanzas in the song. Ferguson begins each section by presenting the applicable verse and then detailing the Bible story that goes with it. He begins with “thirst” and retells the story of the woman at the well meeting with Jesus. Next is “weak” and the story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. This is followed by “fear” and the story of Jesus calming the Sea of Galilee. Finally, the last is “lost” and the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. In each of these retellings, Ferguson does a spectacular job of describing the situation and all of the related details and then demonstrating how Jesus is so very strong and kind in each of these scenarios. He makes correlations and applications that are so instructive. I think parents will enjoy this as much as their children will!
The gospel message is wonderfully woven throughout this book. The reader learns so much more about Jesus besides Him being strong and kind. Ferguson makes a point to explain that Jesus is God in flesh, that He was the perfect sacrifice for sin, and that He is calling each of us to receive Him as our Lord and Savior. The reader is also confronted with his/her own sin. This is done by showing how we compare with the woman at the well, the doubting disciples, the tax collectors and the Pharisees, and both of the sons in the parable of the lost son.
This is not really a picture book. The focus is definitely on the words and the retelling of these great Bible stories. The illustrations that are included, though, are done in beautiful watercolor. There are no depictions of Jesus in the artwork.
I would highly recommend this book. Have your children learn the song first. There is a QR code included in the front of the book to link to CityAlight’s music video, or you can easily find it by searching YouTube or Spotify. Then take some time and read through one section at a time just soaking in the beauty of who Jesus is and what He has done for you and your children. I don’t know how anyone could come away from this book without loving Jesus more!
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.
Buy the books
JESUS, STRONG AND KIND, by Sinclair Ferguson