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Listen Up is the latest book from pastor and author Marty Machowski. This family devotional is based on the parables Jesus taught and contains thirteen chapters to be completed over the course of a thirteen week period. Each chapter has content for five days so there is something to go through with your family almost every day of the week. Reading Listen Up reminded me of my family devotions growing up and made me especially grateful for the attention to detail that went into making this book.
Regarding the book’s title, Machowski explains, “Our book is called Listen Up because it is important to both hear the words that Jesus taught and apply them to your life by following what they say, ” (pg. 6-7). Each devotion is divided into four sections titled, Listen Up, Think About It, Talk About It, and Pray About It. I enjoyed the overall consistency because it creates a structure that helps children know what to expect.
The first devotion for each week has additional sections titled, Get Ready and Get Set. The Get Ready section gives families an overview of what they can expect to learn that week. The Get Set section contains an activity that serves as a visual aid that accompanies the content for that week. I really liked each Get Set section and I believe that the visual aids will serve as effective reinforcements when it comes to children recalling the lesson for the week.
Another feature of Listen Up that I greatly appreciate is that Machowski includes the Scripture passage for each devotional within the book. I believe that this will provide a smooth flow to family devotion time and eliminate the distraction of going back and forth between books. The subtitle of the book is 10 Minute Family Devotions on the Parables which is a great help because it gives parents an idea of how long each reading should take.
In the Introduction to the book, Machowski offers this helpful encouragement to parents, “Don’t feel pressure to perform incredible devotions each session. We don’t win our children by entertaining them, the Spirit of God wins our children for Christ as we are faithful to share the good news of Christ with them. So rather than looking to be fantastic, just look to be faithful,” (pg. 5). This sentiment greatly encouraged me and made me even more thankful for this resource because I know it will be a great help as I point my daughter to Christ.
Listen Up is practical, simple, and deeply truthful and I’m excited to give it my highest recommendation.
I received Listen Up compliments of New Growth Press in exchange for my honest review.
