Looking For Feedback On A New Children's Gospel Tract

LTaG coverOne of my hobbies is tract-collecting. When I was a kid, I began collecting Jack Chick tracts. Back then, I was attracted to the graphics and story-line. Over the last several years, my primary motivation in collecting tracts has been to evaluate theological content. After reading several hundred (maybe thousand) Gospel tracts, it is my humble opinion that a tract is good when it is clear, complete, and especially, God-centered. A good tract maximizes my sinfulness and need in light of God’s holy, awesome character. Consider Isaiah’s response when he got a glimpse of God—Isaiah immediately realized his sinfulness and need for God (Isaiah 6).

A good tract then MUST highlight GOD!

Frankly, I have been disappointed with most children’s Gospel tracts (and many “grown-up” tracts, too—but that’s another post). I have found children’s gospel tracts to be either too simple, too man-focused, or both. They don’t do a good job of just talking about God. What they often do is present heaven as a logical choice. [Warning: Hyperbole ahead] “Ok little Johnny, do you want to go to Rainbow World when you die and be with mommy and daddy or do you want to go to Bunsen Burner Land where the devil will bite you?” It’s a pretty clear choice, isn’t it? Logic alone tells me I better do whatever it takes to avoid the pain of BBL.

The problem: logic alone never got anyone into the Kingdom.

LTaG1What gets people into heaven is conversion: turning from sin and turning to Christ—all by the grace of God. Faith (turning to) and repentance (turning from) are both saving graces. A good Gospel tract should contain biblical truth that is pride-smashing and God-exalting.

For quite some time I have been desirous to publish a children’s Gospel tract that begins and ends with GOD. This is my humble attempt at doing so—the “Let’s Talk About God” children’s Gospel tract. (all graphics by Marie Tabler, or course)

I haven’t been able to actually get this tract published in print-form yet because the funds have simply not been there. I’m wondering if God wants to further refine the content of this tract before it goes to press. So, that’s one reason I’m blogging about it and releasing the “meat” of the tract for critical review. Please evaluate: What can be said more clearly? Was anything missed that should be in a tract like this? Will kids at a 2nd-3rd grade reading level understand the content? I greatly appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

Download the PowerPoint Show of “Let’s Talk About God” (about 7MB)

You will need the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer if you don’t have PowerPoint or the Viewer already — find it HERE.

Please feel free to distribute this PowerPoint Show file or broadcast it in a group setting. Feel free to teach/preach through it. Please do not alter the content in any way.

NOTE: When the tract is fully opened, it reveals a special poster. I am not releasing the poster for viewing yet but I’ll describe it: inside is a timeline of Biblical events (about 11”x20”) that give a bird’s eye view of redemptive history. And it’s real pretty too!  The idea of the poster is that children’s workers might use it in a counseling situation as a great “at-a-glance” teaching tool.

Alternate viewing method #1 (JPG graphics-large ): Slide 1 | Slide 2 | Slide 3 | Slide 4 | Slide 5 | Slide 6 | Slide 7 | Slide 8 | Slide 9 | Slide 10

Alternate viewing method #2 (JPG graphics-one page-medium): http://www.kids4truth.com/lifeofchrist.html 

Published Nov 25 2006, 11:34 AM by BobRoberts
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Comments

 

Darrell Morris said:

There are a few things I think need consideration. First, the tract would be much more understandable if you used a modern translation or paraphrased. Most kids reading it surely won't be from fundamental churches. Make the most important things for them to understand most accessible for them. On page 2 nix "that" in the first line. Should read "Everything God created". Change "with His work" to "with all His work". Consider changing ""what a great and a good" to "what a great and good," or "what a great and what a good". The former is preferable. On page 4 consider changing "pure" to "without sin". Again, those reading this tract will not necessarily be familiar with our common terms. Consider changing the first "mankind" to "people". Maybe change second "mankind" to "they". Insert "Adam and Eve" after "first people"? Page 5, change "standard" to "rule" or "perfect law"? Page 7, Maybe "suffered" the penalty, as the word "paid" denotes a giving of something in exchange for one's sin as opposed to God's righteous demand against sin being met out. The penalty for sin is not paid but received. Our common terminology is not the best descriptive of the true transaction between God and man. God's wrath and righteous demand was not appeased by an exchange of something of equal value but by being met out. Change "might" to "could"? Page 8, you stuck in "saved" from nowhere. You might explain the term of change it to something more immediately understood. Didn't mean to be overly critical. Just some thoughts.
November 25, 2006 2:47 PM
 

karen said:

this is very beautifully done! let us know when they are available for purchase! :)
November 26, 2006 1:59 AM
 

Erin said:

The layout and graphics are wonderful! However, I agree with Darrell that it could use some readability improvements. I teach first and second grade, so maybe my suggestions will be helpful. I think a gifted second grader would absorb a lot, probably most of it if the child grew up with the KJV. But if you want to reach the average second grader, I think some of the vocabulary and phrasing might confuse the child.

On page 1, I'm not sure that most kids would understand the "first and last" statement. To these kids, they always want to be "first" for everything and "last" is a negative term.

With Psalm 19:1, I would leave off the "firmament" part of the verse because that word means nothing to the average kid.

I would also leave out or replace the word "recognition" on p.2.

On p. 7, "Since there was no way for us to come to God because of our sin" seems like it has a slightly misplaced modifier. It might be rephrased, something like, "Since our sin kept us from coming to God" or "Since there was no way for sinful people to come to God."

I hope these suggestions help.

November 29, 2006 2:39 PM
 

Julie Allen said:

Dear Brother Bob, I couldn't get the slides to move very well and so wasn't able to read the Kid's tract entirely. However, if your audience is children say 2nd grade to 6th well then it seems a little too wordy. I do agree that you have avalid point. May I make a suggestion in the mean time as God leads you in creating a tract? Have you ever seen this Kid's Tract? I use this regularly and find that kids love it and it has a very clear gospel message. It is interactive and colorful and the size is great too. It fits right in little hands. Not only do they hear the Gospel in its entirety, but by the time they go through this little booklet, they will never forget God's Ten Commandments. As a matter of fact, I had been a Christian for 22 years and could not quote the Ten Commandments. But since teaching this tract to my child, I now know them. Often when I see a family I will ask the parent if I may give their child a picture book, they are always warm and often times I am able to give them an adult tract as well, or even have a one 2 one conversation with them about spiritual things. And no one is offended. Here is the tract link. It is produced by Living Waters and you can go here to view it entirely: http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/graphics/tracts/hey_kids/index.html I used this tract to speak to our 6 year old daughter 2 1/2 years ago and she is today serving God and witnessing to her classmates. I Give God All Glory!!! That is how clear the message is. Thank you for listening. If I can serve in any way further, please contact me. All For Him, Julie Allen Local Leader Southern Ohio Seed Sowers gnnwaverly@roadrunner.com
March 16, 2007 9:44 PM

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