Kids naturally seek out real life heroes, don’t they? Whether they are celebrities, sport stars, or just the older child next door, our kids are always seeking others to look up to. Christian books for boys that give examples of everyday men that the Lord worked through are easier to find than ever before.
Teaching kids about Christian history through literature is a wonderful way to allow them to really understand the way our relationship with the Lord affects our choices, and to see how godly character looks in the life of a young man.
I love the men of the Bible, and I suggest reading through the Bible with your boys for the hero stories in Scripture!
Note: A ‘hero story’ in literature focuses on a person with some redemptive qualities who struggles for good. Not all ‘heroes’ are good all of the time! In fact, none are–all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We know, though, that God chooses to work in those who are weak to his glory–that way we know HE is the great one, not the ‘hero’!
When my boys were growing up, we read SO many wonderful stories about real life heroes from Christian history. I’m going to highlight some of our favorite stories that were specifically written about men!
Do you have girls? You’ll also want to check out Christian Books for Girls: Real Life Heroes.
Christian Books for Younger Boys
When my boys were little, I introduced them to real life heroes from Christian history with the Little Lights series from Catherine MacKenzie. They loved these little picture books that had simple text on one page and a sentence for them to try reading on the next. The stories focused on how God used imperfect children (who became men) to his glory. Ms. MacKenzie has steadily expanded the series and you can now read to your young children about a number of real life heroes.
The Lightkeepers set from Irene Howat was also a popular read in our home. Each book tells the stories of ten boys who served the Lord. They are perfect for bedtime reading! The books include:
- Ten Boys Who Made a Difference
- Ten Boys Who Used Their Talents
- Ten Boys Who Changed the World
- Ten Boys Who Made History
- Ten Boys Who Didn’t Give In
From Shirley Raye Redmond, Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders: 50 True Stories of Daring Men of God is a fabulous volume with one Christian figure per spread. Your child will have a one-page illustration to see while you can read aloud a short biography of a man who glorified God.
C.S. Lewis: Can you imagine? (Little Lights)
Eric Liddell: Are you ready? (Little Lights)John Knox: Who will save you? (Little Lights)John Calvin: What is the truth? (Little Lights)Martin Luther: What should I do? (Little Lights)Hudson Taylor: Could somebody pass the salt? (Little Lights)George Müller: Does money grow on trees? (Little Lights)David Livingstone: Who is the bravest? (Little Lights)Lightkeepers Boys Box Set: Ten BoysBrave Heroes and Bold Defenders: 50 True Stories of Daring Men of God
Christian Books for Older Boys
For young men ages 8-16 or so, I love using historical fiction, fictionalized biographies, and narrative biographies to allow them to meet real life heroes of the faith.
When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther is my debut novel for teens about the Father of the Reformation. Martin Luther contended for the veracity of Scripture and changed both the Church and history. His story is really exciting and I’d be so honored if you’d share it with your boys!
My Who What Why series of Christian biographies and history are a lot of fun for kids! Help them see the who, what, and why of God’s hand of providence in history.
Christian Focus Publications also has an engaging, constantly growing line of Trail Blazers novels. The books closely follow the stories of the main character, but with fictionalized dialogue. We used the Trail Blazers line as family read alouds with our boys from the ages of 7 and 8, and by upper elementary and through middle school, I was assigning them as individual reading for school.
Catherine Mackenzie’s Christian Heroes Just Like You is a wonderful devotional volume with 21 stories of Christian men throughout history.
The books below will give you plenty of great options for Christian books for your boys about real life heroes.
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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