As parents, grandparents, teachers, and leaders, we have been entrusted with one of the most sacred responsibilities in life… to guide the next generation in knowing, loving, and following Jesus. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” That’s more than simply teaching morals or good behavior. It’s about shaping their hearts and minds in a way that reflects the heart of Christ.
Children will eventually make their own choice for Jesus, but it’s up to us to give them every opportunity to see His goodness, experience His love, and understand His truth. We can fill their lives with His Word, His character, and His ways, so they not only know who He is, but they also recognize that a relationship with Him is the most important relationship they will ever have.
Our hope is that Jesus becomes the greatest example of their lives and that they will grow to understand this beautiful truth: there is no greater love than the love of Jesus.
The Challenge of Finding the Right Books
While there is no shortage of children’s books in the world, not all of them will help mold the heart of a child toward Christ. Many stories offer valuable lessons, but fewer give a clear, biblical picture of who Jesus is, what He has done, and how His love changes us. In today’s world, our children are constantly absorbing information… some good, some harmful, and some simply untrue.
So, who will make sure they hear the truth?
We will.
It’s the role of parents, grandparents, Christian teachers, and church leaders to be intentional about placing God’s Word in their hands and His truth in their hearts. One of the most powerful ways to do that is through Christ-centered children’s books that are biblically sound, engaging, and full of hope.
The Fruity Friends: Teaching the Fruit of the Spirit in a Fun, Faithful Way
When God gave me the vision for The Fruity Friends series, I knew my purpose was clear: reach the hearts of children. Each of the nine Fruity Friends represents one of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
These stories are written in a rhyming, playful style that makes learning fun while teaching deep truths. For example, a child can meet Stella Strawberry, who teaches about love, or Adam Apple, who teaches about self-control or the other characters who help them understand how to be patient, kind, and faithful. By connecting these virtues to memorable characters, children can more easily remember and live them out.
Each book is filled with Scripture to reinforce the lesson and ends with a prayer that helps the child speak directly to God about their heart and character. These prayers are simple yet powerful, helping children put their faith into words and apply what they’ve learned in a personal way.
Why It Matters
Planting seeds of truth in a child’s heart is one of the greatest investments we can make. When children learn about the love of Jesus early on, they’re more likely to carry that faith into adulthood. They begin to see that following Jesus isn’t just about rules, it’s about a relationship with the Savior who loves them beyond measure.
And when they learn the Fruit of the Spirit, they begin to reflect His character in their own lives. They start to see that love isn’t just a feeling, patience isn’t just waiting quietly, and kindness isn’t just being nice when it’s easy. It becomes these expressions of God’s Spirit captivating their heart and living inside of them.
A Prayer for the Next Generation
My prayer is that The Fruity Friends series will bless your family, classroom, or ministry. I pray these little rhymes and big truths will help children not only understand the Fruit of the Spirit but also see that Jesus Himself is the source of every good thing in our lives.
May these books inspire the next generation to love like Jesus, live like Jesus, and follow Him all their days. And may the seeds we plant today bear fruit that will last for eternity.