Raising Boys Who Know God

Let me be clear: I am not a homeschool mom. We don’t have a curriculum. We have a crazy schedule, a packed sports calendar, and we show up to church on Sundays doing our best.

But I also know how important it is to fill my boys’ hearts with truth… even when they’d rather be doing literally anything else.

That’s why I built this list. Because most faith resources for kids are either too cheesy to survive contact with an actual boy, or so program-heavy they make me tired just looking at them. These aren’t those. Everything on this list is something my boys have actually engaged with… books they read past bedtime, devotionals that didn’t get eye rolls, activities that came out on road trips without me asking twice. And if we haven’t actually tried them… I have been eyeing them for a while and have scoured the reviews for you!

If you’re a normal mom with normal kids and a full life, and you still want your boys to know God deeply... this is where I’d start.

Tried and True (Start Here!)

The Exact Bible We Use:

NIV Boys' Bible, Leathersoft, Brown Camo, Comfort Print — Zondervan. I gave each of my boys this exact bible a couple of Christmases ago. While my youngest is still growing into it, my oldest keeps it on his bedside table, and we reference it often. I wanted a bible that could grow with them! This is where I highlight things I want them to remember and scribble in the margins. This bible is sturdy and lovingly made for boys ages 8-12 to dig into scripture with!

Our Other Must-Haves:

🌌 The Indescribable Series — Louie Giglio This whole series lives in our house, and I genuinely recommend all of it. Start with the devotional, add the activity book, and watch your kid ask questions about God and black holes in the same breath.

• Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science ~ 100 devotions that help kids discover the incredible creation of God. I have been reaching for this one since Jones was 5 and just started it with Steele. These are so wonderful to pull out at bedtime and read one section at a time!

• How Great Is Our God ~ 100 more devotions covering everything from a pink lake in Senegal to the water-holding frog that can survive five years without a drink. Same format as Indescribable, just as good. If your little buddy burns through the first one, hand him this one next.

• Indescribable Atlas Adventures ~ A self-guided tour through all seven continents and over 50 countries; more than 1,500 facts woven together with God’s Word, helping kids think globally through the heart of Jesus. Big, beautiful, and a great coffee table book, they’ll actually pick up on their own.

• Indescribable Activity Book ~ 150+ activities, including STEM experiments, puzzles, and crosswords, all combining biblical truth with scientific facts. This is the one that comes out on road trips without being asked.

❓ If I Could Ask God Anything by Kathryn Slattery ~ I’m currently reading this one with Jones at night, and it’s one of my favorites on this list. It tackles the hard questions kids actually ask about God, faith, prayer, and Christianity in language they can understand. If your boy has questions (and they all do), this gives him a real place to bring them.

🏈 The One Year Sports Devotions for Kids by Florea, Jones & Cooley ~ For the boy who will read anything if sports are involved. 365 devotions packed with fun facts, trivia about sports heroes, and stories about athletes who overcame the odds: each one connecting to Scripture through a “What’s the Score” section and a closing Bible verse. This a Jones approved favorite!

Finding the right Bible for your little guy matters more than people talk about. Too hard to read, and they check out. Too babyish, and they feel talked down to. I already shared with you the one we actually use, but here are some other great finds!

NIrV Tiny Theologians Bible ~ Zondervan This one is for your younger reader who’s just starting to navigate Scripture on his own. Written at a third-grade reading level based on the NIV, it teaches kids how the Bible is organized, why different books sound different, and how all 66 books come together to tell one story. It’s not a storybook Bible; it’s a real Bible with training wheels built in.

NLT Go Bible for Kids ~ Glow in the Dark Edition I won’t pretend the glow-in-the-dark feature isn’t a huge win! It comes with a glow-in-the-dark bookmark ribbon, and the pages are packed with over 600 features, including mini devotions, scripture memory challenges, fascinating Bible-times facts, and full-color illustrations, all in an easy-to-read NLT translation for ages 7 and up.

The Action Bible ~ Sergio Cariello. If your boy will read anything that looks like a comic book, start here. The #1 bestselling Christian book of 2025, the illustrated stories make Scripture feel fast-paced, visual, and impossible to put down. They are presented in chronological order, so kids actually understand how the Bible flows as one complete story. Graphic novel fans? This ones for them!

The Bible Recap for Kids ~ Tara-Leigh Cobble This one walks kids through the entire Bible with simple one-page recaps explaining each day's passage, plus "God Shots" that point out what Scripture says about God's character. It's not a replacement for their Bible; it's a companion that helps them actually understand what they just read.

The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible by Rivard & Penner ~ An illustrated kids’ Bible designed for ages 3 to 8. Full transparency: this one skews a little younger, but it’s still what we reach for with Steele at night. The illustrations are warm and comforting, and they tell the stories of Scripture in a way that actually makes sense to little minds. Perfect if you’ve got a range of ages, as I do. They also have one based on Psalms and Proverbs, Tiny Wisdom.

At this age, we still read devotionals together at night. It’s part of our bedtime routine, nothing fancy, just a few minutes before lights out. Some nights it sparks a real conversation. Some nights, they’re half asleep before we finish. But we show up for it, and I genuinely believe it’s sinking in even when it doesn’t look like it.

Rooted in Faith: 5-Minute Devotions for Preteen Boys ~ Kingdom Press 52 devotions that help boys grow stronger in faith and character, with short, relatable stories that connect God’s truth to real-life moments: peer pressure, self-image, friendship, purpose.

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids, Boys Edition ~ Sarah Young Written as if Jesus is speaking directly to your child’s heart, each devotion is based on Scripture and designed to help kids develop an intimate relationship with God through daily time in His Word. The boys’ edition has the same great content with a blue cover that doesn’t feel like it belongs to his sister. Families who read the adult version can use this one right alongside it, same themes, same Scripture.

Strong in Spirit: 5-Minute Devotions for Preteen Boys ~ David & Niki Winston Devotions that don’t follow a specific order, so your boy can pick a topic that feels right for the moment, covering real issues like anxiety, bullying, forgiveness, and being a good friend, with space to journal right in the book.

The One Year Devotions for Boys ~ Tyndale Every day includes a short story, a Bible verse to memorize, a “How about You?” section to help boys think about their own lives, and a key to help them remember what they’ve learned.

The Christian Young Athlete’s Playbook ~ Kingdom Youth For the boy who lives and breathes sports. 101 devotions that cover the anxiety before the big game, the pressure to be flawless, and the weight of not wanting to disappoint teammates or God… in just 3 minutes a day.

Tiny Truths Devotional ~ This one is packed with 60 short, vibrant devotions that answer the big questions our boys are always asking: who God is, who they are, and why they matter. The difference between this one and some of the others on the list? It’s perfect for our littlest guys who aren’t ready to dig super deep. It’s simple, honest, and the illustrations are beautiful. A gentle way to introduce them to what a devotional is!

Faith doesn’t have to look like sitting still… not when there are boys around! These are the resources that show God’s truth through puzzles, games, and workbooks; the kind of thing your boy reaches for on a rainy day or a road trip without being asked.

Indescribable Activity Book for Kids ~ Louie Giglio I already talked about this one up top, but it deserves another mention here because it truly is one of my all-time favorites on this list.

Big Book of Amazing Bible Activities ~ David C. Cook Same energy as the Indescribable Activity Book, just with more of a straight Bible story focus. Over 200 puzzles, dot-to-dots, hidden pictures, word searches, and mazes, all based on God’s Word and perfect for quiet time, travel time, or anytime. It’s a big, jumbo book that keeps little hands busy while planting Scripture in their minds.

I Am Capable Workbook ~ Sissy Goff & David Thomas Okay, I have to talk about this one because I am genuinely first in line for it. Sissy Goff and David Thomas are two of the most trusted voices in children’s mental health and faith-based counseling. I’ve read multiple of their books and seen them speak, and they are the real deal. This kids’ workbook for ages 6-12 draws on their decades of clinical experience and biblical truth to help kids see the ways they are already strong, practice skills that build resilience, and learn strategies to cope with life’s challenges. It is clinically sound, faith-informed, and written for real kids navigating a real world.

Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience — Sissy Goff & David Thomas *For Parents* This is the parent companion to the workbook above. If you are a boy mom trying to raise a kid who doesn’t crumble under pressure, this is the book.

Closer Together: Family Conversation Cards ~ Truth + Light Co. We love asking Would You Rather questions in our family, and these give that same energy with prompts that point back to God. Keep them on the table. Pull one out at dinner. Let it start a conversation that surprises you.

Use code WECARRYYOURHEART for 10% off your order!

Would You Rather? Bible Edition ~ You know the Would You Rather book that lives in your car for road trips? This is that, but make it faith-based and read out loud as a family. Kids are placed right inside the Old Testament’s most defining moments, not just reading the stories, but deciding what they would do if they were part of them. Would you rather trust God like Daniel in the lions’ den or face a giant like David?

Bible Infographics for Kids (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) ~ These are some of my absolute favorite books on this entire list, and I genuinely mean that. Big, bold, visually stunning books that boys will pick up on their own just because they look cool. Vol. 1 covers giants, ninja skills, a talking donkey, and what’s the deal with the Tabernacle. Vol. 2 goes full epic: Angels vs. Demons, Light vs. Darkness, Feats of God vs. Failures of Men, Heaven vs. Hell. They flip through them, stop on something wild, and ask you questions you didn’t even know you’d be answering at 8 pm on a Tuesday.

Bible Infographics for Kids: Epic Guide to Jesus ~ The third book in the series and just as good as the first two. Readers investigate the historical evidence of Jesus’s life, examine His miracles and teachings, explore His culture, and follow His death, resurrection, and beyond all, through the same bold, engaging infographic format that makes the whole series irresistible. Once your boys have the first two, they’ll want this one. It’s the natural next step and, honestly, the most important one in the series.

Some kids open up more on paper than they ever will out loud. These are the journals worth keeping on the nightstand, in the book bag, or passing back and forth across the kitchen table.

Prayer Journal for Kids ~ Truth + Light Co. Simple, beautiful, and exactly what it needs to be. Designed for kids ages 6-12, this journal guides kids through five prompts on every page: “I praise You for...” / “Please help me to...” / “I’m sorry for...” / “Please watch over...” / “Thank You for...” — covering worship, confession, intercession, and gratitude all in one sitting. Perfect to keep by their beds and build a prayer habit that sticks.

Use code WECARRYYOURHEART for 10% off your order!

Just Mom & Me Keepsake Journal ~ Casey Wiegand / Paper Peony Press A mother-son guided journal you pass back and forth, conversation-starting prompts, tear-out message cards you can hide for your son to find, interactive activities, and keepsake photo spaces. Some kids will never sit down and tell you what’s going on with them, but they’ll write it down. This gives them the format to do that and gives you a window in. I love this one.

Between Dad and Me — Katie Clemons The dad-and-son version of the above, and just as good. Thoughtful prompts, coloring pages, challenges, and free creative space for fathers and sons to record memories, swap stories, compare perspectives, and just... connect. We gave this to Rob for his birthday, and the boys have had so much fun with it!

Christian Baseball Notebook ~ A blank, baseball-themed Christian journal perfect for the older kid who isn’t looking for guided prompts but might actually write something down if it looks cool enough to carry. Stash it in the book bag, leave it on the nightstand, or tuck it in a sports bag. Sometimes the best journal is the one they’ll actually pick up.

Daily Prayer & Gratitude Journal for Kids, Ages 6–13 (The Christian Journal Co.) ~ This is the one for the kid who needs structure to sit still for five minutes with God. It walks kids through the same simple rhythm every day: a prayer request, a few things they’re grateful for, a Bible verse or story to chew on, and space to name what they’re actually feeling. What stands out is that it doesn’t ask kids to perform gratitude. It asks them to notice it. That’s a different skill, and it’s the one that actually sticks.

The Devotional Doodle Journal (DaySpring) ~ This is the one I’d hand to the kid who’d rather draw a feeling than talk about it. The Devotional Doodle Journal pairs 90 short devotions with a daily verse and an actual reason to pick up a pencil: drawing emojis, sea creatures, patterns, whatever the prompt calls for that day. If your kid processes better with a marker in their hand than a journal prompt staring them down, this is built for exactly that kid.

The following are just really good books, the kind your boys will actually want to read, that happen to be grounded in Scripture and point back to God without making a big deal about it.

Tales That Tell the Truth Series ~ Various Authors: This is one of those series every Christian family should own. 14 beautifully illustrated hardback storybooks, each one telling a true story from Scripture with stunning illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and language that is faithful to the text without being stuffy about it. The books I’d specifically call out for boys: The Storm That Stopped, The Man in the Tree and the Brand New Start, and The Big Wide Welcome… but honestly, many of the 14 work beautifully for little boys. Start with one. You’ll end up collecting all of them.

Young David Series ~ Andy McGuire Five highly illustrated early-reader chapter books adapted from the Minno Young David animated series and inspired by the feature-length David film. Each book follows a young shepherd as he develops the courage, compassion, and faith that would one day make him God’s chosen king of Israel. If your boys have seen the animated series or the film, they will devour these. If they haven’t, start here and then watch together. The box set has all five. Another Jones-approved option!

Redemption Tales Series ~ Marty Machowski Four books for ages 8-12, and one of the most creatively fun series I’ve come across. The entire biblical narrative, from Genesis and Exodus all the way through the death and resurrection of Jesus and the early church, is told from the perspective of the animals who could have been there to witness it. Badgers in the Garden of Eden, oxen at the Red Sea, sheep in the life of Joseph, a wolf pack present at the crucifixion. It sounds wild, and it is, in the best possible way.

The Ology, WonderFull, and The Treasure ~ Marty Machowski Three standalone books from the same author, and each one is exactly the kind of thing I’d describe as sneaky-deep. The Ology is a beautifully illustrated storybook of systematic theology: kids discover it as an adventure, adults recognize it as one of the best introductions to Christian doctrine they’ve ever read. WonderFull does the same thing with the Psalms, following a boy and his grandfather reading through them together. The Treasure takes kids on a biblical adventure through Luke and Acts via two siblings hunting for a sea captain’s hidden treasure, and discovering that the treasure is Christ. Read any of these aloud, and you will find yourself as caught up in them as your kids are.

The Dead Sea Squirrels ~ Mike Nawrocki From the co-creator of VeggieTales comes a 13-book chapter book series that Kirkus Reviews said will make kids “undoubtedly laugh out loud.” A boy sneaks two 2,000-year-old squirrels home from an archaeological dig at the Dead Sea, and it turns out they lived during the time of Jesus and love sharing what they learned from His teaching. Funny, fast-paced, full of biblical values woven in naturally. I have my eye on this one for Jones. Recommended for fans of Big Nate and Dog Man… but make it faith-based.

Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders: 50 True Stories of Daring Men of God by Shirley Ray Redmond ~ Let’s be real… our boys need to know that faith has been an integral part of some real ‘heroes’ stories! This book gives them 50 real-life men who were bold, brave, and totally invested in God, from C.S. Lewis to a Japanese diplomat who risked everything to save kids.

Case for a Creator for Kids by Lee Strobel
Got a son who asks, “But how do we know God is real?” every time you try to pray? This is your answer. Written like a detective story, it walks kids through the science of the universe and shows them that believing in God is actually the most logical thing in the world. Faith meets facts, and it’s pretty awesome. If you haven’t picked up the adult version of this, I also highly recommend it! I am in the middle of reading it for the second time!

The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung ~ This takes the whole Bible (from Genesis to Jesus) and turns it into one epic adventure. The art is moody and powerful, and it finally helps our kids see that every story in Scripture is actually one big story about God saving His people. Perfect for read-aloud snuggle time.

Build by Emily Lex ~This sweet story follows a creative little guy named Brady who loves to build, and along the way, he discovers something pretty amazing: that God made him as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece on purpose. It gently reminds our boys that their unique ideas, talents, and even their messes are part of God’s good design. Perfect for ages 4 to 8, especially if you have a son who lives with Legos in his pockets and is always building something!

Have you or your boys picked up any of these? Or do you have any ideas I need to add to the list? Drop it in the comments!

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