Marty Machowski

Start a new Easter season tradition with your family by reading this beautifully illustrated "upside-down" book from Marty Machowski that includes fourteen Bible stories. The first side, Darkest Night, has seven stories that recount the events of Passion week ending with Christ's crucifixion and burial. Flip the book over and continue by reading Brightest Day with seven more stories that progress from Christ's resurrection through Pentecost. Children are sure to remember the contrast between the darkness at the death of our Lord and the light-filled events from Christ's resurrection onward. Machowski weaves each Gospel account together into one harmonized story and provides questions for family discussion. Focusing on the main events the week of the crucifixion, Darkest Night is designed for families to read one story each day, beginning on Palm Sunday. Once the week ends, they will start with Brightest Day on Easter Sunday. The stories for the week following Easter recount appearances of Jesus after the resurrection, his ascension, and Pentecost. This beautiful hardback book, illustrated by Phil Shorr, is sure to become a treasured favorite of the family to be used every Easter as a reminder of how God turned the darkest night into the brightest day.

Anyone who has tried it, even for a day, knows that children's ministry is challenging. Pastors Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski have been in your shoes and they want to help. Drawing on decades of family ministry experience, they have a passion to help children's ministry directors, pastors, and volunteers remember the "why" of children's ministry and gain a fresh vision for the "how" of effective discipleship and proactive nurturing of the next generation. As you recruit volunteers, organize materials, set up safety policies, and manage the many needs that come your way, you may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and wonder if your ministry is even effective. Reju and Machowski have a passion to help those involved in children's ministry remember that it's more than just providing safe childcare so that parents can attend worship services; it's about raising up faithful believers who love the Lord, stand firm in the gospel, treasure Scripture, and have a heart for others. These goals can only be met if the whole church is committed to prioritizing time and energy into disciple-making and sets proactive policies for children's safety. Readers will learn about highlighting Bible-based content, recruiting church members, planning for emergencies, and partnering with parents. Build on Jesus equips ministry leaders with the right priorities, people, and practicalities needed for fruitful nurturing and care of the youngest disciples in the church.

Children often picture heaven as a place where everyone floats around a sky of white, puffy clouds, playing harps and singing. This beautifully illustrated children's book by best-selling author Marty Machowski shows how the Bible depicts a very different heaven than the one many of us imagine. Machowksi explains how God doesn't just welcome "good " people into heaven; he welcomes sinners into heaven. God Made Me for Heaven points to a God who will recreate our earth for us to enjoy and live with us here forever. Told through the perspective of a grade school boy to his preschool brother, this picture book includes a gospel presentation and speaks truth in simple language kids can understand. In this new release in the God Made Me series, Machowski helps parents and caregivers have life-changing conversations with children about how we will be with Jesus when we die--and how we can long for and anticipate Christ's return. God Made Me for Heaven invites children to understand that God made each person for heaven and provided a way through his son, Jesus, to get there. Soon, he will return to recreate the earth, end sin and suffering once and for all, and come to live with us forever. Included in the back of the book is a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and help as they have this important conversation with children.

What is the measure of a man? Is it athletic ability, strength, intelligence, or accomplishments? Manhood isn't measured by how much money you make, the job you have, what you wear, or who you marry. While today's cultural flinches at the term "biblical manhood," God had a definition for men at creation, and you might be surprised about his views of what makes a man. Brave and Bold: 31 Devotions to Strengthen Men offers thirty-one daily devotions to encourage readers to become men whose strength comes from following Jesus and reflects him to a watching world. Author Marty Machowski explores scripture to uncover the truth that becoming a real man means trusting God in every area of life, including serving, taking responsibility, providing for his family, and confessing failure. Through personal stories and examples, and practical application, men will be challenged to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22) and to be examples of faithfulness, selflessness, self-control, and humble dependence on the Lord. Each devotion calls men to grow deeper in compassion, kindness, courage, integrity, and service. Machowski considers Brave and Bold to be a "pocket biblical manhood boot camp." Brave and Bold can be used for personal reading, one-on-one discipleship, or small group discussion, encouraging men to live on a mission to honor the Lord and to make him known in every part of life.

Your children may know of the psalms, but with WonderFull by best-selling author Marty Machowski, young readers learn to use the whole book of the Psalms to pray and find help through the challenges life is certain to bring. Oliver and his grandfather spend days sitting in front of an old Oak tree, reading through the book of Psalms together. As Oliver's curiosity about God evolves into a deep and abiding faith, his grandfather continues to read to him and pray with him, discovering together the beauty of the Psalms. Even when Oliver's grandpa is no longer able to read with him, Oliver continues to cherish the Psalms--especially in times of trial--and he imagines what it will be like to see God face to face and his grandfather again in heaven. Ancient psalms are made ever new in this beautifully designed children's book, and kids will grow to love and appreciate this book of the Bible. As a best-selling author to numerous books and curricula for kids, Marty Machowski draws on over thirty years of experience as a pastor to provide Scripture-based truth and hope for young readers. Machowski doesn't just help kids become familiar with the psalms. He helps them apply what they are learning to their own lives, which is a gift that will continue to deepen their walk with Christ as they grow older.

God Made Boys and Girls helps children understand that their gender is a gift from the God who made them and loves them. The story begins as the girls and boys at Grace Christian School are discussing if boys will always be boys and girls will always be girls. Their teacher explains that God gives each of us the gift of being male or female before we are born, and that you continue to be a boy or a girl whether you like to climb trees or play house, play tag or color pictures, cause a ruckus or sit quietly. In a world where there is so much confusion about gender and identity, pastor and best-selling author Marty Machowski shares the simple, clear truth that all of us are made in God's image as either male or female--and what God made is very good Included in the back of the book is a special section just for parents and caregivers that gives biblical guidance and help as they have this important conversation with their children.

For young readers and families, Don't Blame the Mud gives a vivid way of helping children see where wrong choices come from and how to turn to Jesus for change from the inside out. Written by best-selling children's author Marty Machowski, this beautifully illustrated picture book teaches children how to recognize the lure of temptation and the truth that bad choices lead to bad consequences. One day, Max takes the muddy path along the creek home, disregarding his mother's reminder to keep his school clothes clean. After crashing into a mud puddle, he tries to hide his mistake and discovers the stain of his sin goes deeper than the mud he can wash away. In this lovable, relatable, and heartwarming tale, Max learns his heart needs to be cleaned, and Jesus is the only one who can wash away his sin. By clearly articulating the gospel, Don't Blame the Mud helps parents create an environment of confession so kids can own up to their own mistakes--in the freedom of Christ--rather than place the blame elsewhere. Parents, teachers, and caretakers can help children identify with the real-life draw of temptation and the real-life consequences of sin, understanding the value of God's salvation through the cross. Instead of teaching kids how to deal with a problem, Machowski uncovers the real issue of sin and provides a gospel answer.

In this uplifting and faith-strengthening devotional book for parents, best-selling children's author Marty Machowski encourages parents in the midst of trials. Full of Scripture, testimonies of faithful parents, and insightful meditations, Parenting First Aid equips moms and dads to run to God and trust his ability to do what they can't. Parenting isn't getting any easier, especially with the introduction of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality. This useful resource is for the weary and overwhelmed parents struggling with their children's choices, and the culture that wars against their souls. For families with small struggles or weighty parenting trials--such as children involved with drugs, sexual sin, and teenage rebellion--Parenting First Aid is full of personal, real testimonies of God's faithfulness to those experiencing hardship. The easy-to-use format provides encouragement to turn to God in the midst of family difficulty. While God does not promise happiness and ease in parenting, all can find comfort in God and peace beyond understanding through the Scriptures and meditations found in Parenting First Aid.

After teaching a parable, Jesus often said, "Whoever has ears, let him hear." In other words, "This is important, so you better listen up," and what could be more important than the good news of the kingdom of God? This family devotional provides a unique opportunity for parents to help their children "listen up" and hear the gospel as Jesus himself shared it. Jesus told simple stories using everyday activities and objects that point to surprising spiritual truths about life in his kingdom. In the parables children (and adults ) will learn to treasure the gospel. Children love stories, and the parables provide a wonderful opportunity to engage their imagination and help them understand and live out the good news of the kingdom of God. This thirteen-week family devotional is designed to help families explore the parables that Jesus taught through reading selected parables, activities, discussion questions, and "fun facts." Each five-day session includes Bible reading, discussion questions, a fun activity, and songs. Also available is Listen Up: Jesus's Parables for Sunday School curriculum. Gospel truths told in simple, easy-to-understand stories Family activities, discussion questions, and Bible readings make leading family devotions stress-free for busy parents Ten-minute-a-day format holds children's attention Memorable stories that will give children the tools to remember key gospel principles

An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book--a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family's history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you'll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us. Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Middle-schoolers and teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles. Dragon Seed is made up of two distinct parts. The first part, 24 chapters, is a fun-to-read, dramatic fiction story; the second part is a 12-lesson Bible study that explores the deeper spiritual themes from the story. Youth pastors, leaders, Sunday school teachers, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read effectively as an individual or with a group to discuss together the implications of Nick's struggles for their lives.

Every parent and teacher wants to see their children make good choices, grow in wisdom, and learn how to live a God-honoring life. But Christian parents know that teaching good morals isn't enough. Kids (and adults) need gospel power in order to "wise up " Christians through the centuries have used the book of Proverbs to teach children the godly wisdom needed to navigate their everyday lives. Wise Up, by author and family pastor Marty Machowski, is a two-part discipleship resource geared to help children grown in the true wisdom that is only found in Christ. Wise Up offers two separate discipleship tools. The first product is a family devotional, Wise Up: Ten-Minute Family Devotions in Proverbs, which will help make learning the truths of Proverbs fun and memorable for the whole family. Each compact session features Bible reading, discussion questions, a fun activity, and a song to keep children engaged in making gospel-motivated, good choices. Each wisdom theme in Wise Up is carefully and repeatedly connected to the good news of Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and coming return. Wise Up moves families beyond the practical wisdom of Proverbs to connect the teaching of Solomon to God's larger story of salvation. Also available in this series is the companion twelve-week curriculum, which is designed to connect the teaching of Proverbs to God's larger story of salvation. Children will learn that Solomon's wisdom, life, and failures all point to "something greater than Solomon"--they point to Jesus. The goal of this curriculum is to present the wisdom of Proverbs against the backdrop of the gospel to show children that real wisdom comes only as we depend on Jesus for daily help and forgiveness. Each lesson includes Bible reading, discussion questions, object lessons, a fun activity, and songs for families from the companion Walking with the Wise music CD by Sovereign Grace Music. This curriculum includes three learning levels--preschool and kindergarten (ages 4-6), elementary (ages 6-9), and middle school (ages 10-12).

The Ology by best-selling children's author Marty Machowski is a stunningly illustrated beginner's theology book to help kids of all ages understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. This storybook of systematic theology takes abstract concepts in the Bible and makes them easier to understand with the use of creative examples, illustrations, and analogies. The Ology is a starting point to learning theology and aims to create a hunger and desire in children to learn more as they grow older. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations so the entire families can enjoy it together. The story begins in the cellar of the old stone cathedral, where Carla and Timothy uncover a life-changing treasure: a carefully wrapped, ancient book known as The Ology. Young readers will discover a tale of adventure, mystery, and wonder, which will lead them to the truth about God, themselves, and the world around them. As a father to six children, Machowski knows how to intentionally create a vivid resource, full of analogies and word pictures to help kids grasp difficult theological concepts. Read The Ology to preschoolers; read it with grade-school kids, and let older kids discover the "hidden" truths by reading the corresponding Scripture passages for each section. However you read it, The Ology will give your children a gift that will last a lifetime--a solid foundation of transformative biblical truth that will point them to the God who loves them and gave himself for them. There is also a companion album to The Ology by Sovereign Grace Music that celebrates these wonderful theological truths through worship music that the whole family can enjoy.

Best-selling children's book author Marty Machowski helps families connect to the Bible with a theologically robust yet simple and relatable devotional program. Old Story New is designed to explain God's plan of salvation through the New Testament. Suited for children from preschool through high school, this gospel-focused book is full of ten-minute devotions to continue the gospel story that began in Long Story Short. The consistent and short structure helps children walk through the life-changing truths of the Christian faith in the New Testament--without overwhelming them. The gospel story told through Old Story New is filled with adventure, suspense, drama, and mystery, captivating young readers. Machowski makes it easy for parents and caregivers to stay on the life-giving course of sharing the gospel with their families. Through 78 New Testament stories, Old Story New does the hard work for moms and dads. Simple discussion questions (and answers ) for each day's devotion help children understand and connect with Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and the birth of the Christian church. Old Story New isn't devotional material preaching half-truths and moralism. This creative devotional program helps parents shepherd their children to see redemptive history, with the central theme of Jesus illuminated clearly in every story. Don't give up on your family devotions. Machowski recognizes how well-intended parents and caregivers can struggle to maintain a family Bible study. A fuller, richer understanding of the gospel will be found in Old Story New.

Best-selling children's author Marty Machowski's beautifully illustrated storybook captivates young readers with the heart of the gospel. In this easy-to-read children's book, families are invited to see Jesus clearly in the people, places, and events of the Old and New Testaments. The Gospel Story Bible points to Jesus, helping families and kids identify Christ as the hero of every story. While it's easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles, and conflicting priorities, Machowski reminds families of God's plan of salvation in Christ, which is continually on display throughout the Bible. This gospel-driven resource orients the minds of children toward the wondrous works of God, encouraging them to see Jesus in a larger context of redemptive history. As a treasure for both parents and young children, The Gospel Story Bible traces the gospel through the Bible with clarity and traction for all ages. As you share these engaging Bible stories together, you and your family will meet Jesus and learn a new, life-changing way of growing in intimacy with him. Vibrant illustrations, child-friendly discussion questions, and Scripture references accompany each narrative to help you lead in effective family Bible study. You will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story he or she has already come to love. Ideal as a storybook for your preschooler, a devotional for your grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer, or an introduction for the new one, The Gospel Story Bible is also a companion to Long Story Short, Old Story New, and the Gospel Story Curriculum.