Q&A With Catherine Campbell: Author of Journey With Me For Kids Devotional

What does it really look like for a child to walk with Jesus every day?

It might mean talking to Jesus before a big test at school, asking for His help after falling out with a close friend, remembering that He is near when they feel left out, worried or afraid, or simply thanking Him for an absolutely brilliant day.

In Journey with Me for Kids, Catherine Campbell helps children aged 8–12 discover that Jesus is not only with them at church or during Bible time. He is with them in the classroom, on the playground, around the dinner table and in the quiet moments when something is troubling them but they cannot quite find the words to explain it.

You may already know Catherine through her much-loved books for adults, including God Isn't Finished With You Yet, Consider Him, Journey With Me, and Journey With Me Every Day - 366-Day Perpetual Calendar. We are delighted to publish her first devotional for children, which carries the same warmth, honesty and deep love for Jesus that readers have come to value in her writing.

In this author Q&A, Catherine shares the story behind the book, the Bible verse at the heart of her own faith and her hope that children will come to know Jesus not as a distant figure, but as a faithful friend and guide for every part of their life.

I love that God invites us in the Bible to journey with Him through all of life. Having written on this theme for adults I wanted children to discover for themselves that it's possible to have Jesus as their best friend and guide with them every day . . . wherever that day takes them.

And also, that they would learn, at an earlier age than I did, that the Bible is God's speaking voice to us today . . . on every subject! And that He wants to speak to them.

Oh, there are so many – some speaking specifically into the most difficult of my life situations, but there is one verse that makes sense of all the others. It's 1 John 4:14 (NIV), "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world."

The character and love of Father God shines through in His love towards us, while the willingness of Jesus to give up His life for our salvation leaves me without doubt that every other promise of Scripture can be hung on this powerful demonstration of who God is and how much He loves me. Such grace!

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world."

1 John 4:14 (NIV)

Firstly, I hope they do use it every day. Forming a daily routine of reading and considering Scripture will encourage Bible-based thinking as they move towards adulthood, as well as developing a growing relationship with Jesus.

How it is used will depend on the age of the reader and the individual reading skill. For the younger child I'm expecting help and engagement with their parents or carers, not only for reading but also to discuss what they have been reading.

For the older child or more advanced reader I would love them to read before they start their day. However, as mornings tend to be hectic, they could find a quiet space to read and consider later in the day.

I'd love parents or carers to get involved in short discussion with their child whatever age they are. It's good for families to talk Bible together – to normalise spiritual conversation.

There's a subject finder at the back of the book, which will direct kids to a specific reading if they have worries, or have encountered something they're struggling with during the day.

One thing I'd hate for this to become is extra homework! Let's make devotional reading fun, not just something to add to their busy days!

This is a first for me, so the early memories from writing for children are filled with doubt and rewrites! But I learned so much as I worked on bringing simple truths that children could understand, out of what is actually profound theology.

My favourite memory is of waking early one morning, towards the end of the writing, with an overwhelming sense of privilege and joy (and tears) that perhaps young hearts might learn more of Jesus' love for them when they get the book in their hands. 

Perhaps my greatest memory in writing Journey with Me for Kids is still to come, when even one child will tell me what their favourite devotion was, and how it helped them . . . or even that they have decided to follow Jesus because of what they read in this book. That, I have to leave with God.

"Perhaps my greatest memory in writing Journey with Me for Kids is still to come, when even one child will tell me what their favourite devotion was, and how it helped them . . . or even that they have decided to follow Jesus because of what they read in this book. That, I have to leave with God."

Thank you. Thank you, God for sending Your Son to be the Saviour of the world. And thank you Jesus for coming, and dying, and rising again . . . and for journeying with me through the joys and sorrows of life.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me the courage to accept the challenge of writing 'Journey with Me for Kids', in spite of my inadequacies. And for the enormous privilege of working with a team of people who want to reach children with spiritual books that will not only help them on life's journey but that will see young lives transformed.

Thank You, for Your precious Book – the Bible – and for allowing those of us who open its pages to hear You speak through it.

Please grant that Journey with Me for Kids will be read by a multitude of children who will discover your love between its covers and become those who will journey with Jesus all the days of their lives.

Talking with Catherine, it is clear that this book comes from a deep desire to help children know that Jesus is close and that the Bible has something to say about what they are going through. That hope runs through all 101 devotions, which explore everything from friendship problems, worries and difficult choices to confidence, gratitude and the joy at the end of a really good day. Children can read the book on their own or share it with a parent, grandparent or carer, and a subject finder at the back of the book also helps children find a devotion for whatever is on their mind.

Beautifully illustrated by Emma Skerratt, Journey with Me for Kids  is more than a book for a special occasion. It is something a child can return to on school mornings, difficult evenings, happy days and all the ordinary moments in between.