Forensic Faith for Kids & Case Makers Academy - A New TOS Review!!

Do you ever wonder if your children can really defend their faith to their friends? In this time in our country, I think it is really important for us as parents and for our children to truly be aware of who God is and how to 'shout it on the rooftops' that HE is Lord, not just another man. That is why I chose to review the latest book from David C Cook called Forensic Faith for Kids, with my chidren that teaches Christian apologetics by investigating God's existence. Combine the book with the Case Makers Academy and you have a full study that can help your children defend their beliefs.

Forensic Faith for Kids was written by J. Warner and Susie Wallace. J. Warner is a cold case detective who solves the "unsolvable" crimes and he's been featured on places like Fox News and Datelline for his experience in solving these cold case crimes. He, as a former athiest, has also authored several other books including Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, God's Crime Scene for Kids and 'adult' counterparts of these books and Forensic Faith. After learning more about the Wallace's background I knew that this book would be a wealth of knowledge built on true facts.

The basis of the story is built around the Junior Detectives Academy headed up by Detective Jeffries (based on Mr. Wallace's real life mentor when he became a detective). Detective Jeffries leads the junior cadets along with you - the reader - who is included in the story that is written in the 2nd voice, on the journey of the puppy appearance! Along the way you will help Daniel and Jason track down Bailey's (a super cute and loveable Pembroke Welsh Corgi) owner and assist Hannah as she learns how to defend her faith to her friends who are questioning WHO Jesus is and whether HE is even real.

Within the story there are different tidbits along the way. They are called CSI Investigations, Dig Deeper, and Detective Definitions. The Detective Definitions explain "police" terms to the reader. The Dig Deeper section is a way to remind the reader go to the website and work on the extras offered there. The CSI Investigations reminds the student to always go back to Scripture to get the hard truth. There are also "tools" that you are to put in your Detective Bag and these help focus the reader on the application of what they are learning.

These two instances are framed as mysteries needing to be solved. Detective Jeffries leads the children as they learn the questions to ask along the path of an investigation and how to come to the conclusion which is based on facts and evidence. What makes this even better is that the book is geared for ages 8 to 12 (although I know my 15 yo daughter enjoyed the book just as much as I did.) It brings the subject of Christian apologetics down to a level that is clear and easy to understand for younger Christians making faith their own.

There are eight chapters in this book as well as a preface. After each one you also can head to the Case Makers Academy and increase your study with the brief videos to watch after each chapter. And there are both note sheets as well as activity sheets for most of the chapters to continue to bring awareness to your children of the need to be able to defend their OWN faith in Jesus to their friends. This is a free resource online and you download the note sheets and activity pages, as well as a leader guide. Some of the activities include a dot-to-dot, word finds, and other puzzles.

Leader Guide

The note sheets are fill in the blank recaps of the chapter and a reminder of what had gone on in the chapter. It also reviews the Scriptures that were used in the chapter to build the readers faith in Jesus being real. I had all three of my children working on the book and extras. While my eldest is farther ahead she would also help the younger two with their activity pages or locating in the book where the answers would be for the note sheet. My younger two have had either their eldest sister read to them or I would read to them.

Notes being filled in

After the reading, usually the next day, they would watch the short video clip. I would use the leader guide to help 'lead' a discussion after they had all watched the video. Then the rest of the week they would spend working on the note page and activity page. They are going to be putting their pages in a notebook, once I find our 3 hole punch (which I think I might have left in SC so I put it on the list to be sure to grab when we head back to finish packing.) We are in the midst of the fourth chapter and they are loving the book. I actually think my eldest is finished, but she hasn't spoiled the ending by telling us what happens. The difference between this book and many others is that it has spurred conversations between my children and between them and there dad and I about their faith in Jesus.

Watching the video after the chapter was read.

This would also be great in a small group setting like on a Wednesday night and I will be looking at doing this in our church ministry here in Indiana. The leader guide will be very helpful to do this by pointing out the important concepts in each chapter and giving you a few questions you can ask your group.  I also think we will be putting the other two books Mr. Wallace has written on our Christmas list. Having my children be able to defend their faith in God to their friends and family is one of the greatest gifts I could ask for and Mr J. Warner Wallace has done exactly that by teaching them how to delve into the Bible and find evidence to support their beliefs.

Activity pages

Here are some snippets from my children:

Audrie -- "It helped me understand more about the Bible and how to help people know who God is and helping to defend my belief in Jesus."

Arianna -- "So I kind of this book in a real life situation. I think that this book has realy helped me with my similar situation. As I was reading I thought it was going to be just another mystery story that had something to do with faith. As I got further along in the book I started to see some of my own problems come up in Hannah's situation so I started put some of the things I was learning from what Detective Jeffries had said to good use. This book really brought me to understanding what and how Jesus wanted us to deliver His message. This book is focused on teaching its readers to respond to hard questions by turning to their own Bibles for the answers they need from the problems in life."

Seanan - "It is action packed! I've liked listening to the story. It's about kids who believe God and learning how to tell kids that don't know about God, who HE is!" 

I urge you to read some of the other Crew reviews by clicking the link below. You can also find David C Cook on Facebook. Also be sure to check out the Case Makers Academy for yourself along with Forensic Faith for Kids and some of his other books that I mentioned earlier.