champ thornton

The 10 Questions series invites children ages 8–14 to investigate spiritual questions and provides reliable theological and practical answers on their level. The first book, 10 Questions about Salvation, helps readers find joy, security, and hope in God’s gracious love. Each 10 Questions book presents one main topic, poses 10 vital questions on the topic, and answers each question through 3 short devotions.

Readers can work through the 30 readings in any order they choose. Written to be read alone or aloud with family, 10 Questions about Salvation is the perfect way to start or end each day reflecting on the things of God.

Radical Depth, Strength, and Fun for Boys and Girls (AVAILABLE NOW)

The Radical Book for Kids is a fun-filled explorer’s guide to the Bible, church history, and life for boys and girls age 8 and up. Along with examining some of the most exciting realities in the universe, the handbook is vibrantly illustrated and chock-full of fun facts and ideas. Deep truths are communicated to elementary and middle-school aged kids while stimulating their curiosity and sense of adventure within a gospel-centered framework. (Click here to see more.)

Want to use The Radical Book for Kids with your family? Use the free PDF “Family Discussion Guide,” available here, from New Growth Press.

Endorsements

“As the father of four teens, I found this a fun, informative, and spiritually edifying resource. Alongside telling us where weapons came from, young readers (and older ones) learn how to spend daily time with the Lord. It’s not just about fun facts; it is a spark for discovery of God, his world, and our place in it.” ~Michael Horton, Professor, Westminster Seminary California; author of Core Christianity; host of the White Horse Inn broadcast

“I was only a dozen pages into this book before I found myself thinking, 'I wish I'd had this book when I was a kid' and 'I've got to get this book for my kids!' Highly recommended!" ~Timothy Paul Jones, C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“I don’t know how he does it, but in The Radical Book for Kids Champ Thornton seems to have mastered the art of communicating with kids, without talking down to them. Lots of topics are immensely important, like God’s attributes and our salvation; others just fun. I wish I had this book during my own childrearing years—and when I myself was a teenager.” ~John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology & Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary; author of History of Western Philosophy

This power-packed book is “radical” in more ways than you might think! It is “radical” in the sense of the original meaning of the word, “going to the root or origin.” The Radical Book for Kids will take children on a fascinating journey into the ancient roots of the Christian faith. But it’s also “radical” in the more modern sense of being revolutionary. Kids read about men and women who learned to trust Jesus and stand for him—displaying radical faith—even when everything seemed against them.

But The Radical Book for Kids is also “radical”—meaning fun or cool—in the eyes of a child. Kids read about ancient weapons (and how to make one), learn about jewels, create pottery, discover ancient languages, use secret codes, locate stars, tell time using the sun, play a board game that’s 3,000 years old—and more.

Click here to get Radical

Check out the table of contents, skip around, or read straight through. However a child chooses to explore it, The Radical Book for Kids will open new vistas for their imagination and help to make straight paths for their feet.

A vibrantly-illustrated, kid-friendly introduction to the roots of Christian faith, including biblical history, theology, fun facts, and encouragements to faithful living for boys and girls 8 and up

Chock-full of charts, illustrations, and design elements that quickly communicate important truths to both beginning and advanced readers (and even those children who don’t enjoy reading)

Mixes fun pieces ("How to Make a Slingshot") with practical advice (such as “How to Clean Your Room”) and theological sections (like “Names of God”) to help kids grasp the Bible’s relevance for all of daily life

Immediately engages preteens and young teens with core gospel truths while serving as a springboard to further learning and growth

Toddlers and preschoolers often struggle with emotions like anxiety, fear, and sadness because they lack the maturity to address, process, and communicate their hardest feelings. But counting down and focusing on the five senses can help calm and conquer any fired-up emotions.

In You Count!: A Five-Senses Countdown to Calm, preschoolers follow an upset baby bear through his daily routine. He is guided by his mama to focus attention on the senses God gave him. By observing the outer world, baby bear learns to manage his inner world.

Once the baby bear is calm and focused, his mama reminds him that God feels for him too. This book serves as a valuable tool for both preschoolers and their parents as they learn that even the biggest feelings are normal and valuable.

Going to bed and turning out the light can be a hard time for many children. I wrote this book, beautifully designed and illustrated by Rommel Ruiz, to help parents comfort their children with three truths about God.

In the book, as a mother and her little daughter talk, they remember together that God made the night, he sees in the dark, and he watches over them just like a shepherd protects his sheep. Children and parents will want to start a new nighttime tradition of reading together about why we can say that the night is good.

As they read parents can bring comfort and encouragement to their children, reminding them Jesus is near.

“On a fine, frosty day, in the small town of Kent,
there awoke a young boy who was never content.”

From the moment he wakes up, the young boy complains about everything. The sun is too bright, his pancakes are icky, and everything is so terribly boring. He can’t see why everyone else is having such a wonderful time—until his eyes are opened to the wonder of God’s world. Now he begins to see all the great things he’s missed and learns to be grateful.

Often, kids (and grownups too) don’t feel thankful. It’s easy to complain about things, even when there are so many wonderful blessings all around us. But in the Bible, God says “in everything give thanks.” The young boy in Why Do We Say Thank You? learns that thankfulness is all about paying attention to God and the glory of the world he has made.

Award-winning author Champ Thornton wrote this book to help children recognize God as the source of all joy and contentment. Written for ages 4–7 and illustrated by Brad Woodard, Why Do We Say Thank You? is sure to become the go-to book when the kids are grumpy or complaining of boredom. A section at the end of the story for parents will help families continue the conversation far beyond the last page.

Sequel to the Christian Book Award winning Radical Book for Kids, The Really Radical Book for Kids continues the exciting dive into the roots of the Christian faith. More Bible exploration, more history, more secret codes, and more faith-filled direction for how to live as a believer in the here and now.

Short chapters on a variety of topics will grab the interest of readers of all ages, from 8 to 80! Kids will learn about ancient kings, hilarious humor, legendary battles, and fierce snakes and dragons. They’ll discover unusual food to make, secret codes to break, fun crafts to try, and strange planes to fly. They’ll also uncover exciting ways to read the Bible, factual reasons to believe, stunning truths about God, and incredible examples of “radical” men and women who have gone before them and trusted Jesus in challenging times.

The Really Radical Book for Kids  will spark curiosity and a love for God’s Word.  

Fleeing a neighborhood bully, Emmet and Nomi are pulled into an ancient quest, and now they must escape far more powerful enemies. Join them as they unlock secret riddles and follow the path of the Serpent Slayer.

The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles is a time travel adventure with a twist—middle school students will discover theological themes as they travel through God's Word. By placing the characters into Bible events, Champ Thornton and Andrew Naselli show the Bible is far from being a boring book full of instructions. Readers will discover life-changing truths they'll never forget.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Click here to learn more.

Radically Different is a guide for middle and high school students who want to live radically even though life and relationships are complicated. By examining life through the biblical lenses of Creation, Fall, and Redemption, readers can explore how God’s Word untangles the twists of life.

There are so many areas of life to navigate when growing up, and this practical resource full of biblical wisdom helps middle and high school students find encouragement in the everyday challenges of life.

God made everything, including relationships, to be good. But because of the fall, everything—including relationships with parents, friends, and siblings—are also broken. Christ came to make all things new, and because of this biblical perspective, readers of Radically Different can know with clarity they are set apart as unique.

Thornton invites teenagers to consider how they are set apart—especially in a time when Christianity is more and more culturally marginalized. He guides them to embrace what it means to live Christianly in a morally murky and increasingly hostile world.

Endorsements

Radically Different is an excellent new resource for parents, students, and ministry leaders. Each one of us wants to know our place in the world. This curriculum will help equip the next generation to live in the world by teaching them to see their relationships, both with God and others, through the lens of the gospel. —Russell Moore, president, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

The middle school years can be difficult for kids. It can also be a struggle for many parents to find age appropriate Christian resources to help young tweens and teens process faith, friendships, and family. Champ Thornton’s new book, Radically Different: A Student’s Guide to Community, is a wonderful way to help teens learn about God and the story of Scripture, as well as how the Bible relates to their daily lives. This book is the exact resource I’ve been hoping to find! —Melissa Kruger, TGC Director of Women’s Content and the author of 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids

It’s not easy for Christian young people today who want to live in a way that’s pleasing to God. However, Champ Thornton has provided an invaluable resource to help middle school students be distinctive. Radically Different is a practical hands-on study offering solid insights and biblical guidance for relating to others. —Jim Daly, President – Focus on the Family

I look back at my middle school years as the years when I made some of the most important decisions of my life in terms of whether or not Christ was going to be at the center of my life. It required that I become radically different from my peers. Radically Different is a great resource for thinking through what it will mean to have Christ at the center rather than the fringes of your life now and for the rest of your life! —Nancy Guthrie, author of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion-Starters

I loved this book because it speaks to the heart of youth. The lessons are practical and gripping. At the same time, the book is faithful biblically and theologically. Thornton explains how a passion for God and for his Word can transform the lives of youth. Highly recommended! —Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and author of The King in His Beauty: A Theology of the Old and New Testaments.

Champ Thornton’s Bible Study, Radically Different, for middle schoolers is excellent. He uses the grid of “creation, fall, and redemption” (“good, bad, and new”) throughout the study and everything discussed in the Bible Study is seen through that lens, especially with respect to how one relates to God and to people. The study has good practical suggestions throughout and these suggestions are always tied closely to the passage of Scripture being focused on for the week. For those who think a strong weekly dose of Scripture might be too much or too impractical for middle schoolers, this Bible Study will help them think differently. This is a fine balance between scriptural exposition and application of it to the lives of young people. For example, the section on relating to one’s friends is outstanding. I heartily endorse this Bible Study and will recommend it those ministering to middle schoolers. —G. K. Beale, J. Gresham Machen and Research Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA

Advent is the perfect time for families to gather together and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Using pictures of Jesus from Isaiah’s prophecies—the Light, the Branch, the Shepherd, and the Savior—this family devotional brings to life the true meaning of Christmas.

“In Wonders of His Love, Champ Thornton provides families with all the components of an excellent advent devotional—powerful truth simply told and fun activities to help families create Christmas memories their children will remember the rest of their lives.”
Marty Machowski, Pastor; author of WonderFull, The Ology, and Long Story Short

“Embark on this Advent treasure hunt and you’ll discover Jesus in Isaiah! With daily Bible reading, lively illustrations, and loads of fun activities, Champ Thornton makes the gems of Scripture precious for your entire family.”
Barbara Reaoch, Author of A Better Than Anything Christmas

”Champ Thornton knows just the kinds of activities—crafts, recipes, fun facts from history, and the music of Christmas—that families need to fill their Advent season with wonder. Best of all, you'll experience this adventure while your family takes a deep dive into Isaiah's prophecies about the coming Messiah. Don’t miss this book.”
Jared Kennedy, Managing Editor, Gospel-Centered Family; author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and God Made Me for Worship

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God spoke to his people through the prophet Isaiah, promising them a Savior. To communicate God’s message, Isaiah used striking, stunning, and surprising imagery—the “wonders” of his love! Isaiah pointed God’s people to the future, when one day, through his birth, death, and resurrection, Jesus would deliver his people from sin and sorrow forever.

Perfect for busy families with younger children, each week of Advent focuses on one of Isaiah’s images and has readings related to the week’s theme—Jesus the Light; Jesus the Branch; Jesus the Shepherd; Jesus the Savior—and, on Christmas Day, Jesus the Bread. Each week also includes fun stories, discussion questions, crafts, recipes, games, and suggestions for family service projects.

Illustrated by Jeremy Slagle, this four-week devotional will draw families closer to Jesus and to each other.

In this colorfully illustrated storybook, your children will discover countless examples of God's love—from before Creation to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.

Available by clicking here.

Read my interview with Andy Naselli here.

I wrote these stories for my own children. It was 2010, they were younger, and I wanted to teach them what God has been teaching me about Himself in His Word. I wanted them to see that God is a loving and gracious God. My children (and their father) sin, ultimately because we don’t believe God is good and loving. When I sin, I believe that something or someone else promises more good and more love than God. If I knew how infinitely and incredibly loving and good God is, I would be less inclined to stray from Him and more quickly inclined to return to Him when I do stray. That is what I wanted my children to grasp from God’s Word.

God's Love: A Storybook Bible includes . . .

-120 illustrated stories

-Access to a free downloadable parent’s guide and catechism

-Durable, hardcover design

-Large 8.5x11'' format that’s easy read with the entire family