champ thornton

“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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Available Now

Leave a lasting legacy of wisdom for the next generation by journaling and praying through Proverbs. The perfect gift for a special, older relative or friend who has wisdom, faith, and experience to share.

Although the fast-changing world might say otherwise, there is still great value in passing on life lessons to the next generation. Going through the book of Proverbs in bite-size chunks will give users an opportunity to learn God’s wisdom and then share that wisdom with the next generation.

Pass It On guides users through the book of Proverbs and allows them to create their own, personalized wisdom journal that they can share with someone they love. Answering questions about God’s perspective on the world, writing out prayers, and sharing their own stories will give users a way to create a lasting keepsake for themselves and for someone they love.

This new resource will help strengthen families and grow them in their love for God and each other. There are many different kinds of legacies to leave, but sharing yourself with the next generation, will stand the test of time. This is a perfect gift for an older and wiser friend or relative so they can share themselves and what they have learned about God with the next generation. 

Endorsements:

“As Christian parents in a post-modern culture, we long to instill biblical wisdom and virtue in our children’s hearts and lives. With Pass It On, Champ Thornton has provided a way for parents or grandparents to provide the next generation with a keepsake volume filled with personal reflections on each chapter of Proverbs. This is a gift a young person can treasure for years to come.”

– Jim Daly, President – Focus on the Family

“Imagine what would happen if your family went through this book together. Seriously. Just imagine.”

– Bob Lepine, Co-host FamilyLife Today

“Through the ages, Christians have turned to the thirty-one chapters of Proverbs for guidance. Now this book by Champ Thornton can help us plumb this treasure with a greater God-centered and Christ-centered focus. This book will not only help you find wisdom, but by its unique design will also help those who come after you live skillfully as God’s sons and daughters in God’s world.”

– Stephen J. Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College and Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier Ministries

“Every Christian parent desires to teach their children biblical truth and pass along wisdom from God. Champ Thornton has made our work and effort easier through his book Pass It On. His unique concept will not only allow us parents to pass along wisdom from Proverbs, it will equip and serve our own hearts and minds as we meditate on Scripture and journal our thoughts. I highly recommend this resource.”

– Trillia Newbell, author of God's Very Good Idea, Fear and Faith, and Enjoy

“In the book you are holding, Champ Thornton provides a brilliant way to inculcate the divine wisdom of Proverbs into your family. Follow his plan and you will produce what may become the most valuable and spiritually fruitful gift your children or grandchildren will ever receive. What you write in these pages will surely be long-lasting in its impact and deeply treasured by its recipients. Use this book, record the wisdom God has given to you through the book of Proverbs, and Pass it On.”

– Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean for the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Don is the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (NavPress), Praying the Bible (Crossway), and Family Worship (Crossway).

“Champ Thornton gives parents, grandparents, and friends a Proverbs journal to pass on that incorporates accurate insight into the background of the Proverbs, the nature of wisdom, the application of wisdom to daily life, the ways in which wisdom points us to Jesus, and an opportunity to add personal stories and reflection. We need this book in our age of cultural confusion.”

– John M. Frame, Ph. D., D. D., Professor Emeritus in Systematic Theology and Philosophy Reformed Theological Seminary

“This book is a gift to the next generation, but the giver will receive a treasure, too. If you've felt that sense of urgency as you watch the young children around you grow up too quickly in your estimation, this book will help direct your urgency into action. Champ thoughtfully guides parents and others through Proverbs with the aim to helping us impart wisdom to the next generation. This gift is for children ages 0-99!"

– Gloria Furman, author of Missional Motherhood and Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full

“It is hard to over-estimate the value of Proverbs. The book is a compendium of God’s wisdom. Champ Thornton provides you with a guided tour for each chapter and space for you to journal about how the wisdom of the Proverbs maps onto your life. It is my prayer that this book will make the Proverbs sing for another generation. If you like to journal, you will love this book.”

– Dr. Tedd Tripp, Pastor Emeritus, Author, Conference Speaker

“As a parent, my greatest hope is to share my love for Jesus with my children. Champ Thornton’s new book, Pass It On: A Proverbs Journal for the Next Generation allows parents a wonderful opportunity to share wisdom and insights from God’s Word that will bless future generations. It’s an excellent resource to help leave a legacy of faith for our children and grandchildren.”

– Melissa Kruger, Editor at The Gospel Coalition and author of Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

“The book of Proverbs intends to make us wise, righteous, and godly. I am pleased to recommend Champ Thornton’s engaging book, Pass It On, which helps us both to understand the book of Proverbs and to see how it applies to our lives as well as to those to whom we will pass on the profound wisdom we find there. In our complex and troubled world, we need the wisdom of the book of Proverbs to navigate us toward God and toward a flourishing life.  Champ Thornton masterfully guides us in a way that helps us learn from Proverb’s rich teaching.”

– Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

“In Pass It On, Champ Thornton gives us the opportunity to create a family heirloom. Imagine the treasure of discovering a devotional book with your father’s or even grandfather’s notes in the margins. Let the thought of creating such a priceless keepsake inspire you to use this book. In a world of plastic and video, you can offer your child a gift with substance—the truth of God’s Word and the testimony of how it touched you.” 

– Marty Machowski, Pastor and Author of The Ology, Dragon Seed, The Gospel Story Bible, and other gospel-centered resources for church and home

“Pass It On is a refreshing approach to Proverbs written especially for the coming generation to learn and live out the wisdom of God in his world. Beginning with a helpful ‘bird’s-eye’ overview of Proverbs, each chapter is treated along with questions that aid in engaging the text. Most importantly, the discussion avoids becoming a series of burdensome morality lessons by keeping clear the connection to the gospel.”

– Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Champ Thornton guides men and women to study the book of Proverbs in a way that will call the next generation to a Christ-centered ethic of life instead of to human-centered moralisms. An outstanding guide for studying Proverbs!”

– Timothy Paul Jones, Ph.D., C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“ ‘My son do not forget my teaching’ (Proverbs 3:1).  What greater legacy can we pass on to our children than biblical wisdom? This remarkable book by Champ Thornton helps us do just that—sharing the God-centered, practical wisdom for living found in Proverbs with those who come after us. When you’ve worked your way through this step-by-step guide you’ll have a record of your own journey to hand over to the next generation—a journey they will read, cherish, and carry on. I'm going to start immediately, you should too!

– Brian Vickers, Professor of NT Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Martin Luther said, ‘If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant.’ Champ Thornton has done this same thing in Pass it On. In this extraordinarily useful book, he has shaken the branches of Proverbs and shared its good fruit with the reader.”

– Tim Keesee, Executive Director of Frontline Missions International, author of Dispatches from the Front

“Part journal, part study guide, part prayer diary, part personal account—all add up to a treasured keepsake. The book of Proverbs itself suggests an approach like this: ‘Hear, my son [and daughter], your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching.’  Champ Thornton offers a practical way to do just that, and future generations will benefit.”

– Janie B. Cheaney, Senior Writer, WORLD Magazine

“Proverbs prescribes the pattern of the kind of life that pleases God, showing what holiness looks like in the most mundane circumstances of life. It takes the religion of the sanctuary and applies it to life in the streets and in the home. So often this path from “church” to “life” is charted by the guidance of a father. This is what Thornton does in his journal Pass It On. His overview of the book’s message and thought-provoking questions are designed to help parents guide their children in the way of holiness. It has been said that religion is no more real than it is in the home. Using Thornton’s little book to work through Proverbs will help to foster real religion.”

– Michael Barrett, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, Professor of Old Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“Pass It On introduces Proverbs and shows us how to personalize reflections for subsequent generations. Wisdom personally applied to the life circumstances of family and friends is worth more than silver and gold. It is the most important estate planning any of us can do. This book is a wonderful gift for anyone who aspires to leave a legacy of wisdom.”

– Chris Brauns, pastor of The Red Brick Church and the author of Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds and When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search

“Champ has created an inventive and intentional method for applying the book of Proverbs to our lives that our friends and loved ones can greatly benefit from. Passing down the wisdom of God's word to the next generation has never been so easy and enjoyable!” 

– Ronnie Martin, Lead Pastor of Substance Church, OH, & Author of Stop Your Complaining

“In Pass it On, Champ Thornton has created another unique resource for assisting Christian parents to extract the precious wisdom from the endless goldmine of the Book of Proverbs and impart its righteous riches to their children. I will be using it with my kids and urge others to dig in, too.”

– Matthew C. Mitchell, father of four, author of Resisting Gossip, and pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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