Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family

f you don’t already follow Ruth Chou Simons on social media, you should. In fact, I’m not even sure what you’re waiting for! Aside from her art being an absolute feast for the eyes, the content below it is a banquet for the soul. God-honoring words pour forth, the reader becoming the beneficiary of God’s work in Ruth. I never leave her page without a healthy dose of encouragement!This is why, when Ruth and Troy (her husband) cast the net for their launch team, I jumped in. (I even reactivated my Facebook for the occasion, which is a big deal!) What are they launching, you ask? Their newest book baby, Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family.Now that my husband and I are parents, I think a lot about raising children who, by God’s grace, love the Lord and are obedient to His commands. I think on what family devotions should look like in our home, what it entails to teach our son about God and about honoring Him with our lives. It’s such a personal thing; the tools that work for one family might not work for the one next door. As I’ve read through my advance copy of Foundations, I have tried to imagine this book being used in a variety of scenarios: big families, small families (like ours), using it with children who are in various stages of development . . . I’ve even pondered if I could have used it as a resource in my middle-school classroom. And you know what? I can’t imagine a scenario in which this book can’t work.The Simons, using the wisdom God has given them in parenting their six sons, have created an exceptional resource for families (or teachers!). Here’s what to expect when you get your copy.What to ExpectThis beautiful and perfectly-sized book (it is a comfortable fit in your hands) comprises 12 resolutions, biblical truths that are imperative for walking the Christian life. They aren’t grouped this way, but I found the resolutions to fall into three categories: loving and honoring God, loving your neighbor, and fighting sin. It is incredibly clear when you move from one resolution to the next, as each section is marked by a wonderfully earthy green cover page, complete with the resolution to be explored in that section and the watercolor art we know and love from other GraceLaced offerings.Each resolution has five brief, but meaty, devotional readings, for a grand total total of 60 readings. I admit that, at first, I was skeptical that much could be accomplished in the small space allotted for each reading, but I shouldn’t have doubted the Simons! They start each reading with anecdote that presents a metaphorical circumstance, something most people–even children–would have encountered in some way. This bleeds seamlessly into the related spiritual issue, which is stated clearly in a way that most readers should easily understand. After examining the outflow of the issue (I’ll give an example below), the reader is fed truth to set them on the right path.By way of illustration, let’s look at one reading from this resolution: “Set your mind where Christ is and on all that is good and true.”The reading begins by discussing the perils of riding your brakes (they’ll eventually fail). Anxiety, the topic at hand, is parallel to riding your brakes, in that worry doesn’t lead anywhere constructive. The Simons address why anxiety is a problem: what we fail to believe about God when we worry and what the consequences are. Then they give Scriptural evidence that we are commanded not to worry, and they offer encouragement to trust God instead of leaning on our own control of a situation.Yes, there is that much meat in a devotional that takes about two minutes to read! But it doesn’t end there.Each reading accompanied by three things:To Dwell On: This is a succinct sentence that drives home the main idea as clearly as possible. (As a teacher, I gave this quite a few praise hands!)To Discuss: These are two easy-to-understand questions that prompt introspection and lay the groundwork for heart-care. (After all, God is not concerned with outward appearances, but is concerned with the heart.)To Memorize: Finally, there is a short Scripture verse that is related to reading and meant to plant the word in your heart through memorization.How to Use this BookOnce I stopped reeling at the sheer volume of truth in each short reading, I realized something else: You can use this book in any way you choose. Whether you are just starting family devotions or you are seasoned experts, this book can be folded in. This book could easily accompany other family worship resources, and finding both classic and modern hymns to accompany the readings would be a piece of cake. A few ideas (not an exhaustive list!):Use one devotional per day, for 60 days, as a way to start the new year (or a new life season).Move intentionally through one devotional per week, meditating on the truths therein, journaling about it, and working on the memory verse for seven days. This would make the book last longer than a year, as there are 60 readings.Camp out in one resolution each month, making the book last exactly a calendar year. (Personally, this is how I plan to utilize it when I read it for a second time, as it would helpfully come alongside a Bible-in-a-year reading plan. When the year ends, start again!)Align the resolutions with a school-year calendar and use it as a mealtime conversation starter or a character-building curriculum (if you teach in a school that supports that, which I did).Or . . . you could do whatever you want and works for your family! Take as much or as little time as you’d like and structure it in a way that suits you best!The Bottom LineI’m a huge fan of all things GraceLaced, and I think you will be, too, if you’re not already. This latest volume is beautiful in many ways, but especially in the truth it conveys and the enjoyment fostered by the work of Ruth’s artistic hand. Foundations released on March 3, and I encourage you to grab your copy today!

This has really helped my family stay grounded in The Word and has helped me guide my children in Christ. This is an incredibly great resource- I recommend this to anyone who struggles or is strong in their faith in Jesus. He is our anchor and this book reinforces our walk with Him.

Foundations by Ruth and Troy Simons is a beautiful example of God wanting our hearts, love, worship, obedience, and adoration first and foremost. It’s about gathering together to spend time in Jesus’ presence to worship Him.This wonderful book lays out 12 resolutions, Biblical foundations, to rule our hearts and to praise, honor, and worship God as we gather in love, forgiveness, confession, encouragement, and to celebrate Jesus. And as we do, we build a solid foundation, brick by brick.Foundations is broken down into 70 days of short but powerful chapters. Each day offers something to dwell on, to discuss, and to memorize which opens up conversations and the ability to ask questions together. It lays out 12 foundational truths that we can use as a springboard in our faith to create an intimate relationship as we connect our hearts to God.Troy and Ruth Simons eloquently discuss within the 12 Resolutions, the truths of love, sin, reading the Word, prayer, treasures, worship and praise, encouragement, generosity, walking by faith and by the Spirit, gratitude, forgiveness, being Christ-like, and our true home in heaven. I love the fact that Foundations is geared not only towards families but also to individuals seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord and foundational truths to build upon. They apply the same to one and all. I love that Ruth Chou Simon’s stunning artwork is throughout the book!Foundations allows you to start wherever you’re at in your walk of faith. Ruth and Troy share their own experiences, Biblical truths and verses, thought-provoking questions and what has worked within their own family dynamics. Since no family is the same, these foundations are all based at the core of inviting Jesus into our lives and living our days worshipping, praising, honoring and glorifying Him by reading His Word, applying it, and then sharing it with our loved ones.Ruth and Troy Simons stress that it’s not about being “rule followers” but about loving, trusting, and glorifying God and desiring an intimate relationship with Him. Once we do that, we find forgiveness, mercy, grace, abundance, restoration, and redemption in Jesus and His truths. His deep abiding love changes everything in our lives.The authors poured their faith-filled hearts and souls onto the beautiful and powerful pages of Foundations and I loved it! I know it will bless everyone as they incorporate reading and applying the foundations into their daily lives. I look forward to sharing it with my grandchildren in the days ahead!

Ruth and Troy Simons join together to share their wisdom and life experience as a couple, as parents and as Christians, in Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family. This book is not a "how to guide" on raising perfect children, step by step instructions on establishing silent fidget proof family times or the recipe for training up children or oneself in the ways of the Lord. Instead this book is a resource full of solid scriptural truths, stunning visuals and suggested discussion points to utilize to engage families in deep life giving conversations about faith, family and focusing on others. Each of the twelve foundations is addressed over one week with a short and concise daily reading totaling 60 days of relatable and practical content for all ages and stages found in a family, whether that be your nuclear family, small group, or friends. With this book in your hands and the Bible, guiding your loved ones to have a firm foundation in Christ no longer needs to feel overwhelming, daunting or impossible.

the foundations book has been such a delight! I would reccomeng that you get this book as a refreshment to yourself as a parent and a building tool for your family! Whether you read it on your own or make it a family devotional (which I would recommend) this book is visually appealing with the gorgeous earthy colours and artwork and the words are easy but it fills the soul. Sometimes it's best to get back to the basics and build firm foundations for yourself to grab ahold of and then to impart these truths to your children! This is a book you need to get !

I haven’t completely finished the book because of a sick baby and toddler and a hectic schedule, but I am so inspired by Foundations.There are so many truths to put into practice in our family. I was actually almost convicted more in my personal walk with God, than anything.I love that the book is simple; it doesn’t read like a theology book, but it’s deep enough to make you stop and reflect on the character of God.Plus it’s beautiful, so reading it made me feel like I was having real adult time.This book will help you build a foundation for your family worship time, no matter what age or stage you’re in

I really enjoyed reading this book with my family. Its a book packed with wisdom and encouragement to keep our eyes on Jesus. Something i love about Foundations is that its written in a way that its not just for parents to teach their kids but its a devotional to grow and learn all together as a family or friends, so you also can read it in book clubs. And of course we can also appreciate the beautifull artwork of Ruth through the pages. Im definitly recomminding this book to my friends.

Just begun. Short devotions to consider on foundations of family, and specifically a family 'worship' time. I like that it has a ribbon book mark to keep track.