“...Family worship is the intentional tuning of hearts through remembering, praising, believing, honoring, and exalting our holy God as a group of desperate people needing His power to love, forgive, encourage, and exhort one another.” (Quote from the “Family Worship 101 section of the book.)

I loved this quote as I think it’s also a great definition of worship for any group of believers who meet together. Although this book is meant to be used for family worship, there are many aspects of it that are great reminders for all believers.

I wish we would have had this book during our parenting years. The devotions are beautifully written and are just the right length for family devotion time. There are practical tips on how to have a family devotional time and how to engage the whole family’s interest. I believe that not only will the children benefit from the instruction in this book, the parents’ hearts will be touched as well. I was challenged just reading through the book for this review.

The art work is beautiful and adds much to the appeal of the book. Each day’s writing has a devotional and sections entitled “To Dwell On”; “To Discuss”; and “To Memorize”.

I’m looking forward to hearing about the impact this book is going to have on the families that use it. It would also make a thoughtful gift to those who are training their families in their Christian walk.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Foundations is the perfect name for this book. I have been a Christian since I was a small child and I am 32 years old now. My husband is a fairly new Christian and I finally found a book that is not only encouraging to me in my walk with Christ and helping me grow but is helping y husband understand what it means to follow Christ and how to apply these great foundations to his life as well. This book is a conversation starter to be able to open up about our individual relationship with Christ and also how to apply these foundations to our lives together. The foundations discussed are very important to all Christ followers’ lives and is a tool to help us keep our eyes set on God’s Truths, bringing light to the foundations of God’s word and His ways. This book will be a great blessing to anyone and everyone, the unbeliever, the new believer, the veteran believer, single, married or a family. I recommend adding this book to your library, it will change you, it's powerful, easy to read, creates deep thoughts, and great discussions.

If you're looking for an easy recipe of how to raise a perfect family under the fear and admonition of the Lord, this book isn't for you. If you're looking for a resource to encourage a heartfelt sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, encourage thinking of others in your family above yourself, prompt you to have day by day faithful conversations with your family about fearing and loving the Lord, then you've found the right resource! Ruth and Troy lay the foundation for a family that seeks to live for Jesus in "Foundations." You will enjoy 12 topics that include looking inward, serving outward, and focusing heavenward.

Christian parents, are you overwhelmed by all the things to teach your kids? Do you wonder where to start? Do you feel so weary or new in your own walk with God that you have no idea how to share it with your family? Ruth and Troy have given a beautiful book in every sense. From the serene artwork to the thoughtful presentation, to the ease of access while still encouraging the kind of real conversations that family’s need to be having, this book is one I will be recommending to many family’s I know and love. It has short pieces, questions that are sure to lead to more questions, and I feel lays it out without any expectation of accomplishment. I know that this book will be a guidepost for my kids at many stages. We will have a certain type of conversation now while they are in elementary school and come back around thru the years. The Word of God is timeless and I think that Ruth and Troy give us that sense of timelessness while we deal with the issues that are facing us today.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Foundations is the third of Ruth Chou Simmons’ books that I’ve read and it is absolutely incredible. It’s meant to be experienced together in a group or as a family, whether you have children or not. It’s structured in simple chapters, and works so well as a daily bible study.

The principles and convictions that Ruth writes about are refreshing reminders of who God is and her thoughts and language are so incredibly accessible and understandable. Reading this is like having an easy conversation with an old friend.

As a new mother, I’ve been learning what my quiet time should/can look like. Adding this book to my daily reading along with my husband has been a breath of fresh air. We come together at the end of the day to discuss or talk throughout the day about it when we can - Ruth mentions that our expectations of what family devotional time should look like need to be thrown out the window. That we must each find what fits our own families and situations. The way this book is written makes it so easy to spend what time we have and make it count. Each piece ends with a thought to “dwell on” and a verse to carry with you throughout the day. I always walk away feeling that my reading is time well spent.

This book has left me feeling so encouraged and full of gratitude.

Ruth Chou Simons has done it again, this time with her husband, Troy, alongside her.

I have read and loved Ruth’s other books, and I’ve been on her launch teams before, so when I saw she had a new book coming out, this time centered on families, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. I’m so excited for this book to be out in the world.

Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family is inspiring, convicting, encouraging, and necessary.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advance review copy, which I read through in basically one sitting. I will definitely be reading it again and again, and I’m excited about going through the daily readings with my boys this summer as we transition to our summer homeschool routine.

I have been a Christian since I was a kid, but I know as a parent I have always felt pretty inadequate when it comes to leading my kids in worship and bible study. It’s a part of our daily homeschooling rhythm, but I lacked confidence and assurance that the work was worth it. When kids are distracted or ignoring me or talking over me, discouragement is easy to fall into. But Ruth and Troy helped ease my fears. They emphasize over and over that families are shaped one day at a time through the word of God. We make time for what’s important, and if rooting our kids in God’s word is something we desire, we will do it. Day in, day out. I loved the GK Chesterton quote they included-- “anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” It won’t be perfect, but time spent in the word is never wasted.

Ruth and Troy aren’t writing this book in a vacuum, either. They are parents to six boys, and have spent years in both ministry and education. They know their stuff, but they’re also so incredibly humble. I’ve had the privilege of watching them grow their ministry over the years, and they haven’t changed. They’re down-to-earth, open, and honest people.

With practical advice alongside solid biblical teaching, Foundations is a wonderful resource, which explores 12 foundational truths which will shape your family. And it’s such a gorgeous book, too. Its pages are graced with Ruth’s beautiful water-coloring. Her books are not just troves of wisdom, they’re works of art.

Foundations hits shelves March 3, 2020. Pre-order your copy now.

I so wish our family had had the benefit of such a tool as this book Foundations by Ruth and Troy Simons. Having a meaningfully family worship time has felt forced, dull, and unattainable. We never even really knew how to begin before we were quitting. The Simons’ have laid out a wonderful format and set of principles to help guide you in forming your own routine of worship unique to your family. These 12 resolutions are foundational to helping children, parents, grandparents and even individuals in “becoming strong followers of Christ who obey His commands and fruitfully live out their faith at home and with others”. These Biblical foundations are not a list of do’s and don’t’s but a call for our hearts to be ruled by the Word of God and His love. Each week has 5 days of exploring and engaging one of the 12 foundations. This is not a format that requires everything to be perfect but it does take intentionality. “When they see that you love the Word of God and the practice of prayer and that you love them they’ll be inclined to pay attention”. Get excited. This is going to change your family in amazing ways. PS this would also make a terrific wedding or baby gift.

"This book is more than a regular devotional. It’s a family guide. The book is divided into twelve chapters ( 12 principals that should guide a healthy christian family towards God) and each principle has a 5 day devotional.
I love that this book is so simple that anyone can take it and directly apply it to it’s life. It’s as simple as that. You don’t have to be a theological schooler, you just have to want more for yourself and your family.
The illustrations are delightful and they give the book more of a sentimental value.
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In their new book, Ruth and her husband Troy share with readers the system that they have created and refined to help families pursue God together. The tools that they offer in this book help parents to lay a foundation of faith in the hearts and minds of their children, and draw families together as they journey towards a deeper relationship with Christ.
As a single person, I found that this book is just as helpful for me because it helps me to align the things in my own life to the goal of pursuing Christ and Heaven. I highly recommend it for anyone - single, dating, married, parents - to help you on your journey, and to give you the information needed to help those who are closest to you also draw close to the heart of the Lord.

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is amazing. I love the size of each devotional. It is short enough to keep the attention of both my youngest and my teenager. The devotional text is a great jumping off point for us to continue the discussion over multiple nights. It is applicable to life today and uses metaphors that my kids can connect to. It puts into words thoughts that are always mulling in my head and that I refer to in more urgent disciplinary moments but would rather spend time being proactive in teaching the whys when there is more peace in the atmosphere and hearts more willing to hear. It is definitely for all people. You don't have to be a parent or even married to get something from this book. I would recommend it to anyone.