Ratings (out of 5 stars): 
Content Heaviness ⭐⭐⭐
Bite-sized explanation for each theological concept

Ease to Read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suitable for teaching children

Scripture References & Explanation⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clear explanation of relevant verses

Case Studies & Application⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good use of stories and analogies to break down concepts​

Big Truths for Young Hearts is a comprehensive summary of key Christian doctrines. It is presented in a succinct, easy to understand format, and at the same time rich with biblical truths and rooted in Scripture. This book is a great resource for someone teaching their children theology or discipling a new Christian. Sunday school ministries may also find this book helpful as supplementary material for their curriculum.

The book is categorized into key Systematic Theology themes, including attributes of God, God as Three in One, Our Human Nature and Sin, Who Jesus Is, The Work That Jesus Has Done, The Holy Spirit, Our Salvation and The Church of Jesus Christ. Each category contains six chapters, each covering a different aspect of the theme. Readers will find that the chapters build on one another, and later chapters elaborate and add on to the earlier chapters within the category. Such reiteration and linking of ideas across chapters help reinforce key learnings, and reveal, to a limited extent, the complexity of these theological concepts. 

​To raise an example from the book, Ware explains the different aspects of Salvation across different chapters under the category of Our Salvation: 

• The chapter on “Sirs, What Must I Do to Be Saved” talks about salvation as “a gift from God rather than something they have worked to received”, quoting Ephesians 2:8-9
• The following chapter on “Declared Right in God’s Eyes When We Believe” pushes further the point that “as sinners trust in Christ’s work, not their own work, God credits them with Christ’s righteousness, not their own righteousness”. 
• The chapter on “Saved by Good Works? No - Saved for Good Works? Yes” clarifies that “while we are not saved at all by good works that we do, we are saved for good works, works that God has prepared for us to do.”

Reiterating the concept of faith versus works through these chapters is very helpful for children and new believers to wrap their minds around it. At the same time, it also serves to gradually build up their understanding of theological concepts of salvation, justification and sanctification.

Each chapter introduces one main theological concept, using explanations and analogies that are easy to relate to. Oftentimes, the author recounts a story that he relayed to his children in explaining a topic, and these stories prove to be effective in engaging and conveying key ideas to them. This is precisely what makes this book special - the use of stories and imageries relatable to young hearts (be it children or new believers) to explain big theological truths. While some concepts were mentioned in passing and not explored in-depth (and as such may require further explanation), the breadth of the content is sufficiently comprehensive to gain an understanding of basic truths about God.

Each chapter also includes some helpful references. Readers will find memory verses tagged to the end of each chapter, which serves to highlight the key learning point. Along with the memory verses, the Questions for Thought section may be beneficial to facilitate discussion and translate learning into application for the heart and life. 

All in all, “Big Truths for Young Hearts” is effective in explaining big theological concepts in a concise, simplified and easy-to-digest manner, making it a highly recommended book for parents, teachers and ministry leaders, or any believer wishing to gain a beginner’s grasp of theology. ​

Ratings (out of 5 stars): 
Content Heaviness ⭐⭐⭐
Easy to grasp with sufficient illustrations and examples 
​ 
Ease to Read ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content is written in an easily comprehensible manner
 
Scripture References & Explanation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scripture is used in explanations, and demonstrates how the Bible unveils and addresses various concepts
 
Case Studies & Application ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Discipleship plan and practical ideas help with application

"Follow Me" is a book that looks to understand what it means to follow Jesus Christ and what is required of us in order to do so. It challenges us to look at how our lives reflect the call of Jesus in Matthew 4:19 - “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (ESV). The author, David Platt, walks us through what being a Christian looks like and how a Christian must live. In essence, this is a book on Christian living and discipleship.

The main focus of this book is to help its readers understand that the life of Christian is heavily centered around understanding the Gospel message and obeying the Gospel call as followers of Christ. Building on the key message from his first book “Radical”, which sought to expose ideas and values in our culture that goes against the Gospel, this book shows what it means to die to ourselves and live for Christ. 

​The closing chapter of the book titled “Born to Reproduce" emphasizes that making disciples is an integral, indispensable part of a Christian’s life. Summing up what Platt says, if you are gripped by the message of the Gospel and have been transformed by it, then you would be reaching out and making disciples. 

Beyond providing us with  the reason for making disciples, Platt also included a personal discipleship plan to help readers get started. The plan provides a list of questions (also available on his website at www.radical.net) that readers might find helpful for self-examination and setting objective goals. Evidently, Platt does not just focus on the behavioral, outreach aspect but also on the internal motivations and personal growth.

The Study Guide (a separate publication) provides assignments that can be completed on a daily basis as devotionals, categorized into weekly segments that focus on one main concept. Readers can expect to complete the entire schedule over a course of six weeks. The Study Guide also encourages sharing and discussions in group/cell settings, through questions such as “What do you think of when you hear the phrase ‘Born Again’?” and “ In what way have you allowed Jesus to take control of your life as Master?”

One key takeaway for readers is understanding that if one holds to the Gospel as a precious treasure, one would joyfully obey the commands of Jesus. It demands that we examine our internal motivations and desires in following Christ, and reflect on our personal walk with God. 

Overall, this a book that we would recommend Christians to go through together as a bible study material. The questions in this book would facilitate good discussion and help members to grow in their faith. Supporting materials such as the Study Guide, DVDs and leader’s guide are available as well, to help deepen understanding of and reflection on the book’s content.  ​

Ratings (out of 5 stars): 
Content Heaviness ⭐⭐⭐
Straight to the point with sufficient elaboration
Ease to Read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personal and straightforward language, visuals provide a summary of concepts
Scripture References & Explanation ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Many verses with basic explanations used in support of concepts and teachings
Case Studies & Application ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Addresses readers directly to put beliefs into action, almost a step by step guide to apply learnings, although sometimes perhaps too simplistically.

Visual Theology is a book that uses visuals – diagrams, infographics, pictures to illustrate and explain theology. It focuses on the four broad disciplines of the Christian life – Having a relationship with Christ, understanding the work of Christ, becoming like Christ and living for Christ. Visual Theology is aimed for believers to grow in godliness and to keep the faith (2 Tim 4:7-8) by practicing these four disciplines. It is especially beneficial to new converts.