Our next set of reviews focus on some of the latest excellent devotionals on the market, as well as some resources for families with younger children.
Things Unseen, Sinclair Ferguson (2024): The name Dr. Sinclair Ferguson needs no introduction. A well-known preacher and writer in the USA and Scotland, Dr Ferguson has in recent years, served the Lord in St. Peter’s Free Church of Scotland in Dundee and at Trinity Church in Aberdeen.
Things Unseen is a one-year devotional which started life in 2023 as a series of podcasts and has now been written-up and edited into book form. Each weekly chapter consists of 5 days of spiritual reflections. For example, in Week 24 entitled “The Work of Christ”, the reflections include “Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ”, “The Propitiation for Our Sins”, “God Justifies the Ungodly”, “Redemption through His Blood” and “Redemption in Christ”. One can already tell this book is going to contain lots of food for thought!
The reviewer appreciates the preaching and book ministry of Sinclair Ferguson and has profited from several devotionals by Dr Ferguson in the past. However, the reader should be aware that this thought-provoking book does not follow the format of a traditional daily devotional. Firstly, each weekly chapter is split into 5 daily devotions not 7, so the reader will need to use alternative devotional material on 2 days of the week. In addition, while this 52-week devotional loosely follows the Christian calendar, it does not always fit with the actual calendar for the year. For example, week 1 is appropriately titled “Happy New Year”, while Week 14 contains Easter devotions for “Passion Week”. As Easter more often than not does not fall on the 14th week of the year, the reader may choose to skip this week and return to it at the appropriate time.
Another minor weakness in this otherwise good book, is that it does not include suggested bible texts or readings for the weekly sections or daily devotions. So while the book is steeped in Scripture and theology, it is often left up to the reader to choose an appropriate bible reading to accompany the daily reflection.
Things Unseen will be welcomed by serious readers and is more accurately a book of useful reflections than a daily devotional.
Jenson Lim, Dunblane Free Church
The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans, R.C. Sproul (2024)
You know how some devotionals feel like they are just a check box. A quick verse, a few nice thoughts and then you move on? Well, this is not one of those. R.C. Sproul’s The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans, is a masterful devotional that takes readers on a 365-day journey through one of the most treasured books in the Bible. The book is separated into 52 weeks, rather than following a January to December format, with 6 daily devotionals in each week.
Sproul, known for his theological precision and deep reverence for Scripture, presents a devotional that is both intellectually rigorous and spiritually nourishing. Romans has long been regarded as the jewel of the Bible, offering a detailed explanation of salvation, grace and God’s righteousness. Sproul does not simply paraphrase Paul’s words, he illuminates them, bringing clarity to doctrines such as justification by faith and the sovereignty of God. His ability to make weighty theological concepts accessible is what sets this devotional apart. Each daily reading unfolds with thoughtful reflections, practical application and a call to deeper faith.
One of the greatest strengths of this book is its structure. Sproul crafts each entry to be digestible, yet thoughtful, ensuring that readers can engage with the text meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed. Whether unpacking Paul’s pressing plea for faith or his declarations of God’s grace, Sproul ensures that each reflection echoes personally with the reader. Sproul does not shy away from difficult passages but instead approaches them with intellectual honesty and pastoral care.
Overall, The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans is a deeply enriching devotional, ideal for those seeking a structured and spiritually engaging approach to Paul’s letter. Whether new to Romans or revisiting it for deeper study, readers will find wisdom, encouragement and a renewed appreciation for this wonderful book in the New Testament. It will challenge you, make you think, and most importantly, it will expand your understanding of the Gospel in a way that few devotionals do.
Stuart King, North Harris Free Church
Motyer by the Day: A Psalms and Isaiah Devotional Collection, Alec Motyer (2024)
This wonderful set of books displays clearly the passion that Alex Motyer had for God’s word. In each book you have Motyer’s translation of the passage from Hebrew to English, as he seeks to walk as closely as possible to the original text. He also includes a myriad of notes on significant words or verses, often seeking to make links with the rest of scripture, and a short devotional at the end of each of the 144 chapters. Though some of the chapters cover large sections of text it is possible to break these down into small chunks if you are short on time.
In this collection you get the opportunity to sit alongside this esteemed teacher and learn from him and his extensive understanding of scripture. Alongside this you also get to be taught and challenged by his thoughtful and pastoral application of the passages. These devotionals helpfully unpack the implications of the text for day-to-day life. It both expands understanding and grows an appreciation for these powerful books of scripture.
This collection is beautifully presented and would make for an excellent gift, or a faithful companion to your own reading of scripture. If anyone wants to grow to understand Psalms and Isaiah more this is a brilliant resource.
Carrie Marlow, Free North Church, Inverness
Jesus’ Stories: A Family Parable Devotional, Carine Mackenzie (2024, ages 5-8)
Carine Mackenzie’s book on the parables of Jesus is bright, colourful, and cheerful with illustrations that immediately draw the eye of the reader. Illustrator Nicoletta Ranieri is an accomplished artist engaging children on all levels. The book is just the right size to cuddle up with 5-8 year old on the sofa and get right into the heart of the message of Jesus through his kingdom stories. The partnership of author and artist have thought of everything, and it pays off well.
There are 23 parables with a parable explainer, told simply in one to three pages with an application for today and Bible references. The applications are logical, for instance ‘the important things in life are not the things we own. The most important thing is that we have love in our heart for the Lord Jesus and that we love other people’ (p15). Simple prayers at various intervals point the reader to ask and thank God for their lives.
Carine is a deeply thought-provoking storyteller who uses Biblical narrative in an imaginative way that still holds true to scripture. She seizes every opportunity to bring children to Jesus’ feet asking them to consider his invitation to come into his family.
The centre piece of the book is the story of the Prodigal Son which encapsulates this collection of parables. A microcosm of the wealth of stories we are given by Jesus. There is also learning for the adults – who knew that the host always provided a special wedding garment for each guest? Now that makes sense of why the man was thrown out, not having the decency to accept the clothes made for him and thought his own were good enough.
Carine shows very clearly that parables are kingdom stories and have an urgent message for all children of today, including adults.
Ruth Aird, Trinity Community Church, Penicuik
Training Young Hearts series, Abbey Wedgeworth & Emma Randall (2023, ages 1-4)
Every parent will know that toddlers’ hearts are every bit as stubborn as adult ones, and it is a challenging privilege to train them in godly living. These books are a wonderful help; engagingly written, beautifully drawn and with sturdy flaps too, the smallest reader is pointed to Jesus as our example for how to live well in the simplest of ways. ‘The Guide for Grown-Ups’ is a great help too in those difficult teaching moments!
Also available as rhyming books for 3-7 year olds.
Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books