My sweet friend, Ruth Schwenk, at the Mom's conference in Raleigh.

Over and over again, when my children come home for the holidays, they all agree that often in the midst of their daily lives, scripture just pops into their brains. Stories that were as familiar at the place they were told still enter their imagination at odd times of their prayers, thoughts and lives.

It is as though it is a part of their psyche because we read them so very much.

When Clay finds a devotional product that guides the family through scripture, he loves to promote it to other moms and dads to use. The Dig is such a product. Well written, fun for the children and easy to use, this book will open wide some of your devotional moments for your children.

Ruth and Pat are great friends of our family and we love how they are helping families with these wonderful resources.

We want to offer three free books for you so that you can enjoy them, too.

I asked Ruth to tell us a little about the Dig.

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About 2 years ago my daughter said to my husband, “Dad, I am glad you are a pastor.” When he asked her why, she said, “Because you teach us the Bible.”

The truth is, every parent should be (and can be) a pastor to his or her children.

The Apostle Paul makes an interesting comment regarding Timothy’s training as a child. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Paul suggests in those verses that Timothy was being taught the Bible from a very young age.

In an effort to simply and systematically teach our children books of the Bible, my husband created The Dig for Kids. Out of the experience you create, biblical principles are learned and lived. The goal, of course, is that our children will fall in love with Jesus as their Savior and grow up to follow Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.

We were thrilled to have such an amazing response to The Dig for Kids: Luke Volume 1! The Dig for Kids has consistently been on Amazon’s “Best-Seller” List and #1 in Children’s Bible & Prayer! It is incredible to think of literally thousands of families joining together and learning God’s Word with this resource. The Dig, provides a fun and easy way for YOU to get into the Bible with your kids!

For those of you who haven’t heard of The Dig, a typical Dig lesson consists of the following four components:

1. The Map: The Map tells you and your child where you’ll be going in each lesson. It is a short summary of the study ahead.

2. The Dig: The Dig is the main passage you will be studying. Following each passage will be several questions designed to help conversation and understanding. They are meant to be a guide. You can use them or tweak them to help you talk with your children.

3. The Treasure: The Treasure is the big idea of each lesson. In a short statement, it is what you want your child to remember from the passage you studied.

4. The Display: When an archaeologist finds a treasure, they will clean it up and put it on display for everyone to see. This is the basic idea of the Display. It is the application of the Treasure you have found!

Of course I may be a bit biased, but the author is an incredible father and Godly man that I am honored to call my husband . Here is a little bit about him.

Patrick Schwenk grew up going to church wearing clip-on ties, uncomfortable shirts, pants that were too short, and shoes that were too tight (at least that is how he remembers feeling). He was born, raised, and then born again within a conservative evangelical home (and church) in the Midwest. Today, he still loves the church and is thankful to both serve and lead others toward Jesus. He is a father, husband, and pastor. Patrick and his wife Ruth (www.thebettermom.com) met while attending the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. They have been married for fourteen years and currently have four children ages three to ten. They love serving in ministry, spending time together as a family, reading, drinking lots of coffee, and resting in God’s grace.