Review of Bearing Fruit – Stories About Godliness for Children by Diana Kleyn
Volume two of The Lord’s Garden series focuses on a topic that is the perfect follow-up for volume one. As the first was about conversion, Bearing Fruit now continues from that and is about living in faith and growing in spiritual fruit after conversion takes place.
Bearing Fruit has 43 chapters and is done in the same style as Taking Root, as each chapter begins with a Scripture verse and then tells a story that relates to it. As a way of introduction, the first chapter explains what it means to bear fruit, what the fruit of the Spirit is, and the way in which we develop spiritual fruit. It then goes into the stories, and as these are “Stories about Godliness” there is a wide range of themes: from suffering consciences brought about by lying and stealing (which then move to focus on repentance), to loving your enemies and helping one another. There are stories that bring out lessons in pride and vanity, making right choices, forgiveness, prayer, obedience, and what it means to be Christ-like, and my personal favourite was a one of Sir James Thornhill, which displayed the dangers of walking from God and how He draws us back to Him (entitled “A Painter’s Life Saved”).
Most of the chapters are quite short, while some are longer – but no matter the length, they all bring out a great focus and teach wonderful messages to children.
Overall, the book really emphasizes that children are never too young to serve the Lord or be used by Him to help others, and also shows the joy and testimony that children can be to others.
This is a book that I highly recommend for parents to read with their children as you encourage them to grow and help them learn the importance of bearing the fruit of godliness.
