This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Boys is designed to meet young men where there are and encourage them to think about themselves as a child of God, made out of love for a purpose.

*** If you are located in the United Kingdom, you can purchase both Be Yourself Journals over at the CatholicMothers Website!

Want to listen to a podcast interview about both the boys and girls journals? Listen here: Not a Lukewarm Catholic Podcast

Introduction: Questions young boys ask about God:

Some questions that a boy might have that are explored in the book are simply listed. For example:

Who is God?

Who am I?

Who does God want me to be?

How do I pray?

Why should I pray?

Are some of the questions listed. Then, there is a page for the reader to simply write questions he has in his mind.

I remember when I taught 7th and 8th grade, two boys loved that I gave them permission to write a quote on the board everyday. One quote or random fact they wrote stated that a large percentage of Popes were Italian. I then remember him questioning that – so even a question like, “why were so many Popes Italian?” are encouraged to be written in this space.

Part 1: Who Are You?

Why did God create me?

Boys can explore this question and find a glimpse to the special mission for which God created him.

This part of the journal gives a few short statements from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church that describe who we are as people.

So God created mankind in his image in the image of God he created them male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

God established you in his friendship. (CCC, 355)

God created you, body and soul. (CCC, 382)

Part 1 guides the reader to think about themselves – at first simply but gradually in a more deep way.

The reader knows his name and age, but is encouraged to think about what he enjoys about God’s creation through a fun “would you rather” quiz. Then, the book gives a list of roles and titles – in on activity they are asked to circle the titles that describe him – and the next activity has a whole new list and encourages him to cross out what definitely does not describe him!

The reader is also challenged to find a saint he has something in common with – and Saints with short descriptions provide options that include being raised by a single mother, having a sense of humor, being a fan of science fiction, someone who enjoyed traveling and more!

I also included a coloring page – because to my surprise, I had more than one tween boy tell me they like to color!

The coloring page in this section is quote from actor Chris Pratt:

Part 2: You and God

How does a young man develop a relationship with Jesus?

This portion of the book talks a lot about prayer.

Boys are shown a variety of ways to pray and shown how he can “pray unceasingly”.

Some fun activities include:

Does God Speak in Code?

Boys are encouraged to look up passages in Scripture and choose one to put on a billboard. They are also given a blank billboard to design.

A Time Travel Prayer

A Gratitude Exercise

A “Spiritual Exercise” DARE!

Spending time in silence in order to hear God’s voice.

Part 3: Who Does God Want You to Be?

This portion of the book helps each young man to think about being a peacemaker, a fisher of men, a spiritual warrior, a friend and a saint.

Some of my favorite activities and are in this section! Those include:

A space to design a church.

Working for Peace: a discussion on bullying and a chance to write in dirt

A “Wreck It” Scavenger Hunt

Designing a Bumper Sticker and place to talk about your favorite car.

Ninja Catholicism

Another Would You Rather Activity

and a Virtue Grafitti Wall

Part 4: Make a Plan

When I was in the early stages of writing this book, I reached out to a friend of mine, Mark, who has been teaching Theology in a Catholic High School for about 20 years. I was telling him some of my ideas and when I said, “make a list” he stopped me right there. Mark said, “girls make lists; men need a plan”.

HOW DO YOU BECOME THE MAN YOU HOPE TO BE IN THE FUTURE?

So, I listened and this last part of the book helps the reader to make a plan.

As the author, I do my best to help the young man start making a plan for his life. I ask him to think about a few adults they really admire and to write down why they admire them.

The reader will also be led to envision Jesus with Saint Joseph in the workshop; and to think about what discussions might have happened while woodworking.

Then I ask the young man to choose from a list who they would like to work with and learn from – some choices include a priest, an IT professional, a mechanic and an architect.

There is also an exercise where the reader will imagine how he would be introduced to a crowd at the age of 30.

Want to know how to use both the boy’s and girl’s journals in the classroom? Check out: 3 Ways to Use the Be Yourself Journals in the Classroom

Want more ideas on how to use this journal in a youth group setting or at home? Sign up for my newsletter to see future posts!

SIGN ME UP TO BE ON PRAYER WINE CHOCOLATE’S NEWSLETTER!

The post What’s Inside the Boy’s Be Yourself Journal? appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more information.

Women:

Take Up and Read: Above All

*I was given a copy of Above All in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Whether you desire to spend time alone in the morning with the Lord and coffee, need a guide to help you pray during Eucharistic Adoration or you are searching for a devotional to share with a group of women throughout Lent, Above All is the perfect selection. Above All is a Lenten devotional journal from Take Up and Read that includes daily Scripture passages (set in context with enlightening historical notes to deepen your understanding), as well as devotional essays, room to journal, and space to organize your time. There is a simple prompt for the ancient prayer form of Lectio Divina each day, as well as a separate page for the fifth stage, Actio, where the reader is encouraged to examine her conscience and offer forgiveness to herself and to others.

Men:

Manual for Spiritual Warfare

The Catholic Hipster Handbook

Drinking with the Saints 

although this book may not exactly sound “holy”, I found it to be fascinating.  It has information about saints for each day of the year and the background given that connects the drink to the saint is truly eye opening.  It’s a great resource – even if you’re not a drinker!

Everyone:

The Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Tweens and Young Teens:

Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls

MISSION:CHRISTIAN February-March: A Journal for Catholic Kids on a Mission (Volume 7)

I HIGHLY recommend these journal pens from DaySpring Illustrated Faith Journal Pens

for anyone who enjoys prayer journaling!

Follow PrayerWineChocolate on Instagram!

Parents and Children:

As mentioned in The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People,   reading books based on faith to children can be beneficial to both the adult and child.

 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Matthew 18:17

Here are some books to bring into your nightly routine during Lent:

Molly McBride and the Party Invitation

(newest in the Molly McBride series – Molly McBride and the Purple Habit and Molly McBride and the Plaid Jumper can also be purchased on Amazon)!

Heaven is for Real

If You Had Five Minutes . . . What Would You Do?

Catholic Saints for Children

This is a wonderful practice my husband does with our son.  Each night before bed, he reads him a story and he reads about one Saint.  Often, my husband will come down after tucking our 5 year old in and tell me the Saint he read about and what he found interesting about him or her!

The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope

The All Saints Day Party

although All Saints Day is in November, this is a great deal on Amazon right now, and talks about several Saints in the school setting.

The Little Flower: A Parable About Saint Therese

the illustrations and message in this book are beautiful!

Paddy and the Wolves:A Story about Saint Patrick When He Was a Boy

since Saint Patrick’s Day falls within Lent, it’s the perfect time of year to read about this legendary saint.  This book imagines Saint Patrick as a young boy, weaving a story that uses the saint’s childhood adventures to foreshadow events in Saint Patrick’s adult life. It used the prayer of St. Patrick (Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me . . .) as part of the journey young St. Patrick takes with his adult shepherd friend.

Another Saint Patrick book: The Secret of the Shamrock

Like and Follow Prayer Wine Chocolate on Facebook!

A Children’s Bible

These two were recommended: The Read and Learn Bible and the Catholic Book of Bible Stories

Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima

Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times

There’s something about a book that rhymes!

Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience (Volume 1)

Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day

Meet the Risen Jesus with an amazing bunny―and his amazing tale―in this beautifully illustrated hardcover children’s book

Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter

Journey to the Cross

I Can Be Happy, Too

In simple rhyme accompanied by Scripture verses and sweet, expressive illustrations, I Can Be Happy, Too teaches children that while we can’t control the bad things that happen to us, we can control how we respond to disappointment and adversity.

The Parable of the Lily

Here’s a fun activity to try with your child or children!  I got this idea because my son gets a “math calendar” from school each month.  Whenever we complete one of the challenges, he LOVES to check off that box.  Here is a chart of the books suggested (and some say faith book you already own or book from the library).  Let your child check off each reading and then leave the completed chart for the Easter Bunny (for an extra special treat of course)!  The printable is free – you just have to give your email address which will put you on my email list!

Children’s Book Checklist

For Holy Week:

Sara from To Jesus, Sincerely has created a beautiful journal that focuses solely on Holy Week.  Purchase it at her Etsy shop: ToJesusSincerely

The post Lenten Resources for the Whole Family appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.