If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then A Little Child Shall Lead Them is perfect for you! Coach and Pastor Joe Oswald wrote this devotional resource, which is filled with inspiration and quotes from homeschooled students that he instructed over the years. In his book, Oswald identifies those child-like qualities that should never be outgrown and reinforces them with Biblical references. A Little Child Shall Lead Them will lift your spirits and awaken the child within you while encouraging you to rejoice in the world around you.

A Little Child Shall Lead Them is a short book that imparts a big message. Even though it only takes about an hour to read all 73 pages, it would be a good idea to read it more slowly while pausing and reflecting on the lessons learned. I read through it quickly at first to get a general overview, then I read it again over a longer period while contemplating each chapter, and next I plan to use it during our family devotional time. The book will work well for this because Scripture references are woven throughout the pages. Plus, it has discussion questions at the end of every chapter as well as quotes to consider, principles to practice, and suggestions for digging deeper into God’s Word through additional readings and activities.

As a side note, it seems like the only time I ever have time to sit down and read anything on my own is while working out on my exercise bike at home. So it seemed quite fitting that A Little Child Shall Lead Them focuses a lot on the author’s experience coaching P.E. classes. My own boys had Joe Oswald as their P.E. instructor several years ago, so I was able to personally observe his excellent rapport with the kids. Being children of God, we are called to love and serve Him with all of ourselves, including our bodies. But I used to hate and even fear P.E. in school when I was a girl. So I really admired the way Coach Joe emphasized the fun in fitness, while bringing a healthy spiritual dimension to physical education. He definitely found his calling there. If only all coaches were more like him!

Anyway, it’s hard to underline sentences in a book when riding an exercise bike, so I kept a supply of Post-it Notes on hand to mark the pages that I wanted to come back to. By the time I was done, almost every page was marked! That’s how jam-packed this little book is with wisdom to remember. Inspired by real children and their responses to life, A Little Child Shall Lead Them uses the children’s stories and quotes to provide examples of what it means to be childlike in our own faith, joy, teachableness, and transparency. Although it’s full of cute sayings from children, this is not just a “kids-say-the-darndest-things” book. The message is much more significant than that. A Little Child Shall Lead Them will show you how child-likeness is Christ-likeness!

Nowadays there is a battle going on for the hearts and minds of our children. In this materialistic culture of dysfunctional families, broken homes, immodest fashion and provocative media, kids are being forced to grow up too quickly. How sad that we think it’s great when a child behaves “sophisticatedly” like an adult. Children don’t have enough time these days to simply be a child. They deserve to play, dream, and wonder, things grown-ups forget they need! One of my favorite passages from A Little Child Shall Lead Them is: “I remember hearing a preacher talk about a teacher who approached one of her young students while he was drawing a picture. She asked who he was drawing. He replied, ‘God.’ She then replied, ‘No one knows what God looks like.’ The little lad said with childlike confidence, ‘They will when I get through!’” It would be wise for adults to stop and look at the world through the eyes of a child more often.

Young-at-heart Joe Oswald was definitely the right person to write this book. Having met him in person and witnessing his own childlike passion for life, I can attest to the fact that he practices what he preaches. Joe’s cheerful enthusiasm blesses and brightens the day of everyone he meets. It would be a much happier world indeed if everyone were to follow the simple advice he gives in A Little Child Shall Lead Them. Reading this book will challenge and transform your outlook on life, making a big difference in your attitude toward other people and the world around you. This little life-changing book is a must-have for every Christian library. Teachers, parents, grandparents, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, coaches, pastors, and anyone who works with children will gain much insight in applying the truth of this book. It’s also ideal for families to read together, as it will help you grow closer to Christ and to each other.

Joe Oswald is a husband, father of two, and grandpa as well. He has over ten years experience working with children as a coach and youth pastor. He coached P.E. classes for Athletes in Training of Phoenix for over five years, and served as the Director of Home School Programs for AIT. Coach Joe’s expertise in physical training and his passion for teaching earned the trust of hundreds of homeschool parents and children. Joe also conducted an annual “Hero Camp” where nearly 600 homeschooled youth ages 9-15 interacted socially, increased their physical fitness, and had fun together in a Christian setting while learning that heroes are honest, helpful, humble, helpful, healthy and holy. Currently, he is the Senior Pastor of Compass Christian Fellowship in Glendale, Arizona. Joe enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing sports of all kinds, but he especially loves hanging out with children. They were the ones who inspired him most to write A Little Child Shall Lead Them!

A Little Child Shall Lead Them is available for just $10 plus $1 for shipping and handling ($11 total per book) Soft Cover, Perfect Bound, 73 pages, 5 3/8" x 8 3/8"

TO ORDER: Send a check payable to Joe Oswald, 13194 W. Saguaro Lane, Surprise AZ 85374

Pastor Joe Oswald is available for speaking engagements, presentations, and Biblical counseling. If you would like a guest speaker for your church or organization, please contact him at 623-293-1391 or e-mail

HOME | ARTICLES & REVIEWS | NOT JUST FOR KIDS | HOMESCHOOL | ARIZONA RESOURCES
LEARNING FOR LIFE | PRODUCT CATALOG | LIBRARY OF LINKS | CONTACT & COMMENTS

These pages are a continuous work in progress.
Copyright © 2000- by Teri Ann Berg Olsen
All rights reserved.