Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions

Transform Your Family in Just Ten Minutes a Day
View a sample chapter here!

Who Holds Us Accountable For Our Children's Spiritual Health?
Families are busy, and home school families are among the busiest. The responsibilities of keeping up with the local public school and homeschool groups weigh heavy on us. If we fail to match (if not exceed) others academically, then we know that they know and we suffer for it. But who asks about the spiritual health of our children? This seemingly optional subject is the one for which God will surely hold us accountable.

Seventy-Eight Weeks Of Memorable, Faithful, And Practical Devotions
Teaching the Bible can seem overwhelming, especially when you understand the importance of teaching our children how every story in the Old Testament points forward to God's story of salvation through Jesus Christ. But Long Story Short makes it easy. It chronologically teaches seventy-eight of the main stories of the Old Testament in a way that is memorable, faithful, and practical for Christian living.

Doctrinally Sound, Christ-Centered, And Full Of Gospel Grace And Hope
Ten minutes a day, five days a week, Long Story Short is the family devotional program designed to explain God's plan of salvation through the Old Testament. Three days are spent on that week's story, one day is spent seeing how this story points to Jesus, and on the fifth day another Bible passage is read with the purpose of seeing what it teaches about Jesus. Long Story Short is doctrinally sound, Christ-centered, and full of gospel grace and hope. Simple enough to transform the hearts of every listener, Long Story Short confronts us with our desperate need for His grace. This gospel-saturated, God-centered devotional is suitable for children from preschool through high school. Publisher's Information
Author: Marty Machowski
Pages: 396
Binding: Paperback
Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 9781935273813
Publisher: New Growth Press
Printed In: Canada
Faith-Based: Yes

Awards and Endorsements:

"Long Story Short is the best material for family devotions I've ever seen. If you're looking for something careful, creative, and Christ-centered without being corny, confusing, or condescending look no further. Pastors would be wise to buy this book by the boxful and get a copy into the hands of each family in their church."
-Justin Taylor, Blogger (Between Two Worlds); managing editor of the ESV Study Bible

"This is simply an outstanding book, and Christian families need it right now. I have never seen a devotional book that is so well suited to family devotions and to children, even as it is faithful in relating biblical truth. This book will help any Christian parent lead family devotions that will be memorable, faithful, and practical for Christian living. I'll admit this too, parents will find that they love the stories, illustrations, and learning suggestions along with their children. Marty Machowski has written a wonderful book."
-R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I love the simplicity and practicality of Long Story Short. Marty Machowski gives parents a valuable resource to make disciples in our homes by highlighting the gospel story and the Hero of Scripture. I plan to strongly encourage the use of this book throughout our entire network of churches."
-Scott Thomas, President, Acts 29 Network

"Parents, you know that teaching your children God's Word, especially with children of varying ages, is never easy. But Marty Machowski has just made it easier. Long Story Short guides your family through Old Testament stories, each one highlighting the love and faithfulness of God and the hope of a Savior to come. To use this guide is to have an experienced father and pastor assisting you every night. These moments together, informed by Marty's book, will help your children understand and be amazed by the grace of God as revealed in the Old Testament."
-C.J. Mahaney, President, Sovereign Grace Ministries; author of many books, including The Cross Centered Life

"In Long Story Short, Marty Machowski provides what my wife and I needed when we were struggling to find good tools to disciple our young children. We got by, but this resource would have helped us so much. I envy the parents who will have it available to them. It is simple, interactive, and faithful to Scripture. It avoids the pitfalls of moralism that is prevalent in much of the children's Bible literature today. Marty insists that you and your children meet Jesus and see the gospel of grace in every story. I can't recommend this resource enough."
-Dr. Timothy S. Lane, Executive Director, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; coauthor of How People Change and Relationships: A Mess Worth Making