BUILDING FAITH, BLOCK-BY-BLOCK – MICHAEL & CHRISTOPHER ROSS

Michael Ross, the experienced American author, has a vast number of literary works dedicated to the family and youth. In a previous issue (Biblion #5), we have already presented his laudable devotional Tribe: A Warrior’s Heart for teenage boys. Now, together with his son Christopher, a brilliant student and an expert on Minecraft, the game that attracts kids and grown-ups from all over the world, Ross has made a manual destined to the younger audience with sixty “secrets” to win, both in the game and in life.
In short chapters, the Ross’s offer a detailed record of their adventures in Minecraft,  sharing useful tips with the readers to overcome the challenges of this virtual world,  as well as those that they face in their everyday lives. Split into two areas – Gameplay and Real-Life – the sixty survival secrets that make up Building Faith,  Block-by-Block are structured with an adventure of the player character “Dragee90”  in Minecraft, along with a “secret” for every area, a “Best Tip” to improve playability, and three special suggestions of Bible reading to meditate on how to live life fully and with wisdom.
Gameplay Secrets help the reader succeed in the virtual game. Real-Life Secrets  relate the topic to the real world, where the character shares a story, a challenge, a  conquest in his life. These end with a Bible verse and a question to meditate on or to discuss with friends.


Originaly Published at:
Biblion Online Magazine (PT): http://www.biblion.pt/juvenil-building-faith-block-by-block-michael-christopher-ross/
Biblion Online Magazine (EN): http://www.biblion.pt/building-faith-block-by-block-michael-christopher-ross/
Biblion #9 Digital Edition (Jul-Sep2018 – Portuguese): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-9-edicao-digital-pt/
Biblion #9 Digital Edition ( Jul-Sep2018 – English version): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-9-digital-edition-en/

I really enjoyed how this book took something that children are very interested in and built a faith based lesson into it. I am looking forward to sharing this with my students.

At first I thought this was a devotional book, but it's so much more than that.

Each chapter opens with our character trying to survive in the world of Minecraft (no, not in creative mode). With creepers, zombies, spiders, withers and more, the danger is real and often surrounds the player. How to last the night depends on how fast you can build a decent shelter. As Dragee90 makes his way through the world of Minecraft, he likens it and it's dangers, to the real world. Threats like creepers are compared to bullies in school, their hateful words multiply and spread.

What I like about this book is it gives a little story, followed by basic, yet important, tips on navigating through Minecraft (Dragee90's Best Tip). The "read it" section offers a Bible verse applicable to the thoughts of that section and the "think it" part gives final thought on how to deal with that situation in the real world.

Tips and gameplay go from the starting point (building a shelter and escaping mobs) to trading, defending yourself, building the best armor, and so much more. The book, in my opinion, is packed with beginner to intermediate strategies for Minecraft. Woven well with a little story telling and applying it to Biblical principles, this is a unique take on a devotional book that's so much more than just that. I've included the list following my review to show just how extensive the book is and how much it covers. This is not just a devotion covering the Bible and God's truths, it's also a comprehensive guide for Minecraft players.

The only issue I had with this book was the formatting and lack of color. I imagine this is because I received an early copy before release. If you do plan to buy this book as a gift, I think a print version would be best. At the end of each chapter, the reader is invited to sketch their own Minecraft scene or write thoughts on that section.

Building Faith Block By Block would be a great addition for any young fan of Minecraft.

This is a neat book for children who are addicted to Minecraft (my son) and you want them to also build their relationship with Jesus.
I think the authors did a great job of engaging the young reader by bringing them into the Minecraft world and then applying it to the scriptures.
I wanted to read this book hoping my son might want to read it. I think this is something he would enjoy if he will give it a chance. I would encourage parents out there whose children love Minecraft to give this book as a gift and maybe even read it with them.
Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.
A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

I'm a dad of a nine year old autistic son who loves Minecraft and spends hours each week reading books and watching videos on the game. We do devotionals with him every night and he eagerly engages in family worship, but he does not show much interest in reading Bible stories or watching faith-related videos-- and there is little out there on YouTube worth watching, unlike the endless hours of Minecraft.

So, I was VERY excited to learn about this book and check out an evaluation Kindle copy via NetGalley. It has the same type of Minecraft gameplay tips as other books my son reads, but it relates those tips to a spiritual concept. Each Minecraft concept includes a "Best Tip" for use in the game, a "Read It" passage that relates to the concept from Scripture, a "Think It" passage to challenge the child to understand the biblical lesson, and a "Live It" that applies to real life.

For example, the author talking about bedrock in the game (acquired through a command line code):
"This common mineral can withsatand creepers who attack in the night. It cannot be broken by tools, and it can't be destroyed by explosions. It's the only block that a beacon beam can shine through at night. And it's one of the materials used to create an End gateway portal when the ender dragon is killed. We need bedrocks in our lives. They're solid pieces that go unnoticed--but are so important in life-- having a strong faith, a safe home, and a family that loves us." Dragee90 gives a tip about using bedrock in the game, and then offers Matthew 7:24-25 as a Scripture reading-- building your house on the solid rock. His Think It questions ask: "What is the solid rock? How do we build our lives on it?" His Live it concludes: "There is only one rock-solid truth--one bedrock. Truth comes from God...we build on solid rock by following the teachings of Jesus."

I received a pre-release Kindle copy and the pictures are black and white and the text was organized to make it difficult. So, I'm hoping the actual Kindle version is much better. But nonetheless, I'm buying a paperback version for my son today! While the book says it's geared for 7th graders, I think it's written at a much lower reading level than most regular Minecraft books, so no problem if you have an elementary-aged child.

While at first glance, it appears this Bible devotional is only for those familiar with Minecraft, the concepts presented in each daily "Secret" provide older elementary and junior high students an excellent foundation for their faith. These students will like the layout and the way it relates back to the game., but even without a knowledge of the game, the user friendly layout has great appeal. What I really like are the probing questions with the "Think It" section of each day's Secret. The book says it is geared for third to seventh grade, but I think third and fourth grade may be a bit young. Fifth through eighth grade may be more appropriate. Thumbs up overall.

Building Faith Block by Block is a Minecraft manual including some gameplay secrets while at the same time teaches some helpful life lessons about how we should live according to God. The author weaves the story into the gameplay while teaching about real life scenarios. After each story, the reader is taught a line of scripture from the Bible, then there are sections that get kids thinking about that Scripture. Finally, the book teaches how we can apply the Scripture in life. From building a farm to avoiding a dungeon trap, kids will get some secret Minecraft tips as well.

The book is unique and has many tips for kids on living their best life. At times it feels like a self-help book which I think is great for kids. I thought it was written well and liked the format. The quick guide in the back is useful and offers a quick search for Bible verses. For example, you can search for the word salvation and be guided to the Bible verses covered on that topic. We thought the book aimed more towards spiritual guidance than it does actual Minecraft help, although there are plenty of tips and tricks included for gaming as well.

Christian families that enjoy playing Minecraft will love this book...

I'd like to thank Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for sharing a copy of this book with me.

4****

Original and thought provoking, combines two completely different things into one and raises a lot of hard to answer questions.

What I love about this book is that a game has been so cleverly paired with the word of Jesus and applying practical lessons into your real life. Children will gain knowledge of the game as well as reading Gods word, thinking about lessons learnt from the game in a biblical perspective, and the practical ways in how this can be lived in life such as regularly praying, talking with God and thinking about how you want to live.

The book is interactive, gets you to write down your own thoughts of minecrafty masterpiece, and the stories that go with it. The author has a very creative mind had me intrigued by the stories and how it has been applied to a christian perspective. The game play secrets are fantastic and give the reader more food for thought.

Essentially this is a devotional book with a difference and I like that the authors have thought outside the box. I think it is very special that it is written by a father and his 14 year old son as well as the addition of a Kid Advisory team with children ranging from ages 7 to 16. The topic and bible verse guide in the back of the book is a wonderful addition to the book, it makes a quick reference if the children with to look up the verses at a later stage.

Overall this is a fantastic book where the world of minecraft meshes with Jesus and the Christian faith.