ChurchPublishing.org: Christ Walk Kids

Developed as a companion to Christ Walk: A 40 Day Spiritual Fitness Program, Christ Walk Kids is an exciting 40-day journey for youth (ages 11 and up) to explore mind, body, and spiritual health.

This book helps kids set physical goals by committing to walk different routes based on routes in the Bible. Each chapter explores a topic that everyone thinks about, but not everyone knows how to address. Anna Courie opens up a discussion with youth about health topics they think and talk about amongst themselves, but puts the dialogue in the perspective of spiritual development. Key to the success of this outline is that each day there are topics for youth and parents and/or youth leaders to use as they explore health in a safe environment.

Youth are encouraged to participate fully in the Christ Walk program by physical challenges (walking, running, or biking “biblical” routes); mental challenges (deep discussion and thoughtfulness of youth health risks); and spiritual challenges (biblical references and spiritually grounded self-development). Youth and parents are urged to participate together in the Christ Walk program so that the church can address the health of the entire family holistically: mind, body, and spirit.

Anna Fitch Courie is an Army wife, nurse, and the author of three Christ Walk books and The Adventures of Cancer Girl who finds her calling where health and spirituality intersect. A consultant on building community coalitions on health, she is a graduate of Clemson University, the University of Wyoming, and Education for Ministry (EfM). She lives in Columbia, South Carolina.

“In a world that regularly bombards children with distorted body images, Anna Fitch Courie encourages children to explore healthy relationships––with their bodies, with one another, and with God. In its accessible style, Christ Walk Kids will motivate even the most reluctant teenager to get up and go!”––The Rev. Tim Schenck, author of Father Tim’s Church Survival Guide and creator of Lent Madness

“Anna Courie has an infectious desire to live out the Christian life and to show how the good news of Jesus really does incarnate with us. Christ Walk Kids should be a useful resource for discipleship and growth in grace, in mind, body, and spirit.”––Jason A. Greer, deacon, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC

“Christ Walk Kids is a powerful way to teach tweens and teens about how in God ‘we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).’ Anna Fitch Courie, wise and direct, addresses the many questions that tweens and teens might have about living a life of faith in today's world. Christ Walk Kids provides kids, parents, and church leaders with a clear path to healthy choices for all ages.”––Cathy Boyd, Director of Christian Formation, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, VA“We all know that it is important to start early with teaching our children the importance of exercise and healthy eating. The thing I love about this book is that this is something families can do together––it doesn’t require carpools, expensive sports uniforms, or equipment. Christ Walk Kids is going to change lives. There is the physical health, yes, but this wonderful resource will also bring head, heart, and spiritual health!"––Roger Hutchison, author of The Painting Table and Under the Fig Tree and the Director of Christian Formation and Parish Life at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, Houston, TX