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A core element of Classical Christian education is the use of literature in the formation a child’s character. But what is it about stories that makes them such a powerful force in shaping character – and, ultimately, cultivating enduring faith?

An important disclaimer is necessary at the outset: literature cannot replace Scripture or the practices clearly aligned with our faith – such as church participation, family worship time, and personal devotion. However, literature can be deeply influential and serves as a valuable partner for parents as they seek to form character and point their children toward the True, the Good, and the Beautiful, which find their fullest expression in the Gospel.

Several elements contribute to the formative power of stories:

• Capturing the Heart: Stories draw readers into characters and narratives, creating emotional attachment. This attachment matters deeply, making it essential that we choose stories whose characters and themes orient children toward what is good and worthy of imitation.
• Personal Experience: Stories allow children to encounter experiences they have not lived themselves, but that they can relate to, especially when they have been captured by the characters of the story. Through imagination, they can place themselves in difficult situations, imagine courageous responses, or find models for navigating sorrow and struggle – all without bearing the real-world cost of those experiences.
• Conduct and Order: Stories, rightly told, introduce children to key concepts of right conduct and the order of the world. When characters – especially those they have come to care about – persevere through hardship rather than seeking shortcuts, they model an ordered life filled with meaning, purpose, and direction.

Originally intended as a stand-alone post, these ideas expanded naturally into a short mini-series. What follows in subsequent posts is a deeper exploration of each element and how literature can be leveraged to support enduring faith, before ending with some questions to ask when selecting books for your children.

This expansion of an idea is not a unique occurrence at The Full Table as conversation and contemplate often lead to more conversation and contemplation, but without further adeiu, enjoy a deeper dive into what makes literature so powerful for enduring faith by reading the topics below:

• Introduction (you are here!)
• Element 1: Capturing the Heart
• Element 2: Personal Experience
• Element 3: Conduct and Order (coming soon)
• Questions to Ask When Selecting Books (coming soon)
• Also, for a review of books for children (focusing on books often not reviewed), visit our book reviews!��(coming soon)

A note from the author: Much of the content of this mini-series was generated based upon thoughts provided by Books that Build Character by William Kilpatrick, Gregory Wolfe, and Suzanne Wolfe (1994). Much has been re-oriented around the format and opinions of the author of this post, but it is important that credit for initiating the concepts be provided to the original source.