A Look Inside: Bob Schultz’s Practical and Inspirational Devotionals
Today we’ll be taking a look inside Bob Schultz’s practical and inspirational devotionals! In this modern world, boys and young men need guidance from solid Christian men more than ever! Finding male Christian authors grounded in the Word, who write appropriate devotions for boys and young men is difficult, to say the least.
I remember going through piles of devotionals for my sons at our well-stocked Christian bookstore. Many authors encouraged reckless adventures, while others shared inappropriate stories. Other authors wrote endlessly about their own opinions, barely referencing Scripture at all. Still others set impossible standards, bordering on encouraging Pharisee-like behaviors. Some authors just wanted to be “buddies” with their readers, assuming all boys and young men would “mess up” anyway. Needless to say, I left the bookstore empty-handed.
As a homeschool mother of three sons, I cannot tell you how blessed we have been by Bob Schultz’s practical and inspirational devotionals! God truly gave Bob Schultz an amazing gift for writing books specifically for boys and young men. He wrote four incredible books before the Lord called him home, and we cherish each one.
Just last week, my youngest son (who is a senior in high school) said, “A guy should really just read through Bob’s books one at a time, a devotion a day, and when he’s done, start back over. They’re that good. There’s just so much there.”
Well, with Heart of Dakota, you get to enjoy reading all four books! Every Christian boy or young man can benefit from Bob Schultz’s practical and inspirational devotionals. It is my prayer that your sons do too!
What makes Bob Schultz’s books so special?Â
Bob Schultz was a carpenter by trade, and a devout Christian by choice. When God sent His own Son into this world, He could have given Him any kind of father. He didn’t make Jesus the son of a king or the son of a rich man or the son of a famous man – He made Him the Son of a carpenter. Why? Could it be the son of a carpenter learns many skills, incurs much practical wisdom, yet remains incredibly humble? Yes, I think so.
I believe God chose for Bob Schultz to be a carpenter for the greater purpose of writing devotionals for boys and young men. He equipped him for this task perfectly. Wisdom, common sense, productivity, and practicality – all with an attitude of a man “after God’s own heart”. Honestly, Bob Schultz was created for this purpose.
I’m not alone in thinking this. At Heart of Dakota, I answer the phone in the afternoons, and I often hear homeschool parents share how thankful they are for Bob Schultz’s devotionals. Their sons were deeply and profoundly impacted by Bob’s books. Youth pastors, church pastors, Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders, Christian co-op leaders – they call and order multiple copies of Bob’s devotionals. Though Bob is now with Jesus, his writing lives on in the hearts of boys and young men everywhere.
Why did Carrie choose these books?
Well, the short answer is – they are amazing! Carrie chose Bob Schultz’s practical and inspirational devotionals to help boys grow into Godly young adults. Drawing from biblical insight and personal experience, Bob sows wise counsel in the hearts of our sons. Bob’s clear story illustrations help boys and young men glean wisdom and common sense, and Scripture is always provided to help support the lessons.
Why Boyhood and Beyond?
Carrie chose Boyhood and Beyond for young boys ages 10 to 12. This devotional focuses on giving guidance to preteen boys on matters of authority, temptation, education, industry vs. sloth, leadership, overcoming fear, and more. This devotion was perfectly suited for our sons at these ages! Boyhood and Beyond supported us as homeschool moms trying to raise our sons to behave and respond to daily decisions and situations with Godly character traits in mind. Our young boys began to “grow up” into Godly sons with Boyhood and Beyond. Both the readings and the questions were excellent!
Why Practical Happiness?
Carrie chose Practical Happiness for teenage boys beginning high school. This devotional focuses on leading young men toward a life of contentment that can only be found by seeking the heart of God. Bob addresses questions like… Can I find happiness in a world full of sorrow and uncertainty? How should I respond when others let me down? How do others see me? Will I be able to provide for myself (and my own family) when I leave the protection of my parents? Bob’s captivating stories showed our sons true happiness is a “practical happiness” that is a precious gift from God.
Why Everyday Battles?
Carrie chose Everyday Battles for young men ages 15 to 17. This devotional focuses on God’s purpose for battles and conflicts in our lives. Topics include subject matter about… Why God allows battles and sufferings, What to do at the first sign of conflict, How God really views His people, How to gain the wisdom you need for decision-making, and more! Simply written but profoundly engaging, this devotion offers perspective on how to find God in the heart of daily conflicts and decisions. This book helps anyone who desires to experience a deeper walk with God that stays firm during painful times.
Why Created for Work?
Carrie chose Created for Work for young men near the end of their high school years. This devotional inspires young men and offers the tools and encouragement they need to embrace God’s ways and always give an honest day’s work. In today’s world, the culture seems addicted to ease and entertainment. It has produced a generation of educated yet often dishonest, unproductive, or weak-willed men. God desires higher standards for His people. He is looking for young men who do not shy away from hard work, who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, who can follow directions, think creatively, respect authority, and happily complete their duties in a timely manner. Created for Work provides the guidance for becoming that kind of man!
How do Bob Schultz’s books work in Heart of Dakota?
Bob Schultz’s books each function as part of the Bible study or Bible credit portion of the plans. If you want to read about the other Bible study components, just click the guide links below and click on the “+” sign next to the Bible description. I do want to make clear, however, Bob Schultz’s books are an amazing read anytime, anywhere, in any setting! If you are not homeschooling, and you have sons – read Bob Schultz’s books anyway. Mark my words, they will impact you and your son lifelong, in a lifechanging way you will be grateful for.
Boyhood and Beyond in Heart of Dakota
Boyhood and Beyond functions as part of the Devotional Bible Study plans in Resurrection to Reformation. Two days in each unit plan for parents and boys to read and discuss this devotion. Each chapter includes an inspirational quote, a chapter title to convey the topic, a narrative real-life story, supportive Scripture references, and practical discussion questions. Chapters are short, with only about five pages of reading. Each topic relates well to “real life”, so it speaks to boys right away. It gives them something to think about as they grow and face various situations in life. This devotion fits tweens so well! It gives excellent guidance on growing into a Godly young man! Please click the link below and scroll down to see sample pages of one of the devotions:
Boyhood and Beyond: Get Up Again
Practical Happiness in Heart of Dakota
Practical Happiness functions as part of the Bible credit in World Geography. Once each unit, teenage boys read, study, and annotate a chapter in this devotion. Annotating helps teenagers connect with the text by having them underline things to remember, circle key words, star important passages, and write brief questions, comments, or notes in the margins. Through short, captivating stories, Bob Schultz lights a fire in the hearts of young men and encourages them to find a life of personal fulfillment as they draw closer to God. The start of high school begins a new phase of life for our sons, and Practical Happiness helps them make sense of it through the lens of their relationship with God. Please click the link below and scroll down to see sample pages of one of the devotions:
Practical Happiness: Where’s the End Zone?
Everyday Battles in Heart of Dakota
Everyday Battles functions as part of the Bible credit in U.S. History I. Once each unit older teens draw closer to the Lord with readings, annotations, questions, and discussions from this devotional. Parents read this devotion as well, and then parents and sons meet to share annotations and answer the provided thought-provoking questions. These heartfelt discussions help sons and parents alike discover God in the heart of daily struggles and decisions. I’ve completed this devotional three different times in my life with my three different sons, and it always came at a time we were facing an “everyday battle”. Cancer diagnoses, college decisions, COVID isolation… this book is always as timely for me as it is for my sons, and together, we draw closer to God through difficult times. Please click the link below and scroll down to see sample pages of one of the devotions:
Everyday Battles: Making Your Own Decisions
Created for Work in Heart of Dakota
Created for Work functions as part of the Bible credit in U.S. History II. Once each unit, young men read, study, and annotate a chapter in this devotion. In this weekly study, students partner with their parents to examine their faith and develop Godly habits that will help them in later life. Bob inspires older teens to roll up their sleeves, follow directions, think creatively, respect authority, and heartily complete their duties as if working for the Lord. He encourages young men to rise to the higher standards God has chosen, rather than sink to the lower norms this world offers. As our sons prepare to graduate high school and enter the world, this devotional provides integral guidance in training our sons to be future fathers, teachers, leaders, and workers. Please click the link below and scroll down to see sample pages of one of the devotions:
To order these devotionals, click the links below…
