Sentinel: City of Destiny

I mentioned in my recent MT post that I was reading Sentinel: City of Destiny by Landel Bilbrey to my little boys. Alex (almost 7) and Andrew (almost 10) are enjoying the book very much but what is even better is that we are getting a chance to have theological discussions as we read slowly through this adventurous allegory.

This is the first time I have agreed to review a book for an author although I get requests every week. When Mr Bilbrey described the book he had written for young boys I just couldn’t resist. It sounded as if it were just what we needed and we have not been disappointed.

Sentinel is a straightforward allegory of the Christian life with the peculiar angle that it is geared for boys. A father from the land of Terrenea, the city of Callow, tells the story of his twin sons’ (Jaden and Jerol) quest for Sentinel, the city of destiny. On the way, they must collect the 4 keys to mettle (manhood): vision, courage, integrity and service. You could say it is a Pilgrim’s Progress for modern boys with shades of Paradise Lost and even a bit of Peretti but best of all the book is biblical without being divisive.

While the story itself holds the children’s attention, I stop frequently along the way to take full advantage of the message. Yesterday, the three of us had quite a discussion on the meaning of iniquity. In this regard the book is full of helps. It has maps, lovely illustrations, parental glossary of terms, a study guide for each chapter and even a proclamation of the gospel for boys.

You can read a few chapters online to see what you think. The book would make a great read aloud for family devotions. I truly appreciate Mr Bilbrey’s efforts to provide discipling tools for parents of boys and the opportunity it gives me to discuss deep things with my little guys.

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