An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family's history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you'll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!
This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us.
Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Middle-schoolers Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles. Dragon Seed is made up of two distinct parts. The first part, 24 chapters, is a fun-to-read, dramatic fiction story; the second part is a 12-lesson Bible study that explores the deeper spiritual themes from the story.
Youth pastors, leaders, Sunday school teachers, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read effectively as an individual or with a group to discuss together the implications of Nick's struggles for their lives.
"Dragon Seed unmasks and disarms the pride that so easily takes root in the heart. In the tradition of Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Machowski retells the ancient saga of our defeated Enemy, through one family's spiritual battle. Between the page-turning plot and thought-provoking studies, teens and their parents will find much to discuss. It's divine truth through good story—one might even say, diabolically good."
Champ Thornton, Author of The Radical Book for Kids
"In Dragon Seed, Marty Machowski pulls back the curtain to give us a creative and sobering look at the 'cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil.' While the story is aimed at teenagers, adults would do well to reflect on its pages and the insidious nature of pride. I hope that readers young and old will pick up a copy of Dragon Seed to help them prayerfully consider the pride at work in their own hearts and give thanks to the One who ransomed those stony hearts."
John Perritt, Resource Coordinator at Reformed Youth Ministries; author of Your Days Are Numbered and What Would Judas Do?
"I gave my ten-year-old daughter a copy of Dragon Seed. Her mother caught her up an hour and a half past her bedtime still read;ing. When asked 'Why are you still up?' she replied, 'I couldn't put it down! I wanted to find out what happens next.' Need I say more? Dragon Seed captivated my daughter's imagination, as I'm sure it will with your own children. In a day and age where Christian allegories are uncommon, Marty Machowski's Dragon Seed is a very welcome addition to our library. If you have a teen who shows you attitude, disrespect, and disregard, then Dragon Seed will be a help you and your kid. We all need help with fighting pride and cultivating humility. So read Marty's book along with your teen, so you can deal with the roots of pride taking over your own heart!"
Deepak Reju, Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; author of On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church and Preparing for Fatherhood
"I recently read Dragon Seed together with three of my grandsons, Daniel (12), Silas (13), and Matthew (14). Through this fascinating story, the boys gained a renewed understanding of the gospel and the horror of pride. I strongly recommend Dragon Seed for teens and young adults."
William Farley, Author of Gospel Powered Parenting
"My two boys and I loved Dragon Seed. Our imaginations and hearts have been stirred by its distinct message so creatively wrapped in a great story. It has led to significant conversations about the awful;ness of rebellion against God and the dangers of letting the 'seed' take root in our hearts. Parents, don't hesitate! Read this together with your adolescent . . . indeed, Nick's struggles are familiar to all of us."
Barry Joslin, Professor of Christian Theology, Boyce College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
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LOVEEEE!!!! The book is about a boy who is having a hard life, but when he listend to people and obeyed God, everything changed for him. The story helped me to have more faith in God. :)
LOVEEEE!!!! The book is about a boy who is having a hard life, but when he listend to people and obeyed God, everything changed for him. The story helped me to have more faith in God. :)
Love this book
My 10 year old could not put it down. Full disclosure I haven't read it myself but from what my daughter summarized for me, it is a great book teaching/engaging and providing spiritual lesson.
I was teaching on Genesis 2 a few months ago and mentioned that the serpent was the dragon from Revelation. I wanted to read more about this and someone recommended this book. It is a short story within a story about the dragon seed. It is well done and easily approachable for young and older readers. It also includes a Bible study at the end (which is very good).
I was teaching on Genesis 2 a few months ago and mentioned that the serpent was the dragon from Revelation. I wanted to read more about this and someone recommended this book. It is a short story within a story about the dragon seed. It is well done and easily approachable for young and older readers. It also includes a Bible study at the end (which is very good).
Marty Machowski has risen the bar with this book. He makes the Bible come alive with deeper revelation while telling what is a magnetically drawing story. In a format that will appeal to kids and adults, he subtly exposes the roots in our hearts that can keep us from Christ. Artfully, he draws the readers into a story that can change their hearts and lives before they realize it is more than a story. His use of the dragon to draw the interest of pre-teens and teens is very effective. I think this is his best work yet and would recommend it highly to parents and kids alike. You won't want to put it down. The anointing on this book is real and it will cause you to cry with tears of both sadness and great joy as your heart is touched again and again in powerful ways. I am hoping for a sequel and perhaps many more works of this type.
Dragon Seed is the parallel story of teenage Nick and God's great love for mankind colliding in an action-packed, concrete way. Machowski turns sin into dragons and makes the spiritual realm visual in a way that reminds me of Ted Dekker's Circle trilogy. Dragon Seed is billed as a modern-day parable, and I don't think that label quite fits. While part of the story is based on scripture straight from the Bible, but with the gaps we don't know filled in fictionally, much of the story is straight from scripture. So much is based on Biblical account that I don't think it can be called a parable; I think 'allegory' is a better fit, although, again, so much is Biblical that I'm not sure that's a great moniker, either. When it comes right down to it, I'm not sure the label is really all that important. What is important is that the Biblical references are true and real. The story is compelling and well written. The characters are real and life-like and reachable. The story itself is one that everyone can relate to. I love the way that Machowski took the idea of the dragon from Revelation and used the concept of sin throughout the Bible to show how easily that sin can infect us all; how none of us are immune to it, and how nobody is too far gone to be saved from it. The concrete imagery is easy to picture and something that, again, we can all relate to. Amazon bills this book as for older children and teens, but I disagree. With children of varying ages, and several adults all in the story, I think it's one that almost everyone can relate to. As I finished reading the book, I found myself wishing for discussion questions, as my children were already clamoring to read it for themselves. While those are not available, the book does contain twelve devotions at the end, which do include questions - and some even reference projects or activities you could do to make them more hands-on and inclusive. Dragon Seed would be a great book for a youth group, church study, or family read aloud. It's versatile, exciting, and relates truth, but best of all, it points to Jesus's love while encouraging discussion. Dragon Seed deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Dragon Seed is the parallel story of teenage Nick and God's great love for mankind colliding in an action-packed, concrete way. Machowski turns sin into dragons and makes the spiritual realm visual in a way that reminds me of Ted Dekker's Circle trilogy. Dragon Seed is billed as a modern-day parable, and I don't think that label quite fits. While part of the story is based on scripture straight from the Bible, but with the gaps we don't know filled in fictionally, much of the story is straight from scripture. So much is based on Biblical account that I don't think it can be called a parable; I think 'allegory' is a better fit, although, again, so much is Biblical that I'm not sure that's a great moniker, either. When it comes right down to it, I'm not sure the label is really all that important. What is important is that the Biblical references are true and real. The story is compelling and well written. The characters are real and life-like and reachable. The story itself is one that everyone can relate to. I love the way that Machowski took the idea of the dragon from Revelation and used the concept of sin throughout the Bible to show how easily that sin can infect us all; how none of us are immune to it, and how nobody is too far gone to be saved from it. The concrete imagery is easy to picture and something that, again, we can all relate to. Amazon bills this book as for older children and teens, but I disagree. With children of varying ages, and several adults all in the story, I think it's one that almost everyone can relate to. As I finished reading the book, I found myself wishing for discussion questions, as my children were already clamoring to read it for themselves. While those are not available, the book does contain twelve devotions at the end, which do include questions - and some even reference projects or activities you could do to make them more hands-on and inclusive. Dragon Seed would be a great book for a youth group, church study, or family read aloud. It's versatile, exciting, and relates truth, but best of all, it points to Jesus's love while encouraging discussion. Dragon Seed deserves a place on your bookshelf.
This is a new to me author and one I'll be reading again! Dragon Seed really pulled me into the heart of the story instantly. From the start I was completely engrossed and taken on a fast paced ride of what's right and wrong. That's saying something for this book as I'm not a huge fan of young adult reads. However, this book....oh, this book really hooked me! As a mom of two teens, one of whom is troubled and angry often times, this book hit home with me in so many ways. It's so much more than a simple young adult read. It's a book filled with Bible lessons and messages of prideful ways and seeking more of Him. I loved that! These are the kinds of characters, and plot lines, that I want to see my children reading! Lessons of good versus evil, right versus wrong....all of it so gripping! This book is definitely worthy of 5 stars. It's phenomenaly created, it's well rounded with complex characters and God's lessons. If you are looking for a laugh out loud book for your child/teenager, then this isn't quite the book for you. If you are looking for a fantabulously written book, that will leave them thinking over and over again, then yes. Definitely grab this book up. It's not only for children/teens, but any adult who seeks a better relationship with God or who struggles with pride. The book comes with devotionals at the end. I can't wait to pass this on to my kiddos to see what they think! Well done, Mr. Machowski! Well done!