A chapter to read. A question to carry into your day.
Roots & Mirrors is a devotional book series by Elias Phillips for readers 13 and up. The Rise of Kingdoms follows 1 and 2 Samuel; The Resistance continues through 1 and 2 Kings. Each book has 48 chapters.
How a chapter works.
A modern story opens the chapter. Then we turn to the biblical passage, compare the stories, and consider a response.
Read the passage.
The biblical text is the foundation. Follow what the people say and do, the choices available to them, and what follows. Scripture quotations use the English Standard Version.
Look at another life.
A true modern story gives readers another situation to examine. The comparison includes where the stories differ; a shared pressure does not make two people the same.
Try a specific response.
Your Move closes the chapter with something to do. It might mean speaking honestly, noticing someone you have overlooked, or reconsidering a choice.
Read a sample together.
These books include difficult passages. Book 1 covers Tamar, Saul’s visit to the medium at Endor, and David’s abuse of power. The writing avoids graphic detail, but those stories still deserve time and conversation.
The intended readership is 13 and up. A parent or leader can read the samples first and decide what support a particular reader may need.
Resources for teaching.
Free basic leader sheets accompany the 48 chapters in each of the first two books. They include Scripture, discussion questions, and a next step, and can be opened and printed without an account.
Detailed teaching resources are listed separately in the Lesson Library.
Visit the Lesson Library →Elias Phillips & Morning Mirror Media.
Elias Phillips is the author of Roots & Mirrors. His background includes youth ministry and teaching mathematics, science, and technology. Morning Mirror Media publishes the series.
See what the books are like.
Both books have a full sample chapter on this site. You can read the story, the Scripture section, the comparison, and Your Move before choosing a book.
Explore the books →