Review & Giveaway: Parenting, 14 Gospel Principles

In the midst of folding laundry, coordinating carpool schedules, and breaking up fights, many parents get lost. Feeling pressure to do everything “right” and raise up “good” children, it’s easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents in the quest for practical tips and guaranteed formulas.

In this life-giving book, Paul Tripp offers parents much more than a to-do list. Instead, he presents us with a big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents. Outlining fourteen foundational principles centered on the gospel, he shows that we need more than the latest parenting strategy or list of techniques. Rather, we need the rescuing grace of God—grace that has the power to shape how we view everything we do as parents.

Freed from the burden of trying to manufacture life-change in our children’s hearts, we can embrace a grand perspective of parenting overflowing with vision, purpose, and joy.

To read an excerpt or hear part of the audio book, or to watch 14 very short videos on each of the Gospel Principles, visit Parenting, where you will also find purchase options as well.

My Review: My attention was first completely grabbed when I read a very controversial statement about people in ministry who have children. It is not often that people share my viewpoint on this very topic, and the author shared my own feelings so very concisely...I fell in love with this book on page 27. A little further on Paul makes a very good statement and ends with an important question, "So if zeal for ministry causes me to be less than faithful to my calling as a parent in the way that I manage my time and energy, I am seeking to get something out of my ministry that I am not supposed to get. Do ministry decisions and commitments make it hard for you to faithfully do your work as a parent?"
When I volunteered with the Seniors for 2 yrs, I had to stop because it became more important to me than taking care of my own family...I loved the recognition and the appreciation I received from them. I felt like I had purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. I look back and realize how very sad that is. My children are worth my efforts, even if I get no recognition or appreciation. I will get that from my Father later, and how much better will it be then!

Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deut. 6:4-9)
When your son asks you in time to come, "What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?" then you shall say to your son, "We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in abd give us the land that he swore to give our fathers." (Deut. 6:20-23)
There's the value that God places on parenting, summarized in a couple brief, but profound paragraphs.

This is not a book that gives you a formula for how to treat certain behaviors, but a book that will change your view on parenting. It gives you a big picture parenting worldview, it teaches you the difference between ownership and ambassadorial parenting. I wish I could buy a case or two and give this book away to every parent I meet...it is that life changing.

Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway!! I will draw the winner on Nov 4th at noon.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.