In this blog, we will briefly explain 5 best Christian parenting books. The journey to parenthood is a tough one but can be rewarding. This involves commitment, love, and connecting with the partner as well as the children.
Parenting or raising children is making sure the children are protected and taken care till a certain age, i.e., they become mature and reach adulthood. The goal for Christian parents should be to guide their children as per His expectations, act on His will, and have faith in Christ. According to the Bible, children are considered a gift and blessing from God.
5 Best Christian Books for Parenting
The Christian parenting books build in the children’s self-confidence and motivate them to be ready for the outside world and to be responsible citizens for tomorrow.
1) Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman
This book written by Robbie Castleman, assumes that kids and parents attend the church for similar reasons to worship God.
Just like we eat food daily, we should give some time to God and thank him on Sundays by going to pray in the church. According to Castleman worship is one of the important things in life and if this attitude is developed from an early age in children, then there is nothing greater than this. Castleman has included two new appendices concerning the crucial topics of hyperactivity in kids during worship and children’s church for seekers.
This book is an essential reading for parents who want their children to know the value of going to church and attending church services in a humble manner.
2) Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Author Tedd Tripp has written this book in 1995. The author considers children as sinners who need Christ. With this principle, the author assumes what the parents should do according to the Scriptures so that children lovingly and willingly submit to the will of the Creator.
The first half of the book mainly deals with the ‘foundations for child raising.’ Here the author mentions the short and long-term goals in raising children and the various methods to accomplish them.
In the second half, the writer covers different stages of childhood and the objectives and methodology exceptional to each stage.
The book centers around discipline. Tripp is of the opinion that a child’s rebelliousness means rising against God and His command to obey the parents, and he desires this concept to be explained to the children by their parents. In this way, parents can talk about grace and the need for Christ’s supernatural strength to do what He calls us to do.
3) Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
Published in the year 2001 this book is for parents raising their boys in a fast-paced and high-speed society.
Boys are future ‘men-in-training’ and their angry nature makes them prepare for ‘protection and provision’ roles for the future.
One famous sentence from the book (Pg. 245)can be quoted as “Transform our sons from immature youngsters to honest, caring men, respectful of women, faithful in marriage, strong leaders and men secure in their masculinity”.
Since the objective of raising boys may not seem easy, Dr. Dobson motivates parents the way this can be accomplished is, with the intelligence and direction from the ultimate Father, God. Dr. Dobson has written this book from a biblical point where boys will be raised as strong men, who will be able to lead their families in various circumstances and also be role models for society.
4) Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur
Pastor cum teacher John MacArthur in this book illustrates time-proven principles of biblical parenting and helps parents in realizing their duties before God and raising their children in the ways of the Lord. One quote from (pg. 19) says, “Success in parenting is measured by what the parents do, not by what the child does.”
Going through the book you come to realize that kids grow in 4 ways, such as physical stature, wisdom, social skills, and spirituality. John Mac Arthur arrives to the point that if Christian parents are able to understand and apply the common principles of Scripture that are set forth, this may make them rise above the trends of secular society and raise their children in a way that respects Christ, irrespective of any culture and under any conditions.
5) Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa B. Kruger
This book encourages parents to aspire and hope in Christ who is the real source of strength, judgment, and good parenting. Integration of sound biblical teaching, knowledge from experts, and Melisa Kruger’s own experience as a mother and a teacher is surely wise enough to lead you through today’s most prevailing matters. The author makes you understand how to build up and bless your teens in God-fearing ways.
When God is understood to be the ultimate parent, then you will come to know that he is omnipresent and present in both the parents and the children. This encouragement and thought will help you with the judgment to imbibe a Christ-centered home, passing on this practice of faith to your children.
“Parenting with Hope is a much-needed infusion of gospel-drenched confidence for parents with teenagers.”
The above statement by Ruth Chou Simons, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, artist, and founder of Gracelaced.com rightly suits this book.
Conclusion
Teaching our children the love of Jesus Christ is just as important as teaching the kids how to write, walk, and talk.
It is the duty of parents to raise their kids with deep love and respect towards God; people who we would like to be with once they are grown into adults. Christian parenting books encourage children to be responsible citizens of the future and help them develop self-confidence so they are prepared for the outside world.