Rate this book

Parenting By God's Promises (2011)

by Joel R. Beeke(Favorite Author)

4.16 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1567692664 (ISBN13: 9781567692662)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Reformation Trust Publishing

review 1: Written by Joel R. Beeke, pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Parenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace offers a reformed, covenantal perspective on parenting.Parents from a Reformed tradition will find the book upholds their long-held beliefs, while parents from non-Reformed traditions may find parts of the book differ from their interpretations of some Scriptures. In fact, I would caution non-Reformed readers to be aware that their own traditional interpretations are criticized in the book. Still, I think there is enough practical parenting advice that may benefit readers from both traditions if one is patient enough to sift through the whole book to find those nuggets.Parenting by God's Prom... moreises is divided into four parts. Part One outlines covenantal foundations for parenting while Part Two focuses on parent's roles as prophets, priests and kings. In Part Three, the author highlights practical steps for child-rearing while Part Four specifically deals with parenting teenagers.While I struggled through the covenantal implications on parenting, I appreciated the author's list of duties of Christian parents, with which I think parents of any Christian tradition can agree and should strive to achieve: directing our children to Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice as the only ground and foundation of salvation; call our children to heartfelt obedience to God; and instructing our children in Christian doctrine (pages 25-26).The author did emphasize the necessity of dependence upon God, upon the centrality of His word, and upon prayer. He also addressed the value of learning to exercise sympathy without excusing sin.One of my favorite chapters was chapter eight where Beeke outlines ten things we should teach our children (pages 94-100). You can't get much more practical that that. I also found the chapters on piety (godliness), listening, anger, controlling the tongue, helping teens discern God's will, and dealing with teen anger to be very practical and helpful.For those who want to use the book for a small group study or book club, there are study questions in the back of the book. The publishers have also included a helpful subject index as well as a Scripture index.I would probably give the book 4 stars out of 5. While I don't necessarily hold to the same theological convictions as the author when it comes to covenantal theology, parts three and four of the book were both biblical and practical, offering even me, a Baptist, some parental encouragement and teaching.I received a copy of this Parenting by God's Promises as compensation for this book review. However, the opinions expressed in the review are my own.
review 2: I thought “Part One: Covenantal Foundations for Parenting” was phenomenal and that every parent and grandparent would be blessed by reading it. Throughout the book Dr. Joel R. Beeke gives many practical ideas and examples of what it means to raise our children in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (which at times was over whelming to me) all the while encouraging us to trust God to do what only He can do. less

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