Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

I haven’t read any Paul David Tripp books before, but this was a great intro to his wisdom and writing style. It’s very no nonsense - logical, rational, and backed by scripture. Tripp blends personal experience, anecdotes, and God’s word to bring a comprehensive guide to being a better parent. Or, in other words, ambassadors for God to the children we are blessed to watch over and introduce to Him. The emphasis on showing grace to our children just as we are shown grace from God really hits hard. Give it a read, you won’t regret it.

I’m about halfway through the book and I absolutely love it so far. Motherhood is one thing that I take very seriously and love the biblical references to challenging parenting moments!

I am enjoying every page, very Christ centered and so easy to read

We read this book in my church’s mom book club. Very valuable advice! Definitely recommend reading it if you have kids already or you’re expecting! I will re-read it soon after baby #3 is born.

I have been struggling (for what feels like an eternity) trying to be the parent I know I can be, by the grace of Jesus. I started off really confident with my first child, but after a few years and a few more kids, the stress and the struggle to "keep it all together", and the constant opinions from all the outsiders who weren't raising my children, really overwhelmed me. I needed to give not only myself but my CHILDREN the grace that the Lord Himself gives us; I needed to understand it in a way I just couldn't before. The world has so many "solutions" and answers for everything "parenting" and not many of the answers I sought out helped me at all - because not one of them pointed out how we are all sinners in need of grace, and to look at the true "heart issue" that we all struggle with, which is ultimately SIN. When the world tells you "All you need to do is steps 1, 2, 3 and everything will be great!" and none of those things seem to explain the larger picture, it can feel really pointless and defeating - especially when it feels like nothing is really even changing. When we are finally able to see ourselves through God's eyes and understand his GRACE for us and our need for dependence on HIM and HIM ALONE, THEN we truly see clearer. As Pastor Tripp mentions, we are blind leading the blind (essentially) without Jesus at our center. There is plenty of scripture reference to support all of his points. This is truly a must-read for all those Christian parents out there that need a better, more Jesus-centered focus on parenting. What the world tells us is a bandaid, but what the Lord tells us is Truth, and it is absolutely healing! I cried at least 3 times (and I'm talking, this is hitting home so hard right now, cries), and I haven't even finished the book yet. Pastor P. Tripp really puts common heart issues of all parents right out there - he is straight-forward and honest. That is what this world needs more - honesty and most especially, the grace of the Lord.

I haven’t finished this book yet, but I really wanted to address something that I read in the reviews of this book. Someone commented that this book denigrates parents who work. Though I can’t speak for the author himself, I can try to explain what I believe he is saying. When he says that today, many parents are choosing to work rather than take care of their children, I don’t think he is talking about the ones that HAVE to work. There are many couples who need two incomes, and that’s totally ok. The Bible never says “one parent must stay home with the child.” What I believe he is referring to is the new cultural norm of women needing careers to feel validated and have a “real job.” I’m not saying that women can’t work. What I’m saying is that being a stay at home parent is a REAL job. A 24/7 never ending job. What I truly believe the author is saying is that parents should, if possible, raise their own children. Sometimes, it’s not. However, sometimes parents are on the hunt for having a big house, a successful career, all these material things instead of focusing on parenting. When in reality, they could scale back - live in a smaller home, drive an older car, etc. - and afford to have one parent stay home or maybe just work part time to raise their child. My goal in this post is not to make working moms feel bad. I can see how what the author wrote could be offensive - but I truly don’t think he meant it in that way. I do think it could be a wake up call to some who are working not for God’s glory but for excessive money, success, etc. But so far I do love this book. It has helped me to refocus my parenting on Him and especially His grace. Would definitely recommend.

Pro: Excellent emphasis on parental priorities—“The most important thing that a child could ever learn about is the existence, character, and plan of God.” Excellent emphasis on the need for God’s grace—“Good parenting lives at the intersection of a humble admission of personal powerlessness and a confident rest in the power and grace of God.” Excellent emphasis on worship—“Worship is that inner desire for wonder, amazement, and awe that every human being possesses. It is that craving to be fulfilled. It is that constant search for life. It is wanting personal meaning and purpose…. It’s that universal hunger for inner peace. It’s that life-long hunt for God…. It’s the reality that no one is godless. We all give our hearts to the one true God or to some created God replacement.” Excellent use of humor—“It’s so easy in the middle of any day of parenting multiple children to lose your mind.” Lots of wisdom—“Parenting is not a series of dramatic confrontation-confession events, but rather a life-long process of incremental awareness and progressive change. The four-year-old will not say after you confront him, ‘I am a self-centered, self-ruling idolater in need of redemption.’ ” Con: Repetitive; Organization; The book was sometimes confusing and sometimes left me feeling overwhelmed and weighed down. For example, the book is structured around 14 big-picture principles, but each chapter is full of minor principles and tips. Also, the book uses many rhetorical questions. Sometimes, the minor principles, tips and questions illuminated practical wisdom, but the clarity provided by the big-picture principles was sometimes muddied by the shift to a little-picture perspective. Also, the 14 big-picture principles are referred to as gospel principles. Sometimes, the relationship between the principle and the gospel is very clear, but sometimes it isn’t as clear (e.g. the Identity principle).

This book has been so helpful to realign my perspective in my parenting journey. As parents it's so easy to focus only on behavior and results, but this book brings you back to the reality that God is in control, He is at work in our children's hearts, and He is faithful to continue the good work He is doing in each of our hearts - parents and children. A must read!