Pastor Sean: Gospel-Powered Parenting
December 23, 2009 by Shane
Filed under Suggested Reading
I have just read one of the best books on parenting that I have read in a long time entitled “Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting” by William P. Farley. It is excellent and I would recommend every parent in our church to consider purchasing this excellent resource. It is solidly Biblical as well as practical and is focused on the power of the gospel in our parenting. It has been endorsed by our friend Dr. Art Azurdia.
As a teaser, let me give you the author’s assumptions on parenting that drive the thesis of his book:
- You cannot be a perfect parent—precisely because you are flawed, the gospel, the saving work of Christ, must be your refuge
- Effective parents assume two parallel truths—a. God is sovereign over your child’s salvation 2. God uses parents as the primary “means” to draw children to Himself
- Effective parents assume that a good offense is better than defense—in other words, effective parents equip their children to overcome the world—not by changing or controlling their environment—but by going after their children’s hearts.
- Effective parents understand the new birth—they see evidence of a change of heart in their children as a result of regeneration, not just church attendance or good behavior
- Effective parents are not child centered, but God-centered.
This is a great resource and will help us as parents to rely on the grace of Christ in the gospel as we parent our children.
