Parenting by Gods Promises

Sometimes the Lord makes us realize our own insufficiency so that we learn to rest completely on the trustworthiness of His covenant and on the character of God Himself as the Author of it.

Using Scriptural themes from the ministry of Jesus, we are to be prophets, priests, and kings. We should not get into needless contests of wills. In such matters, we must be absolutely consistent, not answering one way this time and another way the next. We must not convey to our children that the laws of our homes are negotiable and that our decisions are based on the whims of the moment rather than the God-given, unchanging principles of Scripture. Since we are the leaders in our homes, we are in charge, and we must command our households in a way that honors God Gen.

He dispels the notion that the Puritans were heavy-handed legalists showing rather that their parenting was Christ-centered and practical. Beeke also offers some amazing insights into the marriages of Puritans. He then moves on to discuss the importance of piety holiness , listening, controlling the tongue, and how we must manage sibling relationships. He notes this stage is particularly important because teenagers are transitioning from grown children to young adults. He concludes that the covenant blessing often are passed from one generation to the next although not always and so we must rear our children in a way that prepares them to love the Lord and raise a godly family within the covenant as well.

He says, In a certain sense, this entire book is about preparing children for marriage, but I want to go a bit deeper here. As parents, we are deeply concerned about whom our children will marry, but are we sufficiently concerned that our children become men and women who will make excellent husbands and wives for their future spouses? Too often we forget that it takes two to build a great marriage. He says, The covenant of grace is like a wedding vow that God will never break. The sacrament of baptism is the wedding ring, the outward sign of our union with Him. People broken by sin who have been taught by the Spirit to trust in the gospel are the bride.

And Christ is the groom—indeed, the heart of the covenant. Hand in hand with that praise, Beeke also mentions many applications of his reformed faith which I respect but many might disagree with. For instance, he recommends a strict sabbath-keeping. One of the strengths of the reformed church has been the intentional instruction of children particularly through catechizing them.

Beeke strongly encourages parents to read through all of Scripture with their children once a year; he also recommends the use of question and answers catechisms. These kinds of intentional parenting methods are all but absent from wider evangelicalism. I recently conducted an informal survey of about a dozen people ranging from active and sedentary Christians, seminary students, and pastors and out of a dozen people only two had an intentional method for growing themselves in Christ and spent regular time in the word.

This lack of intentionality trickles down to the care of our families and has had deadly results. His practical, intentional advice on teaching our children was a rebuke for me and an encouragement to move forward. The Greatest of These is Love Finally, I found his emphasis on loving our children by being gracious and respectful refreshing.

Christians often respond to the lack of discipline in our culture by only focusing on spanking and forms of corporal punishment. He recommends a level of gentleness through out which many parents would do well to heed. I could sense that this book flowed out years of parental and pastoral experience founded in a genuine love for Jesus. This is an excellent parenting book for Reformed Christians. Instead of launching into tips and tricks from the get go, it first provides a biblical foundation of parenting.

The rightly emphasizes that children of believers are members of the covenant, and that God has made specific promises to them. Unlikely many popular Christian parenting books, this one stresses the need to train your children. You aren't simply reacting to bad behavior. It presents a comprehensive and biblical system of ins This is an excellent parenting book for Reformed Christians.

It presents a comprehensive and biblical system of instructing, training, admonishing, and disciplining in the positive sense your children. It urges the reader to be a model for their children. Many other books focus on what rules to put into place, and how to administer spankings. Instead, this book encourages you to speak to show love to you children, to be kind, patient, always in prayer for your children, eager to teach them truths from the Word of God, etc.

It finally made me realize how much of a sacrifice parenting really is. We must daily deny ourselves as parents, and pick up our crosses. Beeke's writing style is very approachable, and popular in level read: It's an easy read. I was a little disappointed by the section on how to help teenagers discern God' will for their lives.

Parenting by God's Promises

It was too simplistic, and rather mystical. Kevin DeYoung's "Just do something" is a much better treatment of the topic. Beeke can be forgiven for writing little on the topic given that it's a single chapter in a book on parenting. While I know he isn't KJV-only, it's still troubling me that in the 21st century, someone would use this outdated translation.

Don't get me wrong, it has its place in history; it advanced the development of the English language, etc.

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It's simply impractical, and too difficult to understand. A good big-picture Christian parenting book, giving parents a biblical view of their responsibilities as parents. It touches on discipline, but that's not the focus; it has a larger perspective of parenting in the sense of raising children biblically. Beeke says the book is about how to raise God-fearing, well-instructed, mature humans who will make good spouses. It discusses three roles of parents: I A good big-picture Christian parenting book, giving parents a biblical view of their responsibilities as parents. I didn't learn much new I've read many Christian parenting books , but it was still valuable in reminding me of things I know, making me realize I need to do a better job parenting according to that knowledge, and encouraging me to persevere in parenting.

I read this at the recommendation of one of my pastors, when I told him I've been struggling with parenting our 4- and 2-year-olds. Notes God allows us to fail to keep us humble, but provides what we need at proper time. We can't give our kids new hearts, but God can. Children are sinners, as we are. That should make us more understanding, compassionate, gracious, while still treating sin seriously.

Don't grow weary if you don't see immediate progress in spiritual maturity. Plant the seed Prov Proverbs says corporal punishment "the rod" is part of discipline, but greater emphasis is what we say in reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness 2 Tim 3: Bible says we must discipline with corporal punishment when offense warrants, and words alone won't make point. Begin with verbal reproof, not corporal punishment. God verbally reproves His people before physically disciplining.

Always follow up corporal punishment with praying with child. Distinguish between sin and inconveniences. It takes years to see fruit of efforts Ecc Model a good tongue. Go out of your way to compliment others. Tell them you love them.

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Mention their good qualities. Thank them for obedience. Affirm children when they do right. Discipline does more good if you've been affirming them for doing right. In critiquing what children say, don't make mountains out of molehills. Say yes whenever possible, unless there's a solid reason to say no. Cultivate an attitude of affirmation. Don't be weary in well-doing Gal 6: Persevere in paths of righteousness, and trust God.

With God, all things are possible Matthew Sep 16, Brent Rosendal rated it liked it. This was one of the best and one of the worst books I've ever read on parenting. The first section of the book is entitled, 'Covenantal Foundations for Parenting'. I've never struggled to get through a section of a book like I struggled to get through this section. I'd read good reviews about this book and so I forced myself to get through it, even though it took me like 6 months to read about 60 pages.

The author is from the reformed tradition and really pushed his infant baptism beliefs. The m This was one of the best and one of the worst books I've ever read on parenting. The more he explained the more frustrated I became and the more I realized how unscriptural the belief is.

Thankfully I got through that portion of the book because the following sections were pure gold. Some very insightful teachings and the author addressed subjects that I've never come upon in a parenting book before, things such as helping teenagers to discover God's will and how to teach them to resist peer pressure. I am so glad that I perserved though the first section because I am sure I will return to the other sections of the book over and over again.

Dec 20, Peter N. A wonderful book on parenting. Pastor Beeke does a great job of keeping the central aspects of parenting before the reader. Prayer, God's Word, forgiveness, love, consistency and worship dominate the various chapters of the book. He balances nicely the objective aspects of the covenant with the subjective work of the Spirit in the heart of the child.

He covers a wide range of topics, which adds depth to the book and makes it useful for parents at almost any stage of life. He talks about spanking A wonderful book on parenting. He talks about spanking, training a child to listen, teaching a child godliness, and sibling interaction. He closes with some chapters on teenagers, which were excellent. Throughout the book he is warm and pastoral without being so vague as to be ineffective. This is a book that I would recommend to any parent. Mar 22, Jerry rated it really liked it Shelves: This is an outstanding, approachable book.

I think he could have made a distinction between discipline and punishment, but well-rounded, sturdy and God-centered approach to parenting. May 23, Dan rated it it was amazing.

Beeke, and published by Reformation Trust Publishing, is one of the few books on Christian parenting which, as the title suggests, focuses on raising a covenant child. As a minister to children, youth and families, there are a plethora of books I have seen that are written on Christian child-rearing. I have read many of them yet it is only once in a blue moon that I find a parenting book which I will fully openly recommend to the parents and guardians which I minister alongside of.

The sections are, Part One: Covenantal Foundations, Part Two: Practical Helps for Teenagers. Beeke wants a parent to be able to use this book to aid in their role as a parent no matter the age of their child, therefore while His magnificent insights and wonderful practical application make this book great, a parent might want to pair this book with others if they want more depth of analysis of child-rearing a child at a specific age.

If you are a minister looking to read a book on how to minister to a family in your congregation from a covenantal perspective this is the book you have been looking for. It is a book which you can easily adapt into ministry core values. Furthermore this book can also be used as a group study thanks to a helpful appendix which contains questions which aid continued reflection on the topics presented.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Reformation Trust Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review. Reformation Trust Page Count: Jul 17, Taylor Rollo rated it really liked it Shelves: Over all this was a very good and helpful book on parently. Beeke covers a wide range of subjects with practical, biblical advice, and he starts it out right by talking about parenting within a covenantal framework, as Christian parents are covenant parents. There were some minor issues I had with some of his opinions that he put out there without really attempting to justify them.

For example, he took for granted that Christian schools were the way that parents should educate their children as Over all this was a very good and helpful book on parently. For example, he took for granted that Christian schools were the way that parents should educate their children as if there was obviously no justification for public schooling or home schooling though he did not actually mention anything about home schooling at all, so he might be fine with that. It is relatively minor, though, for I can let something like that roll off and move on.

Hopefully, other readers can as well. I also appreciated his well-versed and helpful relaying of Puritan parenting philosophies and advice. I learned a lot from those sections, and they were mostly passing on what he had learned from the many Puritan writings on this subject. All in all, I would definitely recommend this book, and I will likely read it again some time. Perhaps in a few years when my children are a little older. Sep 16, Forbes rated it it was amazing. This book should be put into the hands of every expecting couple, as a comprehensive parenting guide with regards to raising our children for Christ.

Rarely do I find myself in full agreement with an author, especially on parenting - but Joel Beeke had me nodding my head not only in agreement, but conviction, the whole way through, with maybe one or two very minor sentences to which I would object. There is not much more I can say that others have not said in their reviews, but I would urge anyo This book should be put into the hands of every expecting couple, as a comprehensive parenting guide with regards to raising our children for Christ. There is not much more I can say that others have not said in their reviews, but I would urge anyone not yet convinced, to go ahead and give this book a read.

I hope to re-read, at least in portions, regularly, because I need to be reminded and encouraged. What you didn't hear from your own father, you will find here in abundance. Here's a run down: Jul 21, Chris rated it really liked it Shelves: This is a well-written, insightful, though somewhat lengthy book on parenting.

Thankfully, it avoids the typical cliches of Christian parenting books, and does an excellent job focusing on both the duties required of parents, as well as the grace of God that enables us and motivates us to parent. In my sincere opinion, this book is much-needed. I only limit this rating to four stars because there is a good bit of "filler" explanation that could be cut out or skipped. Aside from this, I found the This is a well-written, insightful, though somewhat lengthy book on parenting.

Aside from this, I found the book delightful. Dec 11, Bambi Moore rated it it was amazing Shelves: I think this is the best parenting book I have ever read.

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Every page is full of my highlights and notes. Jan 17, mpsiple rated it liked it. Good, but dry and wooden.

Oct 04, Kyle Grindberg rated it really liked it. Aug 07, Seth rated it it was amazing. Started with a Scriptural foundation and many good practical ideas. Apr 08, Kim rated it really liked it. I've read a lot of Christian parenting books. Some I thought were ok, others not great at all, and others very good. Lately, I've found a great stream of absolute "must-read, where have you been all these years" books. First Ginger Plowman's, and now Beeke's. Combined together, these make up the ultimate required reading set of books.

Beeke sets up the case for covenant parenting beautifully. He goes into such depth but not overly technically theological that the average parent would get I've read a lot of Christian parenting books. He goes into such depth but not overly technically theological that the average parent would get lost in Scripture and Biblical examples some I've never even thought about such as Moses' parents and instills an urgency as to why a parent should want to seek to change their parenting thought process and seek a Christ centered covenantal approach.

In the next section he lays out so eloquently how we are to parent as a prophet, a priest, and a king using Christ and other Biblical examples. The next section gets into great application and problem areas, areas that are so real life it's convicting how far short we fall in these areas and he gives hope to how we can change. The last two sections I admit I skipped because we are still far off from the teenage, adult child, and grandparent stages.

The appendixes on Cotton mother and children in the church were good to skim through if you're already familiar with these thought patterns, but if they are new to a reader they would be beneficial to mull over in more detail. I absolutely loved his imagery of the prophetic, priestly, and kingly parenting and really enjoyed his breakdown of teaching children piety, how to listen, how to tame the tongue, and handling sibling relationships. Such godly pastoral teaching without being "preachy". And convicting of the parents' own learning and struggles in these areas too.

Usually I approach theology and counseling books with a very critical eye pitting what's written against Scripture at every turn. But quickly into this book I knew I was in for some really solid meaty teaching and was so humbled and encouraged all at the same time. But while parents are helpless, they are not hopeless, for God has promised in His Word to provide all needful things for His people and to bless them and their families. With faith in these grand promises, parents may raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord with confidence that God will work savingly in their lives.

Covenantal Parenting is a different kind of parenting manual, one that puts parental responsibilities in their proper perspective and guides mothers and fathers to lean not on their own abilities but to trust more fully in the God who knits children together in the first place. The Best Books of Check out the top books of the year on our page Best Books of Looking for beautiful books?

Visit our Beautiful Books page and find lovely books for kids, photography lovers and more. Review quote To our great shame, far to many Christians raise their children without much thought as to what makes parenting distinctively Christian. Secular patterns of thought and habit have deeply infected Christian homes, and an antidote is urgently needed. This is a truly helpful and healthy book for Christian parents- deeply biblical, theological, and practical.

Parents, prospective parents, and churches will want to keep Parenting by God's Promises close at hand. Raising children is about more than just surviving until they leave home; Beeke reminds us that Christian parents must view their roles in the broader context of God's redemptive work. Our goal must be raising children who, by God's grace, come to know and follow the Lord who has redeemed us and called us to Himself.

This is a daunting task, and parents need all the help they can get. For those desperate to hear a clear thoughtful, biblical, theological, Reformed treatise on the subject, Parenting by God's Promises is a valuable read. Pastor of preaching, Grace Family Baptist Church, Springs, TexasThe defection of young people from the church is creating great concern in our day.

Parenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace by Joel R. Beeke

Oftentimes the solutions seem to exacerbate the problem. Joel Beeke's book, Parenting by God's Promises: The book blends a vibrant covenant theology with wise, practical instruction. Moreover, it keeps a balance between family and church in the nurture of our children.