Parenting
These resources are pitched towards parenting teens, but also emphasise the need not to wait until the teen years to start trying to establish foundations of grace and hope. So if your kids aren’t in their teen years yet – even more reason to be encouraged by the grace and hope God extends to parents every day.
1. “Age of Opportunity” by Paul Tripp
In this revised edition, Tripp calls parents to rediscover the grace they need to daily swim in, to be equipped as instruments of grace in the lives of their children. Part 1 sets foundational family principles and perspectives of family and parenting. Part 2 sets parenting goals rooted in grace and a growing understanding of your child’s heart, mind, and the world they are growing up in. Part 3 includes practical strategies for change and a concise Q&A on ‘hot topics’. (Like gender, dating, phones/technology, and friends) These help prompt critical and biblical thinking, readying parents to speak conversationally, and consistently about cultural topics over many years. It packs a lot in, so go slow. It could also become a handy resource to flick back to in specific situations.
2. “Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age” by Melissa Kruger
If you are after a shorter option, Krueger’s new release might be for you! Krueger opens with the cry of “Lord, Help Me”, as the cry all parents need to begin with. From there, she provides biblical perspective shifts about the role of parents, what success in family is, common distractions and barriers in parenting teens, and principles to foster a home full of hope. Krueger offers incredibly helpful ‘diagnostic’ questions throughout, not to create uniformity, but intentionality in the pursuit of purposeful and practical parenting. There is an accompanying study guide, which would be a great tool to work through with other parents.
3. Audio Podcasts
Parenting with Hope with Melissa Kruger - The Family Discipleship Podcast [Listen here]
The Paul Tripp Podcast (eg. Episodes 23, 406, 478, 552) [Listen here]