Must-Read Parenting Articles

I read, saved, and re-read each of these articles. My intention was to write a blog post on each one. But my bookmarked list kept growing longer and longer.

So I scrapped the original idea, and I'm linking them all here. These are GREAT articles on parenting with a focus on Jesus and the gospel. If you don't have time to read them all now, bookmark this page (or send it to yourself in an email -- you can use the button below this post), and come back to it later. 

Don't Waste Time with Your Children (Christina Fox, Desiring God). We don't own our time. Instead, we are stewards of it. Fox gives three things to think about regarding our brief time with our children. "Time is a strange thing. We can find ways to make things take less time. . . . But there is nothing we can do to manipulate or take control of time itself. . . . Let’s use the precious and limited time we have with our children by investing in their hearts."

10 Surefire Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Family Devotions (Jessica Thompson, The Resurgence).  And if you are going to redeem the time with your kids by teaching them the Bible (and you should), don't make these mistakes. "Family devotions are a good thing. They can be a means of grace to your entire family, but often we turn them into an idol."

6 Ways to Make Christ Central at Home (Alvin Reid, Gospel-Centered Discipleship). Reid uses Deuteronomy 6:6-9 as an outline for Christ-centered parenting. "How can you and your spouse make changes to cultivate a more Christ-centered home that, not only evangelizes your children but also your neighbors? The greatest missionary force in America today sleeps in our bedrooms. May we lead, teach, and equip them well."

Why Satan Hates Your Family (Tim Challies).  While part of this article is a warning against culture's influences, the main premise is bigger. What we need to do is not go into defense mode, but actively work to strengthen our own family, for the purposes of blessing the church and blessing the world.

5 Parenting Opportunities When Our Kids Sin (Andrew Weiseth, The Resurgence).  "Sinful behavior in our kids is not an opportunity to war against them. It is an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. We get to rejoice that God can take what was meant for evil and use it for good (Gen. 50:20)."


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Related Link:

• Gospel-Centered Parenting Articles (June 2014)