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Conversation with Paul Tripp and Elyse Fitzpatrick: Parenting and the Gospel

A great 20-minute video on how God's grace affects our family relationships. Will be well-worth your time to watch it, and keep coming back to it.


Here are my favorite snippets:
  • "When I as a parent look at the cross of Jesus Christ . . . I begin to understand what love is, but I'm brought to the end of myself, and that's a good thing." 
  • "You do not want to be the child of a parent who thinks he is a 'grace-graduate.' . . . The parent needs to be rescued from himself, from his own self-righteousness, from his own arrogance."
  • "If we live in the light of God's love for us even though we remain sinful, we shouldn't be shocked at our children's sin."
  • "All of parenting is a gracious rescue."
  • "I have no ability whatsoever -- zip, nada -- to change my child. None. No matter how elaborate my punishments are, no matter how steel-tight my arguments are, no matter how big my threats are. I do not have that ability. I am not the fourth member of the Trinity. . . . A parent must embrace his or her inability, in order to find the liberation of being an instrument in the hands of God."
  • "So much of what goes on in 'Christian' parenting is this covenant of works, which is basically, 'Good parenting in, good kids out.' . . . [Our children] become smarter sinners, until they're old enough to blow it all off."
  • "We have to try to stop trying to find the magic method, whereby we're going to force our children . . . into some sort of compliance and obedience, and instead say, 'Salvation is of the Lord. I'm just like you. Let's run to Jesus.'"

Which statement stands out most to you?


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2 comments:

  1. JimmyApril 8, 2014 at 5:22 PM

    Wow! Joey, thanks for posting this. I haven't had a chance to watch the video - just the snippets are convicting enough. Like a well timed (and much needed) spiritual punch to the gut.

    The one that got me the most was "I have no ability whatsoever -- zip, nada -- to change my child. None. No matter how elaborate my punishments are, no matter how steel-tight my arguments are, no matter how big my threats are. I do not have that ability. I am not the fourth member of the Trinity. . . . A parent must embrace his or her inability, in order to find the liberation of being an instrument in the hands of God."

    The next one is "You do not want to be the child of a parent who thinks he is a 'grace-graduate.' . . . The parent needs to be rescued from himself, from his own self-righteousness, from his own arrogance."

    We'll watch this later tonight. Probably several times.

    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Joey EspinosaApril 8, 2014 at 5:25 PM

      Jimmy --

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You know, part of me just wants to re-read the snippets; the full video is too convicting! But it's also very encouraging and hope-giving, so I'm sure I'll watch it again and again.

      The grace-graduate is one of my favorites too. I tend to get arrogant and condescending with my kids. I need to engage them and let them know that I'm a sinner just like them. Hey, they already know it -- I just need to admit it!

      God bless. Tell your family "hey" from the Espinosas!

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