Top Rated Best Christian Books On Parenting

I grew up in a home primarily influenced by Dr James Dobson James, Focus on the Family and "Dare to Discipline". Spanking was used a lot in my home when were were young, but wasn't the exclusive form of discipline. My parents were new Christians and I believe they really did a great job raising us! Fast forward a couple decades, my husband and I are formulating our own plan and asking the Lord to guide us in how he wants us to raise our little son. I just didn't want spanking to be our #1 go - to discipline. Moreover I knew there had to be more than training kids in the same way you train a dog. I'm so grateful for this book! I feel it's very balanced. Yes some things are emphasised again and again but I don't think it's necessarily meant to be read as a marathon (maybe a chapter a day). I love the emphasis on addressing a child's heart, not merely modifying behaviors. Most importantly I love the exhortation that no matter what, you must rely on the Lord! There's no magic pill or silver bullet method for all! You must rely on God's guidance with each child and situation! So true! I highly recommend this book!

I love all Turansky / Miller books ! This one is so encouraging and beneficial because it still has such a heart based focus but is so practical as well. I read one chapter a day . There’s so much wisdom packed into every small chapter. On my daily goal list I have down “read 1 parenting chapter a day” - this is one of the books in the repeat rotation for sure !!!! So grateful for Gods work in and through them.

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to get married and have a family. This meant that my career had to finance a house and allow my wife, Maryam, to stay at home with the kids. As the economic ground shifted under our feet early in my career, this objective consumed much too much of my time. Meanwhile, supports in society and in the church for parents raising kids were mostly obsolete or non-existent. In this family-hostile environment, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller’s The Christian Parenting Handbook comes as welcome relief.

Turansky and Miller focus on identifying and enhancing character development, not behavior modification, from a biblical perspective. They advance 6 principles:

1. Begin with prayer, asking for wisdom, grace, patience, and perseverance;
2. Build on a biblical foundation;
3. Think long term focusing on patterns that reveal issues of the heart;
4. Watch for variations on a theme;
5. Focus strategically and leave less important issues for another time; and
6. Look for internal stumbling blocks that hold up development.

They return to these principles throughout the book but do not simply present an analytical framework. They write the book in 50 chapters focusing each on a particular issue or idea. Early on they cite the Apostle Paul:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

By focusing on heart issues, Turansky and Miller go beyond applied psychology and the how-to suggestions that are usually given parents and think about parenting differently. Their claim to offer a Christian approach to parenting is not lite fluff. This point becomes clear when they compare their ideas to the more typical advice to parents.

For example, in chapter 1, Consistency is Overrated, they compare a heart-focus to the usual behavioral modification approach which insists on consistency. Behavioral modification requires consistency because it is based on stimulus—response theory. Each time a stimulus (reward or punishment) is applied, the same response is solicited. But the Christian parent does not want the child to do what’s right because a reward is given (or punishment avoided)—they want the child to desire to do right—a change in their hearts (2-3). Consistency is often inappropriate when focusing on the heart because each child is different.

In chapter 2, Build Internal Motivation, they compare internal and external motivation as parenting strategies. External motivation argues: if you do X, then I will let you do Y (5). The problem with external motivation is that children learn to expect a reward for good behavior. By contrast, God told Samuel in selecting a new king for Israel: For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). In a heart-based approach, the parent shares values and reasons behind rules while remaining relational and firm (6). In discipline, the parent expresses sorrow, not anger (7). External motivations are used primarily to encourage internal motivation (8).

In chapter 3 Turansky and Miller continue this theme advising parents to focus on reinforcing good behavior rather than simply harping about bad behavior. Character qualities to look out for include: obedience, honor, perseverance, attentiveness to others, patience, self-discipline, and gratefulness (16). In observing problem behaviors, the idea is to link it to a character quality that needs more development (16-17). In discipling towards character changes they advise parents to tie the return of a privilege to positive actions, not the absence of bad behaviors (12).

Clearly, this book offers a lot of good advice [1].

Turansky and Miller’s The Christian Parenting Handbook is not your typical parenting advice book. In focusing on heart changes, they avoid the usual child expert and child psychology advice. Their application of biblical teaching is at the core of their thinking, not just a decoration of their own ideas with Bible passages. Consequently, their approach to applying biblical teaching extends beyond the realm of parenting.

As I was reading through Turansky and Miller, I kept thinking: oh my goodness, my kids are 20 something and this book was not available to me when I needed it. Turansky and Miller anticipated this reaction. They offer encouragement—never give up on your kids. God can change a person at any age by working on the heart (204). It is never too late—God can change parents too.

[1] Turansky and Miller are founders of the National Center of Biblical Parenting and Biblical Parenting University

This is the most beautiful book I have read in years. As a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock, GA, I had the privilege of listening to Pastor Lind-Ayers’ Sunday sermons. Because of those wonderful sermons, I couldn’t wait to read his book and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I laughed and I cried as Justin took us through his story of parenting in the Christian faith. Anyone who is related to, deals with, or is ever around any children, no matter the venue, should read this book. There is so much wisdom in it from which we can all benefit. I for one have certainly changed my attitude about noisy children at Sunday services! Hilarity, frustration, love, joy, gratitude, self-doubt, heartache and sadness all play a role in this story. The most valuable time I have spent reading in a long time.

I've been meaning to write a review on this book for quite some time. For me, this book is a page turner. (I've read it more than once.) The interconnectivity between being a parent and a person of faith can be overwhelming at times, and yes...messy. Parenting, itself, can go in that category alone. What I truly enjoy about this book is that it touches on so many "real" parenting adventures that many go through, yet feel alone at times. And not just us that fall into the parenting category, but for us as human beings. I found myself saying "me too" or "I've felt this way before!" I laughed, I cried, I learned and I took many breaths of relatability page after page. I, myself, didn't feel the language was too crass, but more so -dead on- as a parent who acknowledges our good intentions rarely fall into place with perfection. Incredibly relatable. Only thing I'd wish for is that this little gem of a book to find shelf space at Target and Barnes and Noble.

I love this book. It's so helpful for me as a parent to read about other parents going through the same things I do. Justin has some lovely ideas for how to incorporate special routines into daily life.

Good to read together or on their own and talk afterwards.

Very helpful!

Great book based on Biblical point of view. As the Christian father of five children (three girls and two boys) I highly endorse it.

great book for teenagers that need guidance!!! every parent should buy this for their child. it is written very simple and to the point with great examples.

I read this book with my teenage son and I loved it. I think it is going to help him in a lot of areas. I would definately recommend it.

I brought this for a teen 16 who has been nothing but problems. Very. Self centered my hope along with the parent black book that some compromising will happen

This is a great video for parents, especially Christian parents, who want guidance on how and when to discipline their children. My only complaint is that there is no referenced scripture in the video. If you are looking for a DVD for a Bible study group, this DVD does not directly use scripture. HOWEVER, all the advice in the DVD is obviously based on scripture. It would be better for a discussion group as opposed to a scriptural study group. It would be fantastic as supplement to a bible based study for parents.

The advice is timeless and it guides parents through the stages of their children's developmental stages. You would not discipline a 2 year old the same way as you would a junior high aged child. It has funny cartoons which are great visual aides, but most of the DVD is Dr. Dobson talking in his study. He's engaging, easy to listen too and he's an expert on discipline. You won't regret buying this.

Everything. A must for parent. It will help your childern turn out positive spiritual adults.

We loved this study! We used this study in our Sunday School class at church. We used the workbooks and the DVDs. It was a wonderful series that encompassed parenting birth through teenagers. It gave us the practical information we needed right at our fingertips without having to read an entire book. Dr. Dobson has written some amazing books on the topic and he gives you the best of all of them right in one place. Some of the intro cartoons are hokey, but he made us laugh. It prompted great group and couple discussions. The completed workbook will be something we refer to for years to come. Every parent should have this information- this world would be a better place and our children would become much better adults.