BOOK REVIEW: A different kind of weekly devotional for parents that is a great resource …

It probably wouldn’t be a surprise to you to hear that missing from many homes that profess to be Christian is a sincere, consistent devotion to Christ.

That sad truth is revealed in the lack of sharing Christ among husband and wife, and among parents and children. The idea of families having “family worship time” in their own home sounds both foreign and bizarre. A few years ago, the ministry I lead conducted a series of surveys among the friends of followers of our ministry, and a few of the questions related to spiritual activity shared between couples and with their children. Take a look at a few of the questions and results:

How often do you read and/or study the Bible with your spouse?
* Daily * Weekly * Monthly * Rarely * Never
Results: 25% daily, 25% weekly, 25% rarely, 25% never

How often do you read and/or study the Bible with your children?
* Daily * Weekly * Monthly * Rarely * Never
Results: 50% rarely, 25% daily, 25% never

How often do you pray with your spouse?
* Daily * Weekly * Monthly * Rarely * Never
Results: 50% daily, 25% weekly, 25% never

How often do you pray with your children?
* Daily * Weekly * Monthly * Rarely * Never
Results: 50% daily, 25% rarely, 25% never

For people professing to be followers of Christ, sharing Christ with their spouses or children was grossly lacking. Some church leaders might respond by thinking that parents need to be taught how to pray with their children and how to disciple their children, etc.

But there’s a greater issue here, something more than just a lack of discipleship. At the core of the issue is the actual relationship that the husband and wife, the mom and dad, have personally with Jesus Christ.

With that being the central issue in what we were looking at from our surveys, I’m excited to recommend a new weekly devotional for parents that really understands this issue.

“Devotions for Sacred Parenting,” written by Gary Thomas and published by Zondervan, is a unique devotional resource for parents because it doesn’t attempt to equip parents in how to teach their kids this or that, but instead, it’s aimed at the spiritual life and development of the parents themselves. I think the publisher’s description of the book nails just what this square-shaped hardback is all about:

“Many books have been written about effective parenting procedures and how to influence your children’s behavior. Devotions for Sacred Parenting explores an entirely different reality: how parenting transforms you, the parent. It explores the spiritual dynamics of parenting that shape your soul and form the character of Christ within you … Discover how God is parenting you as you parent your children.”

That’s the only explanation for the book, which is found on the back cover. Open the front cover and you’ll find starting immediately after a table of contents is the first of 52 weekly devotions for parents. Each devotion follows a simple format: a scripture, followed by a concise devotional reading based on the scripture, which concludes with a very short prayer and a couple of questions for moms and dads to discuss among themselves.

The publisher’s description of the book was right on in describing the content as exploring the spiritual dynamics of parenting. Every mom and dad will relate to the subject matter, and will appreciate the clear, easy writing style that delivers important biblical insights for parents.

THIS is the kind of devotional that husbands and wives who are moms and dads need and can benefit from! Couples who are parents who commit to read through this book together can expect to gain sharp biblical insights, encouragement, inspiration, and significant positive challenge, which will lead them to appreciate the prayer and discussion questions provided to round out their time each week. I would expect most couples would find themselves refreshed and positively challenged toward greater spiritual maturation by walking through these topics together.

Christian moms and dads need something more than just functional training in parenting – although that is needed! What they need more is seeing how God is there to parent them as they parent the children He has blessed them with. THAT will make a huge difference in the parents they become.

If you’re a mom or dad, get this book and covenant together with your spouse to read and talk through each of the 52 weekly devotionals. You’ll grow to be better Christians and better Christian parents for doing so.

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”