Sheparding a Child's Heart
by Tedd Tripp

From the introduction:

"God is concerned with the heart - the well-spring of life (Proverbs 4:23*). Parents tend to focus on the externals of behavior rather than the internal overflow of the heart. We tend to worry more about the 'what' of behavior than the 'why.' Accordingly, most of us spend an enormous amount of energy in controlling and constraining behavior. To the degree and extent to which our focus is on behavior, we miss the heart.

When we miss the heart, we miss the subtle idols of the heart...When we miss the heart, we miss the gospel...When we miss the heart, we miss the glory of God...My prayer for you is expressed by King David in Psalm 78**, that not only would you teach and model these truths for your children, but that even generations yet unborn would arise and teach them to their children, so they might put their hope in God."

Our thoughts:

This book is both theory and also practical application of it in your life. I wish I had read it sooner! This book has been instrumental in the development of our parenting and has really been a blessing to our family.

Also look for reviews on "Jumping Ship" and "How to Really Love Your Child" - some of our favorite parenting books!

*"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

**"O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old - what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." Psalm 78:1-4,6-7

How to really love your child by Dr. Ross Campbell is an excellent book about showing children that thay are loved and accepted for who they are. This book has helped me see past the bad behavior I am observing in a child to recognizing their need for love. Not only does this book help explain why some children display bad behavior but it also gives you specific and practical ways to love your children on a daily basis.

One of the greatest parts of this book is on the topic of discipline. Dr. Campbell describes discipline as training your child up in the way he should go. Discipline is not as much about punishment as it is about training children.

I would encourage everyone to read this book especially if you are new parent. It will encourage you and spur you on to loving your children more effectively.

As a side note: I also used the concepts from this book as a teaching tool for my children's workers at church.