Tedd Tripp thinks that our culture and therefore many of our churches have lost their way when it comes to parenting. Biblical parenting, he argues, is neither about producing obedient children who experience nothing of the gospel of grace in Christ, nor is it about making children feel good about themselves, a common trend in modern parenting books. No, he writes:

[Biblical parenting] involves being authorities who are kind, shepherding your children to understand themselves in God’s world, and keeping the gospel in clear view so your children can internalise the good news and some day live in mutuality with you as people under God.

Shepherding a Child’s Heart is a refreshing re-examination of parenting in the twenty-first century in light of gospel values. Take note of the title: it is the heart that Tripp wants to focus on, not just behaviour. Part one of the book examines the foundations for parenting found in the Scriptures. In this, Tripp’s insights into the need for inner transformation in our children through the gospel, and the sections on examining our goals as parents in light of the gospel are particularly helpful. Part two of the book outlines how these biblical principles might be put into practice with successive chapters focusing on children of different ages, from infancy through childhood to teenage years. 

The constant stress throughout the book on allowing the gospel of Christ to shape our priorities and actions as parents, and to shape our children too, is wonderfully challenging and encouraging. The practical sections are extremely helpful and likely to provide good food for thought for any parent. You may not agree with him at each point (e.g. his views on smacking), but his ideas are likely to provoke good debate. Do read the book if you are a parent, perhaps even with a group of parents from church. Also pray with Tripp that our children might internalise the gospel of grace which we teach, live by and seek to model to them.

Mike Partridge