Gospel-Centered Family

by Tim Chester

Other authorsEd Moll (Author)
Paperback, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

248.4

Publication

The Good Book Company (2011), 96 pages

Description

Numerous books set out to help Christian parents in the challenging mission of raising their children well-so what's different about this one? Well, the answer's in the title! It's not about how the gospel fits into Christian family life, but how family life should fit into the gospel-God's greatest purpose for this universe, achieved in Christ. Many books aim to raise up competent, balanced parents and well-trained, well-rounded children. But Tim Chester and Ed Moll focus on families growing God-knowing, Christ-confessing, grace-receiving, servant-hearted, mission-minded believers-adults and children together. Christian families should be about: - not just making good citizens but also church planters, missionaries, reformers, servants and evangelists - not just learning about God but also showing Him to others; - not just controlling behaviour but also changing the heart; - not just parents and children, but being an integral part of the wider church family. In twelve concise chapters, Gospel-Centered Family takes us through the major Bible principles for family life, challenging us to give up our 'respectable' middle-class idols, and to become the distinctively different people that God, through His gospel, calls us to be. Tim Chester is a pastor at Grace Church, Boroughbridge, UK; a faculty member of Crosslands Training; and is the author of over 30 books. He has a PhD in theology and was previously Research and Policy Director for Tearfund UK. He has been an adjunct lecturer in missiology and reformed spirituality. Tim is married to Helen and has two daughters. Ed worked in the chemical industry before moving to full-time church work and bible teaching, and served churches in Newcastle and Basingstoke before becoming the minister of St George's Church, Wembdon. Ed Moll is married to Christa with two boys.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member philiphk
Very simple and short book but packed with thought provoking advice on how Christian parents should raise their children. The authors argue that this is not about what the children should do or about making them into model citizens. Neither is it about introducing faith via praying a few prayers at
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night or going to church.

Instead they focus on changing parents' attitudes towards parenting. They believe the goal of Christian parenting should be one of showing children by example, lifestyle, coaching, teaching, etc. what it means to be a member of God's family. For example, it is in how parents respond to their children's naughty behaviour that they learn how God views their behaviour. If parents react out of their own pride or need for self-esteem then they are not really helping their children understand God's nature, such as his holiness, grace and being just. Instead, when they learn that there are consequences for bad behaviour but also grace and forgiveness within their own family then they will understand and apply these concepts more readily within their own lives as they grow up.

I recomend this to all Christian parents as a great help to thinking about why we raise our children as we do and to help us get our priorities right. after all, our children are meant for God's glory not ours.
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