Parenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace

Parents are unable to give their children what they need most—new hearts that trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins. All belief is a work of God alone. But parents must not “hinder” their children from coming to Christ, as Jesus’ disciples sought to hinder mothers and fathers from bringing small children to Him (Mark 10:13–16). On the contrary, they must do everything in their power to “bring” their children to the Savior, which means raising their sons and daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

In Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, Dr. Joel R. Beeke explores what this nurture and admonition looks like and offers gems of practical wisdom for parents on topics such as instituting and leading family worship, teaching children, modeling faithful Christian living, and exercising discipline. However, he carefully puts parental responsibilities in their proper perspective and guides mothers and fathers to lean not on their own abilities but to trust more fully in the God who knits children together in the first place. Above all, he affirms, parents must look to the one true God, who promises to provide everything His people need and to bless them and their families.

Endorsements

"In an age of pragmatism, Joel Beeke is a drink of fresh, cool theological water. Raising children is about more than just surviving until they leave home; Beeke reminds us that Christian parents must view their roles in the broader context of God's redemptive work. Our goal must be raising children who, by God's grace, come to know and follow the Lord who has redeemed us and called us to Himself. This is a daunting task, and parents need all the help they can get. For those desperate to hear a clear thoughtful, biblical, theological, Reformed treatise on the subject, Parenting by God's Promises is a valuable read."
—Dr. Voddie Baucham

"The defection of young people from the church is creating great concern in our day. Oftentimes the solutions seem to exacerbate the problem. Joel Beeke's book, Parenting by God's Promises: 'How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace' is a sane, biblical word in the midst of the chaos. The book blends a vibrant covenant theology with wise, practical instruction. Moreover, it keeps a balance between family and church in the nurture of our children. This book is an important read for pastors, elders, parents, and grandparents."
—Dr. Joseph A. Pipa Jr.

Contents

Foreword by Derek W.H. Thomas
Introduction: Parenting with a Strong Hope

Part One: Covenantal Foundations for Parenting

1. Encouragement through the Covenant
2. Children of the Covenant
3. Rearing Children by Faith
4. The Covenant Promise
5. Bringing Children to Christ

Part Two: Parenting as Prophets, Priests, and Kings

6. Our Responsibility as Parents
7. Teaching Our Children as Prophets
8. What Should We Teach Our Children?
9. Training in Godly Living
10. Serving as Priests in the Home
11. Sympathizing with Our Children
12. Exercising Loving Rule as Kings
13. Preventive Discipline
14. Corrective Discipline

Part Three: Practical Steps for Child-Rearing

15. Help from Our Puritan Forebears
16. Teaching Children Piety
17. Teaching Children to Listen
18. Taming Children’s Tongues
19. Handling Sibling Relationships

Part Four: Practical Helps for Teenagers

20. Helping Teenagers Discern God’s Will
21. Helping Teenagers Resist Negative Peer Pressure
22. Helping Teenagers Manage Anger

Conclusion: To a Thousand Generations
Appendix 1: Cotton Mather’s Parental Resolutions
Appendix 2: Children in the Church