RECOMMENDED READING LIST
Raising children is time-consuming but I would urge you to evaluate your commitments and carve out some time for reading. Good books can be a source of incredible instruction, encouragement, correction and hope for you. They can be true mentors.
All written by people who actually have children, the following books cover the nitty-gritty establishing of good habits and attitudes in our children.
ESP (Explain, Show & Practice) Character Training by Kim S. Doebler.
Practical Parenting Tips by Ray Bradley
Hints on Child Training by Clay Trumbull
This article is FULL of practical wisdom on how to transition our children out of the home life into the world
“Outgrowing the Greenhouse: A conversation with Gregg Harris”
The following link takes you to a booklet by J.C. Ryle that is one of the best for the practical spiritual training of our children.
The next two books help us use the Bible to guide our children. The first one is the Proverbs, but in categories such as "Reverence for God," "Wisdom and Instruction," and "Self-Control." The second book is broader, gleaning from all of scripture, and shows how to use scripture to address specific sins in our children such as jealousy, laziness, discouragement and ingratitude.
Proverbs for Parenting by Barbara Decker
For Instruction in Righteousness by Pam Forster
These two books teach us how to get past the outward behavior of our children to discover and address what is in their hearts. Heart sins are sin too and must be repented of. God must give clean hearts and clean hearts will bear fruit in obedience.
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp
Age of Opportunity (teen years) Paul David Tripp
This CD teachs us how to encourage our husbands to lead. We may want them to lead while unconsciously discouraging them in a number of significant ways.
"Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision" by Doug Phillips (CD from Vision Forum).
God made men and women equal in value and dignity but he made beautiful and rich distinctions in their roles.The fall of man messed it up pretty bad (along with everything else) but the fall did not erase the distinctions. If God made them, it is well for us not to ignore them.
What's the Difference? by John Piper and Wayne Grudem.
One of my favorite writers is Doug Wilson and his wife Nancy Wilson. He had oodles of wisdom about raising children -- and on how raising boys is different than raising girls. He is published by Canon Press. The two books by Nancy Wilson are specifically for women and very encouraging. The last book is also from Canon Press. I haven't read it personally but have read excellent reviews of it. And I love the title.
Future Men by Doug Wilson
Standing on the Promises by Douglas Wilson
Her Hand in Marriage by Doug Wilson
The Fruit of Her Hands by Nancy Wilson
Praise Her in the Gates by Nancy Wilson
Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
Kevin Swanson knows that our culture is God-hating, devoid of truth and meaningful relationships. He has practical, biblical wisdom for how we can recover the rich biblical culture that we once had in this country. It is an uphill climb but the alternative is very dark. Go to
The Second Mayflower by Kevin Swanson
Proverbs Study Guide by Kevin Swanson
Puritan Titles:
First, a word on why I believe that the Puritans should be read today. Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson summarize it very well in their excellent book
Meet the Puritans: they say that the Puritans "shape life by scripture....marry doctrine and practice....[addressing the mind, heart and conscience] focus on Christ....show how to handle trials....show us how to live in two worlds....and....show us true spirituality." Beeke and Pederson recommend the first five books below if you are just starting into the Puritans. I added the last one. As I mentioned I read sometimes just a few paragraphs at a time (they are so rich -- like Godiva chocolate), and I like to copy great quotes into my journal -- with or without commend. An excellent source for the Puritans is Reformation Heritage Books.
http://www.heritagebooks.org/
Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks. This book teaches how to recognize the devices of the devil and fight them.
Keeping the Heart by John Flavel. Flavel calls keeping the heart THE great work of the Christian. If our heart strays, we stray. We follow our hearts. So for our joy, safety and growth in grace we must learn to keep our hearts.
The Fear of God by John Bunyan. This is the author of the classic Pilgrim's Progress.
Heaven Taken by Storm by Thomas Watson. This book is excellent, passionate instruction on how to grow in grace through such things as self-examination, prayer, scripture reading, conversation and use of the Lord's Day.
Glorious Freedom by Richard Sibbes. Here Sibbes shows the great liberty of the Christian and its relation to the law. Spurgeon said of Sibbes: "he scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands."
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. How can we find contentment amidst the troubles and disappointments of life? Burroughs gives deep, satisfying, biblical counsel.
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