Dennis Rainey - The Art of Parenting: Aiming Your Childs Heart Toward God

by David and Meg Robbins

O ne of the primary ways God is bringing the world back to Himself is through moms and dads making disciples of their own kids.

We believe at our core that this is true, and we seek to be intentional in the formation of our four children. But many days it seems like we are doing more harm than good and barely hanging on by a prayer.

Are we being too strict? Or are we being too lenient?

Are we helping our kids pursue their own relationship with Jesus? Or are we just busying them with activity?

Are we displaying Gods grace? Or are we being legalistic?

Are we focusing on the majors on whats most important? Or the minors?

Dennis and Barbara have poured so much heart, wisdom, and experience into these pages, and we are so grateful for the profound encouragement and practical tools weve found in The Art of Parenting . We have loved reading other books from the Raineys over the years, but weve had the opportunity to get to know them and some of their children over the last year as they passed the leadership baton of FamilyLife to us. What a privilege to interact with their children and see how God has shaped them through the love and intentionality of Dennis and Barbara as parents. As we have talked with the Raineys and picked their brains about raising kids in the midst of all the challenges of the world, we have seen what a wealth of wisdom they gained from their own experiences.

This book is like a deep-dive into their years of parenting. Its a chance to be mentored, trained, and equipped by the Raineys as they share how God was at work in their family through both successes and missteps. We are in the thick of raising kids ourselves, ages two through twelve. So we appreciate the melding of biblical principles and practical advice and ideas to point our children to Jesus and to help them develop strong relationships, godly character, and steadfast identityand discover their unique mission in life.

The timing of The Art of Parenting comes at an important cultural moment. Gods plan A for the formation of the next generation is through parents. But what parents and kids must navigate today is certainly challengingthe pace of changing technology, an increasingly secular society, and a new set of questions encircling core identity (just to name a few). The Art of Parenting consistently draws upon the timeless, unchanging wisdom of Scripture to help us as parents navigate common challenges. Dennis and Barbara guide us in how to tenaciously build strong, grace-filled relational bridges in which character-forming truths and discipline can travel.

Recently, one of our kids began training for a cross-country team. Initially he began taking jogs on his own. But I (Meg) realized two things: First, I needed more exercise myself! Second, running with him would give me more opportunities to strengthen my relational bridge that is increasingly needed with my soon-to-be teen. So I pulled out my running shoes and started training with him. And although Ive been very sore, Im so grateful for this purposeful, consistent time with him. This is just one example of the many ways God has prompted us while reading this book to be more intentional with our kids.

We pray that you and your relationship with your kids will be shaped by The Art of Parenting. The Raineys beautifully steward the wisdom and experience gleaned from more than forty years of direct ministry to marriages and families. This is the culmination of countless interviews with experts on the FamilyLife Today radio show and the honest lessons from their own family.

One thing is sure: This book will draw you into closer relationship to the One who covers your imperfections as a parent and gives you supernatural power to pass on a living faith.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts....They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Psalm 145:4, 7

David and Meg Robbins
President and CEO, FamilyLife