Shepherding a Child's Heart {Notable Quotes}

I am surprising myself with how much I've been enjoying reading lately! (I'm blaming Mark Twain and his hilarious account of one particular boy's adventures that all started with whitewashing a fence for my renewed interest in reading. If I hadn't picked up that book earlier this summer, my life would continue to be as unaffected by books as it used to be! Haha!)

Anyway...just finished the popular parenting book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp. I remember hearing my parents mention this book way back when I was a child, but I obviously never had an interest in reading it until now! This book is an outstanding resource for all parents who desire to "train up a child in the way he should go"!

 Following are some quotes that stood out to me: 

"...the heart attitudes direct behavior. This is always true. All behavior is linked to attitudes of the heart. Therefore, discipline must address attitudes of the heart. This understanding does marvelous things for discipline. It makes the heart the issue, not just the behavior. It focuses correction on deeper things than changed behavior. The profoundest issue is what happens in the heart. Your concern is to unmask your child's sin, helping him to understand how it reflects a heart that has strayed. That leads to the cross of Christ. It underscores the need for a Savior. It provides opportunities to show the glories of God who sent his Son to change hearts and free people enslaved to sin."  (page 6)

"The question you must ask is this: Are the values of your home based on human tradition and the basic principles of this world or on Christ?" (page 12) 

"You make a grave mistake if you conclude that childrearing is nothing more than providing the best possible shaping influences for your children. Many Christian parents...figure that if they can protect and shelter him well enough, if they can always be positive with him, if they can send him to Christian schools or if they can home school, if they can provide the best possible childhood experience, then their child will turn out okay." (page 15) 

"You need to engage your children as creatures made in the image of God. They can find fulfillment and happiness only as they know and serve the living God." (page 22) 

"If you are going to shepherd your children, you must understand what makes your children tick. If you are going to direct them in the ways of the Lord, as Genesis 18 calls you to, you must know them and their inclinations. This tasks requires more than simply providing adequate food, clothing and shelter." (page 32) 

"Your correction must be tied to the principles and absolutes of the Word of God. The issues of discipline are issues of character development and honoring God. It is God's non-negoitable standard that fuels correction and discipline." (page 37) 

"No wonder we lose our kids. We lose them because we fail to think clearly about man's chief end. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever; therefore, your objective in every context must be to set a biblical worldview before your children. From their earliest days, they must  be taught that they are creatures made in the image of God--made for God. They must learn that they will only 'find themselves' as they find him." (page 46) 

"Changing behavior without changing the heart trains the heart toward whatever you use as your means....When the experts tell you that you must use what works with each child, they are saying you must find the idols of the heart that will move each child." (page 66) 

"The use of the rod preserves biblically-rooted parental authority. God has given parents authority by calling them to act as his agents in childrearing. The emphasis on rich communications prohibits cold, tyrannical discipline. It provides a context for honest communication in which the child can be known and learn to know himself. It is sensitive, but avoids a 'touchy-feely' sentimentality." (page 72) 

"A wise parent talks when the kids are in the mood." (page 90) 

"Certainly, children need instruction and direction. But is their most basic problem a lack of information? Are all the problems gone once they are able to learn a few things? Of course not!" (page 101) 

"Failure to obey Mom or Dad is, therefore, failure to obey God. This is the issue. The child has failed to obey God." (page 106) 

And finally, 

"Correction and shepherding must focus on Christ. It is only in Christ that the child who has strayed and has experienced conviction of sin may find hope, forgiveness, salvation, and power to live." (page 121)