A Mom After God's Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children

by Elizabeth George

Mom, You Guide Their Hearts You feed them, bathe them, hold them, kiss them. Your days are spent caring for and nurturing your children. In all the distractions of life and the demands of motherhood, how can you know if your children will grow to follow after God? Bestselling author, Elizabeth George has journeyed through the ups and downs of mothering children into adulthood. In A Mom After God's Own Heart , she offers practical tips and encouraging advice to help you raise children of all ages in the knowledge of the Lord. Here you'll find . . . Mom, as you meet your children's daily needs, know that God has given you a unique position of influence over their lives—you guide their hearts. No matter what their ages, you can help them experience His love, blessings, and provisions when you become A Mom After God's Own Heart .

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Devotional

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Elizabeth George is bestselling author and national speaker dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. For over 30 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth has helped countless men and women:

- Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
- Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
- Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
- Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
- Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
- Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Women around the world are drawn to Elizabeth’s approach of daily starting with the Bible to handle life’s challenges. Her ability to weave biblical truth into everyday issues has led readers to make over 15 of her books bestsellers. Elizabeth’s distinctive work, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, has sold over 1 million copies and received the ECPA Platinum Book Award. Likewise, her delightful book, A Girl After God’s Own Heart, remains a treasured gift for moms and grandmothers and made the CBA Bestseller List for fourteen consecutive months.

Elizabeth also encourages women through her radio broadcast, “A Minute for Busy Women,” featured on Christian radio stations across America and at www.OnePlace.com. She is also a regular keynote speaker at women’s conferences and retreats.

In the midst of their busy writing schedule, Elizabeth and Jim love spending time with their two married daughters and eight grandchildren, taking daily walks along golden sands, and enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian sunsets. They divide time residing in Honolulu, Hawaii and the Washington State coast.

Reviews

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Overview

In A Mom After God's Own Heart you will learn the Biblical truth and principles behind 10 ways to love your children. Elizabeth shares from her mistakes and victories and encourages Mom's to love their children as the Bible commands us to.

The Readability

This book is very easy to read. I have always enjoyed Elizabeth's way of writing that makes it feel as if you're chatting with a close friend. While the chapters are fairly lengthy, they certainly do not feel long when you're reading them.

The Highlights

In side this pretty book you will find a lot of helpful ideas to love and train your child with Biblical truth. Elizabeth is great at giving you practical application.

The Downside

While I deeply appreciate the wisdom between the front and back cover of this book, I'm sad because it more command focused than gospel focused. The reasons for doing what we should do are based on the commands that the Bible gives, not on what Christ has already done for us. I can read this book and feel inspired to try harder - in fact one chapter is titled Try Your Best - but it is short lived because the motivation given is obedience, not love. I do believe obedience is very important, but it must follow love or it means nothing.

The Recommendation

While there is much wisdom to be gained from this book, I want to encourage moms to also read books that ground your role of motherhood in the gospel grace, such as Give Them Grace, Christ In The Chaos, and Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full.

[Stacy Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read from Elizabeth!

I think some motherhood books can be rather heavy with abstract topics. I like how this one has 10 practical ways we can love our kids - and raise them the way scripture tells us to do it.
Each chapter has actual action steps, which is helpful. And they aren’t the type that make you roll your eyes. 😉

Easy to read. Easy to understand. “Easy” to implement.

[Sadie VanderKodde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe best for a new Christian or new mom. It didn't feel like very new information to me, but a refresher is always welcome! I agree with some other reviewers that it's a touch on the legalistic side. And the "Dad's Perspective" was a little condescending and off putting. But for the most part, the theology is sound and the suggestions are solid.

[Enza Cerqueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. It's so full of wisdom and practical and biblical counsels. I'm pregnant and I'm really glad my husband randomly chose this one as a gift to this mother-to-be right here. I'm certainly rereading it in the following months and years.

[Sierra Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this book even if you have older kids! This book was so encouraging to me as a mom of a 13 month old and one on the way. It is never too late and babies are never too young to learn about God’s Word. In order to raise children after God’s own heart, we must first train up ourselves as moms after God’s own heart. Elizabeth encourages moms to pursue God with your whole heart so you are able to share God with your children.

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister gave me this book a while ago, and I'm slowly working through it. I love that it starts with a principle, but gives practical day-to-day advice that lives out said principle. Many parenting books just discuss the theories and ideas behind parenting, and you are left to apply them to your daily life on your own (and there's a place for that), but this book shows how you can fulfill your responsibility as a mom even in such mundane tasks as feeding your children and car-pooling to soccer practice.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book and the advice in it is so outdated.

“Consider yourself blessed by God if you have a husband who helps care for the children at all. He is a rare breed! Be sure to thank him”

“It’s important to get a report card for how well you are doing. Who better to ask than your husband....ask for his evaluation. And don’t react if he gives you a little constructive criticism.....then later on ask for another progress report”

This would make me so sad if this was the marriage I was in.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many of the thoughts in this book are nothing new- Talk to your kids about Jesus, pray for them, etc., but they were good reminders. I think I might go back through the book and pull out some scripture along with some reminders and make a list of my own.

[Lyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd call this prosperity gospel - if you pray enough or have enough faith you won't have to discipline your children....hogwash! If you have true faith you won't feed your kids processed food. Come on - this is what gives religion/Jesus Christ a bad name.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book. She is an excellent writer and easy to read and learn from

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!

[Jessica Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that ends at 71% finished. I always find myself feeling a little jipped but that's just my personal opinion.
This book is so good I recommend it to every parent that wants to serve the Lord and do right by their children. Elizabeth is one of my favorite Christian authors for women. She has such a heart after God, and is very easy to understand. In this book she (I don't want to say co-authored because it's mostly her)...but the end of every chapter her husband gives his two cents. For me my children don't have a father he's passed away so I personally skipped what he had to say. That being said at the end of his his talking she gives a more bullet point list of what we what we read in the chapter and how to apply it in our day-to-day life which is so good for scatterbrains.
I can't rave about this book enough.
She went through topics such as praying with your children and for them and bringing your children to church. She mentioned something that actually I was convicted about the other day about how those that serve false gods are so diligent in raising up their children in their faith and as Christian parents a lot of times we are very lax and let it slide. She brings in so many convicting points that it's incredible... it's an incredible read you really must read it.

[Rachael Marsceau · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Elizabeth George provides sweet, personal, biblical, specific, and practical help, this time in the area of motherhood. I especially loved the "From a Dad's Heart" sections, written by her husband! This would be an easy read to add to a devotions routine. Highly recommend!

[Emily Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable Resource

This book was such a blessing to read! I am encouraged to do right! And inspired to implement many of the "little choices" suggested. I can see myself coming back to this book when I need ideas, refreshment, or admonishment.

[Jaclyn Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical insight delivered in a thoughtful, easy to read manner. Food for thought as well as clear examples of implementations for the mom who wants to love her children well and honor God in doing so.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was WONDERFUL! I loved the PRACTICAL tips that Elizabeth shared for raising a family. I highly recommend this book for anyone that has children in their lives, whether that is a parent, an aunt, grandparent, family friend, etc. I found it super helpful and encouraging!

[Kristen Herich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is encouraging and challenging. It helped get me re-focused on what God calls me to do as a Mom and what that looks like in everyday life. It would especially be helpful for parents who have recently been saved.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente herramienta para madres, cubre muchos aspectos de oración por nuestros hijos y sobre todo como inculcarles el amor de Dios en sus corazones. Toda madre que quiere orar, ser una mejor madre por sus hijos y adquirir sabiduría para guiarlos debería leerlo. Muy entretenido y ameno de leer.

[Angel C.]

I read this with a group & enjoyed our weekly discussions. Some of the information was great, however, it was VERY repetitive. Many of the ways to love your children were the same things just worded a bit differently.

[Leah Roldan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an encouraging book! There are short sections, so it is perfect for the busy mom to read through a little at a time. It doesn’t go too deep into things, but offers very practical advice.

[Rūta Bacevičė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geri pagrindai visoms mamoms 😊 paliečia daug temų, bet per giliai nesigilina.

Patikusi idėja: pasisodinti savo dukras (ar sūnus) dar prieš jiems patampant paaugliais ir pasidaryti saraša potencialaus sutuoktinio naudojantis Biblija. Atsiradus “variantui” - išsitraukti sarasa ir pasitikrinti :)

[Rachel Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's inspired me to make changes so I can be the best possible mom.

[Lauren Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every mom should read this. Gives practical advice and ways to implement the advice she gives.

[Gretel · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕 🤗

[Nancy Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best good ever.. for ALL moms!

[Deborah Camuglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little basic but very good.

[Brandy Morgan-davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an encouraging and challenging read! I highly recommend this!

[Tia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too bossy

[Teah Khumalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️ As a Christian mother I appreciate the wisdom and knowledge in this book about raising children. I have taken some tips for myself and will continue to use them.

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book on Christian parenting, more interested in ideas for instilling a knowledge and love of God than in ideas for discipline (which is what all the other books I looked at seemed to focus on--good grief, there is more to the Bible than "Spare the rod, spoil the child"!). George's book gave me a long list of ideas for incorporating God into our daily lives--ways to talk about God, teach His Word, teach children to pray, etc. The book has given me a lot to think about and do, which is what I had in mind. It also puts a lot of emphasis on prayer for moms, which I agree is key. When we as moms focus our lives on Christ and make Him an important part of our day, our example speaks more powerfully than anything we try to DO to teach or make a point. One note: not a big fan of George's husband having the last word each chapter with "From a Dad's Heart". His tone is a bit condescending, and he didn't add all that much to the content. He really focuses on dads who don't really want to participate in any of the mom's efforts! Maybe it's a help to women in that situation; it just didn't speak to me.