Training Your Children to Turn Out Right: A Biblical Guide for Christian parents

by David Allen Sorensen

Training your Children to Turn Out Right. Guide for Christian Parents

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[John Uit de Flesch]

I would give it a 3.5. There are some solid principles and action steps. He relates stories. A bit formula based. Helpful.

[Joshua Spencer]

Mixed bag of truly solid Biblical advice mashed in with some predictable nonsense about separation, music, and other Fundamentalist sacred cows. The book would get four stars for the rest of the content if not for the author's constant flow of anecdotes used instead of actual data.

[Laura Carter]

I am not a fan of this book. I would say that there is some good information and advice in the book, but not enough to actually recommend it.
Sorenson uses anecdotes of people he has ministered to but makes huge leaps on his conclusions. In his chapter about music he blames secular music for many young people leaving the church when in reality there could have been a myriad of reasons for them leaving. I agreed with his stance that secular music has little to no place in a Christian home, but his personal examples were nonsensical. And then he completely destroyed his whole chapter argument when he said he listened to popular music on his radio in high school but by the grace of God turned out fine. If music were 100% to blame for those other people leaving the church, then he, by his own argument, should have left the church. It made no sense whatsoever.
He lost me completely when he taught straight legalism and then denied that it was legalism. He basically said “fake it til you make it” on the outside until it permeates to the inside which is the EXACT OPPOSITE of Christ’s teachings. Christ taught to be holy on the inside and it will show on the outside.

When I was a teen in the 90’s (which is also when this book was written) every youth rally, youth meeting, camp service we got lectured on music, dress, and dating. We were taught and lectured on outward appearances instead of inward Christianity. Why? Why were we not taught to be holy and set apart on the inside? Why were we not taught our identity in Christ? Most of the people I went to church with are now out of church and, as a teen mom myself now, I 100% believe it’s because we were hammered with outward separation and we’re not taught inward holiness.


I was assigned this book to read as part of a Family Issues Counseling class. I do not recommend it nor did I enjoy it.

[Megan Mathis]

This book does a great job highlighting what the Bible says about raising up our children in the Lord. If you have a problem with this book, then you probably have a problem with the Bible, because that’s where all of his points come from. The Bible is timeless, and no truth in the Bible becomes “outdated,” especially when it comes to raising our children.

I appreciate that the King James Version was used.

I rated it 4 stars because I do believe that, toward the end, there were times when his view of the gospel seemed a little muddy. Just because your children don’t turn out for the Lord does not mean they aren’t saved. If there was a time and place when they truly put their faith in the Lord, they are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), even if they aren’t living like it. Their faith is counted for righteousness.

Here are two examples in the Bible of people who made it into Heaven even though they weren’t necessarily serving the Lord. In Matthew, we see someone breaking the commandments and teaching people to follow after his bad example. How did he make it into Heaven if he was living so wickedly, you might ask? His FAITH was counted for righteousness. He’ll be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven, but praise the Lord, he made it in.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[Russell Holland]

Bro. Sorensen does an excellent job of getting to the spiritual root of raising children. The Scriptures are represented and explained well. The principles of Scripture are lifted up as they should be. This book is less of a practical manual and more of a philosophical synthesis of Bible principles in regard to raising children.

The book is a little formulaic and there are some problems with the absolutism of the author’s formulas. That is not to say it is bad, just arguable. There are some statements made that have some, shall we say, bothersome applications.

Over all four stars because it is mostly good with a few odd moments. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to establish a spiritual foundation in their children.

[David]

IMPORTANT NOTE: Friends, I am David Allen Sorensen who formerly lived in Sartell Minnesota. I am an author, but this is not my book. Please note that this author's last name is -SON instead of -SEN Sorensen. Also my middle name is not present here, something I always use. Some of the other books recommended are mine, but not this one. Please make the change.

[Dustin]

Great book!!!! This is a very Biblical work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the principles taught about getting your child in the habit of morning and evening Bible reading, the simple instructions on having a family altar and finally the truth's about identifying if they are walking in the flesh or the Spirit. This is a must read for every Christian parent and I feel more comfortable with the idea of being a dad after reading it. This book will teach you what the Bible says about training your kids to turn out not just right but for God and His glory.

[Andy]

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