The Gospel & Parenting Quotes

“In an age of helicopter parenting, Christian parents should know better than to constantly hover over their children in an attempt to mitigate potential risks and mistakes. Living life involves inevitable risks, and Christian parents must teach their children to take self-sacrificial, calculated risks for the glory of Christ and the good of others.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“When the apostle Paul declared, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified,” he was not suggesting that the cross of Christ was the only thought that ever entered his mind, nor was he saying that he tacked on some commentary about Jesus’ death to every dialogue (1 Cor. 2:2). Paul was contending that the power and wisdom of God on display in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ served as the only proper frame of reference for every single thought.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“Framing discipline in an anti-gospel way places children on a performance treadmill. Their lives are based on meeting your expectations. And the only outcome of that approach is defeat and despair. Conviction of sin will bring no joy. It will only bring shame because they will reason, “I have failed my parents who thought I was a good person. Now, they know I am not a good person because I have these thoughts and act this way. I must be worthless.” Constant accusation without the gospel is hellish, not holy.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“God doesn’t need our good works,” Luther proclaimed, “but our neighbor does.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“Authority should always be balanced with love, affection, and frankly, fun. Over the years, we have discovered that high expectations with low levels of fun creates an oppressive environment. High levels of fun with low expectations create a foolish and immature environment.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“Over the years our various children have many times displayed uncharacteristically disobedient behavior. When this happens, we almost always will ask ourselves these questions: “Has this child observed us interacting in positive and even fun ways in the last several days? Have they seen us kiss or hug? Have they seen us enjoying one another’s company? Laughing together?” If not, we immediately make every effort to remedy the situation.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting

“On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes Christian parents are overly focused on authority to such a degree that they end up relating to their children through fear and intimidation. They tend to micromanage their child so that they can exert complete control and they end up creating resentment in the child.”
― Russell D. Moore, The Gospel & Parenting