Parenting with Words of Grace

How you speak to your kids today will impact your relationship with them tomorrow.

As a parent, your words are powerful. What you say and how you say it has the potential to either invite your children into deeper relationship with you or push them away. What’s more, in a very real sense, your words represent―or misrepresent―God’s words to his children― meaning they have the power to shape how your children view their heavenly Father.

Offering practical guidance for grace-filled communication in the midst of the craziness of everyday life, this accessible guide will help you speak in ways that reflect the grace God has shown to you in the gospel.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Foreword by Paul David Tripp
4. Introduction
5. Part 1: The Vision
6. Chapter 1: Parenting Is an Invitation
7. Chapter 2: The Invitation Is Embedded in Your Conversations
8. Chapter 3: How Jesus Talks to His Estranged Friends
9. Chapter 4: Extended Story: Sacred Space
10. Chapter 5: You Talk with No Guarantee
11. Chapter 6: You Speak out of the Grace You’ve Already Heard
12. Chapter 7: Extended Story: “Get in the Van”
13. Chapter 8: Your Kids Need You to Talk to Them . . . a Lot
14. Chapter 9: Extended Story: Nanny’s Funeral
15. Part 2: The Hope
16. Chapter 10: Sometimes You Don’t Want to Talk
17. Chapter 11: Abraham Misspeaks for God
18. Chapter 12: God Speaks for Abraham
19. Chapter 13: Jesus Speaks for You
20. Chapter 14: You Take Words to God
21. Chapter 15: Practice Repenting for Misusing Your Mouth
22. Chapter 16: You Hear Words from God
23. Chapter 17: You Take Words to Your Kids
24. Chapter 18: Speaking Truth and Love
25. Part 3: The Skill of Encouragement
26. Chapter 19: When Should You Encourage?
27. Chapter 20: Encouragement Takes Time
28. Chapter 21: Replace the Negatives at Home and Abroad
29. Chapter 22: Search for the Positive in Seed Form
30. Chapter 23: Be Encouraged When You’re Tired of Encouraging
31. Part 4: The Skill of Honesty
32. Chapter 24: The Goal of Honesty: Rescue
33. Chapter 25: Think Before You Speak
34. Chapter 26: Be a Mirror That Invites Participation
35. Chapter 27: Aim for the Heart
36. Chapter 28: Lead with Your Worst Foot Forward
37. Chapter 29: Build Bridges with Your Failures
38. Chapter 30: Expect Your Kids to Make Mistakes
39. Chapter 31: Extended Story: Catching a Line Drive . . . or Not
40. Chapter 32: Why You Really Do Want a Forgiving Lifestyle
41. Afterword: You’re a Megaphone
42. Closing Credits