Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child's Heart, Mind and Soul

by George Barna

As Christians, the ultimate goal for your child is to embody the characteristics of Christ―the Son of God sent to demonstrate His desire for us. But how can you realistically help your child imitate the life of Jesus Christ?

In Raising Spiritual Champions, renowned researcher and bestselling author George Barna reveals that who your child will be as an adult is essentially determined by the age of 13―their core beliefs, morals, values, desires, and lifestyle. Raising your child is an exciting opportunity to influence a life, but it is also a daunting assignment. Parents have the God-given responsibility―and privilege―to guide the development of their children, a responsibility that cannot be delegated to schools, churches, media, or community organizations. Based on extensive national research, Barna outlines a biblical approach to raising children with the "Seven Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview."

Carefully blending scripture and sociological insights, Barna explains how parents can lead their children their God-given identityDevelop appropriate life prioritiesGrasp the source and significance of truthEmbrace an eternal perspectiveProperly define life successFind compelling meaning and purpose
Raising Spiritual Champions is a dynamic, Bible-based, research-supported guide for the parents of tomorrow's Christian Church.

This book was published by Arizona Christian University Press in partnership with Fedd Books.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

About the author

George Barna was raised and educated on the East Coast before moving to California in the early 1980s. He held executive positions in advertising, public policy, political campaigns, and media/marketing research before beginning his own company, the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group), in 1984. The firm analyzes American culture and creates resources and experiences designed to facilitate moral and spiritual transformation. Located in Ventura, California, The Barna Group provides primary research as well as developmental resources and analytic diagnostics. The company has served several hundred parachurch ministries and thousands of Christian churches throughout the country. It has also supplied research to for-profit corporations such as Ford Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, Visa USA, and Prudential, and has assisted the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army as well.

To date, George Barna has written more than 40 books, predominantly in the areas of leadership, trends, spiritual development, and church health. Included among them are bestsellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, The Power of Vision, and Pagan Christianity? Several of his books have received national awards. He has also written for numerous periodicals and has published various syndicated reports on topics related to faith and lifestyle. He also writes a bimonthly research report, The Barna Update, which is accessed by hundreds of thousands of people through his firm's Web site (www.barna.org). His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. He has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian church today" and is counted among its most influential leaders. In 2009, George initiated Metaformation, a new organization designed to help people maximize their potential. More information about his current projects is available from www.georgebarna.com.

Barna is a popular speaker at ministry conferences around the world and has taught at several universities and seminaries. He has served as a pastor of a large multiethnic church, has been involved in several church plants, and currently leads an organic church. He has served on the board of directors of various organizations. After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two master's degrees from Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was awarded the Eagleton Fellowship. He also received a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. He lives with his wife and their three daughters in Southern California. He enjoys spending time with his family, writing, reading novels, playing and listening to guitar, relaxing on the beach, visiting bookstores, and eating pizza.

Reviews

[Lauren Terwilliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very comprehensive analysis of the common beliefs, practices, and behaviors parents who produce spiritual champions share. The statistics uncovered where misalignment (in the above items) prevents the formation of spiritual champions and also revealed the current state of Biblical worldview alignment from today’s children as well as “Christian parents” and church leaders.

My only critique would be that some of the key takeaways were hidden in the chapters and not called out - either in chapter summary bullet points or numbered lists. For example, on p. 37, the author contrasts 4 practices that born-again parents regularly engage in vs. the 7 activities they are not doing (and implies they should be doing). It would have been helpful for this to be a numbered list and show that parents of spiritual champions do these 11 things. Also, in chapter 5, there are seven cornerstones that the author mentions help build a Biblical worldview. Compressing these into smaller sentences in a bulleted list at the end of the chapter for easy reference would have been a helpful resource.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand more about how to set goals for raising spiritual champions (produce disciples of Christ)! While this books doesn’t provide many specific examples of implanting the strategies, the objectives are clearly listed and will help you build your own framework to customize the journey for your family.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Research-driven and also very accessible. He makes no small matter of what it takes to raise a spiritual champion in this day and age, which can be disheartening and overwhelming, but Barna gives a very hope-filled challenge to parents and Christian leaders.
The author is well esteemed and the book gives a strong care for parents to live and model Jesus-following character in a world that offers children lots of other confusing choices.

Upon more reflection I have to admit it triggered me and inspired fear and overwhelm - I feel such tremendous weight, pressure, responsibility to do all the right things to set my child up for “success” in a life of trusting Jesus. Practicing my own trust that God is more sovereign than that.

[TD Smentek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews, so take this with a grain of salt. If you loved this book, or if you typically enjoy these kinds of books with this messaging-I don’t think this review is for you. This is primarily for anyone struggling to finish this book or completely can it.

I almost DNF’ed this book, which is entirely rare for me. I think equating being a Christian moralist with a disciple is incredibly problematic, but I don’t want to open the door to theological debate and if this sparks that, frankly I’ll remove the review. But if you are struggling to look past that as well, I would invite you to learn what you can from this book, be challenged in what areas your parenting could grow, and be encouraged in the areas you are already doing.

There’s a lot of good things in this book, if you can overlook some of the other glaring issues. The whole baby with the bath water thing. Best of luck to all you parents out there who are tying to love the Lord and love the children He’s entrusted to you. I hope you find something helpful in this resource.

[Elizabeth Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good info. But also outdated parts and some of it seemed canned. A whole one and a half pages on Christian education, without which it is arguably impossible to raise spiritual champions. Raising warriors for the kingdom requires parents to make disciples of our children, which requires us to be disciples of Messiah. Forming the affections and loves of our children so that they not only obey the Word but ultimately LOVE the Word and God who authored it is a day-in, day-out endeavor. I am a voracious reader and passionate about classical Christian education with 5 children and this book missed the mark.

[Laura Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of data that can make you feel down about the state of modern society...but also can equip parents and churches to focus on their own families, putting energy in meaningful practices to create lifelong faith in children. One thing that stuck with me is a new take on Jesus's call to create disciples. Children begin creating a worldview as a toddler, and it's pretty well solidified by the age of 13, which explains why most Christians made a faith commitment in childhood. Therefore, the best way to fulfill the call to make disciples is by focusing on the children in our own realm.

[Jurene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not recommend this highly enough. This lacks all the bullying sentiments typical parenting books have and is rich in exhortation and encouragement. A must read for not only parents but people taking a mentorship role in any child's life.

[Janay Abale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this book. It pinpoints where a parent can self-evaluate his/her parenting to ensure you are being thorough in each area of your child's life as they grow. I recommend it to every Christian parent concerned about raising children who fear the Lord.

[Lorinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for parents and other adults discipling children.

[Will Abrams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great data at the beginning and practical tips at the end, but the middle chapters will mostly be stuff that religiously active Christians will already know.

[Billie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t finish, but I really liked the ideas proposed. I will revisit this when I have time.

[Juan Laureano · Rating 5 out of 5]

George barna does a great job in describing how to disciple children using biblical principles and scripture. The importance of this task is evident now more than ever!

Using data gathered from across the nation we can see that children are missing, misunderstanding, and omitting biblical teachings and doctrines as they grow older. Their fondation in Christ is never cemented.

This responsibility falls on the parents and their partnership that should exist with the local church.

Barna creates a Bible based, research supported guide for all parents and mentors within this book. This is a must read for every Christian since we are all called to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).