Parenting Essentials: Equipping Your Children for Life

by Andreas J. Köstenberger, Margaret Elizabeth Köstenberger

The world desperately needs parents who care deeply about parenting, who embrace their God-given role with humility, grace, commitment, a sense of stewardship, love, and a healthy dose of humor. This book takes a practical, biblical-theological approach to what a mom and dad can do together to parent in a realistic, relational and responsible way.

Genres: Parenting

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christ-centered, helpful, easy-to-read, great advice and in a humble way. It was very clear and my wife and I found ourselves agreeing with almost everything written. It also gave us a glimpse into what later stages of parenting will look like when our 4 kids are more grown up. Very helpful and I highly recommend for any parents or pre-parents!

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think the name Andreas Kostenberger, is a bit daunting with this book, because of the books he previously wrote ( Going Deep in New Testament Greek, The Heresy of Orthodoxy, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation), well that’s what I felt when I got this book. To be honest, I haven’t read anything from this author. However, I want to challenge myself. Knowing Kostenberger’s caliber, I should brace myself on reading this book that at first I thought it was written in an scholarly ivory tower. It turns out, as I take start reading, it is as if the book was written in a living room or perhaps at the porch. What I mean to say is that this short book is down to earth and very accessible. Nothing so daunting in this book.


We all need some good advice specially when it comes to family matters. We know who we should consult as believer. Folks who had years experience is on our list. So should having a biblical and practical insight, is one who we need to sought out. If Parenting Essential is a home, Andreas and Margaret home is open for us. The Kostenbergers are warmly inviting us to come and sit down for a conversation. Whether is about raising kids, choosing a spouse, sending the to college, homeschooling as an option or even their social media habits, Parenting Essential covers them all and more.

Parenting Essential is a balanced between a conference worthy material, Bible study and a warm conversations. How it goes down to this book is exceptional that it wont overwhelm you with loads of information. I love how each chapter were sandwiched with a Scripture study and guided questions. Also if you want to recall what were covered, in every chapter there is a summary. These features in the book are not cramming the message of the author. Rather it will strengthen the book. Another thing I like in this book are the advice the Kostenbergers are giving are realistic and no vagueness in it. Plus you get the glimpse of their family life which is very interesting. These elements further strengthen this brief book.

Parenting Essentials: Equipping Your Children for Life is a slim volume that is arranged, well thought-out and wisdom filled book on parenting. The topics that covers every phase of your children’s life are treated best and you’ll love exploring it with your partner and apply it practically. If you want something solid, don’t forget to get this book. Highly recommended.

My verdict:

5 out of 5

(Review copy of this book was provided by Christian Focus Publication)

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was fine. Mind you, I'm not a parent or preparing for being a parent yet. I think there are good, practical, things in the book. There are a lot of beneficial things to think about. There are good Scriptures to meditate on. They help you think through options. But I don't necessarily hold to some of their same conclusions. Again I'm not a parent. I don't want my ideal ways of thinking cloud their practical approach. So take my review with a grain of salt.

There are noticeable opinions, which is perfectly reasonable and expected in a book like this. But where they cover a lot, and give room for disagreement, there wasn't a strong case for what they were arguing as much as strong convictions and opinions. So it was informative of views but I wasn't captivated to their views necessarily.

[Deon]

Sept 24, 2020
kindle edition is $0.99

https://amzn.to/3j0HMvF

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging and biblical. I liked the questions posed at the beginning and end of each chapter. The only portion I couldn’t quite go along with was the final chapter entitled “Mission”… which was primarily about your child finding a job and a spouse…???

[Vaclav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a little book big on wisdom. Full of questions and answers that I have asked and those I should be asking as a parent. One of the most helpful books on the topic of parenting. Highly recommended.

[Lincoln]

Excellent Guide on Parenting

As a father of young children, I found this book to be saturated with both wisdom and encouragement. It is grounded solidly on what God says in His Word about parenting. The authors cover much ground in a short space discussing both the aim of parenting and the day to day steps required to suceed. Illustrations from their years of parenting life and practical advice make it a particularly helpful book.

As their goal, they "...want to assist young couples to develop a parenting vision that’s inspirational, comprehensive, and holistic. This will help you to fill your sails so you can fulfill God’s calling for you as parents, and you’ll be equipped to parent with perspective and purpose." At the end, I think they accomplished this and more.

[Wendy Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read through this with our small group class at church last year (but I missed a week, so finally went back to finish the chapter I skipped over). We had to split some of the chapters into smaller segments to have time to discuss in class, but it’s a good book with good discussion questions. If you plan to read it with a group, plan for more than one week per chapter (9 weeks).

[Bethany Oetken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I’d like to re-read it with my husband and go through the discussion questions more in depth together. But overall for a first read through, it was very encouraging and filled with a biblical perspective