by Tedd & Margy Tripp Children need instruction to apply Scripture to issues of authority, obedience, conflict resolution, and God-given roles in relationships. Everyday life affords scores of opportunities to connect Scripture to life—from lost book-bags to broken friendships and poor test grades. Scores of training opportunities evaporate without notice as we hurry through our days thinking that devotional time with our children is enough. Our responses to the circumstances and crises of everyday life make our theology real. Bible stories glow with illustrations of children whose knowledge of Scripture translated into obedient, bold action. David’s words to Saul sound naïve and childish in the face of the Philistine army and the terrifying threats of Goliath, “Let no one lose […]
Instructing
by Tedd & Margy Tripp Here is the difference between formative instruction and corrective discipline. Formative instruction should be happening all the time. Discipline should be applied only when behavior needs to be corrected. If the only time we instruct is when our children need discipline, our children will not listen to our instruction for fear of the discipline. They will also interpret discipline through the culture’s view of discipline—as abusive, dictatorial, a violation of personal rights, archaic and fanatic. Our formative instruction must teach that discipline is part of God’s essential way for parents to provide protection, direction, safety and blessing to children. Discipline alone is not adequate instruction. Corrective discipline is understood when it is […]
Note these important words from Instructing a Child’s Heart. “As parents, it is our divinely appointed task to commend God’s works to the next generation (Ps. 145:4). We are to proclaim God’s truth—not our own ideas. We get a sense of the importance of God’s words in Deuteronomy 32:46–47, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. . . . They are not just idle words for you—they are your life” (emphasis author’s). The Scriptures teach repeatedly that God’s Word alone provides truth that can bring life to the hearer. Our words must echo this. But they must […]
by Tedd Tripp Solomon describes the importance of the heart in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The heart is like an artesian spring. All our hopes, dreams, and desires gush from the heart. Every drive for meaning and significance originates in the heart. Our behavior flows from the heart—it isn’t caused by circumstances or other people. The heart, with its passions and desires, is the wellspring of life. Recently, Radio Shack had a sale on little matchbox-size remote control cars. “What a fun thing for the grandchildren to play with at grandpa’s house,” I thought. The next week they were all at our house for a […]
By Tedd and Margy Tripp There are innumerable spiritual blessings for children who live under God’s structures of authority. They learn that God is good and kind. They learn that creatures find happiness as they know and trust God. They understand that the true nature of freedom is not autonomy (being a law to myself), but joyfully walking in God’s laws. They learn to trust God to work through their parents to bring blessing to their lives. They learn that true joy is not having my own way, but following the will of God. They learn that living as God has ordained is the best life a created being can have. These are rich spiritual blessings. Children will never learn […]
How to build a biblical worldview for your family. For the next several weeks I will be blogging through Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp. This book is foundational in nature. It will provide you with a biblical perspective on how to view your children before God, in the world they inhabit, and how God wants you to instruct them in the paths of the gospel. About Instructing a Child’s Heart This book begins with concept that all of life is a classroom. Teaching is always taking place. So the important questions are: who is doing the teaching and what is it that being taught. Teaching, in some form, never stops. To prepare for this cultural assault […]
Instructing a Child’s Heart DVD for $19.95! The material in Instructing a Child’s Heart provides the foundation for building a biblical worldview of parenting. Now this DVD series is available for $19.95. There are fifteen 25 minute sessions led by Tedd Tripp. There is a printable study guide for this material included with the DVDs. You will learn how to interact with your culture from a biblical perspective. Tedd Tripp unpacks the basics of what he calls formative instruction. This will help equip you to raise your children to be prepared for the temptations and struggles of modern life. You will be learn the basics of biblical communication and the importance of relationships. There is additional material that will give […]