Hints for Parents: With Gospel Encouragements by Tedd Tripp - Hardcover

Gardiner Spring

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0972304665 ISBN 13: 9780972304665

Publisher: Shepherd Press, 2004

Synopsis

'Hints for Parents' is full of practical insights on childrearing. Gardiner Spring candidly reminds us of God's calling to us as parents and encourages us to pursue that calling with our eyes fixed on the hope that is found in God's gracious promises to his people. Interspersed in the text are comments and encouragements from Tedd Tripp that help us fill in the gaps between the original publication date of 1835 and 2005.

About this title

About the Author

Gardiner Spring (1785-1873) graduated from Yale in 1805, studied law, and became a lawyer in 1808. Shortly after beginning his career he heard a sermon on the preaching of the gospel and determined to pursue the ministry. He became Pastor of Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City in 1810, where he ministered for 63 years.

Dr. Tedd Tripp is pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and author of 'Shepherding a Child's Heart'.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Chapter 1

Important Truths to Teach Our Children

Subjection to Authority

Time and again, the Word of God calls us to be in subjection to authority. If there is a place where this call should be especially steady and certain, it is the family. And it is a happy family who cultivates this habit of subordination.

The God of nature has assigned the years of childhood and youth to parental control. This wise and generous arrangement simply cannot be upended without jeopardizing the best interests of our children for time and eternity. It is an arrangement that will preserve a child from a thousand evils.

Begin Comment by Tedd Tripp

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Our presentation of the need for submission or subordination must always be positive. Think of teaching this truth in this manner. "Honey, God, who is good and gracious and kind, who has made you and me and all things for his glory, has given you a Mommy and Daddy. We love you. We have wisdom and life experience. It is good for you to live under God s authority. He has promised (Ephesians 6:1 3) that as you obey, things will go well for you and you will enjoy long life. Mommy and Daddy insist on your obedience because we know it is the best thing for you."

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End Comment

The spirit that considers a parent s wishes, that hesitates to violate a parent s authority; that prefers to sacrifice its own gratification; this spirit is one of the strongest shields that can be thrown around youthful character.

In fact, this spirit of submission helps lead to early purity. Not every dutiful child is pure, but it certainly is more likely that such a child will become so, rather than one of an obstinate, unbending temper.

Sacred Regard for Truthfulness

A sacred regard for truth is also a prime habit. What a difference exists in the dispositions of children! Some rarely, if ever, lie and some just seem to be born with a lying tongue. It is terrifying to see how an early habit of extravagant and false storytelling sticks to one s character.

And what a strong barrier this lying throws in the way of holiness and heaven! Children must be taught the immense importance of always speaking the truth. They must see that love, confidence, and honor or disgust, distrust, and disgrace will follow them as they let either truth or lies lead them. Every false statement, every art of concealment, every exaggeration, every broken promise only hardens the heart. It burns the conscience and opens another avenue to new seductions.

On the other hand, truth, pure truth, with all its simplicity and loveliness, forms the foundation of every moral virtue.

Industrious Habits

Do we have our eyes on our child s best interests? We will prepare them for some sort of useful employment. Industrious habits have such a happy influence on the intellectual and moral character. Many a child has been lost to himself, to his family, to the world, and to God, because he had little else to do but indulge himself. But many have been rescued from disgrace and ruin and pointed toward industry, accomplishment and happiness simply because they had little time for entertainment.

Begin Comment by Tedd Tripp

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Our culture does not have a biblical understanding of hard work. Our view is utilitarian; work is what one does to survive or prosper. The truth is that God made mankind to work. Even before the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, they had meaningful work to do. Humanity s calling is to dress and keep the creation. We are to continue the work God has given of understanding, categorizing, and trimming God s creation to make it more beautiful and glorious. Human beings are designed to find fulfillment and joy in meaningful work. When children are never taught about the joys of work, when they are allowed to be self-­directed in a life of entertainment and video games, they never enter into understanding the joys of meaningful work for which they were created.

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End Comment

Now, when we talk about hard work, are we enemies of refinement? Certainly not, and we do not want to prepare our children merely for splendid accomplishments. Courtesy and elegance also have a happy influence on character. But combine them with enterprising work habits, and you have a truly powerful force.

Edition details

• Publisher: Shepherd Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0972304665
• ISBN 13: 9780972304665
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80