12 Must Read Christian Parenting Books

I’ve read my fair share of Christian parenting books since entering motherhood a few years ago. Although I firmly believe that we need to turn to Scripture first when seeking wisdom in this area I’ve found that it can also be immensely helpful to glean from the wisdom of others.  

Each of these authors below have been gifted in communicating some aspect of parenthood. However, their desire is not simply to encourage the average reader. More importantly it is to equip, challenge, convict, and spur them on into action on behalf of their family.

This page/post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Christian Parenting Books

Interestingly enough I chose to include each of these Christian books on parenting on this list not simply because of their wonderful content, but also because of the author’s example to faithfully pour into God’s Word and hide it in their own hearts.

I have found that ultimately our decision to be a mother or father who is passionately pursuing our Savior and trusting Him fully can have the greatest impact on our children. Yes, we must train, teach, correct, guide, discipline, and love them to the very best of our ability, but first and foremost we must be an example of what it means to genuinely love Jesus and purposefully follow Him.

Although I believe that each of these are Biblically solid, I encourage you to always compare these books as well as any outside resource with Scripture Itself to verify that it truly aligns with the truth of God’s Word.

1. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

I definitely discovered some tiny jewels within each of these books, but if I had to choose only one best Christian parenting book to recommend it would be this one! Mr. Tripp is a gifted communicator with a genuine love for families and honoring his Savior above all else.

What blows my mind is that this is one of his only books on raising children. The “Christian Parenting” genre isn’t even his primary realm of ministry! He’s also authored nearly 30 books ranging from marriage to Christian living to suffering.

Parenting has a single thread beautifully woven throughout its pages. The Gospel. As parents we must view all of life, including the joys and difficulties of raising children, through a gospel lens. Sharing the beauty of the good news of Christ and God’s unwavering faithfulness should continually be at the forefront of our minds as we seek to raise our children to love and honor their Creator.   

2. Shepherding a Child’s Heart

Shepherding a Child’s Heart clears away the surface issues of raising children and digs deep into the heart of the matter. Parenting isn’t about raising obedient children who adhere to good morals. Yes, these byproducts can be a blessing, but our ultimate aim should be correcting, guiding, and shepherding our child’s heart- not perfecting their outward behavior.

The Bible warns us throughout Scripture that our hearts are naturally bent toward sin (Jeremiah 17:9) and that we should be diligent to guard them (Proverbs 4:23). Our primary job as parents is to continually pour Scripture and the love of Christ into their lives, and we do this by teaching them the wickedness of our hearts, our desperate need for a Savior, and God’s amazing grace.

3. Instructing A Child’s Heart

Instructing A Child’s Heart picks up where Shepherding left off. As the title suggests this book focuses more on guiding and instructing our children’s hearts with a desire to instill within them a biblical worldview.  Mr. Tripp’s practical wisdom and insight help shed light on areas that are often overlooked in the Christian parenting community.

Related: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT PARENTING?

12 HELPFUL WAYS TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN

4. Mama Bear Apologetics

Our children are bombarded with so many confusing and negative messages vying for their attention each day. The rate of change we’ve experienced over the past decade in our country is alarming to say the least. Mama Bear Apologetics seeks to inform parents of cultural trends and influences that are rapidly leading so many of our youth astray.

The ladies behind MBA have done a wonderful job presenting apologetics in a manor easily grasped by the average reader. Understanding these truths can equip parents to lovingly teach their children to guard their hearts against the prevalent deception of the culture, and have a firm foundation in God’s Word.

5. Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths To Shape a Family

My sister-in-law introduced me to Ruth Chou Simons this past Christmas and I have been incredibly blessed by her heart and ministry. Ruth and her husband, Troy, know the importance of faithfully loving and leading our children closer to Jesus.

They’ve created this unique family devotional to spark conversation in hopes that our children will examine their own hearts and fully grasp their need for Christ.

6. Keeping Your Kids On God’s Side

Natasha Crain started out as a Christian mom blogger with a desire to encourage other parents in the faith. She was unprepared for the criticism, doubts, and attacks she received in the process which spurred her on to more thoroughly examine her own faith.

After digging deep into apologetics she now has a heart to share what she’s learned with the rest of us. Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side lists 40 common questions and objections to Christianity (that your kids may be struggling with) and then thoughtfully answers each one with solid evidence based research.

7. Dad Tired and Loving It: Stumbling Your Way to Spiritual Leadership

Although this one is specifically a Christian parenting book for dads, much of Jerrad’s podcast (by the same name) is applicable to moms, too. Dad Tired and Loving It equips men who are struggling or stumbling their way through fatherhood to lead their families well by pointing them to the hope we have in Christ.

Through honest stories and a humble heart he encourages men to passionately pursue Jesus as they seek to lead their children closer to Him.

8. Sacred Parenting – Christian Parenting Book

Sacred Parenting is an immensely helpful Christian book for new moms and veteran parents alike. It was while reading this very book that I first realized that raising children for God’s glory isn’t about me frantically trying and doing.

It’s not about consistently doing family devotions, praying with our children, disciplining them correctly, and having all the right answers. These are all wonderful things (and things that we should be doing), but they can also just become a mental check list each day if we’re not careful.

Ultimately raising children to love and honor God has a whole lot more to do with our own example before them than I ever realized before. The truth is that we don’t have to have it all together. Our children just need to see a mom who is sincerely devoted to her Savior because of the great love she holds for Him.

Do they see us trust Him and earnestly pray during the difficult seasons and the joyful moments? Do they hear us praise Him simply for who He is? Do we share of His faithfulness in our own lives and how we can trust Him in every situation? Do they see us offer grace as we’ve been shown grace?

Our own faith walk has a tremendous impact on their understanding of Jesus. And surprisingly God often uses our children to teach us His truths just as often as He uses us to teach them.

9. The 5 Love Languages of Children

Understanding how our children receive love can make a world of difference in the way that we parent them. God created each of our children with a unique personality and desire for love. As another top Christian parenting book, The Five Love Languages of Children provides direction on discovering your child’s primary love language. Then it gives examples on how to put it all into practice to ensure that we’re filling up their “love tanks”.

10. Talking To Your Kids About Jesus

Talking To Your Kids About Jesus is one of two follow up books to Keeping Your Kid’s On God’s Side. These 30 conversation starters about Jesus are a great way to engage our children in crucial discussions that don’t always naturally pop up in our day to day lives.

We are living in a day and age where our Christian beliefs are being attacked. It is vital that we are intentionally speaking with our children on topics related to the Bible, God, Jesus, and a host of other things while equipping them with the answers they need to remain firm in their faith.

11. Surviving Religion 101

This is one that I recently came across and have yet to read, but it comes highly recommended and I whole heartedly trust the source (my mom 😉 ). Michael J. Kruger is a college professor with a heart to equip Christian college students with the tools they need to defend the faith when entering secular universities.

Written in layman’s terms as a series of letters to his daughter, he seeks to prepare students for the attacks they are likely to encounter regarding their faith. Surviving Religion 101 provides solid evidence to refute those false claims and stand firmly rooted in the reliability of Scripture.  

Although this book is meant for students entering college, it’s just as applicable for older adults and younger children as well. Any resource that can help us as parents to lovingly guard the hearts of our children and deter them from doubt is one that I’d suggest reading sooner rather than later.

12. Family Driven Faith

Voddie Baucham is passionate about family. Family Driven Faith is an incredibly helpful Christian book on raising sons and daughters. Baucham lovingly, but firmly shares the dangers of status quo Christianity and how so many of us are unknowingly failing our children.

We often thrive on supporting, providing for, and nurturing our children, but we downplay the importance of living out the gospel before their eyes and leading them to a saving faith in Christ.

When it’s all said and done that little league trophy means nothing compared to whether or not our children made a decision to genuinely follow Christ and live a life that would honor Him.   

How Do We Raise Our Children For God?

Raising our children for God is so much more than taking them to church and praying together before meals and bedtime. Obviously these are good things, but without a solid biblical foundation to support it all they are likely to walk away from the faith once they are grown and gone.

Please do not underestimate the influence of media, peers, education, and the culture. To raise our children for God we must repeatedly share of His faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Share of God’s goodness, grace, mercy, and forgiveness that we come no-where near deserving. 

And share of His holiness, righteousness and our sinful hearts that so easily lead us astray.

We are all broken people in desperate need of a Savior, and only through Christ can our hearts be transformed.

I hope that you’re able to get a hold of a few of these Christian parenting books as you have the time. When we are faithful to teach and train our children in a way that honors God we can rest assured that those seeds have been planted and He is faithful to do a work in their hearts.