Heartfelt Discipline: The Gentle Art of Training and Guiding Your Child [Paperback]

Clay Clarkson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2003

Christian parents are sure of one thing–they must discipline their children. Ask them to define discipline, however, and you will find little agreement. Many parenting experts support a strict, “hands-on” approach–usually in the form of spankings. Other believers think a permissive, “hands-off” is the best way to demonstrate love. Caught between these extremes, well-meaning parents feel torn and even more confused about what the Bible really says on the subject.

Is there a better way to lovingly train and guide our kids? Yes, says author Clay Clarkson, and in Heartfelt Discipline he offers a long-awaited, biblical discipline solution that is caring and effective–one that leaves parents feeling confident and guiltless, not saddened or conflicted.

At last, here is a faith-directed approach to discipline that spares the rod but doesn’t spoil the children. Through biblical advice, answers to commonly asked questions, and positive encouragement, Clay Clarkson presents a new, biblical model of discipline–one that allows parents to embrace a completely new way of thinking about childhood discipline, renew their relationships with their children, and transform the dynamics of their family life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Christian parents are sure of one thing?they must discipline their children. Ask them to define discipline, however, and you will find little agreement. Many parenting experts support a strict, ?hands-on? approach?usually in the form of spankings. Other believers think a permissive, ?hands-off? is the best way to demonstrate love. Caught between these extremes, well-meaning parents feel torn and even more confused about what the Bible really says on the subject.

Is there a better way to lovingly train and guide our kids? Yes, says author Clay Clarkson, and in Heartfelt Discipline he offers a long-awaited, biblical discipline solution that is caring and effective?one that leaves parents feeling confident and guiltless, not saddened or conflicted.

At last, here is a faith-directed approach to discipline that spares the rod but doesn?t spoil the children. Through biblical advice, answers to commonly asked questions, and positive encouragement, Clay Clarkson presents a new, biblical model of discipline?one that allows parents to embrace a completely new way of thinking about childhood discipline, renew their relationships with their children, and transform the dynamics of their family life.

About the Author

Clay Clarkson is executive director of Whole Heart Ministries, an outreach dedicated to restoring a biblical pattern of parenting and family life. Clay speaks frequently on the topic of discipline and other parenting issues. He holds an M.Div. from Denver Seminary and has served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ and in lay ministries and adult ministries both in the U.S. and overseas. He is the author of Educating the WholeHearted Child and Our 24 Family Ways. He and his wife, Sally, live in the Nashville area with their four children, ages seven to eighteen.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578565839
• ISBN-13: 978-1578565832
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My "who I am" profile summary usually reads: husband of one, father of four, friend of some, foe of none, and follower of Jesus. My various "what I do" hats include ministry director, writer, author, editor, publisher, teacher, speaker, songwriter, blogger, and creative ideator/conceptualizer (for MBTI-types, I'm a non-conflicted INTJ). I love writing books and resources that make sense of old things in new ways, open windows of fresh understanding, give objective shape to subjective ideas, and tell meaningful stories. I resonate with Chaucer's self-description in A Knight's Tale: "I'm a writer. I give the truth, scope!" My next phase in life will include some children's illustrated storybooks with literary depth and illustrative insight. I'm also a songwriter and performer, an analog game designer, and a collector of interesting domains for blog, website, book, and app ideas. Among the many "what I like" things, I enjoy family discussions, breakfast (homemade wholewheat cinnamon rolls, oatmeal with brown sugar and blueberries), DDP, Poirot and Monk, an orderly office, acoustic music and artists (folk, country, Americana, Celtic), electronic gadgets, Paneras, and good acoustic guitars. I really don't like heat, anything unexpected, yardwork, spicy foods, and wind chimes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very important book to read, February 6, 2004

By 

K. Thile (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heartfelt Discipline: The Gentle Art of Training and Guiding Your Child (Paperback)

This is a heart-changing book that talks to parents about genuinely Christian, Christ-following discipline. Don't miss Clarkson's chapter of exegesis on the whole rod issue. He comes to some conclusions that are surprising and persuasive. It's a very important contribution to Christian thinking on this issue.

Too many times Christians approach discipline as an effort to control outward behavior. And while that's important at times, this book puts discipline into the context of the whole parent/child relationship, with Christ at the core.

Unlike other popular books on Christian parenting that are circulating these days, this book goes beyond behavior issues to actually touching on forms of discipline that relate to discipling your children in Christian matters and pointing them to the grace of Christ. If you've ever wondered about concrete ideas to incorporate sharing Christ with your children as a matter of daily family life, this book will give you many ideas and much to think about.

This book will bless your family--highly recommended.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gave me back the joy and peace of parenting, June 27, 2004

By 

Marvin (Jenison, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartfelt Discipline: The Gentle Art of Training and Guiding Your Child (Paperback)

I read, A LOT of books, especially about parenting. This book is the best one I have read, and every parent needs to read it. First of all, it is wonderful to read a book that helps you believe in yourself, instead of the author's "method". Secondly, it shows you how to make room for the Holy Spirit to work in your own individual family, it's not a generic method of legalistic rules. Thirdly, it brings up the discussion of interupting scripture, which more people need to do for themself, instead of following church tradition. I was a spanker, (I just thought it was the "Christian" thing to do!) and it was breaking my heart, and my children were becoming distanced from me. Now my heart and home has more peace and joy, thanks to the wisdom from Mr. Clarkson. I am planning on giving this book to everyone I know who has a baby, and am recommending it to everyone.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Parent should read this book!, April 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heartfelt Discipline: The Gentle Art of Training and Guiding Your Child (Paperback)

My husband is only 2/3 of the way through this book and already he is back to leading the family they way God intended! I no longer feel like a single parent. Our children are happier and our house is much more peaceful now. Anyone who has children should read this book. Other couple I know have had the same results with this book as well