How Would Jesus Raise a Child? [Hardcover]

Teresa Whitehurst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2003

Intriguing look at how Jesus related to those around him and how readers can follow his example in parenting and in caring for others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Teresa Whitehurst (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is a clinical psychologist and writer who currently works in research on leadership at Harvard University. For four years she was a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, serving as director of the Multiple Family Group Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. She has also provided individual therapy and psychoeducational group therapies in private practice since 1991. Dr. Whitehurst's interest in "leadership parenting" grew out of her own experiences as a child and later as a mother of two daughters and through her observations of the serious challenges facing families today. She writes and speaks extensively on parenting issues, conducts seminars and workshops, and has participated in various radio shows in the Boston and Nashville areas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801012503
• ISBN-13: 978-0801012501
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,289,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Parents and Pastors, November 13, 2003

By 

C. Stephans - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Would Jesus Raise a Child? (Hardcover)

Attention Parents! How Would Jesus Raise a Child? written by Teresa Whitehurst Ph. D., might be just what you are looking for to read. It raises the bar for Christian parenting books. Dr. Whitehurst captures the essence of the character and teachings of Jesus and skillfully applies them to parenting.

Dr. Whitehurst is a clinical psychologist currently working in research on leadership at Harvard University. She has a background as a therapist who has worked extensively with families. She is also a mother of two daughters and has balanced parenting, work and pursuing her education.

The value of the book comes from her applying the lessons from Jesus' life to the issues parents and children face. She draws from her clinical and parenting experience, education and research to identify the challenges that parents must overcome.

A reader might infer from the title of this book that the author is attempting to take advantage of the "What Would Jesus Do?" trend in the Christian culture. This is not the case however. Dr. Whitehurst has written a book that truly answers the question of how Jesus would raise children if he were a parent today.

She examines his way of life, his relations with his family, disciples, strangers and children. She looks well beyond the scriptures that speak directly of parenting and looks to the heart and soul of Jesus.

How Would Jesus Raise a Child? consists of two parts: "Our Inner Growth Comes First" and "A New Paradigm of Guiding Your Child;" each consists of five chapters. Dr. Whitehurst focuses equally on the parent's care for self and on parenting strategies.

This is not another parenting book that offers a list of expert opinions and rules to follow that may or may not be the best thing for a child. Dr. Whitehurst bases her instructions on the need for parents to express the same love, compassion, gentleness and teaching style that Jesus embodied during his three years of ministry. As Jesus emphasizes the importance of service to his followers, Dr. Whitehurst writes, "Service is at the heart of parenthood."

Each chapter in the book presents a balance of insights and lessons from Jesus' life, Dr. Whitehurst's clinical expertise, and other writers and teachers. Throughout the book, Dr. Whitehurst also offers comparisons between parenting and living like Jesus and parenting and living like the world. She illustrates quite a contrast.

Perhaps my favorite chapter is "Encouraging Your Child's Potential." In this chapter, Dr. Whitehurst shows how to teach, inspire and discipline children while also giving them the freedom to find their own identity and passions. She sums up the importance of providing positive support to children, "Since children tend to view God much as they do their parents, showing an interest in them boosts their confidence that God too is on their side and wants them to fully develop their unique gifts. And this may be the most important lesson of all."

I appreciated the several times when Dr. Whitehurst shared successes and failings from her role as a parent. Her honesty contributes to the overall empathetic and consultative tone of the book.

I don't think you will find a guide to Christian parenting as significant as How Would Jesus Raise a Child? So, if you are interested in raising your children as Jesus would, then definitely read and reflect on this book.

Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for parents and non-parents alike, April 27, 2003

By 

John P. Plummer (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Would Jesus Raise a Child? (Hardcover)

Dr Whitehurst is to be commended for this excellent book, which offers a fresh perspective on living the Gospel, applicable not only to child-raising but to all human relations. The chapter on the Golden Rule is the best treatment of this subject I have seen. While the book comes from an evangelical publishing house, Christians of all traditions, and anyone who looks for guidance to the teachings of Jesus, will find much of value here.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent book for non-punitive Christian discipline, October 14, 2004

By 

A. Marshall "a gentle mama" (Columbus Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Would Jesus Raise a Child? (Hardcover)

I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a non-punitive method of discipline. This book isn't a step-by-step guide with explicit guidlines for disciplining children (it is most definitely not a child training manual). It is thought-provoking and if you really internalize the information, it will affect not only how you deal with your child(ren), it will change how you approach and deal with every person you encounter in life.