Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments [Paperback]

Kara G. Durbin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 21, 2012

Parenting with Scripture is an easy to use topical resource that parents of toddlers through teens can use when teachable moments arise. This effective guide helps teach children how to think and apply God's Word in their daily lives.

The 101 alphabetically arranged two-page topics address behavior, attitude, emotions, and actions. Examples include Forgiveness, Humility, Anger, and Procrastination. Each topic is comprised of Scripture passages, discussion questions, action items, and parenting tips. This revised edition of Parenting with Scripture adds detailed help for parents to quickly identify teachable moments and know what to do when they appear.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

You're a parent who wants to teach your children to turn early and often to God's Word. You want them to think through and apply God's instructions to daily life. You want them to go to the Bible first to find answers to life's biggest questions. But how can you instill those habits into them right now-as preschoolers, elementary students, or teens? Where can you find a resource to help you?

This handy A-to-Z topical guide will equip you to instill God's principles into the everyday lives of your family members.  Among the many themes author Kara Durbin covers, you'll find:

·         Apathy

·         Complaining

·         Discipline

·         Fairness

·         Giving

·         Humility

·         Listening

·         Responsibility

Newly updated to include a section on identifying "teachable moments" in your child's life, Parenting with Scripture aims to make you alert to opportunities to talk to your child about godly living.  Furthermore, the ideas for simple discussions, Scriptures for memorization, and activities that are adaptable to your children's ages and interests will make you wonder why you didn't have this book before!

Kara Durbin writes from her experience and background in elementary education and involvement in children's ministry. Kara, her husband, and children currently make their home in Richardson, TX.

About the Author

KARA DURBIN has enjoyed continually serving in various roles of children's ministries. She has a degree in elementary education from Texas A&M University and homeschools her children part time. Kara's inspiration for the book was her mother, who blessed her life by parenting her with Scripture. When thinking about how to best parent her own children, Kara looked for a reference book that would have Scriptures to use for specific parenting moments. Not finding one, she began work on Parenting with Scripture. Kara and her husband and two children make their home near Dallas, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (March 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802408494
• ISBN-13: 978-0802408495
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

KARA DURBIN has enjoyed continually serving in various roles of children's ministries. She has a degree in elementary education from Texas A&M University and homeschools her children part-time through a University Model School. Kara's inspiration for the book was her mother, who blessed her life by parenting her with Scripture. When thinking about how to best parent her own children, Kara looked for a reference book that would have Scriptures to use for specific parenting moments. Not finding one, she began work on the book project. Parenting with Scripture has sold over 50,000 copies and Kara has been interviewed about the subject on numerous radio programs nation-wide. Kara, her husband, their daughter and son, and two crazy dogs make their home in Murphy, TX (a Dallas suburb).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No parenting manual? April 2, 2012

By Diana Harper

Format:Kindle Edition

"There is no manual for raising children!" Actually, there is - the Bible. How do you make it practical for children? I recently read Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments, by Kara Durbin. Ms. Durbin begins with explaining, and giving examples of teachable moments.
The topic section is my favorite. After defining the topic, she lists several verses/passages. These could be used for copywork or memorization. Each topic has a list of discussion questions. So now you have discussed the topic. What does it look like "in real life?" That's where "Take Action" comes in. Her book also contains 15 fabulous verses to memorize with your child, and a cross-reference index. This book is a great way to begin using the manual given for raising children - the Bible.

A galley of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing resource for parents! April 11, 2012

By Jeanine

Format:Paperback

When I first saw this book, I didn't think it was going to be unique. I own "Instruction in Righteousness" by Doorposts and I assumed it was like that. While there are similarities, this book is different: more modern, more applicable, more easily navigated. I showed it to a couple of my friends and they agreed whole-heartedly. They had seen similar books, but loved the overall set up and practicality of "parenting with scripture".

Some of my favorite points:

~ Subjects are in alphabetical order. You don't have to turn to the table of contents or index to find what you're looking for.

~A definition of each subject is listed.

~The listings are concise. Very short (averaging 2 pages each) and to the point.

~They give great applications for every one; from Scripture memorization to volunteering for charity to making lists of your blessings. Very easy to put what you're trying to teach into action.

This is an awesome book that I'd recommend to anyone. I know I will beusing it with my 5 children for years to come!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachable Moments made easier January 7, 2013

By swilliams

Format:Paperback

As a parent, I am always trying to teach and train my children. Whether we're working in the kitchen, planting seeds in the flower garden or getting the house under control, there are many teachable moments. Sometimes I do great and really feel good about how I parent. But other times (many times) I feel like I completely miss the mark. A few weeks ago I received a book called Parenting with Scriptures. I am excited to begin to use this new resource with my family.

How would you like to have a book divided by topics with scriptures for each subject? If the kids begin to show discontent, then I can just go alphabetically to the topic Contentment. You will find a dictionary definition of the topic and a list of Bible verses that support the subject. On the second page, you will find discussion questions to help promote conversation.

One of the things I love about this book is the Take Action section. It makes a suggestion of something you can do to reinforce the topic. For Confidence, one of the suggestions is to watch The Sound of Music and talk about the song "I have Confidence" that Julia Andrews sings on her way to the Captain's home. Some suggestions include a craft like making a bookmark or doing an activity sheet. Other times you may have the suggestion to go out and volunteer at a charity or do something in the community.

This would be a great book for a Sunday School teacher or devotional leader to keep on their shelf. You could easily adapt each of these topics into a classroom setting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars back to the basics: the Bible July 17, 2012

By Gretchen Louise

Format:Paperback

There are so many parenting books available today, with seemingly conflicting ideas about how to train your children up in the way they should go. So sometimes, it's nice to just go back to the basics and remember that God has given us everything we need in the Bible, which is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

I know that if I want to be the Proverbs 31 kind of mom, who opens her mouth with wisdom and faithful instruction, I need to have the Word hidden in my own heart. But when the times of instruction often come between a night of little sleep and my first cup of coffee, no matter how much I desire to parent with the living, active words of Scripture, it can be hard to recall the most applicable verses for every occasion.

That's why I'm excited about this reprinting of Kara Dubbin's book Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments. It's not another parenting how-to book. And it's not just a topical Bible for parents. It's a neat and organized collection of verses relating to character qualities and behavioral issues like courage and complaining. With indexes and cross-references, definitions and discussion points, Parenting with Scripture not only helps you find the right verse to use in a teachable moment with your child, but provides a starting point for more discussion.

(I received a free review copy of this book.)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for teachable moments with children July 11, 2012

By Andrea Coventry

Format:Paperback

[This review also appears on Books for Parents and Teachers on Blogger.]

Parenting With Scripture is geared toward parents of children ages two through teens. It defines a teachable moment: how to find one and what it actually is. Discussion questions are designed to help the parent grab a hold of those teachable moments with his or her children. Different ideas can help you tailor each lesson to fit the individual situation. Included are verses that fit a variety of situations. Parents are encouraged to discuss the situation, pray about it with their children, and to memorize those verses.

Topics include anger, cursing, hope, death, humility, idolatry, kindness, charity, mercy, obedience, money, perseverance, respect, responsibility, sharing and more. Each topic is clearly defined in its own section, with the related verses, discussion questions and activities. Sections are short, providing a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the topic. Related topics are also listed for further reference. Parents will want to have read the book in advance to have a basic understanding of it. It would be hard to always have these topics at hand in those teachable moments and to have all of those verses memorized and ready to go. Being familiar with the book would allow the parent to quickly refer to it for guidance.

The appendix includes the full text of the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes and more. It also explains how to memorize verses, how to pray for your child, and how to tailor each lesson to the individual child.

This book would also be useful in a Sunday School situation.

I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.