The Power of God at Home: Nurturing Our Children in Love and Grace [Hardcover]

J. Bradley Wigger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2003 | Series: J-B Families and Faith Series (Book 3)

The Power of God at Home by Bradley J. Wigger provides both a biblical model and practical suggestions for helping the entire family become aware of God's presence in everyday life. He thoughtfully reveals the powerful formative influence of family life and shows that homes are the places where some of the deepest, most important learning takes place. Wigger-- a husband, father, and professor of Christian education-- uses honest examples from his own family life that open a window to grace and encourage parents to take a second look at their own homes, their own faith, and how home and faith connect in their lives. The Power of God at Home offers a refreshing perspective on family life, revealing families as potential bearers of God's grace and blessing and telling us how we can play this role more intentionally and thoughtfully.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Power of God at Home invites us to move beyond the mechanics of parenting and explore the spiritual practice of creating a family and home that nurture faith and ground identity. It weaves together essential ingredients (the biblical story, a realistic understanding of today's family, and concrete suggestions for how to begin) for helping parents and caring adults give our children the moral start they need in life."
— Marian Wright Edelman, president, Children's Defense Fund

"This highly engaging book brings fresh new insights to the difficult task of helping parents instruct their children in religious faith. Wigger weaves insights from his own family with reflections on biblical stories. The result is a retelling of the stories that shows how richly they can add to any child's experience of the dynamics of family life. Parents, pastors, and religious educators will benefit from this valuable book."
— Robert Wuthnow, director, Center for the Study of Religion, Princeton University

"With clear and compelling descriptions Brad Wigger makes available a rich set of resources within the Christian tradition, the Bible, and communities of faith to strengthen the sacred rhythms of family and religion. He provides a theological and biblical primer that many of us within the church have looked for as we seek to be teachers and spiritual guides to our children."
— from the Foreword by Mark Yaconelli, codirector, Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project, San Francisco Theological Seminary and coauthor, Way to Live: Practicing Our Faith with Youth

From the Inside Flap

As people of faith and as parents, we have all struggled at times to root our home lives in faith and to help our children know Gods grace. But what does it take to sense the Holy at work in our families? How do children learn to live out this love? What can parents do to help?

The Power of God at Home by Bradley J. Wigger provides both a biblical model and practical suggestions for helping the entire family become aware of God's presence in everyday life. He thoughtfully reveals the powerful formative influence of family life and shows that homes are the places where some of the deepest, most important learning takes place. Wigger— a husband, father, and professor of Christian education— uses honest examples from his own family life that open a window to grace and encourage parents to take a second look at their own homes, their own faith, and how home and faith connect in their lives. The Power of God at Home offers a refreshing perspective on family life, revealing families as potential bearers of God's grace and blessing and telling us how we can play this role more intentionally and thoughtfully.

This important book offers parents a wise blend of storytelling, biblical interpretation, and suggestions for family practice. The Power of God at Home is an inspirational guide that will help to renew our spiritual lives together as a family, welcoming God home.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (January 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787955884
• ISBN-13: 978-0787955885
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brad Wigger grew up in Alton, Illinois, along the Mississippi River near St. Louis. He is from a family of teachers and has himself been at it for nearly twenty years--currently as a professor at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Kentucky. He specializes in courses and work with children and is currently doing field research in the wildly imaginative world of children's invisible friends. His next work, forthcoming in 2012, is book about knowing--exploring the deep roots of the human mind--and what this suggests about a religious imagination.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource!, March 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of God at Home: Nurturing Our Children in Love and Grace (Hardcover)

Dr. Wigger avoids the temptation of academia to produce a book of depth but accessible to all, a book that will be a great inspiration to parents, and to anyone in pastoral leadership seeking to help families. He draws from his extensive reading and research as well as his own experiences as a father of two; his book has both sound 'theory' and very practical ideas for how parents can nurture their children's (and their own) faith. I look forward to using it with our congregation.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Idea!, July 8, 2011

By 

MidwestPresby - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Power of God at Home: Nurturing Our Children in Love and Grace (Hardcover)

Our Christian Education committee has chosen "The Power of God at Home" to give to parents when their children are baptized. It is a wonderful book about nurturing children in the love and faithfulness of God and the important role that family has in children's spiritual development. Presenting the book after a child's baptism is the perfect opportunity to recognize what a special day this is to the child's family,as well as in the child's church family.