Chapter 2 Discussion

The second chapter begins with a discussion of what God's grace truly is. First of all, Kimmel states that it is grace alone that separates Christianity from every other religion in the world. "God's grace has the power to transform the most hardened, indifferent soul into a person spilling over with kindness. If God our heavenly Father is the perfect Father, and the primary way that He deals with us as humans is through the power of His grace, it stands to reason that grace forms the best template for bringing out the best in our own children." (p.28) It is grace that should affect how you develop your children's goals, how you handle discipline, how you process their fears, how you deal with their quirks and idiosyncrasies, and how you respond to their fads.

There are opposing points of view on parenting with grace in Christian families. Some view parenting with grace as to go soft on moral standards, and that parents who use it make it an excuse to go soft on enforcing rules. On the other extreme are families that view grace as a "get out of responsibility free" card. Kimmel says that both are wrong. A family without clearly defined rules and standards could never be a grace-based family, because it is too much of a nightmare to live in. On the other hand, it is the lack grace in well-behaved homes that turns children's hearts away from God when they are finally too big to intimidate and too old to control. There is an inseparable nature of grace and truth.



Thoughts to ponder...

"Did your upbringing tend to lean toward legalism or license? How does that affect your parenting?"

"How are you personally letting your light shine before your children so that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven?"