Habits of a Child’s Heart – Raising Your Kids with the Spiritual Disciplines

Habits of a Child’s Heart
208 Pages
NavPress
ISBN 978-1576834275

Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly Based solidly on Richard Foster’s classic work Celebration of Discipline, this book takes some of the basic components of Christian discipline—including prayer, fasting, meditation, study, service and worship—and adapts them for the very young. The first half of each chapter explains a particular spiritual discipline to parents, and encourages them to practice it in their own lives. The second half offers suggestions for teaching the discipline to children of various ages, with ideas for hands-on learning activities. For example, a school-age child can keep a prayer journal, recording prayer requests and, when possible, answers received; a younger child can give up sugary foods once a week and remember that time with God is the best "dessert" of all. Many parents will appreciate the authors’ suggestions about the discipline of simplicity, teaching children to let go not only of unnecessary material things but also of obligations that are not helping them grow spiritually. This is a wise, essential book. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Back Cover "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." --Joshua 24:15 Everyone knows that children learn the most by watching their parents' example--by doing what they do. Why would learning about spiritual things be any different? The best time to learn anything--especially the spiritual disciplines--is as a child. In Habits of a Child's Heart, parents not only learn the spiritual disciplines for themselves but also discover how to practice them with their kids and teens. Broken down into bite-sized, age-specific exercises, the foundations of the Christian life will become lifetime habits. Practice the spiritual disciplines as a family by: · Serving others in a practical way · Simplifying schedules and possessions · Developing new habits of worship · Meditating on specific Bible passages These are essential skills your kids will take with them wherever they go--long after they grow up and teach the same lessons to their own children.

Valerie E. Hess

About Valerie E. Hess (Missoula, Montana Author)

Valerie E. Hess

Valerie Hess is a musician, retreat speaker, former instructor in Spring Arbor University’s Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership (MSFL) program, and an author. Her writing and speaking primarily focus on issues related to spiritual formation through music and through the spiritual disciplines. She has been involved with Renovare, the small group movement that grew out of Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline, for over twenty years.

Valerie received her Masters in Church Music and Organ from Valparaiso University. She has a B.A. in Music and Psychology from Metropolitan State College in Denver. She was the Coordinator of Music Ministries for Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder for over twenty years. Additionally, she is a music reviewer for the American Recorder Society.

She and her husband, live in Lolo, Montana. They have two adult daughters and two grandsons. Her hobbies include playing American Mah Jongg and knotting pearls.

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