Reaching Your Child's Heart: A Practical Guide to Faithful Parenting

We say “less is more” when it comes to parenting books and this book is one of the few we will keep coming back to as we parent our children. Gospel saturated, Juan and Jeanine remind parents of the heart change that the Lord must work in our kids’ hearts, and how he regularly uses parents to shepherd their hearts to Christ. The book was refreshingly humble as their shared their own parenting struggles, only affirming they are credible to write a book like this. Practical for every stage of parenting we recommend it to all parents, new and old.

Good book for Christian parents who seek encouragement and advice on their parenting journey as they raise their children to know Jesus. Each chapter starts with an overarching principle, which incorporates a biblical framework and suggestions on how it might look, without being too prescriptive. There is a strong encouragement to pray, be a godly example and set biblical parenting goals. Later chapters explore the different stages of parenting children aged 0-5, 6-12, and 13+. These are helpful, practical, and detailed, with the encouragement that laying a strong foundation early makes a massive difference later. I appreciated their positivity about how enjoyable the teen years can be.

The chapter on discipline is structured around three principles: prioritise positive instruction, shepherd their hearts, and practice corrective discipline. Corrective discipline is broken down into gentle exhortation, gentle rebuke, and chastisement. One concern is their use of chastisement as an all-encompassing term for punishment, which while defined broadly and with numerous caveats, clearly includes spanking. It’s confusing, but more so, spanking is contentious (rightly so) and rarely achieves its stated goals.

However, overall, this book has many helpful encouragements and suggestions for Christian parents.

Juan and Jeanine have written a book that I will highly encourage every parent to read! After serving in student ministry for 15 years I can honestly say that most parents look first to the actions and thoughts of their children before the heart! Juan and Jeanine help remind us that the heart is the source of all things and that our “greatest desire as a parent should be the same as God’s: godly offspring-children who have a new heart and reflect the image and glory of God in all they say, think, and do” (page 8)! While the Sanchezes clearly define parenting from a theologically accurate standpoint the book is filled with practical advise! They do a great job of laying it clear ways that we as parents can lead our kids to Christ! They do not provide false promises of check lists that will produce the perfect child but rather focus on how we as parents can shepherd our children’s hearts so that they by the grace of God will be faithful to Him!

Juan and Jeanine have written a book that I will highly encourage every parent to read! After serving in student ministry for 15 years I can honestly say that most parents look first to the actions and thoughts of their children before the heart! Juan and Jeanine help remind us that the heart is the source of all things and that our “greatest desire as a parent should be the same as God’s: godly offspring-children who have a new heart and reflect the image and glory of God in all they say, think, and do” (page 8)! While the Sanchezes clearly define parenting from a theologically accurate standpoint the book is filled with practical advise! They do a great job of laying it clear ways that we as parents can lead our kids to Christ! They do not provide false promises of check lists that will produce the perfect child but rather focus on how we as parents can shepherd our children’s hearts so that they by the grace of God will be faithful to Him!

I cannot encourage you enough to read this book if you are a parent! I pray that this book will encourage and equip you to lead your children well!

Soli Deo Gloria

Reaching Your Child's Heart by Juan and Jeanine Sanchez is a must-read for all parents.
I couldn't put it down-it's everything I needed to hear.
The book redirects our focus to truth and what truly matters, emphasizing the importance of raising our children with eternity in sight.
It beautifully explains the gospel and encourages us to parent through a biblical lens.
As the authors remind us parents, "This is the most important job we have. We plant the seed of the gospel. We water it.
God gives it life and causes it to grow."
This book is not just insightful but also deeply encouraging, reminding us that our role as parents is sacred and purposeful.
Highly recommend it to anyone looking to strengthen their parenting journey with a Christ-centered approach.
Thank you to @newgrowthpress for sending me this complimentary review copy. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience and provide my honest opinions on this product. My thoughts are genuine and reflect my personal experience with it.

As a Christian and as a pastor, I find that I'm often discouraged in my efforts to raise my children to know and worship God. My goal is to raise them to be worshippers of God in Christ, insofar as it depends upon me. That can be very tough at times. Yet, it's another kind of difficult to not know how to do this!

But this book offers practical help and biblical hope for raising godly offspring! I have found this book particularly unique in its biblical-theological approach to the topic. I was challenged by the personal emphasis on being an example of faith to your children.

I pray this book would be widely read, and that it might be a benefit particularly to you as you consider its truths!

Authors Juan and Jeanine Sanchez have written an honest yet Biblical book about parenting. The path for every parent is not well-defined and easy with many twists and turns. As the authors write in an early section of this book, “Parenting is hard. Parenting is frustrating. Too many of our days seem to bear no fruit. If we are to parent faithfully, we must remember that, just like we were, our children are born with hard hearts and in need of a new heart that beats for God. They need God’s Spirit to empower them to obey. Only God can give them that. Our task is to teach them God’s standard, show them God’s patience with sinners, and pray God would save them. And even with believing children, we must continue teaching them God’s Word, show them God’s patient love, and pray for their holiness. That’s the task.” (Page 23) Throughout REACHING YOUR CHILD’S HEART, I was impressed with the authors’ transparency, personal stories and their commitment to the Scriptures. Every parent can gain insight and wisdom from reading this book. I recommend it.

Our family enjoyed reading this book and its balance between practical application and theological foundations. Many parenting books are either too pragmatic or too "heady;" this one seemed to hit both elements in an accessible way. We especially enjoyed the personal stories of triumphs and failures in parenting, and the chapters on different ages were particularly helpful.

If we had one critique of the book it is evident that the authors have a family of girls. Our family has three teen/pre-teen boys, and some of the practical application seemed that it wouldn't quite work as well in our context. It's a small thing, but one that we noticed as we read and discussed how these principles would work with our children.

I highly recommend this resource to any current or future parents, and for grandparents who may find themselves raising their grandchildren or trying to support their adult children in the parenting journey.

This book reads like a really good chat over a hot cup of coffee with a wise couple who has been through years of parenting and takes the time to sit with you to answer your questions and encourage you. In a book filled with "how to’s” of instructing and correcting children, the Sanchezes also remind parents of the "why's" -- that our parenting is not just for the purpose of having well-behaved children, but it's to reach their hearts. Their practical tips for parenting throughout the various stages of childhood include real stories from their own parenting journey that will inspire you to faithfulness. Read this book with your spouse or with your mom's group and spend time thinking about and discussing your answers to the questions from the Talking Together sections at the end of each chapter. Then pass this helpful parenting resource on to other parents in your life!

This book was well written and the authors were pulling from their own experience as parents. Their advice was clearly thought out and I love how Scripture is incorporated. It reminded me to practice Scripture with my children when teaching them or disciplining them. Because I have children in multiple ages the examples and practical advice will make it possible for me to practice the knowledge I gained with each child. Lastly the questions at the end of each chapter also helped my husband and I reflect on our parenting and understand what we need to agree on. I will definitely be sharing this with my friends and encouraging them to use the advice given from the book.

The message of faithful parenting rings throughout the pages of this book. Whether you have an infant in the home or grown kids, this book is a helpful and encouraging read. As a Christian parent, I was reminded time and time again that my children do not need a perfect parent (what a relief!), but rather, they need a "humble, faithful, patient, repentant, and loving parent." Juan and Jeanine help Christian parents look to Jesus for guidance in filling up our children's "bucket." Be watchful dear saint. The enemy does not want you to read this book because it points to Jesus and God's Word in every chapter. If you want to parent with eternity in mind, read this book. If you want to "parent today how you want to live tomorrow," read this book. From personal stories, charts, advice, age specific encouragements, and failures, you will find yourself laughing and crying by the end of this book. You may think "I don't have time" but as the authors encourage the reader "you should wisely use every moment you have with your children." Reading a book that stirs your affections for both our Heavenly Father and our children is a wise use of time. Read it with your spouse, a mentor, or a friend. You, and your children, will be thankful.

This book lays a great theological foundation for Christian parenting, without forgetting all the practical help us parents are always looking for! I love how the Sanchez's come alongside other parents, humbly sharing their own mistakes, while providing invaluable insight from their years of experience and walk with Christ. The biblical principles they lay out are not simply for behavior modification but real heart change. This book is saturated in gospel truth and is an encouragement to all parents, no matter what season you're in!

Our family enjoyed reading this book and its balance between practical application and theological foundations. Many parenting books are either too pragmatic or too "heady;" this one seemed to hit both elements in an accessible way. We especially enjoyed the personal stories of triumphs and failures in parenting, and the chapters on different ages were particularly helpful.

If we had one critique of the book it is evident that the authors have a family of girls. Our family has three teen/pre-teen boys, and some of the practical application seemed that it wouldn't quite work as well in our context. It's a small thing, but one that we noticed as we read and discussed how these principles would work with our children.

I highly recommend this resource to any current or future parents, and for grandparents who may find themselves raising their grandchildren or trying to support their adult children in the parenting journey.

I am so glad that I came across this book and had the chance to read it. It is a must read for parents at any phase of the child-rearing stages. It is also a great read for grandparents and teachers. Shepherding a child's heart is one of those most important jobs a parent can have. The authors have done a great job including wonderful parenting principles, as-well-as discussion starters and stories that will warm the heart while raising up this next generation of children.

As a parent, navigating the complex world of child-rearing can often feel like sailing through uncharted waters. With so much advice and information available, it's easy to become overwhelmed and unsure of which direction to take. In "Reaching Your Child's Heart," the authors offer a beacon of clarity amidst the storms that can come in while parenting, providing a comprehensive guide to raising children with confidence and competence. One of the most commendable aspects of this book is its emphasis on practicality. Rather than getting lost in abstract theories or unreachable ideals, the authors ground their advice in real-world scenarios and actionable parenting principles and strategies. Whether it's managing tantrums, setting boundaries, or fostering healthy communication, each principle is accompanied by concrete steps that parents can implement immediately. This practical approach not only makes the advice more accessible but also increases the likelihood of success in applying it to daily parenting challenges. No matter what stage you are parenting in, this book is a must read!

As a Christian and as a pastor, I find that I'm often the most discouraged in my efforts to raise my children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. It takes so much wisdom to know how to love and care for and train them, especially in this day and age! My goal is to raise them to be worshippers of God in Christ, insofar as it depends upon me. Yet, it's another kind of difficult to not know how to do this! Especially in the early years, I remember being discouraged particularly by my own lack of knowledge of how to parent biblically.

But this book offers practical help and biblical hope for raising godly offspring! I have found this book particularly unique in its biblical-theological approach to the topic. I was challenged by the personal emphasis on being an example of faith to your children, and by the regular reminders of prayer as providing fuel for our ministry to our kids.

I pray this book would be widely read, and that it might be a benefit particularly to you as you consider its truths!

Most parenting books take the approach of trying to convince the reader that their particular style of parenting is the best way to raise successful children. However, in Reaching Your Child’s Heart the Sanchezes look at parenting from a uniquely biblical point of view. They spend a large portion of their book building a scriptural foundation for our role and responsibility as parents that is both encouraging and challenge. Yet, their book is not dry and clinical. They interweave their own parenting journey with biblical wisdom and make the reader feel like a friend joining them for coffee at the kitchen table while the kids all play in the next room. The questions included at the end of each chapter serve as a useful diagnostic tool for the reader to prayerfully consider ways to improve their relationship with both their children and with our Heavenly Father. As a parent I wish I had had this book available to me when my children were small, and I definitely plan to put it into the hands of my adult children who are raising my grandkids. If you are a parent at any stage, you need this book.