17 Best Christian Parenting Books for This Year

Parenting is the greatest joy and simultaneously the most challenging endeavor one can experience. As Christian parents bringing up children in a world that can be harsh and unyielding, it’s important that we feel secure in our reliance on God. Below are a list of parenting books based on Biblical teachings made applicable to the modern world and modern parenting.

General Books on Christian Parenting

The following titles are geared toward overall guidelines of parenting with a Christ-like intent. Full of actionable plans and ideas, they are a great way to start or refine one’s parenting style in a positive manner with clear cut objectives.

1. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp

Author Paul Tripp offers parents a guideline on how to parent in a Godly, Christ driven way with this book that has nearly three thousand positive reviews. Returning over and over to grace as the key to Christian parenting, he emphasizes the grand perspective of parenting overflowing with vision, purpose, and joy.

“I am an imperfect parent. You probably are too. Buy this book and soak in it. This is not another ‘5 Steps to Becoming a Perfect Parent’―instead, Tripp wants us to see our relationship to God and to our children through a big-picture lens. My wife and I are always-go-never-stop parents of young children. If you know the feeling, this book will be both challenging and refreshing, and ultimately it will be a great blessing to your journey. Tripp has made me think in a fresh way about the extremely important and tremendously challenging task that is everyday parenting. To raise up a child is a great responsibility―let us take it up with reverence, joy, and a loving heart!” ―Jacob Tamme, NFL® tight end

2. The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life Paperback by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN BAN

Part of being a successful parent is having a plan. Not all strategies work the same for all children, and The Christian Parenting Handbook offers fresh, faith based ideas for parents looking for effective answers.  Every child is unique, and every family has its own set of dynamics. Parents can be eager to know how to take ideas and put them into practice, and this book can help parents form new routines for their families. Beyond that, each chapter in this book can enrich your biblical philosophy of parenting.

One reviewer raves, “I love the format with solid nuggets of truth that you can immediately apply with your own kids. Every chapter deals with a new topic and teaches the principle as succinctly as possible. It is the best bang for your buck in terms of parenting books.”

3. The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

Stormie O’Martin is a staple in the faith-based author category, and it’s no surprise why.  Her clear and concise style of writing blends biblical truths with practical applications. In this book of prayers, Stormie focuses on covering your family with prayer and putting the armor of God over your children.

The prayers in this book are not just a general list of blessings, but are targeted for very specific prayer requests.  And as parents, we need all the “knee power” we can get to bless our children.

4. Fearless Parenting: Raising Godly Kids in an Ungodly World by Sarah Blount

The world we are raising kids in can look intimidating to parents and prospective parents trying to raise Godly kids. Thankfully, Sarah Blout has outlined a battle plan in her book Fearless Parenting: Raising Godly Kids in an Ungodly World.  Remembering that fear is not of God, Sarah emboldens parents with the Word of God to bravely face the challenges of today’s culture.

5. Countercultural Parenting: Building Character in a World of Compromise, by Lee Nienhuis

Author, speaker, and Moms in Prayer podcast host, Lee Nienhuis, believes God has given parents a calling – to nurture and raise their children in faith. Counter-Cultural Parenting shows caregivers how to train their kids to reject today’s norms (like dishonesty, discontent, and amorality) for more Christian-based values, including forgiveness, truth, and prayer. She provides concrete tools for raising Jesus-following children, including how to help them keep the hope, embrace God’s calling, and recognize the world’s lies.

6. Modern Parents, Vintage Values: Instilling Character in Today’s Kids, by Sissy Goff & Melissa Trevathan

Modern Parents, Vintage Values provides an easy-to-follow roadmap for religious parents to raise their kids. It promises to help you navigate modern scenarios by instilling “vintage” values based in faith and hope. Authors and professional counselors Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan teach kindness, love, and responsibility when it comes to addressing issues like entitlement, substance use, teen depression and anxiety, technology, and sexual promiscuity.

7. Grace Based Parenting, by Dr. Tim Kimmel

Dr. Tim Kimmel’s Grace Based Parenting is all about sharing a revolutionary method of raising children based on “old school” moral values. Readers will learn to adopt a parenting style that mirrors God’s love, shed any fear-based parenting habits, and provide a safe space for their kids and teens to develop into secure, responsible, fulfilled adults. As the founder of Family Matters ministries, Kimmel is an expert on all things related to Christian parenting and unconditional love.

Christian Parenting Books for Dads

Being a faith-based father requires a strong foundation in spiritual leadership and thick skin. These books provide dad-to-dad guidance on how to be a successful family leader and approachable father, leading with agape type love for your children.

8. Dad Tired and Loving It: Stumbling Your Way to Spiritual Leadership by Jerrad Lopes

Jerrad Lopes is a Christian pastor and the founder of DadTired.com, a nonprofit ministry focused on equipping men to lead their family well. He hosts the weekly Dad Tired podcast listened to by hundreds of thousands of men from around the world. Through Jerrad’s work in this book, dads who want to be strong spiritual leaders of their families will learn how to refuse to let their sin and shame stop them from leading their family and seek humility rather than striving for perfection.

An especially poignant review mentions, “I had read the great reviews and thought about it several times, but I’m a stepdad. And in the world’s eyes that usually doesn’t count. I felt like the book wasn’t meant for me and the topics covered wouldn’t apply or make sense to me. But I finally decided to order my copy and give it a read, and man! What an eye opener. Jerrad penned this book with wise counsel broken down into easy-to-understand lessons, using his real life examples to show that he’s been where we are and has the same struggles we do. Realized many bumps in the road and areas for improvement in my own Spiritual life that I hadn’t even taken notice of before. Great stuff. If you’re like me and not sure if you need the book, you do!”

9. Equipping Fathers to Lead Family Worship by Ken Coley and Blair Robinson

Based on historical, theological, and biblical guidelines, Equipping Fathers to Lead Family Worship provides an easy to read, practical format.  The book provides a review of historical practices of family worship, a description of worship elements for the family, and training for teaching children in the home. The perfect jumping off point for fathers looking to start family worship within the home, Equipping Fathers to Lead Family Worship is a solid reference book to keep in the family library.

10. Raising a Modern-Day Knight: A Father’s Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood by Robert Lewis

Raising a Modern-Day Knight asks the question: “What does it mean to be a man?” And, moreover, “How do you as a father instill that reality in your son?” This book will show how you can confidently guide your son to the kind of authentic, biblical manhood that can change our world. Complete with ceremony ideas to celebrate accomplishments and ingrain them in the mind of a knight-in-training, this resource is as insightful as it is practical in raising a boy to be a chivalrous, godly man.

Many reviewers highlight that not only is this a good guide on how to raise Christian men, it also puts a focus on how to repair broken relationships between fathers and sons.  One reviewer states, “The book is filled with practical steps on how fathers can empower their sons to be men that contribute to their homes and society at large.”

Best Christian Parenting Books for Raising Boys

The following books deal with raising sons using Biblical teachings and navigating the complex stages of a son’s emotional development. Learn how to circumvent stalled communication and the breakdown of relationships through those tough teen years, and come out the other side with a well-rounded, mature young man.

11. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life by David Thomas, LMSW

Some say that’s just how boys are—prone to outbursts or sullenness. But what’s behind these and other issues? Drawing from twenty-five years of counseling boys and working with parents, David Thomas sheds light on common emotional struggles.

This book shows how a strong emotional foundation leads to a Christ-like sense of masculinity that will serve him well his whole life.  Reviewers claim, “David gives incredible insight on the inner workings of boys and how to help them navigate their emotions.”

12. Raising Men, Not Boys: Shepherding Your Sons to be Men of God by Mike Fabarez

The authors pose the question, “How do you raise godly men in a godless world?” This book gives you the tools to navigate the times and raise a generation of men on godly principles—sons who are ready, able, and motivated to represent God during their days of sojourning on this earth. Pastor and author Mike Fabarez will help parents pass the faith on to their sons, in prayer that the promises of God extend to the third and fourth generations… and beyond.

“Raising Men, Not Boys is an absolutely brilliant look at specifics relevant to boys of all ages and the most complete book about raising boys I’ve read. Your sons will become men motivated to live for God and equipped to glorify Him if you read, believe, and put into practice just the truths from chapter 2. Mike Fabarez’s explanation of the elements of the gospel and what’s relevant for spiritual growth and wellness is the best I’ve read. This chapter is worth the entire price of the book. Read it all, though. You’ll be glad you did.” -Kathy Koch, -Founder/president of Celebrate Kids, Inc.

13. Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You by Monica Swanson

Being a boy mom is an honor with its own set of challenges. Monica Swanson knew she’d tapped a heartfelt concern when nearly two million readers shared her blog post, “What a Teenage Boy Needs Most from His Mom.”  Seeing the overwhelming response, she put together this guidebook for boy moms everywhere. Each chapter features relatable stories, handy checklists, and practical advice based on a combination of research, experience, and biblical truth to guide and equip a mom in helping her son achieve his God-given potential.

“I have three wonderful boys and this book has helped me to understand them better, know how to hone all that wild boy energy in the right direction, and most importantly, it encourages me to be a present mama with them who knows how to show them that the love of Jesus is what’s most important. My desire is to launch my boys well into the world, and this book helps me to feel confident that I’m giving them the tools to do that. I love Monica’s humble attitude throughout the book. She makes it clear that although God has given her amazing tools to help teach other boy moms, she doesn’t have it all together either. If I could give ten stars for this book would!”- Amazon reviewer

Best Christian Parenting Books for Raising Girls

Imparting positive, biblical teachings and messages to your young daughter can feel like an impossible task. But fear not, there are resources to lend a hand during this stage of raising a daughter. The following books are helpful lifelines for parents imparting Christian values and problem solving tactics for their daughters.

14. Raising Girls: A Christian Parenting Book: A Practical Guide to Faith-Based Parenting by Todd Jones

Author Todd Jones set out to create a practical, biblical guide on how to raise daughters in a positive, faith based manner. His work helps parents gain a better understanding of their daughters’ emotional and physical development, and define the values and goals that keep her close to Christ.

In today’s culture it’s vital for parents to learn specific strategies for affirming your daughter’s self-worth, dealing with bullies, navigating social media, and beyond. Jones’ goal is for parent’s to be the wise and Christ-honoring parent your daughter deserves with help from this modern, Scripture-based guide.

15. Talking with Your Daughter About Best Friends and Mean Girls: Discovering God’s Plan for Making Good Friendship Choices by Dannah Gresh

Your daughter’s friends have an incredible impact on her and how her tween/teen years play out. That’s why bestselling author Dannah Gresh, popular speaker and creator of the True Girl live events, designed this resource to help you protect your daughter from peer pressure and bullying and guide her toward healthy friendships that affirm her faith and self-worth.

Dannah Gresh has composed this guidebook like a series of mother/daughter “dates” with conversation starters and activities to open communications between parent and child. A focus on gently guiding your daughter toward positive relationships and understanding a daughter’s point of view helps make this a plan that will succeed. She also provides related bible verses and devotionals.

16. Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women by James C. Dobson, Ph.D.

James C. Dobson, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and marriage, family, and child counselor, is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.  He turns his expertise toward the daunting task of raising daughters with Christian values in a world that is constantly challenging that goal.

As a mom, I so badly want to be “best friends” with my daughter. Why isn’t it working out the way I dreamed? How does a dad’s role in his daughter’s life influence her character and decisions? How can grandparents contribute to raising a healthy granddaughter? What’s the best way to educate girls? How are girls affected when their parents divorce? What should we be doing to shape the next generation of women? In Bringing Up Girls, Dobson tackles these and many other questions, offering wisdom and encouragement based on a firm foundation of biblical principles.

17. Raising a Strong Daughter in a Toxic Culture: 11 Steps to Keep Her Happy, Healthy, and Safe, by Meg Meeker, MD

In Meg Meeker’s Raising a Strong Daughter in a Toxic Culture, parents will learn how to answer their daughters’ most pressing questions, teach them about God, and launch them into a life of happiness and fulfillment. Other topics include understanding depression, the dangers of social media, and more. Meeker, who is also an experienced pediatrician, combines common sense with clear consequences, helping parents plan for and take on one of the toughest roles they may ever face: being a girl mom.

When to Talk to a Therapist or Parenting Coach

These books are  great tools to have in your parenting arsenal and can get you and your family on a positive path. However, they are not a replacement for professional therapy and counseling. An online directory of therapists is formatted to fit any need and budget, with providers in all regions of the nation, to include online appointments. With experts in any and all areas of need, there is help to be found for whatever challenge is presented.