How parents approach the task of passing on religious faith and practice to their children How do American parents pass their religion on to their children? At a time of overall decline of traditional religion and an increased interest in personal "spirituality," Religious Parenting investigates the ways that parents transmit religious beliefs, values, and practices to their kids. We know that parents are the most important influence on their children's religious lives, yet parents have been virtually ignored in previous work on religious socialization. Renowned religion scholar Christian Smith and his collaborators Bridget Ritz and Michael Rotolo explore American parents' strategies, experiences, beliefs, and anxieties regarding religious transmission through hundreds of in-depth interviews that span religious traditions, social classes, and family types all around the country. Throughout we hear the voices of evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, mainline and black Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parents and discover that, despite massive diversity, American parents share a nearly identical approach to socializing their children religiously. For almost all, religion is important for the foundation it provides for becoming one's best self on life's difficult journey. Religion is primarily a resource for navigating the challenges of this life, not preparing for an afterlife. Parents view it as their job, not religious professionals', to ground their children in life-enhancing religious values that provide resilience, morality, and a sense of purpose. Challenging longstanding sociological and anthropological assumptions about culture, the authors demonstrate that parents of highly dissimilar backgrounds share the same "cultural models" when passing on religion to their children. Taking an extensive look into questions of religious practice and childrearing, Religious Parenting uncovers parents' real-life challenges while breaking innovative theoretical ground.

How parents approach the task of passing on religious faith and practice to their children How do American parents pass their religion on to their children? At a time of overall decline of traditional religion and an increased interest in personal "spirituality," Religious Parenting investigates the ways that parents transmit religious beliefs, values, and practices to their kids. We know that parents are the most important influence on their children's religious lives, yet parents have been virtually ignored in previous work on religious socialization. Renowned religion scholar Christian Smith and his collaborators Bridget Ritz and Michael Rotolo explore American parents' strategies, experiences, beliefs, and anxieties regarding religious transmission through hundreds of in-depth interviews that span religious traditions, social classes, and family types all around the country. Throughout we hear the voices of evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, mainline and black Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parents and discover that, despite massive diversity, American parents share a nearly identical approach to socializing their children religiously. For almost all, religion is important for the foundation it provides for becoming one's best self on life's difficult journey. Religion is primarily a resource for navigating the challenges of this life, not preparing for an afterlife. Parents view it as their job, not religious professionals', to ground their children in life-enhancing religious values that provide resilience, morality, and a sense of purpose. Challenging longstanding sociological and anthropological assumptions about culture, the authors demonstrate that parents of highly dissimilar backgrounds share the same "cultural models" when passing on religion to their children. Taking an extensive look into questions of religious practice and childrearing, Religious Parenting uncovers parents' real-life challenges while breaking innovative theoretical ground.

Luther's Small Catechism should be a part of any Christian's library. Its brief, clear summaries of Scriptural teaching allow individuals and families alike to use the Small Catechism as a powerful tool and prayer book. Although Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism in 1529, its question and answer format serves as a timeless guide book for Christians of all generations. It is easy to use and applicable to all the various callings we have in life. The Small Catechism explores the six chief parts of Christian doctrine: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar (The Lord's Table). It also includes helpful daily prayers, a table of duties for Christians, and a guide for Christians to use as they prepare to themselves for the Lord's Table.

The Westminster Larger Catechism is well worth our study. It unifies Presbyterians who use it as one of their church standards. It gives us all Christians the meat of the Word of God. It places a greater emphasis on, and gives fuller explanations of, doctrines that maturing Christians need to hear. It emphasizes aspects of the gospel and draws directly from Scripture in a way that other catechisms do not. And the Larger Catechism emphasizes the church, the ministry, preaching, and the sacraments at a time when all Christians-need to hear of them. Spurgeon, a Baptist, found the use of the Westminster Catechisms of tremendous value, even drawing from them in forming a catechism of his own. He extolled their use in the family as a valuable tool in discipling our children. This edition is newly typeset in larger-print and in a large 8.5" x 11" format with wider margins, lending itself to study. It is complete with all full Scripture proof texts supporting each question and its answer.

Who better to teach "How to be Soul-Winner" than C. H. Spurgeon. Known the world over as the "Prince of Preachers," Spurgeon is the master of the evangelical sermon and perhaps the most prolific communicator of the gospel the world has ever seen. In this classic manual on evangelism, he lays out the most biblical, and therefore effective, methodologies for leading sinners to the Savior. Before buying into any of the so-called "new & innovative" systems of evangelism- learn the basics of sound Bible teaching on how to share the good news from the pen of a master evangelist.

The Mother at Home was particularly written for the mother who is employed full-time at home in the work of raising a family, but the principles are applicable to every mother and every father as well. This classic book has served to raise godly children for generations. Mothers everywhere have found it to be of vital help to them in their awesome task. Full of wisdom and practical teaching to be cherished by all-read it often, as it isn't possible to glean everything in one or two readings. You'll gain timeless biblical guidance and successful parenting practices, -it's full of practical advice for running a successful home, raising children that love and worship God, and avoiding the most universal parenting pitfalls. Written before the "politically correct" days, when parents were not afraid to discipline their children in the admonition of the Lord. The Mother at Home will prove to be an enormously helpful and encouraging manual for Moms emphasizing the need to be diligent in parenting as slackness in this God-given responsibility will heap up trouble in years to come. Give this fantastic book to any mother of young children as a valuable aid in reflection and course adjustment while there still remains time to impact the lives of their children for good. It's far more effective than the modern books which erroneously encourage a child-led parenting methodology. Raise your children God's way

The mountain region of Germany known as the Black Forest is a difficult place to live especially in the bitter cold of winter. Most folks lead a hard and humble life. For Max Steiner it was no different. Despite the protests of his carnally-minded mother he he had set his eye upon sweet little Doris. He loved her and couldn't imagine living without her. Doris and Max were quickly blessed with their first child, a son they named Herman, who grows to be an awkward, unpopular young boy who would often think of himself as a "good-for-nothing" but God has great plans for Herman. There would be significant obstacles and set backs but God would fashion him into a powerful man of God and through this unstoppable plan God would also see to softening the hard hearts of many. From jealous neighbors, to Max's domineering and ambitious mother, to Max himself, God would touch and even redeem some from very worldly lives. Though unable to give to Herman the treasure that Max's rich mother could offer, Doris's faithful mother Magdalena offers the consistent and faithful prayers that God will use to transform Herman into his champion for the everlasting Gospel. She may well be the overlooked heroine of this beautiful story of faith and grace.