I wonder if, like me, you read the title of this devotional from The One Year Bible and felt immediately suspicious! This book was gifted to me by a trusted Christian friend, but I must admit I was a little concerned that the author would be trying to twist every Bible passage to say something about parenting. I have come across themed devotionals before that try to turn the whole emphasis of the Bible to fit a particular lens. But I'm pleased to say that this hasn't been the case at all!

The book is dated for each day of the year and lists 4 readings per day: an Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs passage that will take you through the entire Bible in the year. The readings should take around 15 minutes. Guthrie then comments on just one of these readings and frames it from a parenting perspective with a particular emphasis on how we might pray for our children. She is a gifted Bible teacher and is careful to not obscure the meaning of the passage with the intent of making it fit the parenting theme. Each day concludes with a prayer that you could pray for your child. It would be suitable for a parent with any age of child and she often includes a perspective on adult children, or children who have drifted away from the faith.

Guthrie writes: ‘While many of my desires and expectations for my child might be godly, I recognise that they are easily corrupted by things like the culture around me, a twisted sense of competition with other parents, an inadequate understanding of what a parent should be and do, as well as my own idolatries and blind spots. So I need the Scriptures to go to work in me to reshape my deepest longings for my child. I also need a daily dose of perspective, a daily infusion of hope, and a daily reminder of grace in regard to my parenting.’ That is exactly what this devotional will do. I found it a really helpful way to get me reading the whole Bible and to take some time to reflect more deeply on one reading and spend time praying for my kids. Many of her insights have been very timely and challenging for me.

If you liked Don Carson's For the Love of God volumes it is very similar in format and likewise very encouraging. It would make a great gift for a parent at any stage this Christmas. And they’ll have it in time to start on January 1!

Meet Jocelyn Loane

Jocelyn Loane is married to Ed and together they are raising five children. They have been involved in full time ministry since 2009 in a variety of contexts. They currently serve in a residential university ministry. Jocelyn is also a part time Chaplain at Moore College.