As Christians, we long to train up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6); and in The Fruitful Home, Ann Benton helpfully and practically gives us solid biblical advice on how to go about this intentionally.
In a generation where many do not sit down and have a meal together, or are on their phones at the dinner table, our families are breaking down. But the author shows us how going to church as a family, serving as a family, singing as a family, reading the Bible and other stories as a family, sorrowing as a family, acknowledging sin and forgiving as a family, sharing traditions as a family, and spending time together help us to have genuinely fruitful home lives.
Though her focus is on being biblically based, she specifies what that looks like in everyday life in a refreshing way. Having Bible stories and singing hymns in the home is vital, but it is also important to make our reading age-appropriate. She encourages parents to read additional wholesome material and sing other songs. If you have fun together and are used to discussions, then your children are more likely to come and ask your opinion on more weighty matters as they get older.
This is one of the best books I have read on promoting godly living in the context of the family, and I strongly recommend it.
Sarah Woollin
Grand Rapids, Michigan
