17. Book Review -- Raising Kids for True Greatness

Book Title: Raising Kids for True Greatness

Author: Tim Kimmel

Year of Publication: 2006

Publisher: W Publishing Group

Pages: 220

Author’s Web-site: http://www.familymatters.net

Full Book Available in: English

You should read this book if you…

Want to raise children who are great in God’s eyes and not merely successful by the world’s standards.

“In a nut shell”…

Teach your children to serve God and others while here on earth, and God will richly reward them someday in heaven.

Key Ideas…

Learn how to prepare your kids for true greatness by helping them answer three critical questions:

What will be their mission in life?

Who will they spend their lives with?

Who will be their master?

Action Steps…

Model for my children what authentic faith in God and true concern for others looks like.

Teach them to give back to life much more than they take.

Quotables…

“If you aim your children at anything less than greatness, you’ll set them up to miss the whole point of their lives,” author Tim Kimmel says.  “When we don’t need all that the earth has to offer, it becomes far more pleasing to live here”.

Statistics and Interesting Facts…

This book has a “Ten Ways…” list at the end of each chapter that I love!  They give practical tips in several areas. One area is, Ten Ways to Be a Great Member of the Family:

Everybody helps everybody…always, in whatever ways are needed

Be upbeat, positive, and encouraging

Remember, “please” and “thank you” are not just good manners; they’re the calling cards of a grateful heart

Have a lot of fun, just not at the expense of anyone else

Each week, do your best to eat as many meals as possible together as a family. You’ll cut the chance of your kids using tobacco and drugs in half and double the chances they’ll bring home A’s on their report cards!

Respect one another’s space and stuff. Ask, and it most likely will be given unto you

Guard family traditions, and do your best to celebrate all birthdays, holidays, and major milestones

Guard the morals and integrity of everyone around you.  Be sensitive about how you communicate, what you view, and whom you bring into the family circle

Be quick to rally around a family member who is down, whether it’s a result of sickness, injury, failure, rejection, or discouragement

Assume that the Lord Jesus is an ex officio participant in every detail of your family.  Make sure He always feels at home and comfortable with what’s going on

Other “Ten Ways” lists include …to Be a Great Employee, …to Build a Great Attitude in Kids’ Hearts Toward God, …to Be a Great Teammate, …to Be a Great Classmate, …to Be a Great Friend, …to Be a Great Neighbor, …to Teach Your Children to Put God First, …to Be a Great Church Member, …to Help Your Kids Get the Best Out of Organized Sports.

How this has changed my parenting…

It has readjusted my focus.  We live in such a competitive society, and we feel/expect our kids to do well and be successful.  This has helped to take my focus off comparison and helped me define what I want more than anything for my children—for them to be great in God’s eyes!

© 2011 The Family Project