Today's cultural upheavals can make parenting feel like walking a tightrope. Religion and spirituality publishers are here to help, often with Bible-based advice for a family life rooted in faith.
One reason so many of today's parents today are seeking so much help is that many of them were not reared in the church or in scriptures, says Lifeway publisher Devin Maddox. "They're not grounded. And if there's a lack of connection to the generation above them in terms of family life and faith, well, chances are there's not a faith system that's being passed down from one generation to the next, either. So, people are kind of on their own to customize or curate their life in such a way and having to discover spirituality on their own, rather than in the context of a family."
To this end, Lifeway offers hopeful titles, such as To the Tenth Generation: God’s Heart for Your Family, Far into the Future (Sept.) by Ray and Jani Ortlund, which is a call out for the Lord to bless their families with a culture of faith in their home. It will be released simultaneously with a picture book by the Ortlunds illustrating God at work with all kinds of families, Your Family Is God’s Plan: His Mercy from Generation to Generation.
A cheery picture book from Paraclete, Every Body Wonderfully Made: God's Good Plan for Boys and Girls, (Sept. 24) by Courtney Siebring, begins by delighting in every child's physical features, nose to toes, then leads straight to a message that distinct male and female bodies are determined by God and unchangeable. Acquiring editor Lillian Miao says Siebring's book is intended to make children feel "important" not only to their family but to God. "That's what we are trying to promote in a very positive way."
MennoMedia's title, The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation (Sept. 10,) by Christie Penner Worden, shifts the focus away from the culture war battles over gender, race and ethnicity. Acquiring editor Laura Leonard Clemens says, "It is not a book how to say what your child should or should not do about identity. It is about starting any conversation by understanding and embracing the love Jesus has for who they are. It's for parents who want their kids to put Jesus at the forefront of their lives."
"What Do I Say When...? A Parent's Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens (out now, Crossway) by theologian Andrew Walker and his wife Christian Walker, a teacher and biblical curriculum author, aims to get adults past the quicksand of contentious topics about sex, gender, politics, and technology to "proactively cultivate biblical truth within their child's heart."
Marriage Matters
IVP Press executive editor Elissa Schauer, points to Brian Dembowczyk's "wonderfully accessible" forthcoming book (Oct.) Family Discipleship That Works: Guiding Your Child to Know, Love, and Act Like Jesus promises to skip the guilt trip for what parents may not have done (yet) and step into their roles of modeling the character of Jesus in their daily lives.
Also coming from IVP in January is Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God by theologian Emily Hunter McGowin. She writes, “No matter what your family looks like—big or small, biological or chosen, with children or without, homeschooling or public-schooling, multiple incomes or one or none—ask the following together every morning: 'How will Jesus by his Spirit teach us to love today?'”
“More than ever, families are asking for resources to support them in affirming foundational faith values," says Webster Younce, Zondervan v-p and publisher. "We have seen an increased demand not just for practical parenting and marriage advice but also for biblical guidance in navigating societal and cultural issues such as technology, identity, politics, and community engagement."
Zondervan titles intended to give couples the {spiritually enriching tools they need to lead their families with faith and purpose, include: I Thought This Would Make Me Happy: How to Fight Less, Forgive Faster, and Cultivate Joy in Your Marriage (Out now) by Chelsea Damon; "Meet Me in the Middle: 8 Mother-Daughter Conversations about Life and Faith by mom-daughter duo, Sandra Stanley and Allie Stanley Cooney; The Fight for Us: Overcome What Divides to Build a Marriage That Thrives (April 2025) by Rebekah and Gabe Lyons.
Maddox tells PW that military spouses are an underserved market as they face endless moves, the fears and lasting impact of battlefront deployments, and the challenges of solo parenting. Two books by military wives highlight God's love and support — Mission-Ready Marriage: A Christian Guide to Discovering Hope and Purpose as a Military Wife (out now) by Ashley Ashcraft and Another Move, God?: 30 Encouragements to Embrace Your Life as a Military Wife (Oct.) by Beth Runkle.
