How to Raise a Modern Day Joseph by Linda Massey Weddle (Book Review)

Title: How to Raise a Modern Day Joseph Author: Linda Massey Weddle
Publisher: David C. Cook




I read this for the first wild card tour happening tomorrow.


This book is divided into two sections - the first one for parents and the second one for the church. In the section for parents, the chapters are divided out by age with each age covering a "life thread".

• Preschoolers (2-5) - Respect
• Early Elementary (5-8) - Wisdom
• Older Elementary (8-11) - Grace
• Middle School (11-14) - Destiny
• High School (14-18) - Perspective

In each chapter you cover the following -

• What They're Like (children in age group)
• What They're Asking
• What You Can Do
• Bios and Verses (It uses biographies instead of Bible Stories - as a story implies fiction whereas the Bible is nonfiction - I like this alot!)
• What Not to Do (Again - I thought this was a great section for parents!)
• Checklist
• Family Itinerary

As I said before, each chapter covers one "life thread" as above and contains age appropriate examples for each section in the chapter. It really made me think about my preschooler and all the opportunities I have been missing to teach him about the awesomeness of our God. But at the other end of the age group - it made me take a look at my high schoolers and how soon they will be making life changing decisions - and have I helped them build a strong Biblical foundation on which to stand? (no - not even close!)

There is an area at the end of each chapter to design a family itinerary for your children. This itinerary includes things such as - family verse for the year (or passage or book as the children get older), which verses or bios you are going to study throughout the year, spiritual goals, and other things appropriate to each age group.

The last section of that book that is devoted to churches shares how a church can help and support families in designing and implementing their individual itineraries. I especially liked the idea of having a mentor/prayer partner for every child. . I already have someone in mind for one of my daughters that I am going to pray about and see where it leads.

If you are serious about training your kids to lead a life like Joseph and reflect these five godly character qualities (Master Life Threads):

• Respect for the awesomeness and authority of God (Genesis 39:6-9)
• Wisdom for living life based on a knowledge of God (40:6-8)
• Grace in relationships with others (41:51-52)
• A sense of destiny and purpose that came from God (45:4-10)
• A perspective for life based on the sovereignty of God (50:15-21) (p13)

Then get yourself a copy of How to Raise a Modern Day Joseph and get going!

About the author: Linda Massey Weddle is a children's author, and her more than two thousand articles and short stories have been published by publications such as Women's Day and Christina Parenting Today. She develops Bible-based curriculum for young people and has been involved in children's and youth ministry for the past forty years. She has two grown children and six grandchildren and resides in suburban Chicago.

How to Raise a Modern Day Joseph
Publisher/Publication Date: David C. Cook, June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6531-4
220 pages

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