Foreword by Paul David Tripp
Introduction

Part 1: The Vision

1. Parenting Is an Invitation
2. The Invitation Is Embedded in Your Conversations
3. How Jesus Talks to Estranged Friends
4. Extended Story: Sacred Space
5. You Talk with No Guarantee
6. You Speak out of the Grace You’ve Already Heard
7. Extended Story: “Get in the Van”
8. Your Kids Need You to Talk to Them . . . a Lot
9. Extended Story: Nanny’s Funeral

Part 2: The Hope

10. Sometimes You Don’t Want to Talk
11. Abraham Misspeaks for God
12. God Speaks for Abraham
13. Jesus Speaks for You
14. You Take Words to God
15. Practice Repenting for Misusing Your Mouth
16. You Hear Words from God
17. You Take Words to Your Kids
18. Speaking Truth and Love

Part 3: The Skill of Encouragement

19. When Should You Encourage?
20. Encouragement Takes Time
21. Replace the Negatives at Home and Abroad
22. Search for the Positive in Seed Form
23. Be Encouraged When You’re Tired of Encouraging

Part 4: The Skill of Honesty

24. The Goal of Honesty: Rescue
25. Think Before You Speak
26. Be a Mirror That Invites Participation
27. Aim for the Heart
28. Lead with Your Worst Foot Forward
29. Build Bridges with Your Failures
30. Expect Your Kids to Make Mistakes
31. Extended Story: Catching a Line-Drive . . . or Not
32. Why You Really Do Want a Forgiving Lifestyle

Afterword: You’re a Megaphone
General Index
Scripture Index

“This book immediately affected the way I had conversations with my grandchildren about some teachable moments in their lives. Smith brings together Scripture and illustrations in a way that makes you want to do better in those conversations, and helps you know how to do it.”
Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; author, I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say?

“If you’re like me, you might have read the title of this book, Parenting with Words of Grace, and felt the need to stifle a moan. Oh, no . . . here comes the guilt! Please don’t make that assumption. Like its title, this book is filled with words of grace: grace to you as a parent and grace to you as a child of the only Father who knows what it is to always speak with words of grace. It’s full of deeply satisfying encouragement for your soul and is written in a winsome and honest way. You’ll be glad you read it. You really will.”
Elyse Fitzpatrick, coauthor, Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

“A rich resource loaded with scriptural insight. Bible lovers will relish Smith’s use and application of Scripture. Parents will be comforted that they are not alone in some of their struggles and given helpful instructions on how to be good parents.”
Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka; author, Discipling in a Multicultural World

“Parenting with Words of Grace delivers on its title. In short, easy-to-read chapters, Bill Smith introduces parents to God’s amazing grace for their own lives and helps moms and dads understand how to apply that grace in their families. The wisdom found in these pages will help you love your kids in spite of their failures, trust God for the outcome of your parenting, and encourage your children through the trials they face.”
Marty Machowski, Executive Pastor, Covenant Fellowship Church, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania; author, The Ology and The Redemption Tales

“I am allergic to formulaic, pedantic, ‘how-to’ Christian books on parenting. Thankfully, that is not what this book is. Bill Smith recognizes that gospel-shaped parenting is more like art than mathematics; we need to depend more on the Holy Spirit than any how-to manual! Most importantly, Smith urges Christian parents to see their God-given role as authoritative, yes, but also formative as they use their words and conversations to establish a Christ-centered relationship with their children that can continue for all eternity. I commend this book to you and have already benefited from it myself.”
Jon Nielson, Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church, Wheaton, Illinois

“Who doesn’t want to invite their children into a healthy, vibrant relationship? I know I do. Bill Smith gives a compelling vision for how our words and conversations shape our parenting and how, through our words, we are vehicles through which our children see God. I read this book and wanted to go talk to my kids. You will too.”
Courtney Reissig, author, Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping through the Psalms in Every Season of Life

“A powerful and encouraging read! William Smith highlights the power of our words as motivators for our children to seek a real and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. He offers encouragement for our failed words and help for our future words.”
Shona Murray, author, Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Endless Demands