Concern # 1

Missing Biblical Cornerstones

The parenting program is named Growing Kids God’s Way, which may give the program participant the idea that this is a complete, biblical program in raising children. It is not! The program focuses primarily on discipline. Some teachings on discipline have biblical roots and some do not. Discipline is important; the Bible speaks on it. However, there are other issues which are missed that are equally more important.

That is not to say a program guiding parents in child discipline is not needed in our society. But it is very possible that this program has missed the greatest goal in Christian parenting. The greatest goal is to lead a child to a saving knowledge of Christ (redemption). Without the redemption of a child, what would it matter whether children responded to discipline in the home or not? Without such instruction and response they would spend their lives on earth and in eternity without the presence of God.

God’s plan to redeem man is one of the overriding themes of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. This program gives little or no attention to it. If this were a program teaching parents how to raise children according to a biblical plan, then at least one major section would be devoted to the redemption of a child. Teaching redemption is so important in the Bible that Jesus spent one third of his teaching ministry training the disciples in redemption. How can the GKGW program be God’s plan in raising children if the redemption of a child is not a major issue? What about the subjects of prayer, faith, and the Word; where are these teaching sections in this parenting program?

In courtesy to the Ezzos, I believe they would like all children in their program to come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but their goals in parenting mistakenly miss this important element. It would better serve this program to include these areas or rename the program: “Growing Kids in Discipline According to Gary and Ann Marie Ezzo.”

The following page is the Ezzo’s “Subject Index” (GKGW) for raising children according to God’s plan. Discover for yourself what is missing, and ask is this truly God’s way of raising children? Enclosed in the box are the biblical priorities that I feel are essential to a Christian parenting program. It would be impossible to title a parenting program Growing Kids God’s Way without these priorities.