Mark Matlock
Zondervan, 2012, 128 pp., $14.99

Mark Matlock has been studying and teaching about wisdom for a long time. In his recent book Raising Wise Children, he expands on the topic as it relates to parenting. I like his premise—that we shouldn’t just be teaching kids not to do certain things but that we should help them cultivate wisdom in order to make good decisions. This book would come in handy for youth directors when teaching a class to parents of teens, in helping a family work through a difficult issue and in raising his or her own children. The book also would be helpful as background for a teaching series on wisdom and making good decisions.
—Alisa Laska, Director of Youth and Preteens, Grace Presbyterian Church

Mark Matlock tackles an issue in Raising Wise Children: Handing Down the Story of Wisdom that is sure to resonate with wide-eyed parents who want to raise their kids to make good decisions but aren’t sure how to go about it. As a parent of two preschoolers, I already feel over my head when it comes to helping my daughters wisely navigate the difficult terrain of life—and they aren’t even 5 years old! Thoughtful parents will appreciate Mark’s approach to raising wise kids, because he seeks to help parents empower their children with wisdom rather than just get their children to do what they want. He hits the nail on the head when he says that while “we’ve (the church) succeeded in teaching our kids how to obey—how to respond to black-and-white commands—we’ve been far less successful in teaching them how to be wise” (p. 49). I appreciated this book as a parent and as a youth pastor. I know that in these roles, it can be easy to look for a shortcut in how to get my own children or the teenagers I lead to simply behave the way I desire. My goal instead should be to equip them to honor God in every aspect of their lives, no matter what choices are in front of them or what the cost might be.
—Benjer McVeigh

I recently had the privilege to have lunch with Mark Matlock while training at a local Christian university. I had met him briefly at a Wisdom Works event a long time ago and since then have been impressed with his work. During the day of training and lunch while picking his brain about ministry, I found him once again to really know students, ministry and parents. His most recent book Raising Wise Children lets us in on his wisdom. It is a follow-up to his other book and trainings, Real World Parents: Christian Parenting for Families Living in the Real World. With an humble and refreshing approach, Mark writes a book that is understandable while diving deep into godly wisdom on family, parenting and life.

The first half of the book builds a strong biblical foundation about wisdom, what it is and isn’t, and presents practical understanding of it in context of family. The second half builds on that foundation with application and practice, including Chapter 9, in which he brings in the youth ministry element and discusses the importance of wise influencers. Similar to other books, each of the chapters ends with a “Do Something” challenge, which gives a fun suggestion for parents to do with their kids to reinforce what the chapter covered.

This book is not just another parenting book for you to throw on your shelf or reading stack; this a true resource. If you are a parent and doing youth ministry, this is a valuable resource. Just as important, as youth ministry moves toward an intergenerational/family focus, this book easily will become one that is key in that movement. Use it for a parenting class, counseling sessions or one you suggest as families come into your ministry.
—Dan Istvanik

I have three kids, and they are all very different. I have needed wisdom in handling all of them in different circumstances. I also have done my best to let my kids make decisions based on the circumstances they were in at any given time. All parents need wisdom, and all parents should pass on wisdom. Mark Matlock’s book Raising Wise Children takes these these short statements and puts them into a strategy for raiding kids who cannot only obey, but think. Mark makes a great point about being a mediator of wisdom. A mediator stands between the child and the circumstance and talks them though a situation versus just asking them to comply to a set of behaviors. I love how Mark makes the comparison of teaching wisdom with how Jesus taught the disciples. Jesus told stories, asked questions, and made them question preconcieved theories they had been taught. Sounds like discipleship to me. I really was blown away by the amount of practical information this book contains. A parent will not have to slog through tons of theory to get to the meat. At the end of each chapter, Mark offers a simple, at-home activity a parent can do with kids. A youth worker would be wise to buy this book and use it as a small group resource or as Sunday School curriculum. The book easily would cover six to eight weeks of material and empower parents to do exactly what the book says: raise wise kids.
—Paul Turner, Youth Pastor, Pleasant Grove Assembly, Pleasant Grove, Alabama

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