Renowned researcher Georger Barna turned his methods loose on parenting and published the book, Revolutionary Parenting.  As we all know and he also references, there are thousands upon thousands of parenting books already out there. 

Of those plethora of parenting books, they can be divided into two categories:  parenting by default which is adopting the parenting habits that are driven from a changing culture; and experimental parenting or learning the trial-by-error methods from the "experts."  Barna wanted to research out a different kind of parenting, a kind of parenting that used biblical commands, principles, and narrative to raise children with a faith in God that would last into adulthood.  His research methods included personal interviews with more than ten thousand young adults in their twenties who were leading "transformed" lives and their parents.  The results of the research is the book.  

Because of the mass glut of parenting books that offer little new insight and more often make parents feel like failures, I generally do not recommend parent books.  So when I recommend this book to the parents of the youth you work with, consider where the recommendation is coming from.

From the interviews with the parents, Barna compiled a list of  chief rules that he found that these parents relied upon when raising their children.  These rules were common threads from all of the interviews.   These "rules" could serve as an outline for discussion at a parent meeting or can be printed up (with the research background) and given to the parents as a resource for them to ponder during their own quiet times (this is what I did).

The list of widespread rules are:

1.  Always tell the truth, regardless of the circumstances or consequences; strive to be known as honest, reliable, and trustworthy.
2. Always show respect to other people, no matter how you feel about them, through your attitude and language; it reflects the love that God has for them.
3. Help others whenever the opportunity arises; we are servants.
4. Control your tongue:  swearing and angry words are inappropriate.
5. Do not judge other people's motives; only judge their behavior insofar as it personally affects you or family members.
6. Take good care of your body; consistent hygiene and physical exercise are important to maintain.
7. Be active in the pursuit of your faith, in whatever form that journey takes.
8. Work hard in school to produce the best grades and most excellent work possible.
9. Carry out  your household chores as a means of pulling your weight in the family, honoring family members through service, and developing good habits.
10. Make sure at least one parent knows where you are at all times; if you're away from home and want to go somewhere else, get parental approval first.
11. Accept the penalties for inappropriate behavior; it is not a sign of anger or dislike by the elders who discipline you but a sign of caring and love designed to facilitate growth. (pp. 65-66)

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