Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Week 4: Chapter 3 — You're Always Communicating
Read Chapter 3 of Shepherding a Child's Heart. Primary Scripture: Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:16.
Want the full guide for Shepherding a Child's Heart?
Free Week 1 sample in 5 min · $24.99 for all 17 weeks · 7-day refund
Communication is not just what we say — it is everything we do and don't do. This chapter invites an honest audit of the messages your home is constantly broadcasting to your children.
Discussion Questions
6 questions1.Tripp's core claim in this chapter is that parents are always communicating, whether they intend to or not. What are some of the 'unintentional messages' that parents commonly send to their children through tone, body language, or habits?
2.He suggests that how parents respond in moments of stress or conflict communicates more about what they truly believe about God and the gospel than any formal Bible lesson. Do you agree? Can you think of a recent example in your own home?
3.Ephesians 4:29 calls us to let only words that 'build up' come out of our mouths. Tripp applies this to parenting — words of criticism, contempt, or dismissal do lasting damage to a child's sense of worth. What kinds of communication patterns in your home do you most want to change?
a.What words or phrases do you find yourself repeating to your children that you would not want them to remember?
b.What words do you wish you said more often?
You're on Week 4 of 17
Don't lose momentum — get the rest of Shepherding a Child's Heart
All 114 questions across 17 weeks, with closing prayers and a downloadable PDF for your group.
One-time purchase · 7-day refund · Covers your whole group