Parenting is perhaps the most all-consuming, life-altering role you will ever undertake. Getting your heart ready for what is about to happen is perhaps one of the most important things you can do.
In Bumps, Babies and the Gospel, Sarah Dargue will take you through the book of Colossians and help you to see that there is no better preparation for having a baby and beginning the parenting journey, than what we are offered in Christ Himself.
This book is the antenatal class you need above all else — an antenatal class for your heart.
What others are saying about Bumps, Babies and the Gospel:
“In a warm, winsome, and at times humorous way, this little book packs a sobering punch; challenging expectant parents to be more concerned about the condition of their own hearts than the colour-scheme of the nursery! Refreshingly honest, helpful, readable and highly recommended.”
— Rory Bell, Director of Training, TnT Ministries
“During a pregnancy and after the birth of a baby, women are frequently overloaded with opportunities to learn and grow in their exciting new role as a mother. With a mountain of baby and parenting strategy books to read, it can become tempting to hit the pause button on reading and studying Scripture. Sarah Dargue’s Bumps, Babies, and the Gospel is like a pre-natal vitamin for the heart, strengthening new and expecting mothers in the good news of the Gospel. Looking to Colossians, women will find there is no substitute for God’s word in these early days of parenting and that only Christ will truly comfort in the middle of this beautiful, new and challenging season.”
— Lindsey Carlson, author of Growing in Godliness
“No antenatal class ever prepared us for the realities of parenting, but God’s Word was the foundation that has seen us through many tests and trials over the years. This book captures, in a simple and beautifully written way, the essence of what our godly friends gave us as we approached and entered parenthood. It points us to Christ, drives at the heart, and provides food for thought.”
— Hugo and Jenny Charteris, Pastor and pastor’s wife, Christ Church Newcastle
"Expectant families are often encouraged to prepare their homes, nurseries, and freezers for the demands of a newborn. Parents, it seems, are not ready until every baby gear, diaper, and frozen dinner is in place. Sarah Dargue wants to add something, not to the end of our baby prep list, but our hearts. She invites growing families to gaze in awe at Christ (the firstborn of creation) and to meet parenthood with the sure hope of his gospel. Sarah’s book helps to provide the heart-level prep mommies and daddies need!”
— Nana Dolce, blogger and writer at motherhoodsanctity.com
“I wish we’d had (and been wise enough to soak in) this beautiful little book when I was pregnant with my first, but honestly, Sarah Dargue’s content is just as true and convicting and encouraging for a parent of older children. In laying the hard and joyful realities of pregnancy and parenting on top of the gospel truth in Colossians, Dargue finds dozens of ways to offer real hope and solid advice for parents in today’s Instagram, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus world.”
— Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, senior writer for The Gospel Coalition
“Many motherhood books do one of two things, either speak to the mother only or speak to motherhood long after her pregnancy has ended. Sarah has written a helpful book that speaks to both parents as they prepare for the arrival of their child, and as they cope with the new reality of parenthood in those early days. By showing us that God’s word is 'living and active' in every season of life, she encourages new parents in the reality of parenthood and the hope provided in Christ. I plan on giving this away at baby showers from now on!”
— Courtney Reissig, author of Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life
“I wish this book had existed before I had my babies! Taking time out from all the physical preparations for parenthood and letting the Bible truths that Sarah explains so well prepare your hearts will definitely be time well spent.”
— Kirsty Patterson, Pastor’s wife, mum of four and midwife
“Through the sleepless nights and the foggy haze of nappy-filled days, it is easy to neglect the vital priorities of Christian parenthood: keeping our hearts well-fed from God’s Word, with our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus. Taking the reader through the New Testament letter to the Colossians, this delightful book seeks to bless and encourage prospective and new parents to ‘learn what it looks like to glorify Christ in the ordinary, everyday moments of parenthood.’ With creative suggestions about feeding on a little bit of God’s Word each day, as well as thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter, this will be a real help to all prospective and new parents. We wish it had been written 30 years ago as we embarked upon the world of bumps and babies!”
— Jonathan and Sandra Prime, Christchurch, Market Harborough
“As followers of Christ, we know in Whom we expect when expecting. Our greatest hope is not in our babies, but in the One who is knitting and transforming us into Christ’s likeness. Through this book, Sarah Dargue lifts our eyes away from ourselves and helps us to meditate on Christ Jesus in our season of waiting. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”
— Irene Sun, author of God Counts: Numbers in his Word and His World
“This book is a must-read for any expectant Christian parent. It does a fantastic job of heart preparation for the huge, daunting and beautiful task ahead. As a parent herself, Sarah understands the unique challenges that the transition to parenthood affords; and in the midst of that, she encourages the reader to gaze on Jesus. I wish this book existed when I was pregnant with my first! It will be my go-to gift for any friends who announce their own pregnancies in the years to come.”
— Cathy Thomson, blogger at gospelcentredparenting.com
"Pregnancy and motherhood are filled with countless joys and blessings, but they’re also seasons that come with new fears, challenges, and uncertainties. Though countless books offer practical advice for healthy pregnancies and caring for babies, few speak to how the hope of the gospel will meet you when the fears arise, the nights are long, and your whole world is suddenly changed. In Bumps, Babies, and the Gospel, Sarah Dargue does just that. Whether you’re praying for children, awaiting the birth of a child, or in the throes of motherhood, Sarah’s words will be a blessing to you – not because she has all the answers, but because she will point you to the One who does.”
— Sarah Walton, author of Together Through the Storms and Hope When It Hurts
“In Bumps, Babies, and the Gospel, Sarah Dargue provides a remarkably beneficial resource for parents anticipating the birth of a child. Dargue skilfully applies rich gospel truths from the book of Colossians to the particular challenges of caring for a newborn. She demonstrates a keen awareness of the heart struggles so common to these early months of a baby’s life (exhaustion, comparison, loss of identity, hormonal changes, among others), and writes with sensitivity and realism about using these struggles to drive us to the cross of Christ and His inexhaustible resources. Couples are encouraged to read, pray, and answer questions together, which will certainly draw husbands and wives together. I recommend this book highly, and look forward to giving copies to expectant parents.”
— Jodi Ware, Southern Seminary Wives Institute, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“There are many books on parenting, but few on pregnancy. Sarah’s book is the first one I’ve found to helpfully address the to-be parent’s deepest need: the know and love the only Creator, Sustainer, and Goal of Creation. Full of practical wisdom on how to pursue Scripture reading, prayer, and community in the tired, trying newborn days, Bumps, Babies, and the Gospel will equip and nourish you.”
— Kristen Wetherell, author of Fight Your Fears and co-author of Hope When It Hurts
