Four eldest girls of reality show’s famous super-sized family share their faith and lifestyle in new book

The Learning Channel’s weekly program 19 Kids and Counting has quite possibly made the Duggars the best-known large family in America.

The four eldest daughters—Jana, 24; Jill, 22; Jessa, 21; and Jinger, 20—have grown up in the spotlight and frequently encounter girls and young women who want to know what it’s like to be raised in the Duggar family. Many also want advice for their own lives.

In response, the daughters talk about their faith, their convictions and the benefits of the Duggar lifestyle in Growing Up Duggar: It’s All About Relationships, available this month from Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster. 

While they acknowledge that their family isn’t perfect, they credit their parents for daily emphasizing the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships. In Growing Up Duggar, the girls examine a girl’s relationship with herself, her parents, her siblings, friends, guys, the culture, the country and the world.

For the authors, their relationships are rooted in a connection with God, and they refer to this foundation in every chapter. About friendship, they write: “True friends encourage us to focus on things that are beneficial to us. We will grow closer to God because of our relationship with them.”

One of the longest chapters is about a girl’s relationship with guys. The Duggar girls indicate that many of the questions they receive are about courtship, or as they call it, “dating with a purpose.” They explain the differences between courtship and dating, discuss the importance of purity and mention some of the characteristics they hold important in a future spouse.

The girls view service  to others as the primary focus for Christians. They write about several ministries in which family members have volunteered. 

They also explain and affirm many principles and practices their parents have taught them. 

“Children grow up seeing what their parents value,” they write. “We are grateful to have parents whose faith in Jesus is their top priority.”

Growing Up Duggar is filled with family stories and includes 70 photos. To order, call Howard Books at 800-858-4109.

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