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Parenting: Early Years

Jun 26
Love0

Technology Q&A – Tim Challies

By Christian Living, Discerning Culture, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond, Podcast
On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we sit down with Tim Challies to explore how churches and families can thoughtfully navigate technology. We discuss the shift from hymnals to projectors, the impact of AI and social media on youth, and practical ways to cultivate disciplined discernment in our congregations. Throughout the conversation, we offer concrete ideas for balancing screen time, fostering community, and protecting children while embracing the benefits that digital tools can bring.
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May 29
Love0

The Brilliance of Deuteronomy 6:7- Or Doing Family Discipleship in the Ordinary

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
In many ways, teaching and talking about the Scriptures is the bull’s-eye of family discipleship. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructs us to make disciples by baptizing them (that is evangelizing them and bringing them into the church) and teaching them to obey all that he commanded. But how do we do that as parents with all the other demands or cultural expectations? Our children have school, sports, music, and other activities. That’s not to mention duties we have as parents. We need to go to work. We should stay connected to our parents and in-laws. Our house and car need to be…
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Dec 08
Love0

“None of Us Knows What We Are Doing as Parents” – A Response

By Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
I was listening to a Christian book on parenting and once again I heard an author say, "None of us knows what we're doing. None of us has our act together. All of us are just trying to figure this thing out one day at a time."  Then having said that, he proceeds to write a whole book. And it's all filled with things that he has "figured out."  Maybe I'm getting old but this type of “authenticity” and “confession” is really starting to bother me. Why? Because I believe it insults God. As parents and grandparents, we are privileged to…
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Nov 10
Love0

Am I Overdiscipling My Children?

By Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
In a recent interview with Nate Akin, he mentioned how his father sought to parent. He described it as a simple philosophy of: 1. Teach them to love Jesus and 2. Have fun. Now perhaps those two things are an oversimplification of what Danny Akin actually did, but that formula is easy to remember and helpful in keeping it simple. In commending, his father, Nate commented on horror stories that he has heard. He talked about parents who were so serious and so wanted their children to follow Jesus that any straying off the line was met with pressure, worry, and correction. Their parenting…
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Oct 18
Love0

When Dad Will Not Lead in the Home

By Family Discipleship, Marriage, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
I receive one question quite consistently at every conference that I do:"What do I do when my husband will not lead spiritually? He says he is a Christian but I cannot get him to take the initiative." Unfortunately, ever since the Garden, men have been plagued with both spiritual passivity and harshness. One of the saddest verses of the Bible is Genesis 3:6 where God’s Word records, “ took of it and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” In other words, Adam was standing with Eve when Satan tempted her. The one who…
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Sep 27
Love0

Seven Commitments of Disciple-MakIng Parents

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
The beginning of the school year is a good time to remind us of the seven commitments we can make to be disciple-making parents.  Let's start with a reminder of where we are aiming. Our hope is to raise not only disciples of Jesus Christ but disciplemakers, men and women who stand as salt and light in our country and take the gospel to the nations. Yes we hope they will be "successful" in life but what matters most is that they walk with Jesus in all areas of life: work, family, and church. As wise parents, we know we…
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Sep 20
Love0

Book Review of: How to Lead Your Family

By Book Review, Book Reviews, Family Discipleship, Leadership, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
As you know, our ministry seeks to encourage parents to disciple their children. Thankfully, there are many good like-minded brothers, sisters, and ministries in the world. Recently, one of those teachers, Dr. Joel Beeke, released a small book, How to Lead Your Family: A Guide for Men Wanting to Be More. I am grateful for this new resource. The following are some thoughts:Contents SummaryThe Westminster Catechism teaches that Jesus occupies and executes the offices of prophet, priest, and king. As our prophet, he teaches us about God. As our priest, he offered up himself as a sacrifice and continues to intercede for…
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Sep 05
Love0

One Man’s Story of Following the Lord – Nate Akin

By Interviews, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond, Podcast
On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we sit down with Nate Akin to hear his powerful testimony and parenting insights. We explore Nate's journey from growing up in a Christian home to his college basketball career at Murray State, including his participation in the NCAA tournament against Georgia and Illinois. Nate openly shares about his season of rebellion during college years and the pivotal moment of repentance that redirected his life toward ministry. We discuss Nate's leadership with the Pillar Network, a Baptist association focused on church planting that now has nearly 600 churches in almost 50 countries.…
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Jul 30
Love0

Children’s Ministry and Its Importance in the Church – Jared Kennedy

By Church Life, Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond, Podcast
On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we explore the critical balance between children's ministry and parental discipleship in the church. We speak with Jared Kennedy, author of "Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation," who shares his journey from aspiring missionary to children's ministry leader. We discuss how children's ministry is not merely childcare but a vital part of the church's mission to pass faith to the next generation. Kennedy challenges the notion that parents are the sole disciplers of children, arguing that Scripture places this responsibility on the entire covenant community.…
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Apr 16
Love0

Parenting Young Children Q & A – Chap Bettis

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Podcast
On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we introduce a brand new Q & A format. Together, we’ll look at crucial parenting topics including establishing parental authority in early years, handling temper tantrums, navigating disagreements between spouses on discipline methods, and responding to children's constant "why" questions. We’ll consider practical wisdom on raising children who are both obedient and creative, emphasizing the importance of balancing firm boundaries with warm affection. PODCAST TRANSCRIPT I’m Chap Bettis, and you’re listening to The Disciple-Making Parent, where we seek to equip parents to pass the gospel to their children. Are you the parent of…
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