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04 Oct 2021
Answering The What Ifs
00:34:22
On the fifth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) answer some common questions for Christian parents.
Questions that we answered in this episode:
What if my kids will not sit still for family discipleship time?
What if I’ve never been discipled so I don’t know what it looks like?
What if my kids are still just babies?
What if my kids are disinterested or even resistant/defiant teenagers?
What if my kids are older and we’ve neve done ANY spiritual conversations before?
What if my spouse is not a Christian OR we don’t see eye to eye on how to lead our family?
What if I keep losing my temper with my kids, like what if my behavior is a poor example to my kids?
What if our family is “too busy” for family discipleship?
What if I’m a parent but I don’t feel super theologically competent?
What if my kid has special needs?
What if we have a big family? How do we make time or give focus to every kid?
What if we want or need a resource to help us get started as a family?
What resources do you recommend for family discipleship?
On the ninth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) address a very common issue that Christian parents face, parent guilt..
Questions that we answered in this episode:
Why is having a Romans 3:23 vision of parenting important for parents?
What is the difference between being hard on yourself for not being a better parent and sinning in omission or commission that requires repentance?
We feel guilty when we think we did something wrong, is there such a thing as right and wrong in Christian parenting?
What role does comparison play in parent guilt?
Do you see a difference between grief over sin and guilt over unmet expectations?
How can moms and dads preach the gospel to themselves when it comes to their parenting shortcomings?
What role does community play in addressing parent guilt?
Where do you see moms and dads potentially feeling guilty specifically around family discipleship?
What is a godly response to making parenting mistakes?
What is the relationship between parenting guilt and Christ’s warning to not be anxious about anything?
What does modeling a guilty reaction to our own mistakes model for our kids that we don’t want them to learn from us?
If we could not get over our parent guilt, how would you counsel us?
Processing Your Past with Your Family with Jordan Rogers
00:44:25
On the fourteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about processing your past with your family with their friend Jordan Rogers.
You can follow Jordan here on instagram and you can hear his “I Am Second” story here.
Questions we addressed in this episode:
Have y’all thought much about how or when or even “if” you will process your personal history with your kids?
What do you think are the important things to consider when a parent is thinking about processing their past with their family?
I don’t know if you ever hear this, but I know I have, when a parent feels like they can’t tell their teenager NOT to do something because they know that they did it when they were their age. What do you say to the parent who feels like it’d be hypocritical to warn their kids away from choices that they’ve made poorly themselves? How can we encourage parents who feel disqualified from “leading by example”?
What does 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 have to do with this conversation?
Why is knowing how, when, and whether to process part of your past with your kids an important aspect of family discipleship modeling?
Have you seen your history help you in how you raise your kids, maybe especially in how you spiritually disciple them?
What does it practically look like to “be honest and use discretion?”
How has your history and who you are now in Christ helped you shape the way you want to lead your home going forward?
Some of our favorite quotes from this episode:
“I had really positive, persistent, gospel-saturated parents and the older I get the more I realize how fortunate I was for that.” - Jordan Rogers
“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” - Bryan Stevenson
“We will be as honest as age appropriate about our past.” - Jordan Rogers
“Thank God that our bible is full of people who have broken pasts.” - Cassie Bryant
“The title of your story is not going to be your mistakes. God can redeem all things” - Cassie Bryant
"We can't lead our children any further than we are willing to go." - Jordan Rogers
“We cannot do a bunch of good things to make our bad things go away, but God has the power to redeem and restore and make something new.” - Chelsea Griffin
“I want my kids to know that God is doing miracles around us in the lives of people that we love.” - Chelsea Griffin
“There’s a redeemed version of Adam Griffin that gets to speak to my kids about why I am not who I was anymore.” - Adam Griffin
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Concrete Conversations: The Best (and Most Beautiful) New Resource for Family Discipleship
00:24:58
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by their kids to have a conversation using their new resource with Concrete Conversations designed to help families have intentional talks about life and faith.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What is Concrete Conversations?
What family story makes you laugh the hardest?
What is your favorite place to go to as a family?
Who is the most faithful person you know? What do you admire about them?
What does Proverbs 3:5-6 have to do with faith?
If you could tame one wild animal and have it as a pet, what would you have?
Say something encouraging to the person on your left.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Jen Wilkin and JT English to discuss their new book, You are a Theologian.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
Can you tell us about the process of writing, You Are A Theologian, together?
The introduction to your book says that we have historically not done great at transferring our faith from one generation to the next. Why is that happening? What’s the root of the problem from your perspective?
Can you help us understand the difference between making disciples and making converts?
Can you explain how, “all contact with the bible is good contact” is a flawed premise?
One of the things you wrote is that, “we cannot teach what we ourselves have never been taught.” Can you help us apply that to parents who want to disciple their kids, but they’ve never been discipled themselves?
If someone wants to make sure they are not a bad theologian, how will they know?
How does the realization that the role of teaching the Bible is to “transmit old and time-tested teachings to new ears” help take the pressure off of a mom or dad who is trying to disciple their kids?
How do we “do theology” in the way we are raising kids?
How would you like to see churches developing theologians in the local church?
How do you think that a list of doctrines and this book might be a blessing to moms and dads who want to disciple their kids?
Any of those doctrinal chapters really stick out to you as something that would particularly bless the average mom or dad?
What are some ways that we can be praying for you?
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Sissy Goff to have a conversation about how we can disciple our kids when they face worry or anxiety.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
Is there a reason that this generation of kids and adults is dealing with so much pervasive anxiety?
Could you give us a basic definition of worry or anxiety?
What kinds of things are kids afraid of that are making them anxious?
How do we help a kid to develop a sense of perspective that is more accurate and how is that going to help?
How does what we as Christians believe about worry and anxiety play into how we parent an anxious child?
Why do you think that is so hard for people to be free enough to laugh at their own mistakes?
How are kids coping with stress and are there healthy ways to help them cope?
What is the balance between letting my kid face some failures and providing a hurt-free environment when possible?
How do we, as parents, navigate that the bottom line of worry is that our anxious kids care so much?
How does a parent identify profound anxiety in a child or in themselves? Like, when would we know if it’s the right time to go seek help for our child?
For the parent who right now is overwhelmed, maybe they are anxious about their kids own anxiety, what encouragement or compassion do you have to offer them today?
Are there any scriptures that have been especially precious to you as you’ve counseled people through anxiety?
What are some ways that we can be praying for you?
Guest Bio:
Sissy Goff is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Disability and Discovering God's Image in Everyone with Laura Wifler
00:38:20
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by are joined by Laura Wifler to discuss how the Imago Dei shapes and forms how we view ourselves and those around us, including those with disabilities.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
You’ve got a new kids book out “Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person.” Where did the idea for this book come from?
You’ve already written a beautiful book for moms, Risen Motherhood, was this experience a lot different?
How can parents help foster conversations about the differences our kids will see in themselves and others?
Can you talk to us about how our theology around the “image of God” gets to be part of how we lead our kids to think about themselves and others?
As a parent of a child with disabilities, what encouragement can you share with the multitude of other parents who have children with disabilities?
How can we care well for families who are going through diagnosis while being sensitive to their unique situation?
What do you wish that churches understood about families who are navigating raising kids with disabilities?
How do you see “God made you, God loves you, God is kind to you” being something could be used by a Christian family who is trying to disciple well?
How do you counsel a family who is struggling with a diagnosis or difficulty?
Sometimes parents will ask us about leading family devotions and family discipleship with kids who have learning differences and disabilities, any advice or encouragement for them?
Are there any scriptures that have been especially precious to you as you’ve parented?
What are some ways that we can pray for you?
Guest Bio:
Laura Wifler co-founded Risen Motherhood in 2016, a ministry that brings gospel-hope to moms around the world, and today she is the Executive Director of the nonprofit. She has written several books including but not limited to; Risen Motherhood, Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer, Social Sanity In An Insta World, and To The Cross I Cling. Laura shares her writing through articles, essays, and poetry online. You can find her fairly regularly on Instagram and definitely through her newsletter.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant have a conversation about the role of a parent to disciple their family when it comes to school choices.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What are the temptations and dangers of this conversation?
What is your personal education story?
Why is there so much tension around this choice for parents?
What kind of questions would you ask on a school visit?
How can we pay attention to our motivations when we make this decision? What scripture are you using in order to make your choice?
What’s the importance of parent involvement regardless of school choice?
How can this go well and how can this go poorly?
Does my kid's peer group matter?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, John 17:1–26
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the nineteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about Family Discipleship Milestones.
Questions we asked in this episode:
What are some examples of family discipleship milestones?
How do you think our culture is thinking about manhood and womanhood and adulthood and how is it different from what we want for our kids?
What are some of the harder and tougher things that can be milestones?
What are some scriptural examples of God giving his people physical reminders of his faithfulness?
Can you think of physical things or places that remind you of God’s faithfulness?
Do y’all have any milestones you’ve already marked or any you are looking forward to?
How can churches help make and mark milestones?
Can you think of family traditions, adventures, or heirlooms that could help parents remind their kids about Christ?
Some of our favorite quotes from this episode:
“For our good we create reminders of God’s faithfulness. We don’t want to fall out of love with Jesus and we don’t want to fall into sin. We have to stay reminded all the time. God knows that and that’s why the scriptures repeat again and again “Don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forget!”” - Chelsea Griffin
“The opposite of manhood is not womanhood, it’s boyhood. The bible says that when I became a man I put childish ways away. As our boys go from boyhood to manhood I want them to learn to serve others, I want them to have the courage to protect others, and I want them to put others first as they put themselves last. I want them to have the courage to follow God in a culture that does not respect that.” - Chelsea Griffin
“Not all milestones are celebratory. It can be the loss of a family pet. Their first funeral. It can be failing a class or making a huge mistake at school. It is taking anything that your kid will likely look back on and remember, and wanting to make sure that in their memory of that time they remember you walking with them and they remember you pointing them to truth and how to think about that difficult thing in light of the gospel.” - Cassie Bryant
“God seems keenly aware that we are a forgetful people and so he gives his people a lot of reminders. Our eyes need to see things to remind us that God seeks to dwell with his people.” - Chelsea Griffin
“There’s something so special about going on a pilgrimage, going on a trip that has a spiritual meaning behind it.” - Adam Griffin
“If you do not plan family discipleship milestones, they will not happen. There are really sweet things that come from a family sitting down and planning out how we are going to point out the goodness of God.” - Adam Griffin
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
On the seventeenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about family discipleship moments. Moments are taking advantage of everyday opportunities to foster conversations about God and godliness.
Questions we asked in this episode:
Why is it important to be able to leverage opportunities in everyday life to talk about the gospel?
What are some examples of family discipleship moments?
How are our everyday interactions with our kids working towards our goals of discipling our family?
How can making a mistake and repenting be a great family discipleship moment?
What is a scripture you might use to address the following moments…
When your child is angry
When your child is sad
When your child is celebrating
When you messed up and want to apologize
When you see something beautiful
When your kids aren’t getting along
Do y’all have any phrases that you like to come back to in family discipleship moments?
Does your church do any equipping for families by creating or using the same language/phrasing repeatedly?
Can you think of a “light bulb” moment for our kids that came from an unplanned spiritual conversation?
Some of our favorite quotes from this episode:
“Jesus did this. We see Jesus in his incarnational ministry all the time pointing out everyday things that seem mundane or unimportant and use them to teach gospel truth. We have the same opportunity as we do life with our kids. We see things everyday that remind us of what’s true about God and what’s true about us.” - Chelsea Griffin
“It’s such a great example to show our kids our need for Christ. We never outgrow our need for him, we only grow more aware of it.” - Cassie Bryant
“Most of my parenting failures come out of me relying on my own strength or operating in what I think is best and not what God says is best. When I fail, it is such a great opportunity to show my family my need for Christ.” - Cassie Bryant
Resources mentioned in this episode:
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant discuss what anxiety is and how we can encourage our families to seek God in all circumstances because He cares for us.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What comes to mind when you think of anxiety?
Where is anxiety a struggle for you as a parent?
Where do you see anxiety mentioned in the word of God?
What do you say to a parent who is struggling with anxiety?
Helpful Definitions:
Anxiety: Overestimating a threat and underestimating our ability to handle it.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 8:23-27, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:25-34
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Landon and Kami Jones to talk about how they disciple their family while living on the road.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and the adventure you are on?
How did all of this adventure get started? What made you want to take your family on the road?
Do you have any regrets about this decision? What do you miss about your old life?
How are you using this adventure to develop and disciple your boys?
Did anything change for your family discipleship once you moved into the RV full time?
What does education look like for you out on the road?
What has been a highlight spot for you?
What about in regards to discipling your boys? Any highlights in their spiritual growth while you’ve been out?
What has been hard and how have you seen the Lord work in those moments?
What does church look like for you?
What are practical next steps you can give a family who is listening to this who is feeling the business of their calendar?
How long do you think you’ll keep doing this?
What are some ways that we can pray for you?
Guest Bio:
Landon and Kami Jones have been married for nine years and are the parents of 4 boys; Julius, Winston, Otis, Arlo. They are Colorado natives and have been on the road for seven months.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Abbey Wedgeworth to have a conversation about how to care for someone in the pain of miscarriage, what her family discipleship rhythms look like, and how we all need the gospel.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
How did God use Psalm 139 to minister to you in your own grief?
How would you encourage someone after a miscarriage to lean into the desire to have children?
Is there anything you wish dads or church workers knew to care for these women well?
What inspired the series of “Training Young Hearts” books for you?
Can you give us a window into what following Jesus together looks like right now for the Wedgeworth family? What are your “gospel rhythms”?
What are some of your favorite memories of spiritual conversations with your kids?
What scriptures do you lean on to shape your role as a mother and disciple-maker?
What role does your church play in discipling your family?
How would you encourage a parent who is listening to this episode and can relate to what you are saying?
Where do you find or look for joy in leading your family to follow God?
Guest Bio:
Abbey Wedgeworth is a wife, mother, and writer. The author of Held and the Training Young Hearts series, she is passionate about discipleship and Bible literacy, and loves to see the way that the gospel transforms how people think and live. Abbey lives on the South Carolina coast with her husband, David, and their three children.
Adam Griffin is joined by Phil and Diane Comer to discuss their story of how they desired to raise their children to love and follow Jesus.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What did it look like for your family to follow Jesus daily?
How did y’all customize discipleship for each one of your kids?
How does God disciple and raise us and how does that affect how we should raise our kids?
Did y’all do anything intentional to help your kids love the body of Christ as y’all raised your kids?
How do you have non-negotiables around spiritual disciplines in your home raising your children (requiring them to read their Bibles, attend church, etc.)?
Guest Bio:
In 2004, Phil & Diane Comer, along with their son John Mark, planted Solid Rock, A Jesus Church (now known as Westside: A Jesus Church), in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, God moved powerfully and other churches were planted across the West Coast including Bridgetown Church, where John Mark Comer served as Founding/Pastor of teaching and vision for ten years before launching “Practicing The Way”. After raising four kids who are all walking with Jesus, Phil & Diane were commissioned by the elders with the task of teaching parents how to raise passionate Jesus followers.
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by JP Pokluda to talk about how we can teach our kids to date wisely.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
For those who don’t know you, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
You’ve spoken and written a lot on dating and relationships. Is that just from working with younger people or was that already a passion of yours?
Is thinking about dating from a father’s perspective different for you?
What do you think about dating in high school?
How has dating changed?
Do you think there is anything concerning about celebrating the idea of dating with younger kids?
How do you help parents think about at what age one of their kids is ready to date?
How does a family prepare a kid to resist that pressure to conform to culture when it comes to dating?
What lies about dating do parents have an opportunity to address?
How much of your personal dating history do you share with your kids?
If a parent feels a lot of shame around their own dating story, how would you pastor them into freedom and confidence to still lead their family well in this?
If my kids trust me enough to ask “how far is too far physically,” how would you help parents answer that for their kids?
What is a wise and Godly way to “break up”?
If our listeners want to pray for you and your family, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
1 Corinthians 7:1-9, Matthew 19:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Genesis 1:28, John 21:15-19, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant answer questions submitted by listeners!
Questions Covered in This Episode:
How do you manage ministry and family life?
How do you handle boys making pretend weapons out of anything?
What sorts of things do you write in the Bibles you are journaling for your boys?
How do you handle disrespectful attitudes from elementary kids?
How do you manage grandparents that live far away when the others live close?
How do you discipline biblically in today’s culture that pushes an attachment parenting style? How do you discipline a one year old that is being defiant but is too young to understand?
How do you make sure you cover everything with your kids before they graduate or “launch”?
How do we not view parts of our child's personality as a direct result of our parenting choices?
How do you get your kids to engage in the main worship gathering?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant discuss how important it is for parents to disciple their teenagers.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What’s going on developmentally for 15-18 year olds?
What are your hopes and fears for the teen years?
What is the reputation of a teenager?
What are the kinds of things that teenagers love to experiment with and take risks with?
How do we have great conversations with kids in this stage and maintain a healthy parent/child relationship?
What’s important about discipleship in regards to getting “ready to launch” at this stage? What do we want to make sure our kids are prepared for and with?
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Caroline Cobb to discuss where parents can find true rest and how music can minister to our souls.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
When did you start making music? What was the inspiration?
How has motherhood affected the way you see God?
Does music help you find rest in God when life gets hard?
Why do you think parenting brings so much anxiety to adults?
How does a parent find rest?
What encouragement do you have for parents who are feeling overwhelmed?
Do you ever write music that is for yourself or your family?
Is music a part of how you lead your home spiritually?
Can you tell us about the song “There is a Mountain”?
What are some ways that we can pray for you?
Guest Bio:
Caroline Cobb is married to Nick and they have 3 kids and live in Dallas, TX. Caroline is a singer-songwriter who has a passion to tell God’s Story through song. You can find out more about her story, albums, shows, and resources on her website.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant are joined by Chap Clark discuss how we can disciple our families well during the teenage years.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
A lot of your writing is for parents of teenagers. How did that become your expertise or passion?
Does every generation go through the same thing or is there anything unique or changing about today’s teenagers?
How do adolescents find the answers to those questions?
How can we pass on our faith and disciple our kids without creating some adolescent resentment for our attempts to teach them to value the same things we value?
Is there any way to avoid a season of opposition in teenagers?
What would you say to a parent who is really struggling right now to lead their family with a rebellious teenager at home?
How should “leading our families spiritually” change as our kids get older?
What role should the church play in coming alongside families of teenagers?
Do you see any common misconceptions about student ministry in our churches?
Guest Bio:
As a former pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, a professor and vice provost at Fuller Seminary, and a 15-year leader on Young Life staff, Chap has given his life to the encouragement and empowerment of young people and those who work with and for them.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Jim Burns to discuss how we can navigate our role as a parent changing as our kids get older.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
Do you find a lot of young families asking you about how to prevent failure to launch, walking away from their faith, or walking away from their family?
How does the fact that “we will spend more time as a parent of an adult child than we will as the parent of a young child and adolescent” change the way we think about raising our kids when they are still in our homes?
You write about the role of a parent changing as your kids get older, how would you help parents navigate the role that grandparents should play in the life of their family?
How does letting kids experience hurt and hardship help us reach our goals as parents?
What wisdom do you have for parents who don’t want to dwell on what could have been better?
What if parents of young children are having conflict with their own parents that they don’t want to let their kids be exposed to? Do you have any wisdom for situations like that?
What role does “boundary setting” play in having healthy multigenerational relationships in our family?
How can we encourage and bless our parents and our kids grandparents?
What do you say to, or what encouragement do you have for the family who is dealing with grandparent conflict because they are discipling their family?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Talking with Your Kids about Race and Diversity with Trillia Newbell
00:31:36
On the sixth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) talk with a special guest, Trillia Newbell, about talking with your family about race and diversity and what it has to do with spiritual leadership.
Trillia is an author and speaker in Nashville TN. To learn more about Trillia you can follow her on instagram @trillianewbell and find out more about her ministry at http://www.trillianewbell.com/.
Questions we asked Trillia in this episode:
What inspired the writing of your children’s books about race and diversity? Were you itching to write them or did someone else ask you to do it?
In “God’s Very Good Idea” you say “Everyone you see is different than you, and the same as you.” You’re teaching about the image of God in diverse people. Why is this important for Christian parents to be teaching their kids?
How is racial diversity a family discipleship issue?
One of the questions you ask kids to consider in “Creative God Colorful Us” is “Why do you think it’s important to love those who don’t look or sound like you?” Can you answer that question for us? Why is that important for our kids?
Can you think of examples in the Newbell home where race has been a difficult issue to navigate as you and your husband lead your home?
For a lot of parents, racial tension or division in the news is a hard thing to talk about even with their peers. What wisdom could you offer our listeners on processing racism spiritually with their families?
What do you say to the parent who is raising kids in a homogenous neighborhood, church, and school? How can they help their family see the beauty in diversity?
Racism and prejudice are sinful, we see that in God’s word. Why do you think parents have such an easier time addressing sins like selfishness, anger, impatience, and lust with our children than we do with addressing prejudice and partiality?
If you could go back to when your first child was born and give yourself one piece of advice about the Newbell family’s spiritual life, what would you say?
I’m curious about how this conversation has changed in your house for your kids as they reach different ages. You wrote books for different levels, what have the different levels of conversations on this topic looked like in your house?
Is there any scripture that you or your family can point to that has been a guide to you in how you’ve led your home spiritually around issues of race and diversity?
Before we let you go, would you mind sharing with us, what are the prayers you have for your kids right now? If our listeners want to pray for the Newbells, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Some of our favorite quotes from Trillia Newbell in this episode:
Either you’re going to be teaching your children or the culture is going to be teaching your children and we have a choice. So we want to be engaged in what the bible says about people because the world has a different message. We have good, good news. It is good to know that we are all equal in the sight of God. That God has created us all to reflect him. Every person walking this earth has value and worth. It is essential that we are instilling that into our children...It’s of utmost importance, because if we don’t teach them that foundation, how are we going to then teach them about love?
There is evidence of a transformed heart by the way we look and interact with people. It is of utmost importance that we understand that God has created us and that we are commanded to love people who don’t look like us or sound like us. It’s really a foundation of the faith.
If you are seeing racism on the news, one thing I wish that we’d all do is learn how to weep with those weep and mourn with those who mourn...We make everything about division or politics when really as families we need to shepherd their hearts and teach them how to pray and how to mourn.
I felt valuable because my parents told me I was and no one could take that away.
There are so many kids who are walking wounded because of the color of their skin.
You have to make the effort to be intentional to enjoy different cultures.
You’re not gonna address something with your kids that you haven’t addressed in your own heart. It’s really difficult if you haven’t said, “Ok Lord, where have I failed here? I confess. I repent.”...Parents have to do the hard work of really evaluating their own hearts.
We can be apathetic about this topic. If it doesn’t affect me personally then it doesn’t affect me at all.
One of the things I realized really early on is that I cannot save my kids. That burden has been lifted.
On the fifteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about family discipleship time, what it looks like for parents to have an appointed time where the family gathers for talking about and living out the gospel.
Questions we addressed in this episode:
Why is having time in the word or worship a critical component of leading a family?
What are some examples of family discipleship time? What would be a daily, weekly, or monthly example?
What do you think most families do with their time together? Is there a way to leverage those times they are already together to make it a time for family discipleship?
Where should family discipleship be on our list of priorities?
Why do you think it’s so easy for parents to treat family discipleship so casually and with so little intentionality?
What are your favorite memories of family discipleship time?
Would you consider the commitment to going to church together part of a family’s family discipleship time?
In the book Family Worship, Donald Whitney talks about the simple formula of Read, Pray, Sing. What does that look like though for different ages of kids?
Do you have any resources that you suggest for Family Discipleship Time for different age families?
Some of our favorite quotes from this episode:
“Our kids are unwise by nature. The bible says that “folly is stored up in the heart of a child.” It’s such a delight to read the word with our kids and just to see God’s goodness in that his word can be understood by kids. He can reveal himself to children.” - Chelsea Griffin
“It would be strange in a Christian family to all read our bibles separately. No. We should read it with our children from day one.” - Chelsea Griffin
“There are so many other things in your life that you’re preparing for all the time and they’re not nearly as important as this. You’re preparing meals everyday. You’re not going to not feed yourself or your kids. You’re preparing for work or your home. That’s the same amount of time we are asking you to consider preparing for something way more important – investing in the spiritual life of your kids.” - Adam Griffin
“Church is a big part of our family discipleship time. Being together with the local body is an important thing to prioritize.” - Cassie Bryant
“Almost every family has time in the car together. What’s great about that is that everyone is strapped down! That can be a great time for worship or to pray together or to talk about scripture.” - Chelsea Griffin
“We make time for the things we want to do. You don’t work for your clock or your calendar, they work for you.” - Adam Griffin
“If we believe that scripture is authoritative and it is sufficient and that it is our daily bread then we should be partaking in it everyday.” - Cassie Bryant
“Being in God’s word everyday is acknowledging our dependence on him – in my personal walk but also as a family.” - Cassie Bryant
“We hear people talk all the time about finding a church with the best kid’s stuff. What I really want everyone to be able to say is that the best kids ministry is at my house. No one loves my kids like I do. I know them and I know what they’re going through.” - Chelsea Griffin
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Host Adam Griffin introduces the Family Discipleship Podcast. Adam talks about the critically important and mostly ordinary work of leading your family spiritually. There are many parenting podcasts, but this one is going to focus specifically on Christian leadership issues at home.
Adam also introduces the show’s two co-hosts, Cassie Bryant and Chelsea Griffin.
Listen to the trailer and subscribe now. The first full episode will be released on September 6th, 2021.
What Is This Generation Facing? with Sean McDowell
00:40:24
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Dr. Sean McDowell to have a conversation about what the current generation is facing.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
For those who don’t know you, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
What is different about what this generation is facing?
What kind of reasons are you seeing in this generation as to why they don’t want to be part of the Christian church?
What does it look like to “start early” as a parent addressing some of the tougher questions our kids are struggling with?
How do you encourage parents to equip themselves to address some of these “tough issues” that this generation is facing?
Is there a way for families to do skilled research together? Or is that something we need to provide space for kids to do on their own?
What is the Christian family’s answer to all of this stress and anxiety?
What encouragement can you offer to parents in order to stay positive in this work?
Where do you see the “biblical worldview” facing the greatest cultural opposition in this generation and how can we address that?
What do you see or think God is doing with this generation?
Why is love the backbone to what you’re advocating for in how we interact with these young people?
What do you see in God’s word that you think really resonates with this generation?
If our listeners want to pray for you and your family, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Guest Bio:
Dr. Sean McDowell is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a teacher with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Sean is the co-host for the Think Biblically podcast, has a YouTube channel, and has an apologetics blog.
He graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary with a double master’s degree in Theology and Philosophy. He earned a Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014. Sean married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie and they have three children.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Acts 17:11, 1 Peter 5:7, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Romans 12:2,
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Parenting without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World with Rachel Gilson
00:45:03
Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant are joined by Rachel Gilson to discuss how we can parent without panic in an LGBT-affirming world.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Can you tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
What inspired you to write, Born Again This Way?
Why do think living in an LGBT-Affirming World causes so much fear for parents?
Why do think starting with what sex is, is a good place to start this conversation?
Why do you think so much of our culture, including Christian culture, talks and acts like romantic relationships are critical for our identity?
What does it look like for parents to have healthy age-appropriate conversations about sex with their kids?
Why is it important to have a safe relationship with our kids so important when it comes to this conversation when they hear conflicting messages?
At the end of each chapter, you have practices and principles, how are you hoping that helps parents?
How do we keep our kids from seeing people as good and bad based on what they believe and live in regards to this topic?
Can you explain the “yes, no, yes” framework and how it helps parents navigate this conversation?
What wisdom do you have to offer a family whose child is saying they are LBGT?
Guest Bio:
Rachel Gilson (M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) serves on the leadership team for theological development and culture for Cru, and is the author of Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith and What Comes Next as well as Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT Affirming World: Discipling our Kids with Jesus’ Truth and Love. She is pursuing a PhD in public theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Habits of the Household with Justin Whitmel Earley
00:34:29
On the eighteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about Habits of the Household with author, husband, lawyer, and father Justin Whitmel Earley.
For those who have not read the book, can you tell us a little about it and why you wrote it?
Can you explain habits of the household as liturgies?
Can you speak a little bit to why parents need to develop better habits in discipline instead of just going with our instincts?
How does the gospel impact what you say to your kids in moments of discipline?
Can you explain what you mean in that chapter on discipline when you say parents should “insist on apologies as confession”?
Is there any example from you and Lauren’s home that could help remind our listeners that you are not perfect at this either?
What can you say to encourage the family that has tried and tried and tried to form new habits and they feel like they keep failing?
When a mom or a dad gets to the end of the book, what do you hope they walk away with? What do you hope they feel? How do you hope to shape their view of God?
Before we let you go, would you mind sharing with us, what are the prayers you have for your kids right now? If our listeners want to pray for you, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Some of our favorite quotes from Justin Earley in this episode:
“The ordinary stuff is the extraordinary stuff. The normal domestic moment Is the place of incredible spiritual formation and that to me is incredibly exciting as you think about parenting. You are in a world of thick spiritual formation where bedtimes, mealtimes, car rides, how you pass a plate at dinner, how you pray, everything you share, is the training ground for hearts to learn to love God and love their neighbor.”
“Lord, help me remember that I am more like them than I think and help me to respond with the grace and truth that you give me.”
“I ask my kids, “Do you know that I love you no matter what you do?””
“It is a given of life that we will sin against each other, but what is not a given is whether or not we will reconcile. Practicing small acts that lead us into confession, repentance, and reconciliation – that’s really the difference between a house that’s being formed in the image of the story of the bible and a house that just knows it but doesn’t act like it.”
“None of our habits will change God’s love for us. That’s good news. But what’s even better news is that God’s love will change our habits.”
“God is the truest and most loving parent that any of us have. Most of parenting is not how we are shaping our kids but rather how God is shaping us and our kids.”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Fathers Day: The Dad Difference with Bryan Loritts
00:36:32
On the twenty sixth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant) talk about Father’s Day and fatherhood with Bryan Loritts.
Questions we asked Bryan about in this episode:
As it pertains to your book on fatherhood, The Dad Difference, can you tell us why you wrote it? What was the heart behind this project?
One of things you say very early on in the book is that “For better or for worse, right or wrong, by his absence or presence, Dad’s shadow looms large over our lives.” Can you unpack that for us some?
Why do dads make such a difference?
What kind of cultural shift will it take for men to think rightly about work outside the home and about the labor of love to lead their family?
Your book is built around four things to give our kids; relationship, integrity, teaching, and experiences. Can you sum those up for us briefly to catch the drift of the vision you’re casting?
You write about how “coddling moms and passive dads” over value their child’s happiness. How do you advise parents to love and lead their children well without making their kids feel like they are the center of the universe?
What is the difference in the home of a parent struggling with pride that will not admit fault and what does that do to a family and then what does humility foster in a family?
You do such a great job equipping parents with the things you write in this book. Could you take a second to encourage the discouraged parent? What do you say to the mom or dad who read what you wrote and they feel like they fall so desperately short of the picture you’re painting?
How do we invest now in raising men to lead well one day?
Are there any passages of scripture about fatherhood that stick out to you? Where do you root your parenting in the word?
Some of our favorite quotes from Bryan in this episode:
“Every man is either going to be a tailwind or a headwind in the lives of their children. Either by my presence or absence. By my activity or my passivity.”
“Dads make such a difference because that’s the way God intended. I think the most profound word in the English language is “dad.” I am handing to my kids their paradigm of what the Heavenly Father looks like.”
“Men, typically we are wired towards significance and we typically battle trying to find significance in other things. For a lot of us it’s success on the job, it’s money, so we are providing a certain kind of lifestyle, in a certain neighborhood with a certain house, and we vacation a certain way. What that inevitably does is run counter to the greatest means of provision that your child needs. That’s not just your resources, it’s your actual presence.”
“We can be so busy buying things for our kids that those things serve as surrogates for our presence in their lives.”
“The idolatry of the family is horrible. Our kids aren’t made to bear the crushing weight of deity.”
“I’m following Jesus Christ today because I saw authenticity in my dad’s walk with the Lord and how that bled out into his relationship with others.”
“Before we’d get disciplined, my dad would read us a proverb. He constantly wanted to thread things back to the word of God and that helped me to see that my sin didn’t just break a rule, it broke the heart of God.”
“Looking at the typical American. If you were to reduce the parental aspiration for our kids down to one word it would be “happy.” That is not going to cut it as a biblical view of what we should pursue for our children.”
“When I am constantly trying to orchestrate and micromanage my kids’ lives so that there is always comfort, there’s always enjoyment, there’s always happiness. At the same time what I am depleting them of is strength and resiliency.”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
How Can Stories Help Us Disciple? with Andrew Peterson
00:42:05
Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant are joined by Andrew Peterson to discuss how we can use the art of storytelling and creativity to disciple in our homes.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Would you share with us how being a dad has shaped creative spheres for you?
What was it like to see an idea go from your mind to paper, to the imaginations of so many families, and then see it translated into an animated series?
For families who already love the Wingfeather Saga, what will they find familiar in The Prince of Yorsha Doon, and what’s different about this new project?
As you were raising your own kids, did storytelling play a role in how you shared your faith?
How has being a dad impacted the way you see the gospel story for yourself?
Why do you think there is such a shortage of great Christian storytelling?
What is the inspiration behind The Rabbit Room Ministry?
How can Christian families cultivate creativity in their own homes?
How do you deal with the feeling of insecurity or scrutiny?
On the thirteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about family discipleship modeling, what it looks like for parents to have a genuine walk with God themselves and repent where they fall short.
Questions we addressed in this episode:
What are modeling, time, moments, and milestones?
Why is having a personal faith a critical component of leading a family?
Are we asking parents to be perfect or at least pretend they are for their kids sake?
If someone took a look at your calendar or read a transcript of everything you said in a week, what would they conclude are the most important things going on in your life?
Do you see any inconsistencies between what you tell your kids is right and what they see you doing or saying?
What do you think it looks life for a parent to be “diligent in caring for their own soul”?
What are the biggest challenges that parents face when it comes to personal spiritual disciplines?
To the parent who says, “I’m too busy” or “I’m too uneducated” or “I’m too… anything” what encouragement or challenge can you offer them?
Howard Hendricks used to say that one of the best ways to love your kids is to love your spouse well. For our listeners who are married, what could spiritual discipline or a walk with Christ together look like for them?
Some of our favorite quotes from this episode:
“If it’s a reality that my greatest joy is my union with Christ. If that’s where my truest identity is, that’s where my hope is, that’s where I gain freedom, and I desperately want my kids to have that same freedom, then I need to be able to model for them what that looks like. I want them to see something truly great, that there really is freedom in Christ. That there really is joy in the midst of grief. That we have hope in a broken world. That needs to be true for me before I could possibly try to tell my kids about it.” - Chelsea Griffin
“You are modeling something totally unattainable for your kids if you aren’t showing them your failures, mistakes, hardships, or challenges.” - Cassie Bryant
“Don’t hide your failures from your kids in an attempt to keep from tarnishing your reputation with your child, use them as an opportunity to show your kids how a man or a woman of God fails and repents.” - Adam Griffin
“Kids are watching and that’s why modeling is so important because they’re little sponges.” - Cassie Bryant
On the tenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast Cassie and Chelsea are joined by Caroline Smiley, a theologian and a mother. Cassie, Chelsea, and Caroline talk about the theology of parenting and leading kids.
Questions we discussed on this episode:
How has studying and learning enriched parenthood for you?
How has being a mother affected your theology? How has being a mom affected how you see God?
How does the gospel shape the way you face motherhood challenges?
What are some truths about God that have been foundational for you and your household?
If you got to give a brand new parent any theological advice, what would you say?
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin kick off Season 3 talking about how we are called to countercultural parenting and what that looks like.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What did you do with your summer?
What is our theme this season?
Are you seeing families struggling with being different from the culture in your church?
Is being countercultural different now than it used to be?
What are the topics and subjects that come to mind when you think about being different than the culture?
Are you seeing anything in youth culture that is concerning?
There are a lot of aspects of Christianity that are not culturally normal. How do those things affect our parenting?
One of the verses that come to mind for me on this is Romans 12:2. How does that apply to us as parents?
Why do you think people are so tempted to be ashamed of the gospel we believe?
Who comes to mind for y’all when you think about someone who showed you how to be countercultural well?
How can parents know when and how to say “no”?
How do we parent counterculturally without kids or parents villainizing people that believe differently than us? How do we keep our commitment to loving?
How is the sifting of the church good for the church?
Helpful Definitions:
Countercultural: There is a course to this world, a wide path to destruction; that we are called to walk differently than. Then scriptures would call us to walk a narrow path that leads to life. A path that follows Christ as the way, truth, and the life, and that will make us different.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Romans 12:2, Romans 1:16, Matthew 22:34-40, John 17
Episode w/ Jen, Episode on influences
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the eleventh episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) talk about different approaches Christian parents take to talking with their kids about Santa Claus.
Questions that we discussed in this episode:
What are the different approaches Christian parents are taking toward Santa?
Is telling kids about Santa lying to them?
Does Santa distract us from what we celebrate at Christmas?
How do American Christmas traditions help us point our family to Christ?
Is there anywhere in the bible where the celebration of the Christmas holiday is a command given to Christians?
Adam Griffin and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood to about their new book “Gospel Mom.”
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Can you tell us about your ministry changing and what that feels like right now?
What inspired the new book, “Gospel Mom”?
Why do you think it’s hard for parents to live like we believe we are free from guilt and fear and ready to battle with sin, instead of other parents?
What are the spiritual disciplines that God has used to bless you as a mom?
Can you explain how friendship can be a spiritual blessing and help us understand why so many moms feel so alone?
Can you share about how Christian parents can “troubleshoot their conscience” as they’re trying to make wise decisions for their families?
How did you learn to not drive yourself crazy considering your own limits while making the most of your time?
Guest Bio:
Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler are the co-founders of the Risen Motherhood ministry and co-hosts of the chart-topping podcast. They are also in the trenches of motherhood, right alongside their readers. With a combination of accessibility, relatability, and solid biblical knowledge, Emily and Laura have a knack for simplifying complex scriptural truths, helping you relate and apply them to everyday life. God has consistently and powerfully used the voices of these two moms to captivate women around the world with the gospel. As sisters-in-law, Emily and Laura both live in central Iowa with their families.
Mid Season Q&A – Halloween, Discipline, and Snapchat
00:47:34
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are answering listeners' questions!
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What does your family do for Halloween? How would you advise other believers around Halloween?
How do you balance working & motherhood?
I’d love to hear the team suss out how we can help our children discover the joy of serving others.
Biblical wisdom on how to move on from a “hard” discipline moment when you may have done it “wrong”?
Helping kids navigate big emotions and a tendency toward negativity.
What advice you would give to parents when they are not thinking about discipline or spiritual discipleship in the same way? What if your husband is not leading spiritually in the home?
How to build up a daughter’s self-esteem and confidence in a Godly way and prepare her to be strong in the Lord in the age of Instagram, influencers, models, etc.?
What advice do you have for a 14-year-old asking for Snapchat?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the twenty fourth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant) talk about motherhood with author, podcaster, and mother, Emily Jensen from Risen Motherhood.
Questions we talked about in this episode:
One of the reasons we wanted to talk with you on our Mother’s Day episode is that a few years ago you wrote an absolutely beautiful book, Risen Motherhood. For those who have not read the book, can you tell us what it is about and why you wrote it?
You also have a really fantastic podcast by the same name, Risen Motherhood. What led to the idea to minister to moms as you do?
Which of the chapters that you wrote is most precious to you? Does any one of them stand out?
What are the words that you feel like you find yourself needing to hear over and over again as a mom yourself?
How has being a mom shaped your view of God’s love?
What are the common struggles and challenges that you think Christian moms are facing in this generation?
Would you mind giving us a glimpse into what that has looked like for you and your husband?
What are the truths in God’s word that you really cling to as a mother?
If you got to sit down with a brand new mom and give her some gospel wisdom as she is just getting started on this journey, what could you say that would really encourage her?
Do you have any words of challenge or words of encouragement that you wish dads out there could hear and believe for their family?
Some of our favorite quotes from Emily in this episode:
“A lot of our questions in motherhood come down to matters of conscience and matters of freedom that take a lot of wisdom and discernment and prayer as we do life with other people. It’s not something that has a cookie cutter answer.” - Emily Jensen
“It’s so tough and I see it more and more every year. There is so much pressure to be everything and to do everything well...It’s just crippling. It’s so good that the gospel answers that pressure.” - Emily Jensen
“Where are there some older women who can fill these gaps and teach us these things we don’t know? Hopefully the church.” - Emily Jensen
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Questions we asked Shane and Shane in this episode:
You two have been leading people in worship for a long time. What does family worship look like in your home? Are y’all always singing?
What role do you think music can or should play in discipling a family?
What do you say to the father/mother who is not musically gifted?
You’ve got a new album coming out for kids worship, “Worship in the Word.” Can you tell us some about the purpose of the project and how it came about?
Are there any songs on the album that really stick out to you personally?
What wisdom do you have for parents that are struggling to find music that their kids will love that doesn’t dishonor God?
How do you see these songs from your “Worship in the Word” album being used? What’s your vision for the impact that this kind of music could have?
Do you see these songs being something that are used in churches? How can/should a children’s minister benefit from the music y’all are putting out?
Why do you think God gave us the ability to sing? What does that tell us about God?
Before we let you go, would you mind sharing with us, what are the prayers you have for your kids right now? If our listeners want to pray for the Barnards and the Everetts, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Some of our favorite quotes from Shane and Shane in this episode:
“I want to be able to be a part of helping my kids be able to talk to God in song”
“We do have real needs. At school, there’s all kinds of drama, there are all kinds of disappointments, and wants. We can go to God. We have songs that help us go to him.”
“We don’t know what we’re doing other than trying to point our daughter to Jesus and keep an open dialogue.”
“With this music or whatever music we create we want to whet the appetite for the word of God, period. That’s where wisdom is found.”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Season 4 of the Family Discipleship podcast begins on January 23! In this episode, Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant preview what is to come in Season 4.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant are joined by JD Greear to have a conversation about what Family Discipleship looks like for the Greears!
Questions Covered in This Episode:
If I asked your children to describe you, what kind of things do you think they would say, and, if it’s any different, what kind of things would you hope they would say one day?
As you were raising your kids, what did following Christ as a family look like for y’all? What were the rhythms of discipleship for you as a dad?
What are some of your favorite memories of spiritual conversations in your own home?
How has your church been a blessing to your kids and your family?
Would you be willing to share about any times that were particularly difficult for you as you led your home toward Christ?
How do you answer the question, “I believe in God… why do I still struggle with anxiety?”
What does it look like in your home to have conversations about salvation, politics, sex, sin, etc.?
Do you have any encouragement for the pastors and the parents who are feeling insufficient to address all the questions of their churches and families?
Share with us how Christians might build a better vision for spiritual leadership at home and why that is important?
Guest Bio:
J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Pastor J.D. Greear has authored several books, including but not limited to 12 Truths & a Lie, Essential Christianity, and What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?
Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A, serves as a Council member for The Gospel Coalition, and recently served as the 63rd president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor J.D. and his wife Veronica are raising four awesome kids: Kharis, Alethia, Ryah, and Adon.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Psalm 127, Psalm 136, Matthew 6, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 127:4
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Kyle Worley to discuss union with Christ.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What books do you have coming out and how do people make sure they don’t miss them when they get released?
Is it okay to say that being a Christian is someone who “Jesus has come to live in their heart?” Does Jesus live in them or do they live in Jesus or is it both?
What part of your teaching on Union with Christ do you find that people are always responding to or find that it seems new?
Why is understanding union with Christ important for parents who want to share their faith with their kids?
How does Home with God relate to our trinitarian theology and can it help us make that clear for our families?
What’s the benefit right now of union with God?
What is “not yet” true about us in our union with Christ that we are still looking toward or waiting for?
Has putting all of this thought and writing into this theological concept affected how you think about your own home – your family?
Helpful Definitions:
Union with Christ: The believer's unbreakable, unshakeable, unchangeable, union with Christ Jesus. It means that we are now in Christ Jesus and nothing can change that. What can be said of Christ, can be said of us.
Communion with Christ: Fellowship with God. The enjoyment of God’s saving benefits, it is shakeable and breakable and you can also deepen it.
Guest Bio:
Kyle Worley is a pastor at Mosaic Church in Texas. He is the host of Knowing Faith Podcast, alongside Jen Wilkin and JT English. He is a teaching fellow and partner for Training the Church. He holds degrees in theology and philosophy from Dallas Baptist University, Redeemer Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Carl Laferton to discuss his children's books; The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross, and God’s Big Promises Bible Story Prayers: 101 Prayers for Children.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Can you tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
Where’d the inspiration for The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross book come from? What’s the story of writing it?
Any advice on writing a good Christian kid’s book?
You’ve got a new book coming out, Bible Story Prayers: 101 Prayers for Children. Can you tell us about the process of taking this idea and putting this together for a resource?
Each of the prayers in the book has some element of “Praise (or wow!), Thank you, Sorry, and Please.” Can you tell us a little about how you see that helping families shape their prayers?
What’s your process in deciding what stories to tell? What stories from the Bible do you wish we were telling more in books for kids?
How do you try to teach age-appropriate versions of such deep theology?
A lot of people might skip the story about Jesus being angry in the temple. Why was it important for you to keep that story in there for kids?
Are these prayers glimpses into what it was like when you were putting your kids to bed? What did bedtime prayers look like in the Laferton house?
How do you share your faith as a father?
What are some of your favorite resources that are out there for kids from The Good Book Company or elsewhere?
Is there anything that you would love to see more of in church kids ministries either in the way they lead kids or in how they equip families?
Guest Bio:
Carl Laferton is executive vice president of publishing at The Good Book Company and best-selling author of The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross. He lives in London with his wife and two children and serves as an elder at Grace Church, Worcester Park.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Andy Crouch to talk about what family discipleship looked like in the Crouch household and how commitments around technology played a part in that.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
If I asked one of your family members to describe you, what kind of things do you think they would say, and, if it’s different, what kind of things would you hope they would say?
What did following Christ as a family look like for y’all? What were the rhythms of discipleship for you as a dad?
How did being a dad impact the way you view God as our Heavenly Father?
What scriptures did y’all lean into as you thought about what your hopes were for your family?
Would you be willing to share about any times that were particularly difficult for you as you led your home toward Christ?
Why is it so important for families to be conscientious about technology?
Can you talk about how waking up before devices and going to bed before devices worked and why you recommend that?
Were any of these commitments around technology ever points of contention for your kids or did they accept them easily?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Season 7 of the Family Discipleship podcast begins on August 26! In this episode, Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant preview what is to come in Season 7.
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Amy Gannett to discuss how to spiritually lead our homes by teaching theology to our kids.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
Where did the idea for Tiny Theologians come from and what’s the vision for it?
What are some resources for families that have worked really well?
Why is so much of the Christian kids curriculum that’s out there targeted at kids’ behavior instead of the gospel or our God as the focus?
Would you share with us what spiritual leadership looks like in your house?
Is spiritual leadership ever difficult for you, and where do you find encouragement in that?
Can you talk to us about Fix your Eyes and your new podcast?
What are some ways our listeners can be praying for you?
Guest Bio:
Amy Gannett is a wife to Austin and a mom to Emerson and Elliot. Together with Austin, they are planting Trinity Church Greenville where Amy serves as the Director of Discipleship. Amy oversees Tiny Theologians, a resource to help kids grow in knowing and loving God through his Word through Gospel-centered and theologically-rich discipleship tools for children ages 2 to 12. She is the author of Fix Your Eyes and the founder of Bible Study Schoolhouse.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Talking to Kids About Heaven with Joni Eareckson Tada
00:36:32
On the twenty fifth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant) talk about heaven with Joni Eareckson Tada.
Questions we talked about in this episode:
You have done so much to help churches serve people with disabilities. Can you share with us the vision of Joni and friends and all that your organization does?
How can a church lead well in this area, even if they don’t have a lot of resources?
What led to wanting to write to kids about heaven?
Why do you think there are so many cultural misconceptions about heaven? Which misconceptions affect kids in particular??
Why do you think it’s important for parents to talk with kids about the afterlife?
How has your theology of eternal life impacted the way you see life and God?
How do you help kids see that the best thing about heaven is Jesus?
How can parents have good conversations with their kids about someone’s death?
Are there any passages of scripture about heaven that you have a particular love for?
Some of our favorite quotes from Joni in this episode:
“I love thinking about heaven. I love investing in heaven. Every little thing I do down here on earth. Everything I do has a direct bearing on my capacity for service and worship and joy in heaven. I don’t want to waste my suffering. I don’t want to waste my afflictions. I want to build things that will last for eternity. And I want to stretch my heart’s capacity for service and worship and joy for eternity.”
“I want moms and dads to build within the hearts of their children a love and a zeal and a passion for, not just heaven, but Jesus.”
“I want to help children get past the myths of me-centeredness in heaven.”
“I think our thoughts about heaven are lazy. We tend to buy into the world’s fables about heaven…It’s all about ‘I’m gonna be happy forever.’ That is true, but it’s so much more.”
“It is a parent’s job to connect the heartfelt expressions of children and immediately connect that to God. Draw a direct line from their little hearts and connect it directly to their Lord Jesus.”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene to talk about an advent resource for your family, Advent Blocks.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
For those who don’t know you, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
What is an Advent Block and where did the idea come from?
Can you describe the blocks? Is Advent four weeks or 25 days?
Can you tell us about the other resources you have besides the blocks?
What’s unique about Advent that creates resources like this around it?
You also have a similar resource for Easter?
Do you follow the church calendar?
There’s also a thing on your website called the “Graticube” can you tell us about that?
What are some ways our listeners can be praying for you?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin is joined by Jordan Raynor to have a conversation about the joy of work and the promises of eternity.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Can you tell us some about your work and your family?
What kicked off all your thinking and writing about how Christians consider their work?
How did Genesis 1-2 change the way you thought about being a father?
What advice would you give to parents who struggle to see the significance of their daily tasks at home in God's larger plan? What encouragement would you offer to parents who feel overwhelmed or undervalued in their role at home?
How do you cast a vision for your family to view everything they do as unto the Lord?
Why are so many people afraid or disinterested in heaven?
What did you write the “The Royal in You”?
What are the promises in scripture about eternity?
How do parents answer the questions; are pets and animals in heaven, will mom and dad be in heaven, will I know them?
Guest Bio:
Jordan Raynor is a leading voice of the faith and work movement. Through his bestselling books (The Sacredness of Secular Work, Redeeming Your Time, The Creator in You, etc.), keynote speeches, podcasts, and devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work. In addition to his writing and speaking, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.
Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa.
Adam Griffin is joined by Tim Challies to have a conversation about his book “Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God.”
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?
How are you and your family doing in this season?
What are some of your favorite memories of spiritual conversations with your son?
Can you flesh out some of how your faith in God has blessed you in the circumstance where I think many parents might be tempted to blame God or despise him for what has happened in your family?
How is it that a Christian can believe that there is good happening when everything seems so bad?
For the parent who desperately wants to know “why”, can you offer a moment of compassion and empathy? How do you pastor the person who at that moment says, “I believe that, but help me in my unbelief.”?
Do you think your theology of suffering has changed, evolved, or matured in the last couple of years?
What would you say to the family who is not experiencing suffering about our attachments to our children and to our world?
How does our trust in the life to come, impact our grief now?
How have you navigated the leadership of helping your daughters and wife grieve in the midst of your own hurt?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant talk about why it is important for us to love God above all else, including our kids.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Have you ever caught yourself more committed to your family than to God?
How does placing your love for your kids above your relationship with God affect your relationship with God?
How does having a vibrant relationship and love for God prevent idolatry?
How does placing your love for your kids above your love for God affect your relationship with your kids?
Can you love God and still have a huge love for your kids?
How do we know if our kids have become idols? What would be some warning signs?
What role can seeking happiness and success for our kids reveal idolatry in our hearts?
How do we love our kids well without making them the center of our lives?
What does the story of Isaac and Abraham tell us about God’s heart on this topic?
What are some practical ways that parents can ensure they are prioritizing their relationship with God while still fulfilling their parental responsibilities?
What would repentance look like for a parent who recognizes an idolatrous love for their family?
Helpful Definitions:
Idolatry is the worship of anything other than God. It is the placing of something or someone before God in one's life, and it can take many forms, such as material possessions, power, fame, or relationships.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the twentieth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin and Chelsea Griffin) talk about a new book, The Intentional Father, with author Jon Tyson.
Questions we asked Jon in this episode:
In your book on fatherhood you share a lot about the personal anecdotes and stories that came from your time with you and your son. You talk about meeting every morning. That is a serious commitment to discipling your son. What did that time look like?
What wisdom or pastoring can you give to the man who is raising multiple sons or has sons of very different age or maturity levels?
I know the book focuses on the work you did with your son entering into manhood, can you give us a window into what family discipleship looked like for your daughter?
It’s a beautiful story. Now looking back, is there anything you wish you could’ve done differently?
What role did your wife play in the “primal path”?
A lot of the book is idyllic. Things seemed to have worked out great. Were there any rough spots? Any difficult resistance?
I’ve heard you talk about a long conversation you had with your son about a moral dilemma revolving around being hypothetically cornered by a friend’s parents, I thought it was a brilliant question, would you be willing to share that with us?
It seems like a lot of the work you did in discipling your son was very formalized. You had trips planned. Meetings regularly. Resources you read together. Was there any aspect of your interactions with him that happened more informally? Anything that just came up that you weren’t expecting or prepared for that played an important role in your discipleship?
Before we let you go, would you mind sharing with us, what are the prayers you have for your kids right now? If our listeners want to pray for the Tysons, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Some of our favorite quotes from Jon Tyson this episode:
“I wrote this book as a father out of love for my son. I wrote it as a pastor because I see so many young men with father wounds trying to make sense of their lives and searching for healing and largely I want to speak into the toxic masculinity of our society and present better Christian men for the renewal of the world. I want to address the things that people are not talking about.” - Jon Tyson
“Your son is gonna have every morning available for something. If you were sending your son off for two-a-day football no one would blink. They’d just say, “That’s good.” Mormon kids spend an hour every day in high school studying the Old Testament and New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants. They don’t blink. Christians are the only ones who perceive the idea of spending time with your children and helping them follow Jesus and get ready for adult life to be weird. People push back and say, “That’s so much time!” I’m like, “If your son got up an hour every morning to do his homework you would clap for him.” When you get up to prepare him all of the sudden it’s a radical idea.” - Jon Tyson
“Parenting is hard and it’s getting harder and harder in our world today. The issues are so complex. First hand experience of what kids are going through feels so much more distant.” - Jon Tyson
“Do what you can, not what you can’t. The most important thing is consistency. But you can do more than you think!” - Jon Tyson
“Intentionality is about understanding the kid that God has given you, the kid that is in front of you. A lot of parents do a lot of damage because they just project general wisdom into their kids’ lives rather than asking “What do they need at this particular stage?’” - Jon Tyson
“I established a relationship by entering into their world.” - Jon Tyson
“Most of American family Christianity is failing our children. 70% of kids are walking away from faith when they get to college. If you had anything else with a 70% failure rate, don’t you think you’d redesign it?” - Jon Tyson
“I know parents want to get this right. I assume the best in parents. I’m not here bringing a word of condemnation. I’m trying to bring a word of inspiration.” - Jon Tyson
“Parents, your kids may not be giving you feedback that makes it feel like they love what you’re doing, but trust me, they ache for your intentionality and your investment in their life.” - Jon Tyson
“If my dad loves me this much, how much more must God love me?”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant continue their discussion on how to disciple children at various stages by focusing on the elementary age group!
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What’s going on developmentally for seven to eleven year olds?
What are the spiritual opportunities with this age group?
What did this look like for us?
Why does Family Discipleship start to drop off for families at this stage?
How do you help grow kids in responsibility and the ability to solve their own problems at this age?
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Melissa Kruger to discuss her newest book “ Parenting with Hope.”
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Will you share the story of wanting to write “Parenting with Hope”?
As your kids changed into teenagers what changed about you as a parent?
Why is that so foundational for parenting that parents are rooted in God’s word?
What are some of the things you learned about God through parenting?
What are some family habits that you think we could invite our kids into more ownership as they grow older?
Can you give us a bit of a window into what your mornings look like and what role that plays in the discipleship of your family?
Can you tell us more about prayer cards and what they look like?
What critical role do you see the church and parents playing in the teenage stage that’s full of so much change?
How would you advise a family who is making a church decision based on where their child wants to go? What’s great about that and do you see any reason to be cautious about letting a teenager’s preference drive a family church decision?
How is idolatry a core battle to be in alongside your teenager? Can you explain the difference between a source idol, a surface idol, and a cultural idol for us?
How can a parent discern when it’s time to let them fail and when it’s time to step in?
Why is listening so important in this stage of parenting?
Can you share what you mean when you say “My response is my responsibility” and why it is important for Christian parents to understand?
How does that difference between correction and criticism impact how you respond to something your child did?
Teaching Kids How to Praise God No Matter What with Lauren Chandler
00:33:29
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Lauren Chandler to have a conversation about teaching our kids to praise God in all circumstances.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
Tell us about the two children's books you’ve written and what compelled you to write for children?
Would you read Praise Him to us?
Will you share with us your personal journey of learning how to praise God amidst all circumstances?
Why do we as parents need to model this for our children?
What are some practical ways you’ve modeled this for your kids?
How have you as a mom redirected your children's worship from lesser things to God?
What are some ways our listeners can be praying for you?
Guest Bio:
Lauren Chandler is married to Matt Chandler who is the pastor of The Village Church. They have three kids Audrey, Reed, and Norah. She is a worship leader and enjoys studying God’s word and writing. Lauren has written books, Bible studies, and songs.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
New Morning Mercies for Teenagers with Paul David Tripp
00:40:40
Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Paul David Tripp to discuss his new devotional for teenagers.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Would you tell us a little bit about what led you to want to publish a devotional for teenagers?
What are things you’re seeing that are capturing the attention of teenagers instead of the gospel?
How do you see a strong devotional life as an important part of a family’s discipleship to help their kids follow Jesus?
Why do you think depression is so rampant in this generation and how are you addressing that in this resource?
Do you have any wisdom for the parent who is trying to understand how God would have them lead their family well around social media?
What would you say to parents about why having an open dialogue about pornography is important?
What role do you think the church can and should be playing in the lives of teenagers and is there anywhere that you think we are particularly falling short?
How do you see New Morning Mercies fitting into how God works through families?
What are teenagers going to learn about God as they work their way through this resource?
What are the roles of law and grace?
What can you say to embolden those parents who feel like they can’t measure up?
Why did you write Age of Opportunity and what will parents find there?
Guest Bio:
Dr. Paul David Tripp is a pastor, international event speaker, and a best-selling and award-winning author. With more than 30 books and video series on Christian living, Paul’s driving passion is to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.
Paul attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) and majored in Bible and Christian Education. He went on to receive his M.Div from the Reformed Episcopal Seminary and his D.Min in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary.
Paul launched his own ministry in 2006. He lives in Philadelphia and is hopelessly in love with his wife of more than 50 years, Luella. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.
On the second episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) talk with their friend and special guest Matt Chandler.
Matt is the Lead Pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound Texas and the author of several books. To learn more about Matt or The Village Church you can follow him on instagram @mattchandler74 and find his church at thevillagechurch.net.
Questions we asked Matt in this episode:
Who is “Matt Chandler the father and husband”?
Who were some of the influences who helped shape your ideas of spiritual leadership in the home?
What are some of your favorite memories of spiritual conversations with your kids?
What has “not gone according to plan” in the Chandler home when it comes to spiritual leadership?
What encouragement do you have for the parents listening who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the tasks of leading their home?
Can you tell us about 13th birthdays in your household? What do you do for those rites of passage and where did you come up with that?
Was it hard for your kids to grow up “Chandler’s kids” at your church? How do you and your wife navigate that and how do you help them not despise the church for what it demands of you?
In an increasingly secular culture what makes family discipleship so important right now?
What role has the church played in Chandler family discipleship?
What scriptures come to mind for you in how you lead your home?
How can we join you in praying for your family?
Some of our favorite quotes from Matt Chandler in this episode:
If you are going to parent well, you have to understand that there is grace for you. You are not going to nail it and grace frees you up from having to pretend that you are more than human.
Show me parents who don’t ask for forgiveness from their kids and I’ll show you parents who don’t understand the gospel.
Parents, you can do this. You don’t need a seminary degree. You don’t need to be able to speak Greek and Hebrew. You can do it. This isn’t as hard as you think it is.
If we won’t do what’s right there in front of us then the world is going to do it for us. We are gonna wake up and we are not going to recognize or understand how this person who grew up in our house could believe what they believe or embrace what they embrace.
It’s of utmost importance that parents realize how powerful they are in the lives of their children and not buy the lie that we shouldn’t tell them what to believe. Somebody’s gonna tell them what to believe. I want to be the one to do it.
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Steve Stigall to talk about what sports have to do with a family’s spiritual life and how to lead your home while your kids participate in sports.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Steve, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, your ministry, and a little of your sports resume?
What are the benefits of sports for kids?
What are some of the great lessons that kids can learn in sports?
What are some of the sinful or concerning motivations you see for families engaged in sports?
Do you ever see behavior in parents around sports that concerns you?
Why is sports an important issue for us in regard to discipleship? What does it have to do with a family's spiritual life?
You coached high school sports, did the idol of a scholarship ever concern you?
What do you think about the commitment that families make to sports?
What are some warning signs of when a good thing like sports becomes an idol that threatens our commitment to God?
Do any scriptures come to mind for you that help us navigate this issue?
What do you look for in a team and a coach and a sport when you want to evaluate whether it would be a blessing to your family?
If our listeners want to pray for you and your family, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Guest Bio:
Steve Stigall is on staff at Eastside Community Church as the Men’s Discipleship & Groups Pastor. Before he was in full-time ministry he was on the football coaching staff at SMU for 12 years doing recruiting, player development, and football operations. Prior to being at SMU, he was a college football player at UT. He is married to Kathie and they have four kids.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin have a discussion about how to interact with other people's kids and what kind of influence other adults can have on our kids.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Have you ever regretted either parenting someone else’s kids or not doing something when you could have?
Where do we need to be sensitive about trying to disciple other people’s kids?
What’s the difference between discipleship and discipline when you are around other people’s kids?
What’s the advantage of having other adults disciple your kids?
How do can we or should we invite other adults into our kids lives?
How do we prepare our kids to interact with kids from families that parent very differently?
Anything you think your family does that makes it harder for other parents to work with your kid?
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the fourth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin) talk with their friend and special guest Jen Wilkin.
Jen is an author and bible teacher from Dallas Texas. To learn more about Jen you can follow her on instagram @jenwilkin and find out more about her ministry at jenwilkin.net.
Questions we asked Jen in this episode:
Who is Jen the mom? What is the Wilkin family like?
What is it like for your family now entering into grandparent phase?
What kind of intentionality went into being available to your kids to talk about hard things?
None of us are perfect parents. Can you think of a time that things did not go “according to plan” in the Wilkin home?
What was some of the best wisdom you received from someone else about leading your family spiritually?
How did the attributes of God come up for you in conversations with your kids?
If you could go back to when your first child was born and give yourself one piece of advice about the Wilkin family’s spiritual life, what would you say?
Did y’all have formal time in the word together? Was everyone on their own? How did it change as your kids got older?
What are the prayers you prayed for your kids that you saw the Lord answer?
What role has the church played in coming alongside your family as you’ve discipled them?
Is there any scripture that you or your family can point to that has been a guide to you in how you’ve led your home?
What are the prayers you have for your kids right now?
Some of our favorite quotes from Jen Wilkin in this episode:
I did not want them to leave our home and find out we were human after they left. We wanted to work through some of that while they were still at home and we could parent through it.
I prayed that they could encounter real challenges that we could work through while they were still with us.
People want your kids to be something and they want you to be something. They want you to be a perfect parent and they want to know that doing the right things will yield the right outcomes. We prayed that our children would have the freedom to fail, even if it was a public failure, in a way that would build character in them and not bitterness.
On the sixteenth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant) talk about family worship with author, artist, wife, and mother Ruth Chou Simons.
What does time in the word look like for your family and how has it changed as your boys have gotten older? How formalized is the plan you have in your house for family worship? Do you have plans or figure it out as you go?
Can you think of a time when the discipleship attempts in your home did not go according to plan, when things weren’t “perfect”?
How about the opposite side of the spectrum? Can you share with us an example of when you saw the Lord really bless your family through time in the word together? Any favorite memories or light-bulb moments for your kids?
In the book you say, “Sometimes we parents want a formula – a magic prescription that will ensure well-behaved, happy kids and a God-honoring home. But there are no formulas or prescriptions that ensure such things. There’s only a call to know God and be transformed by him.” How is that an encouragement to the tired or anxious parent?
One thing that a reader cannot help but notice about your books is the artwork. Can you tell us about that?
This book is one that you and your husband Troy did together. Can you tell us about the roles you each play in leading family worship?
One thing we hear a lot from parents is about how much is competing for their family’s time. What would you say to the parent that feels too busy or too ill equipped to lead family devotions or family worship in their home?
I know that Foundations is far from the only book and resource you’ve produced. Can you tell us about some of the other projects you’ve published and who they're for? Anything recent or on the horizon you want to tell us about?
Some of our favorite quotes from Ruth Chou Simons in this episode:
About family worship - “I am trying to help families see how simple and how imperfect this can be everyday. It doesn’t have to be this big elaborate thing.”
“I would want my family to recognize how the gospel and the ‘one anothers’ of the gospel really shape and define who we want to be and how we are asking God to change us.”
“It’s the word of God you really need.”
“Relationship is a stronger motivation than ritual.”
“Even if you can incentivise or force or get everyone on a chart, that does not ensure that hearts are won by the gospel. We have found over and over again that we as parents have to go first.”
“Sometimes we parents want a formula – a magic prescription that will ensure well-behaved, happy kids and a God-honoring home. But there are no formulas or prescriptions that ensure such things. There’s only a call to know God and be transformed by him.”
“You are called to begin again right now even if you already failed this morning.”
“Everyday I wake up and I realize that I had nothing to do with that sunrise and it’s the most glorious thing.”
“Something is discipling you and me at all times.”
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Raising Emotionally Strong Children with David Thomas
00:38:21
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by David Thomas from Raising boys and Girls to discuss what it looks like to raise emotionally strong children in today’s culture.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
For those who don’t know you, David, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
What’s been your favorite episode of Season 4 of the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast?
Can you give us a little bit of the story of where this book came from?
Can you tell us about the emotional health we see in Jesus? How can we all model that when our culture is going in the other direction?
In the book, you talk about what it might be like if we prioritized emotional health the way we prioritize youth sports or academics. What would it look like in our families if we were doing that? What would have to change?
Can you help us understand the three “R’s” that you talk about, “Recognize, Regulate, and Repair”?
When it comes to regulating, how do you know when to encourage which strategy? i.e. go work it out physically or go breathe.
One of my favorite lines in your book is “In life, we’ve been promised struggle, but we’ve also been guaranteed hope.” Please talk to us about that. What is the hope?
You talk about being on a mission to bring back journaling. How do you see that as an important part of dealing with our emotions?
If someone doesn’t journal and they want to start, how would you advise them to start?
What are the scriptures you lean on the most when you’re helping families think about raising kids that are emotionally strong?
At the conclusion of the book, you encourage the readers to stop asking kids “what do you want to do?” and to start asking “who do you want to be?” Can you help us understand what you mean by that?
If our listeners want to pray for you and your family, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
John 11, Matthew 26:36-46, Matthew 21:12 Isaiah 53:3, Romans 8:22-23, Romans 5:3-5, Ephesians 4:26, Titus 3:4-5
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On the twenty third episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts (Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant) talk about family discipleship with Ray Ortlund.
Questions we talked about in this episode:
If we asked your kids and wife about you, what kind of man would they describe?
This is a podcast about spiritual leadership. When you started growing your family, who did you look to in order to teach you about or be an example for leading the spiritual life of your home?
Your family has accomplished A LOT for the kingdom of God. How does that sit with you, how does it make you feel to see your family making significant contributions and leading so well?
Can you think of a time that things did not go “according to plan” in the Ortlund home?
What would you say to the parent who is really discouraged right now in the spiritual leadership of their home? How can you encourage our listeners?
What role has the church played in coming alongside your family as you’ve discipled them?
You recently put out a book addressing pornography, The Death of Porn. It’s written like a father to a son. Why is this an issue that was of particular importance to you and talk to us about how it intersects with a Christian home?
Is there any scripture that you or your family can point to that has been a guide to you in how you’ve led your home or how you think about your hopes for your kids and the generations after them?
Some of our favorite quotes from Ray in this episode:
“Like every family we are a convergence of flaws and God’s grace. Great things happen when those two things get together.” - Ray Ortlund
“I had the advantage of having a fantastic dad. My dad was the greatest man I’ve ever known.” - Ray Ortlund
“There is no formula. This is not an assembly line. Our family is all an ongoing miracle of grace.” - Ray Ortlund
“What can we do that would make it easier for our kids to believe in God?” - Ray Ortlund
“What parent is not discouraged? We all hit a wall. We all fail. Our kids let us down too. I’m so thankful for those three words in Romans chapter six, “newness of life.” I see so much hope there. We are not stuck with the reality we are experiencing right now.” - Ray Ortlund
“Christ calls us to care for those living in poverty—including parents working hard for their children’s future. Download your free copy of Created to Flourish: How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty, to learn how. HOPE International fights physical and spiritual poverty in 16 countries through Christ-centered microenterprise development.”
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the eighth episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast Adam Griffin is joined by JT English and Kyle Worley from the Knowing Faith podcast. They talk about a foundational question, but one that is far from easy - How do you talk with your family about the Trinity?
Questions we discussed on this episode:
What heresies do you commonly hear when y’all are teaching on the Trinity?
We see a lot of people trying to use concrete metaphors to teach kids about the Trinity. What is the worst trinitarian metaphor you’ve ever heard?
Why is it important to teach kids about the trinity?
Is there a less confusing way to say “three persons in one God”?
How do you help kids understand the distinctness and the sameness of the Trinity?
When you talk to your kids about the actions of God in their lives do you get specific about the persons of the trinity at work? Is it ok to just say “God”?
How does trinitarian theology affect how we teach kids to pray?
Is it ok to have some mystery in your answers to kids about the Trinity or should we keep it concrete?
If a parent is stumped by a question from their kids or on something you just said, where should they turn? What could they read? Who should they talk to?
What are your favorite Old Testament story for teaching on the Trinity?
Fight, Flight, Or Camouflage with Sarah Cowan Johnson
00:34:19
Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin are joined by Sarah Cowan Johnson to talk about her new book “Teach Your Children Well: A Step-by-Step Guide for Family Discipleship,” and how we can live as the creative minority in today’s culture.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
For those who don’t know you, would you introduce yourself and tell us about you, your family, and your ministry?
Your new book is called, “Teach Your Children Well: A Step-by-Step Guide for Family Discipleship.” Tell us the story about writing this book where did the idea come from and why did you want to write it?
You kick off the book talking about the research that shows how many kids are walking away from the church after high school. What do we take away from that?
Can you describe what you mean by a “high grace and high challenge” and why that is important?
Why is it so hard for parents to believe they have this grace and freedom and this weighty calling simultaneously?
Why is living in a post-Christian culture changing or clarifying the role of families to disciple their kids in today’s culture?
Will you help us understand what the common responses of fight, flight, or camouflage look like for a church or a family?
Why do you think that camouflage temptation is so strong for us as parents and how do we get past it? What do you think we should be doing instead?
You talk about our churches and families forming a “creative minority” similar to Daniel and his friends in Babylon. What would that actually look like for families?
Can you talk about what capturing a God moment is and how you encourage parents to go about doing this?
You talk about our temptation for fear, control, and disbelief. How do you want parents to address and face those temptations when they do come?
Your book has a lot of questions for readers to answer as well as ideas to try out. Would you share with our listeners some of your favorites that you’ve used at home?
If our listeners want to pray for you and your family, what can they ask God for on your behalf?
Guest Bio:
Sarah Cowan Johnson is a ministry trainer, consultant, and coach based in Providence, RI. With nearly 20 years of ministry experience in the church and parachurch, Sarah is passionate about equipping ministry leaders to flourish in their unique callings and contexts. Before starting her own business, Sarah served as a Campus Staff Member and Area Director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. After more than a decade on staff with InterVarsity, Sarah was assessed and approved by the Covenant Church as a church planter and served as the Executive Pastor for Sanctuary Church, a family of neighborhood congregations in Providence.
Helpful Definitions:
Post-Christian: The culture is familiar with Christianity but chooses to reject it.
Fight: Our response is a culture war, we want to take back the ground we are losing.
Flight: Our response is to disengage from the world into an only Christian community.
Camouflage: Our response is to blend in and compromise, adopting some of the values of the post-Christian worldview.
Creative Minority: Our response is that this is not our culture, we are not going to be disruptive or give in. We will follow Jesus faithfully in a culture that doesn’t. It is not just about what we believe, it is about how we live.
Proactive Discipleship: Planning and thinking about spiritual practices for discipleship.
God Moments: Responding to discipleship moments we can’t plan for.
Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.
On the first episode of the Family Discipleship Podcast the hosts, Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin, talk about why they are hosting this new show and why they think this is important.
Questions answered in this episode:
Who are these hosts?
What is family discipleship?
Why should people care about family discipleship?
What concerning trends are we seeing in this current generation?
Is there any good news for the pessimistic or struggling parent?
What scriptures come immediately to mind when we think about leading our family spiritually?
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