On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore a biblical understanding of work with a sermon from Jai Paul. In it, we’ll examine how our perception of work shapes not only our own lives but also the values we pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Jai explains how work was established by God before the fall as a good and noble calling. Unlike ancient myths that portrayed work as a burden or punishment, the Bible reveals that God Himself is a worker, and that humans were created in His image to work and create.

He explores four key questions:

• Where did work come from?
• Why is work so hard?
• Can work be renewed?
• How should we work?

Join us as we discover how our work can honor God and love our neighbors rather than simply serving as a means to personal gain. We also highlight how training our children to serve is one of the seven essential commitments of discipleship parenting. 

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To learn more about Jai Paul and JP Cross Ministries visit: www.jpcross.org

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we sit down with Nate Akin to hear his powerful testimony and parenting insights. We explore Nate's journey from growing up in a Christian home to his college basketball career at Murray State, including his participation in the NCAA tournament against Georgia and Illinois.

Nate openly shares about his season of rebellion during college years and the pivotal moment of repentance that redirected his life toward ministry. We discuss Nate's leadership with the Pillar Network, a Baptist association focused on church planting that now has nearly 600 churches in almost 50 countries. The heart of our conversation centers on the parenting principles Nate learned from his father and mother that he's now implementing with his own young children.

Nate reveals his parents' simple yet profound approach: "teach them to love Jesus and have fun with them." We unpack how this philosophy manifested through consistent discipleship, creating space for questions, prioritizing church community, and maintaining a balance of clear boundaries with abundant grace. 

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the profound importance of remembering God's works and sharing them with future generations. We examine how memory serves as a beautiful gift that connects our past experiences to present purpose.

In this episode, Chap shares a powerful sermon from a church celebrating its 50th anniversary, where he emphasizes that the gospel continues through intentional remembrance and storytelling. We discover how remembering God's interventions—both the miraculous biblical events and the personal moments in our lives—strengthens our faith and keeps us following the Lord.

Join us as we explore the vital mission of equipping parents and grandparents to raise children who not only love the Lord but become disciple-makers themselves, taking the gospel to the world. 

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we explore the critical balance between children's ministry and parental discipleship in the church. We speak with Jared Kennedy, author of "Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation," who shares his journey from aspiring missionary to children's ministry leader.

We discuss how children's ministry is not merely childcare but a vital part of the church's mission to pass faith to the next generation. Kennedy challenges the notion that parents are the sole disciplers of children, arguing that Scripture places this responsibility on the entire covenant community.

The conversation highlights how even teaching toddlers is missional work, as they develop crucial vocabulary that forms the building blocks of faith. We also examine how children's ministry serves as a "subversive" training ground for parents to learn discipleship skills they can implement at home.

Join us as we navigate the complementary roles of church and family in raising the next generation of believers - not just as disciples, but as disciple makers with hearts for the nations. 

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Thanks for listening to the Disciple Making Parent podcast. We love offering resources to equip you in family discipleship for free, but we can only do that because of our faithful financial partners. Would you consider joining us? We're a small and lean ministry, and we make your kingdom dollars go far. So head on over to www.thedisciplemakingparent.com/partner

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Sign up for the weekly newsletter at disciplemakingparent.com to receive the complete audiobook free. Part of our mission to help parents raise children who love the Lord and become disciple-makers.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the unavoidable reality of conflict in our lives and how to handle it biblically. We're joined by Dr. Robert Jones, author of "Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Our Conflicts," who shares powerful insights about conflict management from a Christian perspective.

We discuss how conflict is inevitable in all relationships - whether in marriage, parenting, or church leadership. As Dr. Jones explains, statistically "one out of one people" deal with conflict, and those numbers multiply when you add spouses and children to the mix. We also examine the transformative concept of "pleasing God" as our ultimate goal in conflict situations. Rather than focusing on winning arguments or changing others, we explore how prioritizing what pleases God can radically change our approach to disagreements.

This episode offers practical wisdom for anyone experiencing conflict in their relationships and provides a biblical framework for seeing conflict not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

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Thanks for listening to the Disciple Making Parent podcast. We love offering resources to equip you in family discipleship for free, but we can only do that because of our faithful financial partners. Would you consider joining us? We're a small and lean ministry, and we make your kingdom dollars go far. So head on over to www.thedisciplemakingparent.com/partner

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Sign up for the weekly newsletter at disciplemakingparent.com to receive the complete audiobook free. Part of our mission to help parents raise children who love the Lord and become disciple-makers.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we welcome Brian Croft to discuss the delicate balance between pastoral ministry and family life. We explore practical ways pastors can faithfully serve their church while prioritizing their spouse and children. Brian shares personal stories about adapting his parenting approach to meet each child's unique needs and how these family experiences have made him a more effective pastor. We discuss how receiving honest feedback from family members can improve preaching, and how explaining scripture to children helps create messages that connect with all ages. Brian also offers valuable insights on maintaining meaningful connections with children into adulthood and applying family leadership principles to church leadership.

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Thanks for listening to the Disciple Making Parent podcast. We love offering resources to equip you in family discipleship for free, but we can only do that because of our faithful financial partners. Would you consider joining us? We're a small and lean ministry, and we make your kingdom dollars go far. So head on over to www.thedisciplemakingparent.com/partner

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Sign up for the weekly newsletter at disciplemakingparent.com to receive the complete audiobook free. Part of our mission to help parents raise children who love the Lord and become disciple-makers.

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Resources From This Podcast
The Pastor’s Family, by Brian Croft
Practical Shepherding
Podcast episode: Marriage Panel: A Real Life Conversation and Encouragement
Sermons to Children, by J.C. Ryle
Managing Your Households Well, by Chap Bettis

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we continue our look at my newest book, Managing Your Households Well. We’ll explore the vital connection between family and church leadership through Paul's teaching in 1 Timothy 3:5. We discover how leading a family well directly impacts church leadership, examining four key areas: leading effectively, communicating with purpose, handling conflict, and building character. We also discuss how true leadership involves both serving others and maintaining forward momentum in our God-given responsibilities. 

Resources Mentioned:

Join Newsletter and get The Disciple-Making Parent audiobook for free
Managing Your Households Well - Amazon
Managing Your Households Well bonuses

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the critical but often misunderstood topic of managing our households well. We're excited to announce the release of Chap’s new book "Managing Your Households Well" which examines how family leadership prepares us for church leadership.

This episode unpacks two key insights from first half of the book. Chap discusses the delicate balance of authority and affection in both parenting and pastoring, and why authenticity matters more than maintaining a perfect appearance. Join us as we discover why managing our households well isn't about having a perfect family, but about leading with wisdom, respect, and genuine care.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we introduce a brand new Q & A format. Together, we’ll look at crucial parenting topics including establishing parental authority in early years, handling temper tantrums, navigating disagreements between spouses on discipline methods, and responding to children's constant "why" questions. We’ll consider practical wisdom on raising children who are both obedient and creative, emphasizing the importance of balancing firm boundaries with warm affection.

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Featured Resources

• Parenting with Confidence Video Course: Get free access to this comprehensive parenting course with the purchase of a workbook. Perfect for individual study or small groups, covering topics like discipline, routines, and building authority with affection.
• The Disciple Making Parent Audiobook: Sign up for the weekly newsletter at disciplemakingparent.com to receive the complete audiobook free. Part of our mission to help parents raise children who love the Lord and become disciple-makers.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we explore the concept of "disenculturation" as an alternative to "deconstruction." We sit down with Collin Hansen, Vice President for content and editor in chief at the Gospel Coalition, to understand how Christians can evaluate their cultural practices through a biblical lens.

Through engaging examples from church history, we examine how to distinguish between essential biblical truths and cultural practices that have become intertwined with faith. From worship styles to dress codes, we discuss how different generations navigate these distinctions. We also tackle challenging topics like historical Christian responses to racism and segregation, while offering practical advice for parents and pastors on helping their communities distinguish between non-negotiable faith elements and cultural expressions.

Drawing from examples like the Jesus Revolution and contemporary church practices, we learn how to maintain strong biblical convictions while showing grace toward different cultural expressions of faith. 

Resources from this podcast:
The Gospel Coalition
Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists, by Collin Hansen
The Gospelbound Podcast
Interview with Collin Hansen on Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ is Essential
Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, by Trevin Wax
A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories that Stretch and Stir, by Collin Hansen
The Fabric of Theology, by Richard Lints (origin of his concept of theological vision)
TGC Foundation Documents: Theological Vision for Ministry
Walking Through Deconstruction: How To Be a Companion In a Crisis of Faith, by Ian Harber
Rebecca McLaughlin

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NEW RESOURCE: "Launch: Biblical Help to Move Your Teen or Young Adult Into the Real World" - A concise one-hour read packed with essential guidance for parents navigating the challenging transition of teens into adulthood. Available on our website and Amazon.

FREE AUDIOBOOK: Get "The Disciple Making Parent" audiobook completely free when you subscribe to our weekly newsletter at disciplemakingparent.com. Join our mission to equip parents, grandparents, and pastors with the tools to pass the gospel to the next generation.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Podcast, we sit down with Melissa Kruger to explore the challenges and joys of raising teenagers in today's world.

We discuss how to create meaningful family connections in a tech-saturated age, establish healthy boundaries while showing acceptance, and maintain availability without sacrificing personal boundaries. Through practical examples and heartfelt insights, we learn how to balance rules with grace, consequences with compassion, and discover why our relationship with God remains the foundation for effective parenting.

Whether you're navigating the teenage years or preparing for them, this conversation offers encouraging perspectives on raising teens with biblical wisdom in a secular age.

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Our new book "Launch: Biblical Help for Moving Your Teen or Young Adult into the Real World" offers practical guidance for parents navigating the transition period, and you can get a free audiobook of "The Disciple Making Parent" by signing up for our newsletter. You can find all of this and more at thedisciplemakingparent.com.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Podcast, we journey into the powerful testimony of Banele Ndlovu, a young Zulu man from South Africa who assists with translation work at Imprint ministry.

We explore his upbringing in a complex spiritual environment, where traditional ancestor worship met Catholicism. Through his mother's battle with cancer and his own search for truth, we witness how a crisis of faith led him from planning to become an atheist to finding authentic Christianity. His story showcases the contrast between the endless cycle of appeasing ancestors and the transformative power of discovering truth through Scripture.

From believing he was the only true Christian in the world to finding a community of believers, Banele's journey reminds us of how genuine faith can emerge from the depths of spiritual confusion.

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A brand-new resource is coming this June for pastors, deacons, and aspiring church leaders! Managing Your Households Well: How Family Leadership Trains You for Church Leadership is based on Paul’s wisdom in 1 Timothy 3:4 and is designed for church leadership teams to study together.

Pre-order now on Amazon and get ready to strengthen both your home and church leadership!
 
📖 Pre-order here

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we hear an inspiring story of transformation and ministry in South Africa. We meet Tommie Van Der Walt, the executive director of Imprint Ministries, who shares his journey from being a rebellious prodigal to becoming a passionate minister. Through a powerful testimony involving a car accident and faithful friends, we learn how God's grace and a praying mother's persistence led to his dramatic conversion. 

After his conversion, Tommie's path led him from teaching English in Thailand to establishing Imprint Ministries, an organization dedicated to training pastors and providing affordable Christian resources across Africa. We also gain fascinating insights into the diverse landscape of South African churches, from traditional denominations to unique cultural expressions of faith.

The episode concludes with valuable wisdom on intentional discipleship and the importance of maintaining strong family connections within the church community. 

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Don't miss out on these two valuable resources from The Disciple Making Parent:





Weekly Family Discipleship Email: Sign up at thedisciplemakingparent.com to receive weekly prompts for family discipleship. As a bonus, you'll get the audiobook of The Disciple Making Parent completely free⁠⁠.






The Disciple Making Parent Audio Blog: Listen to over 150 blog posts in audio format, perfect for learning on the go. Find it on your favorite podcast provider by searching "The Disciple Making Parent Audio Blog".





Visit thedisciplemakingparent.com today to access these free resources and strengthen your family's discipleship journey.

Do you have teenagers in the house? Are you navigating the transition from childhood to the teenage years—and wondering how to guide them into adulthood? Whether you’re helping them choose a college, explore training opportunities after high school, or seeking wisdom on how to disciple your young adult, this episode is here to help.

Today, we will look at the first two chapters of Chap's newest book Launch: Biblical Help for Moving Your Teen or Young Adult into the Real World.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, I explore the spiritual discipline of making plans and resolutions for the new year. I look at how making noble plans is not just acceptable for Christians, but is actually an aspect of godliness.

Through biblical examples and practical wisdom, I discuss how planning can be an act of imitating God, while also learning to hold our plans with an open hand. I share insights on seeking godly counsel, setting meaningful goals, and understanding how to approach personal growth in wisdom, physical health, spiritual life, and social relationships.

Whether you're skeptical about New Year's resolutions or eager to make positive changes, this episode provides biblical perspective on how we can thoughtfully approach planning while staying anchored in God's guidance.

Resources from this week's podcast:
31 questions for self-reflection, by Donald Whitney

Topics covered in this week's podcast:
02:16 Principles for planning for the new year: Isaiah 32:8
10:49 We should be making plans
14:55 Holding plans with an open hand
16:55 Practical suggestions

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we welcome Jason Hsieh as we explore thoughts on biblical hospitality. We dive into the biblical foundations of hospitality, discussing passages from Romans, Deuteronomy, and Hebrews that shed light on this often misunderstood practice. Jason and I discuss the common cultural misconceptions about hospitality, emphasizing that it's not just about fancy meals or social gatherings, but a profound way of showing love to strangers and those in vulnerable positions. We examine how hospitality reflects God's grace towards us and how we can embody this in our own lives. Join us as we unpack the surprising depth and counter-cultural nature of true biblical hospitality.

Resources From This Podcast
Why Pursue Hospitality?– Sermon by Jason Hsieh 
A Portrait of Hospitality– Sermon by Jason Hsieh
Message by Chris McGrady on David’s hospitality to Mephibosheth

Topics Covered In This Week’s Podcast
03:03 What is hospitality?
9:35 Hospitality as an implication of the gospel
13:52 Biblical hospitality vs. the world’s hospitality
16:21 Examples of hospitality in Scripture
20:51 Personal experiences of hospitality

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore Eden Parker's faith journey and her work with Bible.net. We discuss the impact of growing up in a Christian home, the challenges faced during college years, and how these experiences led to the creation of a unique online resource for Bible study. We talk about the importance of discipleship, the role of mentors, and how Bible.net aims to provide curated, reliable Christian content for those seeking answers to life's big questions.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the question "Does marriage really matter?" We examine whether marriage is beneficial for individuals and society, or if it hinders personal fulfillment. We discuss surprising statistics about declining marriage rates and changing attitudes towards marriage among younger generations.

Our guest, Professor Brad Wilcox, presents scientific evidence challenging popular myths about marriage and argues for its importance in creating happier individuals and flourishing children. We also look at the concept of "inverted hypocrisy" in how elites portray marriage in media versus their personal lives.

Join us as we navigate through current ideas about marriage, explore which groups are succeeding in maintaining strong marriages, and uncover the statistics that demonstrate the benefits of marriage for men and women.

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Don't miss our latest resource for parents! Our new book "Launch: Biblical Help for Moving Your Teen or Young Adult into the Real World" is now available. This quick read offers practical guidance for parents navigating the challenging transition of their teens and young adults into adulthood. In just about an hour, you'll gain valuable insights on:

• Foundational principles for guiding teens through their later years
• Strategies for three common scenarios: leaving for college, staying at home after graduation, and staying at home longer than expected

As a parent who's been through this journey, I understand the confusion and challenges firsthand. That's why I created this resource to fill the gap in guidance for parents during this crucial time. Get your copy of "Launch" today on our bookstore at thedisciplemakingparent.com or on Amazon, and equip yourself to better support your teen or young adult in their next big step.

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we celebrate a major milestone—our 100th episode! We’ll take a moment to reflect on highlights from some standout episodes throughout the years.

Highlights include:

• Episode 1: Solid Gold Advice from Seasoned Christian Pediatrician - Dr. Tom Hines
• Episode 20: A Baby’s First Year - Dr. Tom Hines
• Episode 6: Bullying and the Gospel - Kevin McKay
• Episode 65: Current Issues Teens Face (Part 1) - Travis Rymer
• Episode 66: Current Issues Teens Face (Part 2) - Travis Rymer
• Episode 68: Respect the Image: How to Communicate Well - Tim Shorey
• Episode 94: God at Work Aboard Mercy Ships - Bekah Bettis
• Episode 83: Marriage Panel: Real-Life Conversation and Encouragment - Chap and Sharon Bettis
• Episode 32: Gospel Infused Parenting - Bob and Julie Kauflin
• Episode 73: How to Shepherd Troubled and Angry Teens - Dr. Rick Horne
• Episode 89: The Toxic War on Masculinity - Nancy Pearcey
• Episode 77: Glimpses of God’s Glory - Chap Bettis
• Episode 78: Glimpses of Christ’s Glory - Chap Bettis
• Episode 79: Glimpses of the Believer’s Glory - Chap Bettis
• Episode 86: Honor: Our Duty to God and Others - Chap Bettis
• Episode 90: Understanding and Helping the Pastor’s Kid - Barnabas Piper
• Episode 59: Hope When You Lose a Child - Cameron Cole
• Episode 72: Walking Through Deep...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Mohler shares his personal journey of faith, from his childhood and early influences to his current views on the future for parents and church leaders. We discuss the importance of grounding children in the gospel and the challenges parents face in today's cultural climate.

Additionally, Dr. Mohler offers valuable advice for young parents and reflects on the joy and responsibility of raising the next generation.

Join us for an insightful conversation that aims to equip and encourage parents and grandparents in their mission to pass on the gospel. 

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Be sure to check out my newest book Launch: Biblical Help for Moving Your Teen or Young Adult into the Real World.