Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship Ep. 395: Fake Versions of Jesus with Shane Pruitt
What if the “Jesus” you’ve been following isn’t the Jesus of the Bible? In this episode of Let’s Parent on Purpose, Jay Holland talks with Shane Pruitt—National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board and author of the brand-new Bible study Not My Jesus: Reclaiming the Truth, Rejecting the Idols—about how cultural counterfeits of Jesus can creep into our homes, churches, and parenting.
Shane shares powerful insights from decades in student ministry and parenting six children (four through adoption), along with stories of walking through profound joy and deep grief. Together, Jay and Shane explore:
- Common false versions of Jesus such as:
- Eternity-Only Jesus – cares only about your afterlife, not your daily walk.
- American Dream Jesus – blesses comfort, accumulation, and nationalism over mission.
- Non-Judgmental Jesus – loves but never calls for repentance.
- Comfortable Jesus – keeps life safe and easy, rather than calling us into obedience and sacrifice.
- National Jesus – conflates the Kingdom of God with any earthly nation.
- How parents may unintentionally model a counterfeit Christ through their attitudes and actions.
- Why your family’s faith is “caught” more than it’s taught.
- How to lead your kids in authentic discipleship by living consistently for Jesus at home and in public.
- The danger of making comfort the measure of God’s blessing—and how to evaluate if you’re living beyond yourself on mission.
- A biblical view of love that both accepts us as we are and calls us to holiness.
Shane and Jay also talk about practical ways to stay anchored in Scripture, model genuine faith for your kids, and resist the cultural pull to create a Jesus in our own image.
About Shane Pruitt
Shane serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board, leading ministry to students and young adults across more than 50,000 churches. He’s a sought-after conference speaker, podcast host, and the author of 9 Common Lies Christians Believe and Calling Out the Called. His latest Bible study, Not My Jesus, is available in both student and adult editions and helps believers spot cultural distortions of Christ and embrace the true Savior found in the Gospels.
Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Resources mentioned:
Resources & Links:
- Check out www.youthministry.coach
- Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net
- Get Not My Jesus (adult and student versions): https://amzn.to/4mPefFT
- Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook!
- Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/