Stand Firm Parents

The underground church in Iran is thriving under persecution while Christianity in the West is in decline. Why? Joel Richardson shares what’s fueling explosive growth in the Middle East and what Western believers—and parents—must do differently to raise children with a faith that lasts. This eye-opening conversation challenges our approach to discipleship and evangelism. Key Takeaways: Why Iran’s underground church is the fastest-growing in the world How disciple-making movements (DMM) are transforming communities What American Christians are getting wrong about church & faith A practical, actionable step to apply this model in your family Joel Richardson is a New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and teacher. With a special love for all the peoples of the Middle East, Joel travels globally, preparing the Church for the great challenges of our time, teaching on the gospel, living with biblical hope, the return of Jesus. He is a New York Times Bestselling author of several books, an internationally recognized teacher, and has appeared in several documentaries and films by FAIStudios. Joel lives in the United States with his wife and five children. Joel's website: https://joelstrumpet.com Sheep Among Wolves II:  https://youtu.be/9SAPOLKF59U?feature=shared

Jake McCandless speaks with Darren Huckey about the Jewish context of discipleship and what it means for parents raising children in faith. Learn how first-century discipleship was more than just knowledge—it was about full-life transformation through devotion, imitation, and replication. Key Takeaways: How first-century discipleship worked What Jesus meant when He said, "A disciple, when fully trained, will be like his teacher." How parents can model and teach discipleship at home Darren Huckey is the Assistant to the Rabbi at Shalom Macon Messianic Synagogue in Macon, Georgia. He is a husband, a father, an author, a teacher, and posts weekly videos to the Shalom Macon YouTube channel. He has published seven books to date with his eighth book due out the first quarter of 2025. He has been active in ministry and/or religious leadership since 1994. Learning about the Jewishness of Jesus has radically changed his life and understanding of Jesus' call to discipleship. His focus over the last several years has been connecting the church back to its Jewish roots, bringing insights into the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus from Jewish sources. Darren currently lives in Macon, GA with his beautiful wife and four of his five wonderful children (the oldest is happily married and living in Texas), building community with the people he loves. Darren's book: Four Responsibilities of a Disciple, https://a.co/d/3LIICOZ Darren's website: https://www.emethatorah.com

Jake McCandless sits down with Katharine van der Beek to explore the power of fully integrated faith through a Hebraic lens. Drawing from her experiences as an Israeli tour guide, Katharine shares profound insights into seeing God’s hand in everything and trusting His sovereignty in every aspect of life. Key Takeaways: The Hebraic mindset of faith as all-encompassing. How parents can teach their kids to see God in the details of life. Why recognizing God’s sovereignty changes how we face challenges. Katharine also gives a vivid snapshot of the current state of Israel, detailing the struggles and miracles amidst recent events. 🎥 Watch the companion video for more insights: 360 Degree View of Israel at the End of 2024

What can the global church teach us about raising kids with a faith that lasts? Jake McCandless sits down with John David Smith, President of BMA Global, for an enlightening conversation about wholistic faith and parenting. Key Takeaways: The difference between wholistic Christianity and compartmentalized faith. Why simplicity matters in our walk with Christ. The power of the gospel to transform families and create a legacy of faith. With stories and lessons from 67 nations, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead your family toward a fully integrated faith.

As parents, it’s easy to focus on devotionals, programs, and church events as the ultimate markers of success in discipling our kids. But are these the end game, or are they simply tools to help us reach the real goal? In this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless challenges listeners to step back and redefine their approach to raising children in the faith. He discusses: The difference between tools and true spiritual growth. Why family devotionals and church programs need to support—not replace—fully integrated faith. How to disciple your kids in a way that leads them to truly follow Jesus and live on mission. This episode provides encouragement, clarity, and practical advice for parents who want to lead their children toward a vibrant, lasting relationship with Christ.

Is social media silently influencing your marriage? Jake McCandless sits down with Kayla Norris to explore how the digital age shapes our relationships, for better or worse. They tackle the tough questions about how social media affects communication, trust, and connection in marriage. Key Topics: How algorithms keep us hooked and what that means for your relationship. Steps to set healthy boundaries with devices and apps. Why open communication about tech habits is crucial for trust. Kayla brings practical wisdom and encouragement for couples navigating marriage in a tech-saturated world. 📌 Bonus: Check out David Norris’ Bible study journal for neurodiverse individuals on Amazon! https://bit.ly/4g2FucL

In today’s episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless teams up with Jon Dodson, tech expert and Director at LifeWord, to tackle the toughest parenting questions in the digital age. How do we decide when our kids are ready for a device? What loopholes do kids exploit to sidestep our rules? Jon offers actionable advice to help parents: Gauge their child’s maturity and readiness for a device. Understand the risks and tools needed to monitor device use. Build a trusting relationship where kids come to parents first. With tools like Qustodio and Bark, and Jon’s practical tips, you’ll gain confidence in navigating this challenging terrain. 📧 Get Jon’s free resources at j.dodson@lifeword.org to support your parenting journey.

How do we protect and empower our kids in today’s digital world? Jake McCandless and Jon Dobson dive into the tough questions about kids and smartphones in this must-listen episode. They discuss why maturity, not just age, should determine when your child is ready for a device, and share seven critical questions parents need to ask. From setting boundaries to creating trust, this episode equips parents with practical tools for navigating the challenges of raising kids in a tech-saturated world. What You’ll Learn: The seven questions to assess your child’s readiness for a smartphone. How smartphones affect mental health and emotional well-being. Tips for setting boundaries, building trust, and fostering responsibility. Why intentional parenting is key to navigating the digital age.

About This Episode: In this transformative episode of Stand Firm Parents, host Jake McCandless engages with Kayla Norris in a revealing conversation about the profound influence of marital relationships on effective parenting, especially within the context of neurodiversity. They explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating a marriage when one partner is on the autism spectrum and how these dynamics affect parenting. What You’ll Learn: Understanding Neurodiversity: Insights into the unique challenges and needs of neurodiverse marriages. Marital Communication: Strategies for enhancing communication between neurotypical and neurodiverse spouses. Parenting from a Strong Foundation: How a robust marital relationship can provide a stable base for parenting. Personal Stories: Kayla shares her personal journey of discovery, challenges, and the strategies that helped her and her husband strengthen their marriage and parenting approach. Episode Highlights: [00:01:29] Introduction to the topic and background on the importance of strong marital foundations for parenting. [00:04:06] Kayla Norris discusses the intersection of neurodiversity and marital communication. [00:06:01] Challenges in neurodiverse marriages and effective strategies to address them. [00:20:20] Audience Q&A session: Jake and Kayla answer real questions from parents dealing with similar issues. [00:25:09] Conclusion and takeaways on how strengthening your marriage can improve your parenting. For Our Listeners: If you find this episode helpful, please leave us a review and share it with other parents. Your feedback helps us to bring more insightful content to you every week. Connect with Us: Visit our website for more resources on parenting and faith. Follow us on social media to join our community and engage in the conversation. Subscribe and Share: Don’t miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to our podcast and share this episode with friends and family who might find it helpful.

In this insightful episode, Stand Firm Parents host Jake McCandless explores Israel’s significance in the Bible and its impact on our children's faith. Jake, passionate about helping families build a resilient faith foundation, addresses why understanding Israel matters deeply in today's world, especially amidst rising anti-Semitism and the complex portrayal of Israel in current events.   Key Takeaways: - Why Discuss Israel with Our Kids?     Jake explains the historical and theological relevance of Israel throughout the Bible, encouraging parents to equip their children with a clear understanding of its role in God’s plan. This understanding helps children navigate a world where they may encounter misinformation and conflicting viewpoints about Israel. - Responding to Modern Anti-Semitism:    Jake examines the current rise in anti-Semitism and how it's impacting families. He challenges listeners to consider the “absurdity” of worldwide anti-Israel sentiment and invites parents to help their children see beyond political rhetoric, focusing instead on God’s purposes. - Two Major Theological Questions for Parents:     1. Is God Done with Israel? Jake explores how scripture points to an ongoing role for Israel, especially in end-times prophecy.     2. How Does the Church Relate to Israel? Drawing from Romans 11, he discusses how Gentiles are “grafted into” Israel’s promises, affirming that God’s covenant with Israel is still relevant today. - Encouragement to Dive into Scripture:   Rather than relying solely on others' interpretations, Jake encourages parents to read the Bible firsthand. By doing so, they can better understand the importance of Israel and confidently address their children’s questions. Why This Episode Matters: Today’s world presents unique challenges for young believers, who may be exposed to anti-Israel sentiments on social media, in school, and beyond. Jake shares why standing with Israel aligns with God’s plan and how parents can guide their children through complex questions to build a faith that lasts. Listen to Our "Truth on Israel" Bonus Series: If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, check out Jake’s bonus series “Truth on Israel” episodes, linked in the show notes. --- Follow and Connect: Stay engaged with *Stand Firm Parents* by following on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, or the Stand Firm Ministries website. Send in your questions and comments to join the conversation as Jake and the team continue exploring how parents can support their children’s faith journey. --- Stand Firm Parents is brought to you by Stand Firm Ministries, in partnership with Lifeword Studios. Created by Jake McCandless and Brandon Harrington of Dime Collective.