Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship

We don’t make it past the fourth chapter of the Bible before sibling rivalry becomes an area of angst and heartbreak for moms and dads. Even if your kids are not as bad as Cain and Able, the arguing, competition, and fighting can be a major drain. Licensed Therapist Brian Neal joins me to discuss the different origins of sibling silvery (including sin), general strategies to bring harmony to your household, and then answers to specific questions from parents (bossy children, fair vs. equal, competing brothers, and more).   Brian Neal is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the state of Delaware and Florida. He completed his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Technology at Purdue University and received a Master’s of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University.   After transitioning from the aerospace industry at 45 years old, Brian gathered experience in counseling by working at a teen treatment center, community-based agency, church counseling center, and now runs his own private practice, True Course Counseling. Brian is a member of the South Florida Association of Christian Counselors and Focus on Family Christian Counselor Network. 
 Resources Mentioned: https://truecoursecounseling.com www.focusonthefamily.org www.familylifetoday.org www.christianparenting.com   Sponsor Affiliate: Become a Supporter of Let’s Parent on Purpose! https://www.letsparentonpurpose.com/support 

The number of children and teens who experience high levels of anxiety has tripled over the last several years, and that’s before adding in the stress of Covid-19. Author and counselor Sissy Goff shares many of the social and cultural factors contributing to our children’s high levels of anxiety. She also equips parents with tools to help their children lower and manage stress and anxiety, including the development of an emotional vocabulary, perspective, empathy, and resourcefulness. Lastly, we speak on the how the Gospel changes our daily struggles with worry and anxiety.    Guest Bio: SISSY GOFF, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP 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. You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. 
 Resources Mentioned Sissy’s website: www.raisingboysandgirls.com www.daystarcounseling.com Sissy’s book - Brave, a Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety Sissy’s book - Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Spiritual, and Social Milestones your Child Needs to Reach Sissy’s Book - Raising Worry Free Girls Sissy’s Book - Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) Sponsor Affiliate: CP Give Spring drive www.cpgive.org

The speed and intensity of the cultural shift towards affirming every type of sexual attraction and gender identity has left many parents struggling to keep up.   Dr. Sean McDowell, a renowned Christian Apologist and author of the new book Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture joins us to help guide moms and dads on how to have grace and truth filled conversations with their children. We discuss the importance of encouraging our kids to trust God, how to gracefully love their LGBTQ friends, and how to respond if our own children are struggling with attractions and identity.   Dr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith.  Sean is the author and co-author of over twenty books including his newest one, Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture. Sean is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He and his wife Stephanie have three children.   Resources Mentioned www.seanmcdowell.orghttps://twitter.com/Sean_McDowell https://www.youtube.com/user/Seanmcdowell76   Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture: https:// amzn.to/3jmI299   Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World: https://amzn.to/3pQfuaG   Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens https://amzn.to/3pVCK7i   Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters: https://amzn.to/3cG7Ewp   New California Health Standards Lack Diversity, Inclusion, and Openness: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/new-california-health-standards-lackdiversity-inclusion-and-openness   Sponsor Affiliate: Become a Supporter of Let’s Parent on Purpose! https://www.letsparentonpurpose.com/support 

When Pastor and Author Jonathan Pitts’ wife of sixteen years died suddenly, he found himself thrust into a season of grief while also trying to navigate as a single parent. His wife Wynter had been his ministry partner, chief counselor, as well as an incredible mom for their four girls. In this conversation, Jonathan shares his journey of grief, provision, hope, and community. He encourages those who are grieving or parenting alone, and also gives great council for two parent families in how to minister to single parents.   Jonathan Pitts is an author, speaker and the executive pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, Tennessee. He previously served as the executive director at the Urban Alternative, the national ministry of Dr. Tony Evans. Jonathan has co-authored two books alongside his late wife, Wynter Pitts. He is also President and co-founder of For Girls Like You Ministries, an equipping and resourcing ministry for tween girls and their parents. Jonathan is the father of four daughters and was blessed with fifteen intentional years of marriage to Wynter.   See more from Jonathan - https://jonathanpitts.net  The Journey Podcast - https://apple.co/3sFfQlz  My Wynter Season: Seeing God’s Faithfulness in the Shadow of Grief: https://amzn.to/3pSkrj2   Sponsor Affiliate: Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-hope-with-dr-samuel-thomas/id1545599796 

Before we have children, people tell us that parenting is really hard. But it’s not until you get into the midst of your parenting journey that you realize just how many challenges you face in building a thriving family.   Jay talks about four factors that make parenting so difficult:   1) Your family is filled with sinful humans, 2) Mother Nature is trying to kill us, 3) The world is not helpful, and 4) You are in a spiritual battle.   Once we’ve identified the myriad of challenges, Jay offers hope and encouragement from God’s Word in this installment of our Parenting Challenges series.   Sign Up for Things For Thursday Email: https://mailchi.mp/ad8281338869/lpopebook   Sponsor Affiliate: Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-hope-with-dr-samuel-thomas/id1545599796 

It’s imperative that our daughters and sons have a solid understanding of identity, femininity, and beauty from a godly perspective! Author and speaker Bethany Neal joins me as we speak on crafting a definition and vision for biblical womanhood that will help our children through elementary, the preteen and teenage years, and all the way into adulthood. This conversation will not only give you a vision for Biblical Womanhood, but also specific language and vocabulary to help encourage your children along the path.   Bethany Beal is head-over-heels in love with her best friend and husband, David, and is the super proud mommy of Davey Jr. She is the cofounder of GirlDefined Ministries and is passionate about spreading the truth of biblical womanhood through writing, speaking, and mentoring young women. To her family and close friends, she is simply a tall blonde girl who is obsessed with iced lattes and can’t get enough of her sweet baby Davey Jr. Connect with Bethany! • The website: https://www.girldefined.com/ • The blog: https://www.girldefined.com/blog • The books: https://www.girldefined.com/the-books • The youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCww9VDOBh5hfnsN6pPE6NpA  • The podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-girl-defined-show/id1539982603    Sponsor Affiliate: Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-hope-with-dr-samuel-thomas/id1545599796 

Dr. Ron Archer shares his powerful life story and then addresses the incredible influence that a father has in a home. We speak to the level of spiritual gravity the dad has in comparison to the rest of the household members. Dr. Archer offers words of encouragement for spiritually engaged fathers: be present, be attentive, be affirming, be consistent, and be committed. He also encourages moms who parent with either spiritually passive or absent fathers on how to find and encourage godly male mentors in their children’s lives.   Ron Archeris a world-renowned inspirational speaker, business executive, and author. He has advised several U.S. presidents and trained top executives of multiple Fortune 500 companies, in addition to leaders in the military. His debut biography and life story of poverty, hardship, and overcoming all odds—What Belief Can Do—was published in February 2020, also from Salem Books. He has traveled the globe inspiring millions with his testimony and currently reaches more than 250,000 people a year through his speaking engagements.   Resources Mentioned:   www.ronarcher.com   Ron’s TV Show Ask The Pastor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSyou2aDxg&feature=youtu.be   Ron’s Book “The Power of One Man” : https://amzn.to/3icwuVs

In the first episode of my new series on Parenting Challenges, I address the truth that “Our friends determine the direction and quality of our lives”. In a unique episode designed for parents to listen to with their children, we discuss how to identify toxic relationships, represented by the acronym MAD GAS (Manipulator, Addict, Deceiver, Gossip, Arguer, and Slug). We then determine the character qualities of a JET PACK friendship (Joyful, Encourager, Trustworthy, Peacemaker, Active, Christ Centered, and Kingdom Minded).   Resources Mentioned:   Sponsor Affiliate: The Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast

Every year we make goals that never happen. The problem is not our goals, it’s our systems. As the saying goes “your habits are perfectly suited to give you the life you have.” By learning to focus on our systems, we open the door for radical change in our spiritual life, families, and personal health. Resources Mentioned: Episode 207 Your Future Self Will Thank You With Drew Dyck Episode 208 Cultivating Self Control In Your Children With Drew Dyck Episode 209 Routines for Faith Formation In Our Children with Kenneth Kuhn Sponsor Affiliate: The Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast

Faith is built through consistent, small interactions. My guest Ken Kuhn shares how to use meal times, bed times, and other regular routines to strengthen your child’s faith. Through regular questions, prayers of blessings and simple spiritual habits, you can slowly grow your children into the men and women of God who will be a blessing to the world. Ken Kuhn is a Christian education specialist, former family ministry pastor, and coach who focuses on helping young families share Jesus with their kids from a very young age. He is the author of several resources that are intended for parents to use with their children, including the devotional prayer book May They Be Blessed. Resources: May They Be Blessed Book Link Constant Source Website Link Family Devotional Link Sponsor Affiliate:The Hopegivers Stories of Hope Podcast