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

Where the Bible is clear about God’s will, we must obey. But what about the thousands of choices we have in life where there doesn’t seem to be specific clarity in God’s Word? Do we pause and wait to hear the voice of the Lord? What about the people who seem to constantly say “God told me this?” Are we not walking with Jesus because we don’t have a steady stream of “God told me this?”     As we continue our series Knowing and Doing God’s Will, Jay highlights the many tools God has given us to make wise choices in areas where there are not specific commands from the Lord in Scripture. Borrowing the wisdom of Gary Freison and his book “Decision Making and the Will of God”, Jay walk through the different gifts God has given us that can serve as guideposts for decision making.   Listen as Jay shares how we can make wise decisions using The Bible An Open or Closed Door Mature Council A Fleece Inner Peace or Tension An alignment of passion, skills, and opportunity Common Sense With these gifts, God has given us plenty of resources to make healthy, wise, God-honoring decisions every day of our lives. Resources mentioned: The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz https://amzn.to/45qZ8ub The Seven Checkpoints for Youth Leaders by Andy Stanley: https://amzn.to/3ICSfw1 Decision Making and the Will of God https://amzn.to/3otDepG Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland  

One of the great paradoxes of life is that more choices don’t always lead to a happier life. Never ending choices can be paralyzing. Additionally, many choices give the illusion of freedom on the front end but ultimately lead to entrapment, slavery, and devastating consequences.  As we continue our series on Knowing and Doing God’s Will, today Jay takes about surprising principle: “Maximum Freedom is Found Under God’s Authority”. Jay discusses how there is a beauty in God’s word of eliminating the pressure of unending choices. Additionally, he shows how what may first appear restriction actually produces a greater degree of freedom. When we choose to seek and honor God’s will in our lives, we are free from many of the devastating consequences of sin, including disease, regret, and destructive relationships. By submitting ourselves to the authority of God’s word and limiting our choices to those God permits, we experience a far greater joy and satisfaction in life, as well as the anticipation of eternal reward for a life that’s pleasing to God.  Resources mentioned: The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz https://amzn.to/45qZ8ub The Seven Checkpoints for Youth Leaders by Andy Stanley: https://amzn.to/3ICSfw1 Decision Making and the Will of God https://amzn.to/3otDepG Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose  

One of the most common questions for a follower of Jesus is “How do I know God’s will for my life?” Often, these questions revolve around a few major decisions, such as where should I go to school, what should I do for a job, and who should I marry?  As we continue our series “Knowing and Doing God’s Will”, Jay lays out the Path of Wisdom for how to determine God’s will for your life, including what one should do if God’s will is not clear.    Relying heavily on guidance from the book “Decision Making and the Will of God” by Garry Freisen and J. Robin Maxson, Jay outlines a Path of Wisdom for decision making that will serve every believer in every circumstance. Ultimately summed up in the phrase “love God and do what you will,” Jay explains the following principles: Where God commands, we must obey Where there is no command, God gives us freedom (and responsibility) to choose Where there is no command, God gives us wisdom to choose When we choose wisely, we trust the Lord to work out the details Resources mentioned: Decision Making and the Will of God https://amzn.to/3otDepG Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose  

Today Jay begins a series on Knowing and Doing God’s will. In this opening episode Jay shares a powerful prayer from Colossians 1 that explains the lifelong connection between knowing God’s will and knowing God. The reality is that God often calls us to follow Him before we know him deeply. It can be hard to trust God enough to obey, but it’s in the path of obedience that we truly meet God and know him on a deeper level.    Listen today as we discuss the lifelong pattern of: Being filled with the knowledge of God’s will Having the strength and courage to walk in God’s will Bearing fruit as we step in faith Moving from knowing about God to knowing God The fruit of thanksgiving as experience a deeper walk with God Resources mentioned: Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland

Many moms and dads are shocked to find out how disorienting it is to parent their young adult children. Our 18-25 year old children still need parenting, but the relational dynamics are very different during these years. Pastor and author Jim Ramos has navigated these years with three of his own children, and shares insights he learned from parenting through this time frame. One of his mentors called the 18-25 year old period of life “the stupid years”, and it can be a terrifying time for a mom and dad as our children seek independence and often drift in their faith while making major life choices.  Listen as Jim shares seven insights from his time of parenting through the “stupid years”. As you listen, you’ll learn why it’s vital to Remember that you are the incarnation of Christ to your children Pray over your children and pray for their spouses Engage with your children - be the rubber band! Remember to show them that you love them, and that you LIKE them, with your eye contact and facial expressions Understand that when your adult child is out of the house, THEY are now the ones who control the relationship Be wise as a parent and avoid being the bulldozer or helicopter parent Trust Jesus with your children! Bio: Jim Ramos is a bestselling author, speaker, and the founder of Men in the Arena, a non-profit Christian ministry focused on equipping men to honor God in the leadership of their family, church, and community. He hosts the #1 ranked Spotify podcast for Christian men, the Men in the Arena Podcast, and has written the #1 Amazon Bestseller Strong Men Dangerous Times.  Jim lives in McMinnville, Oregon, with his wife Shanna. His goal is to live each day to its fullest with courageous abandon according to Jesus’ promise in John 10:10.    Resources mentioned: www.meninthearena.org The Men in The Arena Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-in-the-arena-christian-mens-podcast/id1144237071 Strong Men Dangerous Times: Five Essentials Every Man Must Possess to Change His World: https://amzn.to/3oq8DZV Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland   Let's Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Parents can often feel burdened that discipleship is just one more thing to add to a list of tasks they are already doing poorly. My guest Caesar Kalinowski helps us walk through a framework for discipleship that takes advantage of six regular rhythms of life that are already happening in each of our lives. Listen as Caesar explains how we might disciple our children through: Story formation Listening Celebrating Eating Blessing Recreating   Caesar Kalinowski the host of the podcast Everyday Disciple with Caesar Kalinowski. He is a father, recent grandpa, and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Tina, for over 30 years. He is a serial church planter, coach, and the author of several books, including the top-selling, The Gospel Primer. He has worked in 30+ countries training thousands of people in discipleship and mission as a lifestyle.   Resources mentioned: Get Caesar’s free resource for parents: The Story of God for Kids: everydaydisciple.com/kids   www.everydaydisciple.com   The Everyday Disciple with Caesar Kalinowski Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-disciple-podcast/id1209249450   Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose   Let's Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  

At the beginning of 2023 most parents had never heard of Chat GPT, and had given very little thought to how artificial intelligence might affect their parenting. But in just a few short months Chat GPT has amassed over 100 million users. Artificial Intelligence is going to change the landscape on a scale similar to the introduction of the iPhone or the internet. But how? Jay is joined today by Scott Pleasants for a wide ranging discussion on what A.I. is already doing and what might be around the corner. They discuss how A.I. can assist families in incredibly helpful ways as well as the potential dangers of using a technology that randomly produces false information. Scott also shares cautions for students using A.I. for homework and other assignments.    Scott Pleasants is the Director of Information Technology for FBA in Dunwoody and the Strategic Innovation Advisor for Innovate Lynchburg and is the founder of CrossHackers, technology solutions organization focused on helping organizations to see the world “possible”.   Resources mentioned: chat.openai.com   jasper.ai   bark.us Screen filtering service   turnitin.com plagiarism protection software   Should My Kid Be Using ChatGPT? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-my-kid-using-chatgpt-barktechnologies/   Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland  

There are currently six adult generations living and working together in the United States! Today Jay is joined by Dr. Jean M. Twenge, author of the brand new book Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents – and What They Mean for America’s Future. Dr. Twenge brings insights from analyzing over 38 million people from 21 different datasets to share how technology is the driving factor for the great differences between generations.    As we consider the radically different world our parents and grandparents grew up in, Dr. Twenge also gives advice to parents on how to best set their own children up to avoid the higher rates of depression, anxiety, and isolation so common in the youngest generation.    Jean Twenge has spent her entire academic career – 30 years – studying generational differences, and this book, Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents – and What They Mean for America’s Future (978-1-9821-8161-1, April 25, 2023), is her magnum opus.  Its analysis is derived from 21 huge datasets   that go back to the 1940s and are as recent as this year, spanning some 38 million people.  Jean is the gold standard in decoding and unpacking massive data sets.        Resources mentioned: http://www.jeantwenge.com Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future: https://amzn.to/3GZ4emV https://twitter.com/jean_twenge   Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland   Let's Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

At best you’ll get around 18 summers before your children are out of the house. Today Jay shares fun and creative ideas for how to make the most out of your summer by creating a summer theme. With a summer theme, you can focus on a particular area of discipleship in creative ways that will deepen your family’s faith while making sweet memories.    With the help of his new A.I. Assistant Chat GPT, here are some fun summer themes Jay talks about:    "Summer of Faith" – Focus on growing your family's spiritual life through daily devotions, prayer, Bible study, and attending church events or retreats.   "Summer of Service" – Engage in community service and mission projects, both locally and globally, to demonstrate Christ's love and compassion.   "Summer of Creation Care" – Emphasize environmental stewardship by participating in eco-friendly activities, learning about sustainable living, and caring for God's creation.   "Summer of Fellowship" – Strengthen bonds with other Christian families and friends through regular gatherings, potlucks, and group outings, while also welcoming new people into your community.   "Summer of Discipleship" – Mentor and guide your children in their faith journeys by exploring different aspects of Christian living, such as prayer, worship, and evangelism.   "Summer of Gratitude" – Encourage your family to recognize and give thanks for God's blessings, keeping gratitude journals or sharing daily blessings at dinner.   "Summer of Worship" – Attend different churches or Christian events, explore various worship styles, and incorporate family worship time into your daily routine.   "Summer of Christian Art" – Discover the beauty of Christian art, music, and literature, and encourage your children to express their faith creatively through various mediums.   "Summer of Pilgrimage" – Plan a family trip to visit historically significant Christian sites or meaningful places in  your own faith journey.  “Summer of Rest” — Unplug! Do less!    “Summer of Generosity” — Become more like Jesus as you give more, share more, serve more, and learn patterns of habitual proportional stewardship.    Resources mentioned:   Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland   Let's Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this episode, Jay interviews Janine McNally, founder and director of Grace4Kidz, about the latest generation to hit the scene, Generation Alpha. Janine shares insights into the unique characteristics of this generation, how they differ from previous generations, and how parents can best understand and relate to them.   Janine describes Generation Alpha as the first truly global generation, born into a world that is connected by technology and social media. She notes that this generation is highly creative, adaptable, and entrepreneurial, with a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world.   Jay and Janine discuss the importance of building strong relationships with Generation Alpha children, and the role that parents, grandparents, and other family members can play in shaping their worldview and values. Janine emphasizes the importance of modeling healthy relationships, empathy, and service, and encourages parents to cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity in their children.   Janine also shares insights from her upcoming book, "When You See Fireflies", which is designed to equip parents and leaders to minister effectively to Generation Alpha. She provides practical tips and strategies for engaging with this generation, including the importance of creating safe spaces for conversation and exploration, and empowering children to use their unique gifts and talents to make a positive impact on the world. Janine's background as a teacher, writer, and non-profit founder gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of working with Generation Alpha, and her insights are sure to be valuable to parents, educators, and anyone who works with children.   Janine McNally is a writer, professor, and doctoral student, as well as the founder and director of Grace4Kidz, a non-profit that produces gospel-centered resources for children. She has recently completed her first book, "When You See Fireflies", which provides practical insights and strategies for ministering effectively to Generation Alpha. Resources mentioned: www.grace4kidz.org   www.instagram.com/grace4kidz   https://www.facebook.com/Grace4Kidz/   Support Let's Parent on Purpose through your Tax Deductible Giving Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Connect with Jay: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsparentonpurpose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsparentonpurpose Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jaydholland