In this conversation, Jay Holland and Rita Diapoules discuss the framework of children's ministry, focusing on the 'Ages and Stages' concept that helps parents understand how to guide their children spiritually as they grow. They emphasize the importance of habit stacking in daily routines to reinforce biblical truths, the significance of teaching biblical concepts appropriate to each age group, and the necessity of creating high-value touch points for families. Rita shares practical tips for parents to integrate spiritual discussions into their daily lives and the importance of partnering with the church for the spiritual growth of children.

Takeaways

• Children's ministry should focus on long-term spiritual growth.

• The 'Ages and Stages' framework helps parents guide their children.

• Habit stacking can integrate spiritual teachings into daily routines.

• Parents are the primary disciplers of their children.

• Regular spiritual conversations are crucial for faith retention.

• Teaching should be age-appropriate and build on previous knowledge.

• Creating a community helps parents feel supported in their roles.

• Parents should actively engage with their church's children's ministry.

• Simple reminders can help reinforce biblical truths at home.

• Prayer and Bible reading should be prioritized in family life.

Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network.

For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources & Links:

• Ages and Stages: A Discipleship Framework for Church and Home

• Check out www.youthministry.coach

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• 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/

In this conversation, Dr. Sy Garte shares his remarkable journey from atheism to Christianity, exploring the intersection of faith and science. He discusses his personal experiences, the complexities of evolution, and the importance of understanding inheritance in biological processes. Dr. Garte emphasizes that science and faith are not mutually exclusive, advocating for a perspective that sees scientific discovery as a way to appreciate God's creation. He also provides insights for parents on how to discuss science with their children in a way that celebrates discovery while affirming their faith.

Takeaways

• Dr. Garte's journey from atheism to Christianity was influenced by both intellectual and spiritual experiences.

• He emphasizes the importance of spirituality in human existence.

• The concept of inheritance is foundational to understanding evolution.

• Evolution does not contradict the biblical account of creation.

• Why Dr. Garte prefers the word divine design over intelligent design.

• Recent scientific discoveries suggest that even single-celled organisms exhibit agency and purpose.

• Science and faith can coexist and complement each other.

• Parents can equip their children to understand science as a celebration of God's creation.

• The history of science is deeply intertwined with Christian thought.

• Truth is unchanging, and God created everything for His pleasure.

Sy Garte, PhD in biochemistry, is the author of Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God (Tyndale, August 2025) as well as the award-winning book The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith (Kregel, 2019); and Science and Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology (Kregel, 2024); and He has been a professor at New York University, the University of Pittsburgh and is currently Visiting Professor at Rutgers University. He has held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Uniformed Services University. Sy has published over two hundred peer-reviewed scientific papers and five books, as well as articles on science and faith. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Scientific Affiliation’s (ASA) quarterly magazine God and Nature. He is a fellow of the ASA, and Vice President of the Washington DC Metro chapter. He served as lay leader at his United Methodist Church. Sy was raised in an atheist, Marxist family, and was baptized 13 years ago.

Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources & Links:

• Check out www.youthministry.coach

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• Find Dr. Garte at https://sygarte.com/

• Get Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God: https://amzn.to/4mzDyem

• Get The Works of His Hands: A Scientists Journey from Atheism to Faith: https://amzn.to/3Vthrv9

• 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/

In recent days, our children have experienced another horrific act of evil with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. There are some ways in which Charlie’s murder was unique - his explicit Christian faith, the motives behind the murder, and its brutal public nature caught on video for the world (and our children) to see. In other ways, this is just one more horrible act of traumatic violence that our children are exposed to. In this episode, Jay shares four helpful guidelines for moms and dads to help their children process this (and other) wickedness. He then shares his recent episode of Guided by Faith, where he directly addresses young people to help them process the murder. Listen as Jay shares the following wisdom for moms and dads:

Be compassionate

• Grieve for somebody whose life was cut short.

• Grieve for the friends and families of those affected.

• Grieve with your child that they had to be exposed.

Be curious

• Can you tell me what you heard or saw?

• Who was with you when you heard? What was their reaction?

• What was your reaction? What do you remember feeling right away? What are you thinking and feeling about it now?

• The Lord promises to be with us. In what way was the Lord with you when you heard about this?

Be cautious

• Don’t fan the flame of fear.

• Don’t fan the flame about contempt.

• Don’t fan the flame of vengeance.

• Pay attention to how obsessed you are getting with the situation.

• Pay attention to how obsessed your child is getting. You might need to make time for more conversations, or let them talk to a pastor or other trusted counselor.

Be courageous

• Your children will remember your tone and your spirit more than your specific words.

• Ground your hope and emotions in the reality that Christ has overcome the world.

• Remind your children that Christ has overcome the world, and that he is coming back to set all things new. Until then he’s promised us that the world will have trouble, but he’s also called us to be his salt and light in the world.

• We don’t have to live afraid when we are living out God’s mission.

Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources and links mentioned:

• How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 1: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-1-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/

• How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 2: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-2-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• 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/