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/

Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!

Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses.

Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:

This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.

If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes.

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

Follow Pardon the Mess on Apple or Spotify

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.

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

• Follow Shane Pruitt: Instagram | X/Twitter | Website

• 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 powerful and uplifting conversation, Jay Holland sits down with beloved pastor and best-selling author Max Lucado to explore the themes of his newest book, Tame Your Thoughts. With decades of pastoral experience and 40+ books to his name, Max shares deep biblical wisdom and practical tools to help both adults and children manage their thought lives through faith and truth.

Together, Jay and Max discuss:

• Why our internal narratives shape our lives—and how to rewrite them

• How brain science is finally catching up to biblical truth

• Three powerful tools for mental and emotional health:

1. Practice Picky Thinking
2. Identify UFOs (Untruths → False Narratives → Overreactions)
3. Uproot and Replant with Scripture

• How lies about identity and failure can derail both teens and parents

• Why recognizing and correcting our own thought patterns as parents can transform our relationships

• The surprising story behind Max Lucado’s first tattoo at age 70 (hint: it’s a Greek word from the cross)

This episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and tools to help you and your family live freer, more Christ-centered lives.

• “You get to control the story in your head, but the story in your head will control you.” – Jay Holland

• Belief leads to behavior. Shaping your belief begins by shaping your thoughts.

• Studies show people with a belief in a loving God recover from disease at exponentially higher rates.

• Scripture and neuroscience both affirm that your brain can be renewed.

• Parental overreactions often stem from unexamined false narratives—recognize and replace them with truth.

• Teaching your kids to identify untruths and replant with Scripture equips them for lifelong emotional resilience.

• Proverbs 4:23 – "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."

• Romans 12:2 – "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

• Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true... think about such things.”

• Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

• Step 1: Practice Picky Thinking – Don’t believe every thought you think. Guard your mind’s door.

• Step 2: Identify UFOs – Trace overreactions back to false narratives and root lies.

• Step 3: Uproot and Replant – Replace toxic thoughts with Scripture and truth.

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

Bio

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and best-selling author of more than 40 books for adults and children. Known for his warmth, biblical insight, and storytelling, Max’s work has encouraged millions to embrace the grace of God. He serves as Teaching Pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, and continues to write, speak, and share God’s love globally.

Resources mentioned:

Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado – Available wherever books are sold

MaxLucado.com – Devotions, YouTube channel Fresh Hope, and more

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/

Join host Jay Holland as he introduces a new parenting tune-up resource designed to help parents evaluate and adjust their parenting strategies. This episode dives into the complexities of parenting across different life stages and offers biblical encouragement and practical questions to guide parents in nurturing their children.

Key Points:

• Introduction to the Parenting Tune-up resource.
• Importance of adapting parenting strategies as children grow.
• Biblical encouragement from Psalms, Proverbs, Ephesians, and Deuteronomy.
• The "Oxygen Mask Principle" for self-care in parenting.
• Reflecting on and celebrating positive traits in children.
• Course correction strategies for evolving family dynamics.
• Long-term and short-term visioning for family growth.

Upcoming:

Look forward to an interview with Pastor Max Lucado in mid-August.

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

Resources mentioned:

Access the Parenting Tuneup tool by texting "THINGS" to 66866.

Check out the "Guided by Faith" podcast for daily devotionals.

Join my Things for Thursday Email List to get a copy of the Parenting Tune-Up tool!

Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this episode, Jay discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy marriage through a structured tool he developed called the 'Marriage Tune-Up.' He outlines different levels of marriage, from crisis to flourishing, and emphasizes the need for regular maintenance and intentionality in relationships. The conversation highlights biblical principles and practical steps couples can take to improve their marriages and become a blessing to others.

Takeaways

• Marriage requires periodic maintenance just like a vehicle.

• There are different levels of marriage, each with unique characteristics.

• Emergency level indicates a marriage in crisis needing immediate attention.

• Stable but stuck marriages function but lack connection and intimacy.

• Growing marriages are healthy and intentional with regular rhythms of connection.

• Flourishing marriages thrive in unity and shared purpose.

• Catalytic marriages serve as a kingdom force, mentoring others.

• Encouragement is vital for softening hearts in a marriage.

• Forgiveness is essential but does not equal trust or lack of boundaries.

• Regular rhythms of repentance and prayer can lead to a healthier marriage.

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

Resources mentioned:

Join my Things for Thursday Email List to get a copy of the Marriage Tune-Up tool!

Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/