Equipped for Impact

We explore how Christian parents can intentionally disciple their children and prepare them to stand firm in their faith when they leave home. Dr. Larry Taylor, president of the Association of Christian Schools International, shares wisdom from his book "Running with the Horses" and his experience raising five sons.

• Parents have approximately 6,570 days from birth to high school graduation to influence their children's spiritual formation
• Two key predictors of lifelong faith: regular conversations about religion and emotional closeness between parents and children
• Even parents who feel spiritually immature can be the most influential person in their child's faith development
• Creating a family discipleship plan with personal, marriage, and child discipleship components
• Focusing special attention on children between ages 10-12 before puberty begins
• Simple weekly traditions like Saturday morning pancakes can create meaningful connection points with older children
• It's never too late to begin intentional discipleship, regardless of your children's ages

"Focus on that family plan and let the family plan be kind of the rudder through the busyness of life. It'll help make decisions in the busyness of life—what's the most important for our family. This week, a family plan will be elevated above all the other things that are pulling for the time and attention that we all face as parents."

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

We tackle the common challenge of combating envy and cultivating gratitude, especially during back-to-school season when comparisons with peers can trigger discontentment in both children and parents.

• Envy has been part of the human story since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
• 75% of adults feel stressed about money according to the American Psychological Association
• 50% of Gen Z report that social media makes them feel worse about their possessions
• Paul's statement in Philippians 4:11-13 about contentment provides biblical foundation
• "I can do all things through Christ" is actually about being content in all circumstances
• Envy can destroy relationships and lead to spiritual damage, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel
• Model gratitude daily by thanking God for ordinary blessings in front of your children
• Create gratitude conversations at the dinner table asking "what's one thing you're thankful for today?"
• Serve together as a family to shift focus from what we get to what we can give
• Limit exposure to marketing and social media that fuels comparison
• Memorize verses about contentment together as a family
• Teach value through delayed gratification by helping kids save for things they want
• Use moments of envy as opportunities to disciple your child's heart

Next week we'll be releasing an interview with Dr. Larry Taylor from ACSI about building a family discipleship plan. 

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

This back-to-school season offers a perfect opportunity to establish spiritual rhythms that will shape your family's faith journey throughout the entire school year. The first few weeks set the tone for everything that follows, making this a strategic moment for intentional Christian parenting.

• Setting faith anchors - establish non-negotiable spiritual routines like morning devotions or prayer before school
• Making youth group a priority - not just another activity but a lifeline for your child's faith development
• Finding balance between school, church, sports, and family time - intentionally managing your calendar
• Helping children learn to say "no" to overcommitment and protecting family rest time
• Prioritizing church attendance, even when schedules get complicated
• Remembering that consistency matters - you're planting seeds that God will use later
• Understanding it's not your job to make your child love Jesus, but to consistently expose them to Him

Join us next week as we cover "From Envy to Contentment: Discipling a Heart of Gratitude in a Materialistic World."

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

It's summertime, and Equipped for Impact will be pressing pause for several weeks before coming back with Season 2 in August. We close out season 1 sharing some recommendations for summer reading!

Summer presents the perfect opportunity to replace screen time with intentional reading that develops imagination, deepens faith, and creates family connections. We share our favorite books for discipleship, cultural engagement, and family enjoyment.

• Books for discipleship growth include "The Five Love Languages of Children" to understand how children receive love differently
• Ted Tripp's "Shepherding a Child's Heart" focuses on heart change rather than mere behavior modification
• Daniel Aiken's "Ten Who Changed the World" introduces families to influential missionaries
• Josh Mulvihill's "Biblical Worldview" serves as an excellent primer on developing a Christian perspective
• Fiction recommendations include Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy and Andrew Peterson's "Wingfeather Saga"
• "Pilgrim's Progress" in modern English translation makes for excellent family reading
• Even non-Christian books like "The Giving Tree" and "The Last Lecture" can spark meaningful discussions
• Practical tips include scheduling reading time, using audiobooks, and asking thoughtful questions
• Make reading intentional by discussing with your children what stood out and how stories point to God

This episode concludes our first season. We'll be taking a summer break and returning with new episodes in August. Thank you for listening, and please rate, review, and share our podcast with others who might find these resources helpful.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

• Recommended reading list by grade/age 
• The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
• Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
• Ten Who Changed the World by Danny Akin
• Biblical Worldview by Josh Mulvihill
• 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home by Josh Mulvihill
• Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
• Irresistible Revolution Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Ted Dekker
  • The Circle Series
  • And They Found Dragons
  • Journey to Impossible Places
• The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• C.S. Lewis
  • The Chronicles of Narnia
  • The Space Trilogy
• Pilgrim's Progress in Today's English by John Bunyan
• The Wishmakers by Tyler Whitesides
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

Dads have a God-given calling to raise godly children in a broken world, and they need encouragement to embrace this important role in their families.

• Children are a heritage from the Lord, not a burden but a legacy
• Fathers are the spiritual thermostats for their homes, setting the temperature for the family
• Nearly one in four American children live without a father in the home
• When a father becomes a Christian first, there's a 93% chance the entire family will follow
• Biblical examples of godly fatherhood include Joseph (Jesus's earthly father) and the patriarchs
• Practical ways to be a godly father: lead spiritually, be present, speak life-giving words, model integrity
• Surround yourself with other Christian men who can mentor you and help you grow as a father

Share this episode with another dad who might find it helpful and encouraging this Father's Day weekend, and subscribe so you don't miss our next episode where we'll give you some summer reading recommendations.

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

Language shapes worldview, and teen slang provides insights into what's influencing our children's hearts and how they interact with the world around them.

• Teen slang functions as a different language, sometimes hiding deeper meanings parents need to understand
• Summer increases screen time, exposing teens to more slang through TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram 
• Fun slang includes terms like "bet" (agreement), "slaps" (good music), and "drip" (stylish outfit)
• Some slang raises concerns: "thirst trap" (provocative selfie), "Finsta" (fake Instagram), and "sus" (suspicious)
• Red flag terms include "unalive" (suicide), "plug" (drug dealer), and "body count" (sexual partners)
• Parents should check devices regularly, ask questions without lecturing, and remain calm when confronting issues
• Praying over your child's heart daily helps them grow in holiness rather than conforming to worldly influences

If you enjoyed this episode or know parents who would benefit from this information, please share it with them and subscribe so you don't miss our next episode.

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

Christian parents in split homes face unique challenges but can still effectively disciple their children by maximizing limited time together and maintaining consistent spiritual influence even when apart. We explore practical strategies for weekend discipleship that can transform part-time parenting into powerful spiritual formation opportunities.

• One in four Christian children in the US spend significant time in spiritually compromised households
• Timothy's faith was shaped primarily by his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5), showing God can work through one faithful parent 
• Be fully present during your time together—minimize distractions and engage in meaningful conversations
• Prioritize spiritual activities when children are with you—church attendance, family devotions, and prayer
• Remind children of their identity in Christ to counter confusion they may feel in divided homes
• Stay connected during separation through daily calls, texts, or shared devotional practices
• Pray for your child's other parent in their presence, modeling respect and faith
• Small, consistent acts of spiritual influence add up to significant impact over time
• Don't believe the lie that your influence is small—you can be the "rock" that helps shape your child's spiritual journey

If you're parenting in a split home and need resources for family devotions or additional support, email us at [email protected].

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

We tackle the desperately needed topics of responsibility and resilience in today's anxiety-riddled youth culture, exploring how summer provides the perfect opportunity to develop these qualities in our children.

• 77% of Gen Z struggles with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and fearing failure according to Barna research
• Scripture teaches us to persevere through hardship rather than avoid it completely
• Responsibility connects to the biblical concept of stewardship—managing what God has entrusted to us
• Start early with clear expectations and accountability—assign meaningful chores and responsibilities
• Allow natural consequences to teach cause and effect—don't always rescue children from their mistakes
• Celebrate character development (faithfulness, diligence) rather than just outcomes
• Give children heroes who endured difficulty—consider missionary biographies for summer reading
• Anchor children in their identity in Christ—resilience flows from knowing both who you are and whose you are
• Stats show today's 18-year-olds have responsibility levels comparable to 15-year-olds from previous decades
• Only 8% of parents believed their college-bound teens could make a doctor's appointment independently
• Start small by having children order their own food at restaurants—a simple step toward independence

Email us your questions or comments at [email protected]. Subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help other parents equip their children to stand firm in their faith and influence the world for Christ.

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

We explore the unique characteristics and challenges of Generation Alpha, those born between 2010 and the mid-2030s, and provide practical strategies for discipling these digital natives in a world of constant information and changing values.

• Gen Alpha is the first generation to grow up completely immersed in digital technology, never knowing a world without screens
• Most had their pictures posted online before they could walk or talk
• Four major forces shape this generation: digital technology, constant information access, moral fluidity, and global instability
• Despite having unlimited information, Gen Alpha needs guidance to develop wisdom
• Mental health challenges, moral confusion, and disconnection from real relationships are significant issues
• Practical discipleship tools include asking open-ended questions, setting tech boundaries, modeling resilience, cultivating wonder, and anchoring identity in Christ
• Helping children order their own food at restaurants and engage in face-to-face conversations builds essential social skills
• Raising spiritually resilient children requires consistent discipleship that counters cultural messages

Resources mentioned:
Check out Axis's "A Parent's Guide to Gen Alpha" for more practical resources and discussion starters: https://live-oak.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Axis-Parent-Guide-Gen-Alpha.pdf

The Anxious Generation by: Jonathan Haidt https://amzn.to/3GX77Yb

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org 

Happy Mother's Day!

Motherhood is a God-ordained calling where mothers serve as the first evangelists and Bible teachers in their children's lives. Scripture and history reveal how mothers like Timothy's mother Eunice, Susanna Wesley, and Augustine's mother Monica profoundly shaped their children's faith journeys through intentional spiritual formation.

• Mothers are disciples and disciple-makers, not just caregivers
• Timothy's sincere faith originated with his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5)
• Susanna Wesley, mother of 19, dedicated one hour weekly to each child's spiritual development
• Augustine's mother Monica prayed persistently for his salvation despite his rebellious years
• Modern moms face unique challenges with social media comparisons and unrealistic expectations
• Children spend approximately 4,000 hours annually with mothers in early years
• Faithful small moments matter more than Instagram-perfect parenting
• Dads, pastors and church leaders should actively support mothers in their spiritual leadership
• Moms are raising image-bearers who will either impact the world for Christ or be shaped by it

Share this episode with a mom who needs encouragement this Mother's Day, and subscribe so you don't miss our next episode.

Send any questions you want answered to [email protected]

This podcast is presented by Wayne Christian School- A Christ-centered community school whose mission is to assist parents and churches in the education of their children from a biblical worldview to impact their world for Christ. You can learn more at waynechristian.org