Gracebased Podcast

This episode’s question comes from Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada:

Question:

"You’ve talked about the challenges of parenting in a culture of hurry and hostility. But what about the part of culture that seems to be getting more hopeless? How can we raise our kids to have hope in a world that feels like things are only getting worse?"

The Goal:
Instilling hope in our children, despite the increasing hopelessness in the world. While cultural despair is real, it doesn't need to infiltrate our homes. By aligning our perspective with God's truth, we can offer hope to our kids.

Common Misconceptions:
Many people believe the world is worse now than ever before, but biblically, there's nothing new under the sun. What’s changing is our perspective, not necessarily the state of the world.

How to Stay on Track in Parenting:

1. Perspective Matters:
   • The biblical worldview tells us that while challenges are real, this isn’t the worst the world has ever been. Wars, famines, and hardship have always existed, but today’s hyper-connected media amplifies fear and anxiety.
   • It's essential to shift our focus from the gloom to the bigger picture of God's plan, much like the analogy of holding a credit card close to your face—when it's too close, it's all you see, but when you step back, the world becomes clearer.
2. Anxiety is Caught and Taught:
   • If we’re anxious, our kids will be too. Children pick up on our emotions and responses. While anxiety is real and should not be minimized, we must recognize its contagious nature and be intentional about creating an environment of calm and trust.
   • Jesus himself spoke frequently about fear, reminding us to “be anxious for nothing,” and that anxiety is not an outgrowth of the Holy Spirit.
3. We Don’t Have to Play the Game of Hopelessness:
   • Though the world is filled with fear and hopelessness, as followers of Christ, we’re invited to live differently. We are called to a life of hope, grounded in God’s promises, not in the shifting circumstances of the world.
   • Parenting with this perspective can set our children free from the fears that dominate culture, allowing them to grow with hope and confidence in God's ultimate control.

Favorite Quotes from This Episode

• "Anxiety is caught and taught. If a parent is anxious, so will a kid be."
• "Just because hopelessness is part of the culture doesn’t mean it has to be part of your family."
• "Our world isn’t worse than it’s ever been. It’s our perspective that’s gotten worse."
• "Jesus said, ‘Do not be afraid,’ not because the world wasn’t hard, but because God is bigger than the world's problems."
• "Anxiousness is not a fruit of the Spirit."

Key Points Takeaways:

• The world isn't worse than ever, but our perspective often makes it seem that way. Shifting our focus allows us to raise children who see beyond the immediate chaos.
• Children learn anxiety from their parents. Being open about our struggles while pointing to hope in God’s promises helps our kids navigate a world full of fear.
• God offers a life of hope: We are not doomed to play by the world's anxious rules. We can parent with hope, knowing that God is in control.

Conclusion:

In this episode, Greg and Cody discuss the growing sense of hopelessness in the world and how parents can counter that by instilling hope in their children. Remember, anxiety may be present in the culture, but it doesn’t need to define your home. Focus on God’s bigger plan, and model trust and hope for your kids.

Learn more at:
www.gracebasedfamilies.com
Produced by: The fine folks at Gum Audio
www.gumaudio.com

 Welcome to Episode 3 of Blueprints!

This episode's question comes from Megan in Texas:

 Question:

"Hi, this is Megan from Texas. My oldest is about to start school, and I’m torn about where to send him. Whenever I reach out to friends or do research, the environment seems really hostile. I feel like I can’t make the right choice. Why do I feel so much shame when I’m trying to make the best decision for my child?"_

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The big idea:   Parenting with confidence and grace in a world that often amplifies shame and judgment. Grace sets parents free from the shame-inducing hostility of our culture.

In this episode, Cody and Greg will discuss:

1. It's not just you, the culture is meaner:  

   - Today’s digital world amplifies judgment, making parents feel like every decision is scrutinized.

   - However, this judgment is not new. Like the Pharisees in the Bible, our culture’s hostility is driven by fear and insecurity.

   - Parenting confidently in this environment helps teach our kids not to be afraid of making mistakes.

2. Grace can free us from shame and fear:  

   - God’s grace allows us to parent without fear. We can make decisions confidently, knowing mistakes are part of the process.

   - Our kids learn from our confidence, even when we make the wrong choices.

3. Parenting out of wisdom and delight:  

   - We are called to parent with wisdom and delight, not out of fear or shame.

   - We can’t control the hostile culture outside, but we can create a loving, grace-filled environment at home.

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 Key Points Takeaways:

- The world is hostile, but our homes don’t have to be. Create a space where both parents and kids can grow without fear of judgment.

- Teach by example: When parents are confident in their decisions, kids learn to trust their own choices.

- Grace allows freedom: Parenting with grace gives us the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them, without the burden of shame.

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Learn more at:  

www.gracebasedfamilies.com

Produced by: The fine folks at GUM Audio  

www.gumaudio.com

Welcome to Episode 2 of Blueprints!

This episode's question comes from Logan in Louisiana:

 Question:

"Yesterday, I was trying to get my kids out the door and completely lost my patience. It feels like we’re always running late, and it’s adding a lot of stress to our family. Why are we in such a hurry all the time, and what is this doing to our kids?"

Big Idea: We can't follow God's blueprint for raising kids if we are always in a hurry.

Here are a few things you'll hear in the podcast.

1. Hurry is the result of idolatry.  

2. Hurry harms our kids.  

3. We’re not doomed to a life of hurry.

 Key Takeaways:

- Hurry is violence to the soul. It impacts our relationships with our kids and blocks us from creating an environment of grace.

- Your schedule doesn’t need to control you. Slowing down, saying “no” more often, and creating margin allows for better decisions and deeper connections with your family.

- God’s blueprint for parenting involves grace and patience, not rushing. We can live a life free from the idolatry of busyness and focus on what really matters—our kids and our relationship with them.

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Learn more at:  

www.gracebasedfamilies.com 

Produced by: The fine folks at GUM Audio. Made to stick.

www.gumaudio.com

Welcome to Episode 1 of Blueprints! 

This episode's question comes from Katy in West Linn, Oregon: 

Question and Timestamp: 7:30
"Hi I'm Katy, I have four kids 10 and under. Between the kids sports schedule, school schedule, all the different discipline needs and trying to be intentional with my husband, I feel like I'm barely treading water sometimes. I know there's a big picture for parenting and I really want to be intentional, but it's hard to see it right now.  What is the big picture for parenting and how can I stay on track for it amidst the business of life?" 

This episode looks at the big picture of parenting, which is to help our kids become fully alive in God. 

To stay on track in the midst of all the parenting chaos, parents need to develop:

1. A long game perspective

2. A mindset the sees parenting as an opportunity, not an obligation

3. A commitment to learning and living out God's blueprint for families

Key Takeaways:

- Parenting is consequential: Our influence shapes who our kids become.
- Kids want us to succeed: They desire a relationship and support in their spiritual growth.
- Parenting amidst busyness: Embrace opportunities in everyday moments to connect and guide spiritually.

Learn more: 
www.gracebasedfamilies.com

Produced by the fine folks at Gum.
www.gumaudio.com

Welcome to Blueprints a podcast about parenting from Grace Based Families. 

Each week you'll hear insights and humor from Greg and Cody as they explore a grace based blueprint for raising kids in all stages of life. 

Get more from Grace Based Families at wwww.gracebasedfamilies.com

Have a question for the show?  Email it to: [email protected]