In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Sean Sweet, speaking from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, explores how to empower preteens to take ownership of their faith. Sean highlights the unique developmental stage of preteens, explaining how their growing ability to question, wrestle with beliefs, and interpret Scripture creates opportunities for deeper spiritual engagement. Sean emphasizes the importance of balancing mentorship with independence, encouraging leaders to “let go and run alongside” preteens as they navigate their faith journey. He shares practical strategies for creating spaces where preteens can explore their beliefs, lead in meaningful ways, and develop a personal relationship with God. This episode offers actionable insights for church leaders, mentors, and parents who are passionate about fostering faith ownership, biblical worldview development, and spiritual growth in preteens.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the 2025 Child Discipleship Forum.

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In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Justin Whitmel Earley, a featured speaker at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, unpacks the power of habits in shaping faith and identity within the home. Drawing from his expertise and personal experience, Justin explores how everyday rhythms—like bedtime liturgies, family meals, and intentional screen time practices—create opportunities for grace, growth, and spiritual formation. Justin shares practical insights on cultivating a household rooted in love and reconciliation, viewing discipline as an act of discipleship, and embracing ordinary moments as opportunities to connect with God and each other. This episode is an inspiring call for parents to intentionally shape their families’ habits and create a home environment that reflects the transformative love of God.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the 2025 Child Discipleship Forum.

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In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Awana President and CEO Matt Markins dives into the critical themes shaping childhood faith formation. From the surprising early stages of spiritual development to the layered, intentional process of nurturing lasting faith, Matt unpacks the miraculous outcomes that arise from the seemingly mundane practices of discipleship. He explores how cultural influences shape children’s beliefs, drawing thought-provoking parallels between faith formation and the evolution of music. This episode is a powerful reminder that shaping a child’s faith is the most important work on the planet.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the 2025 Child Discipleship Forum.

The post Mixtape: The Intentionally Layered Tracks that Form Childhood Faith, with Matt Markins appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, Bobby Harrington and Matt Markins tackle a pressing challenge in modern church ministry: the disconnect between church leadership and parents in the discipleship of children. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and groundbreaking Barna research, they explore the “stalemate” between consumer-driven church models and the urgent need for relational discipleship. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or a parent passionate about raising the next generation, this episode will challenge and encourage you to “burn the ships” and refocus on the heart of discipleship.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

The post Empowering Parents and Churches for Intentional Discipleship with Bobby Harrington appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Sean McDowell and Matt Markins discuss the critical themes of child discipleship and apologetics in today’s complex landscape. They explore the significant impact of digital technology on children, the challenges of raising kids in a polarized culture, and the necessity of addressing doubts in faith.

Sean shares insights from his personal faith journey, influenced by his father, Josh McDowell, while examining the evolving conversations around apologetics. The discussion highlights the importance of engaging kids at a younger age to help them develop a strong biblical worldview, especially as they face modern challenges like mental illness and subjective truth.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the Child Discipleship Forum.

The post Discipling the Next Generation: Engaging Kids in a Polarized World with Sean McDowell appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this inspiring episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, CDF24 main-stage speaker Stephen Maphosah highlights the critical importance of nurturing the next generation through child discipleship in Africa. He shares about the life-changing opportunities within the ‘golden window’ (ages 1-14), the most receptive period for sharing the gospel. Be encouraged by powerful stories of the Awana program’s success in schools, reaching millions of children and transforming lives. This episode calls on churches, leaders, and families to seize the opportunity to shape the faith of the next generation and secure a brighter future.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the Child Discipleship Forum.

The post The Golden Window: Shaping the Next Generation in Africa appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Mike Handler and Melanie Hester join Glenn Packiam, lead pastor of Rock Harbor Church, as he unpacks the profound journey of intentional discipleship. In this inspiring podcast, Glenn dives deep into the pillars of encounter, formation, and mission, exploring how they shape both personal faith and ministry. Whether you’re leading a church, raising a family, or seeking deeper intentionality in your faith, this podcast offers wisdom and encouragement for the road ahead.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the Child Discipleship Forum.

The post The Intentional Journey: Discipleship, Family, and Formation with Glenn Packiam appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode of The Child Discipleship Podcast, Matt Markins and Trevin Wax delve into the significant challenges children face in today’s rapidly changing culture. They discuss the effects of technology and the rise of secularism, highlighting the critical need for teaching the true gospel to counteract various counterfeit gospels.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of orthodoxy and the invaluable treasures of church history in shaping a robust faith in children. Matt and Trevin also tackle the stalemate between church and home, urging parents to take an active role in discipleship practices alongside their children. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of God’s word in parenting and the necessity of grounding children in biblical truths.

SHOW NOTES:

Watch Trevin Wax’s full talk at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum.

The post The Importance of Orthodoxy in Children’s Ministry appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this special edition of the podcast, you’ll hear Elizabeth Mitchell’s mainstage talk from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum. As she shares her very personal journey of love and loss, she’ll encourage you to run to the God of all comfort for your help and hope. Listen in as she encourages those facing difficult times to turn their face, and not their backs, to God.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the Child Discipleship Forum.

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In this heartfelt episode, Blair Linne joins Mike Handler and Melanie Hester to discuss the church’s call to live out pure and undefiled religion by caring for the fatherless, widowed, and vulnerable in our communities. Drawing from Scripture, personal testimony, and practical insights, Blair shares how discipleship includes everyday acts of love—mentorship, sharing life’s experiences, and building Christ-centered relationships. Listen as she unpacks the transformative power of discipleship and how the church can fill the gaps left by a broken world, offering both the love of Christ and the hope of an eternal inheritance.

SHOW NOTES

Listen to Blair Linne’s talk, “A Family for the Fatherless,” from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum here.

For more Child Discipleship resources, visit childdiscipleship.com.

The post Caring for the Vulnerable: Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus appeared first on Child Discipleship.