In this special episode, we join Melanie Hester as she speaks with Kenneth Padgett, the director of Dwell Kids, about the importance of discipleship, family engagement with scripture, and the role of storytelling in shaping children’s faith. Kenneth shares his journey into family discipleship and emphasizes the need for accessible resources to help families connect with God’s word. In this conversation, Melanie Hester and Kenneth Padgett explore the complexities of family discipleship, emphasizing the challenges parents face in nurturing their children’s faith.  The conversation highlights practical steps families can take to create meaningful discipleship moments at home, particularly during significant times like Holy Week.

Show Notes:

Download your copy of our Journey Through Holy Week guide.

Sign up for a free trial of the Dwell Kids app.

The post Bonus Episode: Creating Discipleship Moments at Home This Easter appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this conversation, Melanie Hester speaks with Kenneth Padgett, the director of Dwell Kids, about the importance of discipleship, family engagement with scripture, and the role of storytelling in shaping children’s faith. Kenneth shares his journey into family discipleship and emphasizes the need for accessible resources to help families connect with God’s word. In this conversation, Melanie Hester and Kenneth Padgett explore the complexities of family discipleship, emphasizing the challenges parents face in nurturing their children’s faith.  The conversation highlights practical steps families can take to create meaningful discipleship moments at home, particularly during significant times like Holy Week.

Show Notes:

Download your copy of our Journey Through Holy Week guide.

Sign up for a free trial of the Dwell Kids app.

The post Creating Discipleship Moments at Home This Easter appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, recorded from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Diane Comer dives into the heart of church ministry, unpacking its challenges, rewards, and deep spiritual significance. She shares candid reflections on the emotional toll of leadership, the inevitability of conflict, and the sacrifices required to embrace a life of service. Diane emphasizes the importance of understanding personal wounds, cultivating self-awareness, and recognizing the adversary’s attempts to discourage us. Through it all, she reminds us that God invites us into ministry—not demands it—and that we are seen as beloved, even in our flaws. Tune in for practical wisdom, spiritual encouragement, and a call to reflect on your own journey and God’s invitations in your life.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the 2025 Child Discipleship Forum.

The post Embracing the Call to Discipleship, with Diane Comer appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this live episode from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Mark Sayers unpacks the rising anxiety epidemic among today’s youth, tracing its cultural roots and the amplifying role of technology. He discusses the shift from community to individualism, the confusion of the “gray zones” between past and future, and the transformative power of wilderness experiences in spiritual growth. Mark challenges parents to trust their children to Jesus, pass down faith and knowledge, and engage in prayer as a way to nurture intimacy with God. Despite the challenges, Mark offers a hopeful perspective on the spiritual potential of the next generation and their ability to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

SHOW NOTES

Find more Child Discipleship resources at ChildDiscipleship.com.

Learn more about the 2025 Child Discipleship Forum.

The post Finding Peace in an Anxious World, with Mark Sayers appeared first on Child Discipleship.

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.

The post The Crucial Middle, with Sean Sweet appeared first on Child Discipleship.

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.

The post Habits of the Household, with Justin Whitmel Earley appeared first on Child Discipleship.

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.