Life gets messy—and fast. From tantrums and laundry piles to heartache and broken plans, it’s easy to feel like discipleship is on pause when real life takes over. But in this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah remind us that our everyday mess isn’t a distraction from discipleship—it’s the classroom God uses to grow our families in faith.

Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical tools, this episode will equip you to find Jesus right in the middle of the chaos—and teach your children to do the same.

🌪 Why the mess isn’t an obstacle to discipleship—it’s often the greatest opportunity

📖 Romans 8:28, Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 46:1, and more Scripture to anchor messy seasons

💬 Stories of real-life moments that turned into spiritual breakthroughs

🛠️ How to disciple your kids through squabbles, stress, and surprises

🙏 Practical tips for modeling grace, prayer, and honesty in the thick of family life

💛 Encouragement to trade perfection for presence—and let God use every part of your day

Romans 8:28 – “In all things God works for the good…”

Hebrews 4:15 – “He was tempted in every way, just as we are…”

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength…”

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”

Say out loud: “Jesus knows how this feels—and He’s with us right now.”

Keep a visible family verse in the kitchen or living space

Start a “Messy Moments Prayer Jar” to pray through hard things together

Model age-appropriate honesty in your own struggles

Use simple, everyday moments (spilled juice, meltdowns, stress) as teachable lessons in grace, forgiveness, and dependence on God

Your mess doesn’t disqualify you. It qualifies you to show your kids what real faith looks like.

Encouraged by today’s episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send it to another parent walking through the same messy season. God is at work—in your home, in your heart, and even in your hardest days.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app—and discover how Jesus shows up in the mess, again and again.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Let’s be real—parenting is hard, and the pressure to “get it all right” can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah pull back the curtain on the myth of the perfect parent and offer a refreshing reminder: God doesn’t call us to perfection, but to faithfulness, humility, and honesty.

Join us as we talk about discipling our children from a place of authenticity, not image. You'll hear practical stories, biblical encouragement, and real-life examples of how God uses our weaknesses to display His grace.

💬 Why perfection isn’t the goal—and how God works through our realness

📖 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you…”

💥 The cultural and church pressures parents feel to appear perfect

🛠️ Practical ways to disciple your kids when you're tired, overwhelmed, or discouraged

🗣️ How to have “real talk” moments with your kids about struggles and God’s faithfulness

🧎‍♀️ The power of apologizing, praying together, and modeling dependence on Jesus

💛 Encouragement to let go of the image and embrace the grace

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”

Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…”

Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”

Journal about areas where you feel weak as a parent—and ask God for strength

Share age-appropriate struggles with your kids to model humility

Apologize when needed—it builds trust and models grace

Create a family “realness board” or prayer journal for tracking daily wins and struggles

Have open conversations about depending on God together

📘 Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids by Rene Christensen

If this episode encouraged you, consider subscribing, leaving a 5-star review, and sharing it with a friend or fellow parent. Realness is contagious—and freeing.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

How in the world have we recorded 100 episodes? Time flies by. We are so thankful for each and every listener, both new and old!

We had so much fun recording this episode, and we're giving you some sneak peeks about what is coming up soon!

https://www.trainingthemwisely.com

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah explore how God’s love meets us—and our children—uniquely in every stage of life. From rocking a newborn in the quiet hours to texting a college student encouragement from afar, biblical love grows, stretches, and adapts through the seasons.

You’ll walk away with encouragement, relatable stories, and Scripture-rooted insights for loving your kids well—right where they are today.

💡 Why love isn’t one-size-fits-all—and how God models flexible, faithful love

👶 Early Years: Love as nurture and physical presence (Isaiah 40:11)

🧒 Elementary Years: Love as patient teaching and consistent discipline (Proverbs 22:6)

👦 Tween Years: Love as listening and emotional safety (Colossians 3:21)

👩‍🦰 Teen Years: Love as mutual respect and humble presence (Micah 6:8)

🧑‍🦱 Young Adult Years: Love as release, blessing, and ongoing prayer (Numbers 6:24–26)

🙏 A prayer to help you reflect God’s love through every season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season…”

Isaiah 40:11 – “He gently leads those that have young.”

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go…”

Colossians 3:21 – “Do not provoke your children…”

Micah 6:8 – “Walk humbly…”

Numbers 6:24–26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you…”

What does love look like for your child right now?

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a second to share it with a friend or fellow parent? Every share helps us reach more families walking this discipleship journey. 💛

Check out our best-selling family discipleship book! Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids is available on Amazon, on our website TrainingThemWisely.com, and in Christian bookstores. 

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

You don’t need a perfect devotional plan to disciple your kids—you just need a table, some time, and a heart to listen.

In this episode of Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids, Rene and Rebekah share how simple, everyday moments—especially around the dinner table—can become powerful opportunities to point your children to Jesus. From chicken nugget dinners to bedtime chats, these ordinary routines hold extraordinary potential for spiritual growth.

Together, they walk through Scripture, share personal stories, and offer practical conversation starters that help parents disciple with grace, not guilt.

Why your dinner table might be one of the most powerful places in your home

How Jesus used meals to teach, connect, and reveal truth

Simple ways to turn ordinary conversations into moments of grace

What to do when things feel messy, loud, or far from “spiritual”

Encouragement for showing up with consistency—not perfection

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 — Teach them when you sit at home

Luke 24:30–32 — Jesus revealed at the table

Colossians 4:6 — Let your conversation be full of grace

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Do it all for the glory of God

Fresh vision for how everyday life can shape your child’s faith

Encouragement that even chaotic dinners count

Easy faith-filled questions to ask around the table

A reminder that God works through your presence, not your perfection

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more weekly discipleship encouragement, and leave a review to help other parents discover simple, grace-filled ways to disciple their kids.

✨ Resource Mentioned:

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Health for our families is important. I am excited to welcome Laketa Entzminger to the podcast today. She is a clinical herbalist with a strong foundation in public health and education. Her journey into herbalism began out of personal necessity—while working as a new educator, Laketa found herself frequently ill. Discovering the healing power of herbs not only transformed her own health but also ignited a passion to share her knowledge and experience with others. As the founder of Lady K's Herbal Solutions, Laketa empowers children and families with practical, everyday ways to use herbs. Through hands-on workshops and dynamic presentations, she creates engaging, accessible learning experiences that demystify herbal wellness and promote lifelong habits of natural self-care.

Check out the links below. You can follow her on Instgram and check out her products below.

Find Laketa Here:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ladykherbal

Website: https://ladykherbal.company.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladykherbalsolutions/

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

“You don’t have to shout to be heard. Your gentleness might be your most powerful parenting tool.”

In a world that feels louder and harsher by the day, our kids need homes that reflect the gentleness of Christ. In this episode, Rene and Rebekah explore how discipling with tenderness creates lasting influence in your child’s heart.

You’ll discover:

– Matthew 11:29

How gentleness creates space for real influence

The difference between correction and condemnation

Why your calm presence speaks louder than control

Practical ways to disciple with tenderness (even in tough moments!)

The importance of being a safe place in a noisy, critical culture

– Thank God for His gentle love and faithful patience with you

📘 Want more support?

🎧 Encouraged by this episode?

—

🔗 Let’s connect:

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

“If you’ve ever snapped at your kids, felt overwhelmed, or wondered if you’re doing this discipleship thing right, this one’s for you.”

In this debut episode, Rene and Rebekah unpack what it means to create grace-filled homes, homes where discipleship happens through love, not lectures… through compassion, not control.

You’ll learn:

– 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Slow your response—pray before reacting

Speak more encouragement than correction

Let failure be a doorway to grace, not shame

Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up—model humility

Wrap your rules in relationship

– Thank God for His patient, loving leadership

📘 Want more discipleship tools?

🎧 Enjoyed the episode?

—

🔗 Stay connected:

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

In today’s episode, Rene and Rebekah explore what it means to create a grace-filled home by discipling our children with compassion, not control. Parenting isn’t about producing perfect kids; it’s about pointing them to a perfect Savior.

With biblical insight and personal stories, they share how God models love, patience, and grace—and how we can reflect that same love in our parenting, even on the hardest days.

The difference between control and biblical love (1 Corinthians 13)

Why compassion is more effective than correction (Psalm 103:13)

How to model God’s unconditional love in everyday parenting (1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8)

Simple, practical tips to build a home rooted in grace

Pause and pray before responding to your child.

Speak more encouragement than correction throughout the day.

Let failure be a doorway to grace, not shame.

Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up because your humility teaches more than your perfection ever could and models God's grace.

God has grace for you as a parent, too. You don’t have to get it all right, just do your best. As you rest in His love, you’ll have more to give your children. You’re not alone on this journey.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – Love is patient and kind...

Psalm 103:13 – The Lord shows compassion as a father to his children...

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other...

1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us.

Romans 5:8 – While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that grace is the goal. Make sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and check out Rene’s book:

📘 Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

We are so excited to bring back the Training Them Wisely, Discipling Kids podcast! We took an unexpected break after a new baby, job situations, and going back to school, but we are back and can't wait to talk about family discipleship!! Listen to what we have planned for the next few months!!