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General Christian
Family, Parenting and Religion

2025-01-20T16:14:24-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Are Children Really Sponges for Discipleship?

Last updated on: January 20, 2025 at 4:14 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

Have you ever heard the expression “Children are like sponges.”? This idea has made its way into how we nurture the faith of children and I don’t believe it is helping them to develop an authentic relationship with Jesus. It may help them learn some facts and memorize Scripture, but is it creating an ideal environment for them to own their faith? Are children sponges for discipleship? Sponges for Brains? “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t... Read more

Evangelical

Relationships and Religion

Discipling Kids

faith

2024-12-09T11:21:57-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Simple and Effective Advent Family Discipleship

Last updated on: December 9, 2024 at 11:21 am By Joy Wendling, MA

During the Advent season, to-do lists grow and calendars fill up. We’ve got church events, Christmas parties, recitals, parades, and Nutcracker ballets to attend, plus shopping, baking, and wrapping. Plus, we are supposed to keep Christ at the center of it all! Here are three simple, but effective ideas for family Christmas discipleship. Love, Teach, Play Family Discipleship As a parent coach that helps families to disciple their children, I teach my love, teach, play approach to family discipleship. This... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

2024-11-22T14:29:25-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Control in Christian Parenting

Last updated on: November 22, 2024 at 2:29 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

Do you think you are supposed to control your kids? Do you have Scripture to back it up? Often as Christian parents, we think about the Scriptures that say “Children, obey your parents” and we take responsibility for that, instead of allowing our children to own their obedience. Control in the Bible Let’s look at Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and... Read more

Evangelical

Relationships and Religion

2024-10-05T16:42:22-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

National Book Month: A Reading List for Christian Families

Last updated on: October 5, 2024 at 4:42 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

October is National Book Month, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into some inspiring reads? Whether you’re a busy mom seeking spiritual growth or looking for engaging books to share with your children, this curated reading list has something for everyone. Let’s embrace the autumn chill with warm blankets, hot cocoa, and good books! This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

Uncategorized

National Book Month

2024-09-07T12:12:55-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bible 101 Part 1: Teaching Kids How to Use the Bible

Last updated on: September 7, 2024 at 12:12 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

Many Christian parents feel it is best to leave Bible teaching to the “experts” at the church. But, guess what! Most of those “experts” are parent volunteers, just like you. You are more than capable of teaching your child how to use the Bible, even if you haven’t picked it up in a while yourself. Here’s the first part of how to teach your kids to use the Bible. What is the Bible? To use the Bible, your kids... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

Discipling Kids

Bible for kids

parenting

2024-08-27T14:44:52-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

3 Tips for a Quiet Time with Kids at Home

Last updated on: August 27, 2024 at 2:44 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

Do you have a consistent habit of spending time with God? It can be so hard to do with kids at home. Yet, Deuteronomy 6:5-7 shows us that discipling our children starts with us loving God. It is from that love of God that our teaching, discipling, and nurturing the faith of our children flows. Otherwise, you will be trying to work for God instead of with him. This leads to burnout and your kids seeing through the inauthenticity. Do... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

2024-08-21T11:07:51-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Are You Teaching Facts or Nurturing Faith?

Last updated on: August 21, 2024 at 11:07 am By Joy Wendling, MA

As parents and children’s ministry leaders, we often unintentionally focus on teaching our kids facts about God rather than helping them develop a genuine relationship with Him. This approach, while well-intentioned, may not effectively nurture their faith. Let’s explore the difference between knowing facts about God and truly knowing Him. Understanding Two Types of “Knowing” In Spanish, there are two verbs for “to know”: “Saber” – to know facts or information “Conocer” – to be familiar with a person, to... Read more

Evangelical

Relationships and Religion

Discipling Kids

parenting

2024-08-13T14:11:01-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Back To School Prayer

Last updated on: August 13, 2024 at 2:11 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

I firmly believe all school choices are valid and no single type of schooling is right for all families. Public school is the right choice for our family, but I know it isn’t right for all families. So, wherever your children are going to school, public, private, or at home, here is a back-to-school prayer to pray with your children. You can read more about “Should Christians Choose Public School?” here. Back to School Prayer God, as we send our... Read more

Evangelical

Education and Religion

2024-08-09T13:06:50-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Must-Read Books for Christian Parents

Last updated on: August 9, 2024 at 1:06 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

If you are a Christian parent who wants to bring joy to your family’s faith and model the abundant life, I think one book series is a must-read: The Chronicles of Narnia. There is so much richness and imagination that will help your family talk about and grow in faith. (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. For more information,... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

2024-07-19T15:00:36-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

5 Bible Verses to Encourage Christian Parents

Last updated on: July 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm By Joy Wendling, MA

30 years ago, Parent’s Day was signed into law as a day to celebrate and appreciate the role of parents in children’s lives. Moms have a day in May and dads in June, but parents are recognized together on the fourth Sunday in July. With Parent’s Day 2024 quickly approaching, here are 5 Bible verses to encourage you on your Christian parenting journey. Christian Parents, God Strengthens You Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for... Read more

Evangelical

Relationships and Religion

Enjoy Parenting

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