The Disciple-Making Parent

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, Chap Bettis talks with Dr. Camden Pulliam about the biblical connection between parenting and pastoring. Drawing from Camden’s doctoral research, they explore how pastors serve as father figures who help God’s people grow from spiritual immaturity toward maturity.⁠ ⁠ Together, they examine the fatherhood language used throughout Scripture, the...

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Dr. Ben Phillips about making family discipleship practical through the everyday rhythms we already share with our children. Ben introduces the TEACH framework—Travel time, Eating time, Arise time, Closing time, and Holiday time drawn from Deuteronomy 6. Together, we explore simple ways to build faith conversations into car rides, meals, mornings, bed...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast Chap Bettis sits down with associate pastor Travis Rymer for a candid conversation about biblical parenting and family discipleship. They discuss the goal of Christian parenting, why parents may hesitate to ask for help, whether it’s possible to over-disciple children, and how the local church can support families. Along the way, Chap offers en...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, you’ll hear a recent sermon from Chap Bettis as he walks through Psalm 127 and asks a simple, searching question: what does it look like to actively seek God’s blessing in everyday life? He talks about the danger of anxious, self-reliant “in vain” work and the comfort of God’s providence that lets us labor faithfully and still rest. Then he tu...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we have a Q&A with Tim Challies to explore how churches and families can thoughtfully navigate technology. We discuss the shift from hymnals to projectors, the impact of AI and social media on youth, and practical ways to cultivate disciplined discernment in our congregations. Throughout the conversation, we offer concrete ideas for balanc...

On this episode of The Disciple‑Making Parent Podcast we hear from Tim Challies on how families can create a truly porn‑free home. We'll hear about the early exposure risks children face online, share practical tools such as filtering, accountability software, parental controls, and open communication, and walk through a step‑by‑step plan—planning, preparing, meeting, and monitoring—to protect our...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we talk with Tim Challies about how Christian families can think clearly about technology in a world where screens, social media, and now AI are everywhere. We look at the real numbers shaping teen life, the risks that often stay hidden until it is too late, and three common responses to new tools: enthusiastic embrace, strict separation, and...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we talk with Dan Darling about what healthy Christian patriotism looks like. We unpack why love of country can be an expression of gratitude and a part of discipleship, and how we can teach children and grandchildren to think biblically about their nation without slipping into cynicism or idolatry. We discuss how to tell the full story of hist...

In this episode, Chap Bettis sits down with Tim Challies and pastor Travis Rymer for a candid Q&A that closes out The Disciple-Making Parent’s mini-series on suffering. Tim shares Scriptures and hymns that shaped his grief, how his family helped their daughters process loss, and why grief must never become our identity. You’ll also hear practical counsel on balancing honest lament with trust i...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we listen as Tim Challies shares a deeply personal “story of grace” from the aftermath of losing his son, Nick. We hear what those first shocking moments were like, how grief can cloud our thinking and sap our strength, and why it’s essential to let truth—especially what we know about God’s sovereignty and goodness—lead when our emotions feel...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we begin a new series by listening to Tim Challies as he helps us think biblically about suffering, sorrow, and the compassion of Christ. Tim walks us through Luke 7:11–17, where Jesus meets a grieving widow in Nain and raises her son, and we’re reminded of three simple, steady truths: death is strong, God is stronger, and one day death itself...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we start unpacking three hard topics that come up in conflict: forgiveness, reconciliation, and what some people call boundaries. We walk through a simple peacemaking framework, then clarify two complementary kinds of forgiveness: a heart-level decision to release the moral debt to God, and a relational forgiveness that enables reconciliation...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we continue our four-part series on biblical conflict resolution. We'll talk about why conflict is part of everyday life and how Scripture helps us respond with wisdom. We review the first two steps from Ken Sande’s The Peacemaker and then focus on the decision point: when should we overlook an offense, when should we submit, and when should w...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we continue our four-part series on biblical conflict resolution with part two, focusing on the essential practice of examining ourselves before addressing conflicts with others. We explore Jesus' teaching about removing the log from our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's eye, and why this principle is foundational to reso...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we begin a four-part series on biblical conflict resolution. We explore why conflict is inevitable in relationships—whether between spouses, parents and children, siblings, or within church and workplace settings—and examine what instruction God actually gives us for navigating these difficult situations. We establish that the first and most e...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we explore one of life's most avoided topics: death and dying. We'll listen to a recent sermon from Chap where he talks about how Christians shouldn't fear talking about our final departure and what it means to "run through the tape" rather than coast into the finish line.  We examine five biblical principles for facing old age and death with faith an...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore a biblical understanding of work with a sermon from Jai Paul. In it, we’ll examine how our perception of work shapes not only our own lives but also the values we pass on to our children and grandchildren. Jai explains how work was established by God before the fall as a good and noble calling. Unlike ancient myths that portrayed wo...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we sit down with Nate Akin to hear his powerful testimony and parenting insights. We explore Nate's journey from growing up in a Christian home to his college basketball career at Murray State, including his participation in the NCAA tournament against Georgia and Illinois. Nate openly shares about his season of rebellion during college years...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the profound importance of remembering God's works and sharing them with future generations. We examine how memory serves as a beautiful gift that connects our past experiences to present purpose. In this episode, Chap shares a powerful sermon from a church celebrating its 50th anniversary, where he emphasizes that the gospel contin...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we explore the critical balance between children's ministry and parental discipleship in the church. We speak with Jared Kennedy, author of "Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation," who shares his journey from aspiring missionary to children's ministry leader. We discuss how childre...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the unavoidable reality of conflict in our lives and how to handle it biblically. We're joined by Dr. Robert Jones, author of "Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Our Conflicts," who shares powerful insights about conflict management from a Christian perspective. We discuss how conflict is inevitable in all relationships - whether...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent, we welcome Brian Croft to discuss the delicate balance between pastoral ministry and family life. We explore practical ways pastors can faithfully serve their church while prioritizing their spouse and children. Brian shares personal stories about adapting his parenting approach to meet each child's unique needs and how these family experiences have m...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we continue our look at my newest book, Managing Your Households Well. We’ll explore the vital connection between family and church leadership through Paul's teaching in 1 Timothy 3:5. We discover how leading a family well directly impacts church leadership, examining four key areas: leading effectively, communicating with purpose, handling co...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we explore the critical but often misunderstood topic of managing our households well. We're excited to announce the release of Chap’s new book "Managing Your Households Well" which examines how family leadership prepares us for church leadership. This episode unpacks two key insights from first half of the book. Chap discusses the delicate ba...

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we introduce a brand new Q & A format. Together, we’ll look at crucial parenting topics including establishing parental authority in early years, handling temper tantrums, navigating disagreements between spouses on discipline methods, and responding to children's constant "why" questions. We’ll consider practical wisdom on raising childre...