The Child Discipleship Podcast

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....

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 jo...

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...

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 i...

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 th...

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 S...

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 b...

In this episode, Jay Kim, an author and pastor in Silicon Valley, shares his journey and the unique challenges of pastoring and parenting in a fast-paced, achievement-driven culture. He emphasizes the importance of slowing down and following Jesus. Jay encourages listeners to grow good fruit where God has planted them, reminding us that it’s not about the location but about experiencing God&...

In the final episode of this four-part series, Mike Handler and Sam Luce stress the significance of language in shaping the values of both church and home, encouraging listeners to prioritize intentional conversations and create dedicated time for discipleship activities. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships and how community involvement can enrich...

In this episode, Sam Luce and Mike Handler explore the vital role of vision and deliberate discipleship in both the church and the home. They emphasize the necessity of a long-term vision for child discipleship and the importance of parents partnering with the church in this journey. The conversation dives into the central formational objectives of vision and the concept of time and place, highlig...

In the second episode of our Forming Faith series, Matt Markins and Mike Handler tackle the pressing need for a new map in the journey of forming lasting faith in children. They explore the disconnect between the church’s messaging and today’s cultural realities and introduce a fresh approach to discipleship, emphasizing the importance of community and scripture engagement as the found...

In this thought-provoking podcast, we dive into the urgent need for a fresh approach to children’s ministry as we grapple with the realities of an increasingly secular world. Join Matt Markins and Mike Handler as they unpack the limitations of outdated church growth and entertainment models, emphasizing the importance of nurturing lasting faith in the next generation. Using the powerful anal...

Welcome to the Child Discipleship Podcast! Listen to this short update to learn what’s new and what you can expect from season 5. Show Notes: Check out resources for your children’s ministry at ChildDiscipleship.com . The post The Child Discipleship Podcast: Season 5 appeared first on Child Discipleship .

Jared Kennedy and Melanie Hester walk through Jared’s life that has been centered around intentional family discipleship. Jared also shares four things he believes ever children’s ministry should be about. SHOW NOTES SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  Watch Today’s Conversation Ready for more? Childdiscipleship.com is your one stop shop for re...

Julie Lowe, Melanie Hester and Shawna Murlin sat down to discuss Julie’s book Safeguards: Shielding our Homes and Equipping Our Kids. SHOW NOTES SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode. Looking for more ways to keep your kids safe? Check out the following resources: 14 Questions to Ask a Potential Babysitter 15 Ways to Keep the Kids in Your Ministry Safe a...

Santosh Swamidass sat down with Ross Cochran and Melanie Hester live at the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum to dig into what parents need to be equipped to disciple their kids, and how church leaders can effectively partner with parents who are overwhelmed and parents who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  Wat...

Phil and Diane Comer are leaders in family discipleship, and they share their passion and vision for all churches to equip all parents for discipleship of their kids with Kellie Bartley. SHOW NOTES SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  Watch Today’s Conversation Ready for more? Childdiscipleship.com is your one stop shop for resources dedicated to helping ki...

Clayton Greene sat down with  Melanie Hester to dig into how we can build family discipleship habits at home. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode. Ready for more? Childdiscipleship.com is your one-stop shop for resources dedicated to helping kids form lasting faith in Jesus. You can learn more about GoodKind at goodkind.shop. You can email the show at podcas...

The post Caleb Brown: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers appeared first on Child Discipleship .

Carl Trueman, Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College, helps us understand how to develop generations of Jesus followers during the rise of the modern self, cultural amnesia, expressive individualism, and sexual revolution. SHOW NOTES See the original documentary that was prepared for the 2022 Child Discipleship Forum, featuring Dr. Trueman. This episode was originally...

Senior Pastor Shawn Thornton returns to the podcast to share how his life was impacted by loving caring adults, and how that fuels his passion for child discipleship today. SHOW NOTES This episode was originally released on February 10th, 2022 Learn more about Shawn Thornton and Calvary Westlake Church in California. Get your copy of Shawn’s book, All But Normal: Life on Victory Road. Get yo...

Robby Gallaty sat down with Kellie Bartley and Ross Cochran at the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum to connect how discipleship is the ministry of his church, not an additional ministry in his church. He also shared how he sees the fruit of discipleship increase when it’s more dependent on the Holy Spirit and not overly-programmatic. SHOW NOTES Check out Long Hollow, the church where Robby serv...

Jon Tyson sat down with Shawna Murlin and Ross Cochran live at the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum to discuss how today’s kids are like Daniel in Babylon, and how we as the loving caring adults in their lives can help them form a lasting faith in Jesus. SHOW NOTES SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  Watch Today’s Conversation Ready for more? Childdisci...

Pastor, Author, and Speaker John Mark Comer joined the podcast with Matt Markins and Mike Handler for an in depth conversation about child discipleship and how churches can prioritize discipleship in their communities. SHOW NOTES This episode was originally released on December 8 2022 . Check out Practicing the Way, the ministry founded by John Mark Comer Check out ChildDiscipleship.com from Awana...

John Mark Comer gives practical and holistic wisdom to walking alongside a child, and pointing them to Jesus as you follow Jesus. SHOW NOTES This episode was originally released on September 29 2022 Learn more about John Mark Comer and his ministry. SUBSCRIBE  wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode. You can leave a voicemail for the show at 630-289-5353 and email the sho...