The Gospel Shaped Family Podcast

It is a heartbreaking reality that a large percentage of young people walk away from the church when they reach adulthood. As parents, this outcome can feel inevitable, but it does not have to be. You can take proactive, intentional steps today to help your children see their need for the church, value its community, and joyfully participate in corporate worship from an early age. In this episode,...

There is no more important conversation a parent can have with their child than the gospel. In this episode, Josh and Jen walk through practical, scripture-grounded steps for sharing the good news with children at every age and stage, from toddlers to teenagers. Drawing on their own family's experience and the wisdom of Charles Spurgeon, they help parents overcome intimidation and take up their Go...

What if the books on your family's shelf were doing more than filling time between meals and bedtime? In this conversation, Josh and Jen welcome Kathryn Butler, author of the Dream Keeper Saga, and Korrie Johnson, founder of Good Book Mom, to discuss their new book Stories Woven in Silver. Together they make the case that well-chosen stories are instruments of discipleship, pointing children towar...

Living on one income is harder than ever, but it is possible, and it can be done without sacrificing the things that matter most. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill pull back the curtain on the practical strategies that have carried their family through ministry salaries, five kids, a PhD, and multiple home renovations, all while staying out of debt. From cutting your grocery bill and shoppin...

Most Christian parents want their children to trust the Bible, but few feel equipped to answer the questions their kids are already hearing. In this episode, Josh and Jen sit down with Dr. Christopher Rupe, sedimentary geologist and president of Back2Genesis, to talk about why Genesis 1–11 is foundational to the entire Christian worldview, not a secondary doctrine to be sidestepped. Dr. Rupe walks...

Justice may be one of the most important words in the Bible — and one of the most distorted in our culture. In this episode, Josh sits down with Scott David Allen, president of the Disciple Nations Alliance and author of Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice, to unpack what genuine, biblical justice actually means and how it differs fundamentally from the ideology reshaping schools, churches,...

Most parents know screens are a problem. Few have a plan. In this practical and encouraging conversation, Josh sits down with Arlene Pellicane — speaker, author of Screen Kids, and host of the Happy Home podcast — to talk about what it actually looks like to raise children with healthy boundaries around technology. Arlene and her husband raised their three kids through high school without social m...

Summer offers a unique opportunity for families to move from the frantic pace of the school year into a season of intentionality. With extracurriculars on pause and longer daylight hours, parents have a strategic window to deepen relationships and build a legacy of faith. This episode provides a roadmap for maximizing the precious months of summer that parents have before their children reach adul...

Fathers play a monumental role in the spiritual health of the next generation. A landmark 35 year study involving 3000 family members reveals that the active involvement of a father is the most critical factor in whether children retain their faith into adulthood. When a father is perceived as warm and engaged, he becomes the tipping point for a child’s lifelong commitment to Christ. This episode...

Many children grow up viewing the Bible as a fragmented collection of "do’s and don’ts" or a random assortment of disconnected stories. This perspective often leads to confusion and a failure to see how the individual stories of Scripture connect to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we discuss why it is essential for parents and church leaders to prioritize the "big picture" of...

Many couples enter marriage with the expectation that their spouse exists to satisfy their personal needs. When the initial excitement fades or challenges arise, this self-focused perspective often leads to "marital monotony" or even divorce. Larry and Gladine McCall, high school sweethearts married since 1975, join the podcast to share wisdom gained from over 50 years of marriage and 40 years of...

Many parents desire a home defined by peace and joy, yet they often find themselves weary of the constant friction that comes with raising children. While we should avoid conflicts born of our own sin, there are strategic battles that we must choose to engage. These are the essential areas where standing our ground helps shepherd a child toward godly maturity and a resilient faith. In this episode...

Discipline is often misunderstood as mere punishment or a battle of wills between parent and child. In this episode, we move beyond cultural trends of harsh control or permissive freedom to explore a restorative, heart-focused model of biblical discipline. We discuss how establishing parental authority is not about being bigger or smarter, but about acting as a steward on behalf of God to guide a...

Managing a home is more than just finishing a to-do list; it is a way to steward the environment where your family grows in faith. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill share six practical habits to make your family life simpler, more affordable, and more enjoyable. These systems are designed to reduce daily stress and create more space for what matters most: discipling your children. You will l...

In this episode, we discuss why our family chose to transition from store-bought dairy to raw milk. We explore the health benefits, the history of pasteurization, and how this choice fits into a lifestyle of biblical stewardship and natural living. Many parents find that conventional dairy causes digestive issues or allergies. We share our personal journey with these challenges and explain how rea...

Teaching a teenager to drive is a significant milestone that often brings a mix of excitement and anxiety for parents. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill discuss the changing landscape of teen driving, noting that many young people are delaying getting their licenses compared to previous generations. They explore the cultural shifts behind this trend, such as screen-based living and higher co...

When should a child get a cell phone? For many parents, the pressure starts earlier than expected. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill address the question honestly and directly, explaining why their answer is often very different from the cultural norm. They walk through common reasons parents give for early phone access and explain why those reasons deserve closer scrutiny.  Josh and Jen sha...

Should your child be allowed to attend sleepovers? It’s a common question for Christian parents, and one that often stirs strong opinions. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill walk through the issue carefully, distinguishing between biblical commands and parental wisdom. They explain why Scripture does not give a direct rule, but why parents still need to think clearly about risk, vulnerability...

The issue of technology is the most common concern for parents today. Children in the digital age are growing up as "digital natives," often spending between seven and nine hours a day in front of screens. Dr. Josh Mulvihill joins Dr. Jessica Peck to discuss how media acts as a form of digital discipleship, shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation. Instead of responding with fear or gui...

Every family makes an education choice, but few slow down to ask what Scripture actually says about education, discipleship, and responsibility. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill share the real reasons they chose to homeschool their children and how that decision shaped their family life, faith, and daily rhythms.  Drawing from personal experience as parents, educators, and as a pastor, they...

In this Biblical Worldview episode, Josh and Jessica talk about one of the biggest challenges facing families today. Every child is being shaped by something, and if parents are not intentional, culture will do the shaping for them. Drawing from Colossians 2, they explain how children can be taken captive by false ideas and why grounding them in Scripture is the only way to provide clarity in a co...

What does discipleship actually look like in everyday family life? In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill break down four biblical characteristics that shape children into lifelong followers of Christ. Instead of vague ideas, they offer a clear framework parents can apply at home. Using the picture of a four-legged chair, they walk through worship, work, study, and service. These rhythms help chi...

This Biblical Worldview episode focuses on one of the most practical needs in every Christian home. Josh and Jessica talk through how children form their beliefs, why those beliefs shape every part of life, and why Bible reading must begin early if kids are going to build a lasting faith. They explain how worldview is formed piece by piece and why Scripture is the foundation that keeps children st...

In this episode of the Gospel Shaped Family Podcast, Dr. Josh and Jen Mulvihill welcome Larry Fowler, founder of The Legacy Coalition, to discuss the vital role grandparents play in the spiritual life of their families. Larry shares from his 50 years of experience in children’s ministry to explain why grandparenting is far more than just a supporting role—it is a biblical calling to impact grandch...

In this  Why Worldview Matters episode, Josh and Jessica explore a question every Christian family faces: Is the Bible enough for real life? They look at why the sufficiency of Scripture matters and how it shapes the way parents and grandparents make decisions, respond to cultural messages, and guide their children. They describe why so many families look everywhere except the Bible for help, and...