Little Wins, Eternal Impact: Dan Nichols on Discipling Our Children

In this powerful conversation, Anna McLaughlin sits down with Dan Nichols to discuss intentional discipleship in the home. Dan Nichols is a follower of Jesus, married to his best friend Joy, and father to Landon and Declan. He serves as Lead Pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship in Cortland, NY, and is the Founder/President of Northeast Collaborative, a regional church network. Dan holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Clarks Summit University where he served as an adjunct professor. Dan shares his heart behind creating the "Making Scripture Simple" book series, designed to help upper elementary students engage with God's Word in language they can understand. This episode explores the daily rhythms of parenting with purpose, the importance of family values, and how to persevere through the long journey of raising children who follow Jesus. Whether you're homeschooling, parenting young children, or simply seeking to be more intentional in your faith at home, this conversation offers practical encouragement and biblical wisdom for the journey.

 

Key Points & Timestamps

• Making Scripture Simple – Inspired by Dan’s 8-year-old son’s honesty; fills the gap between picture Bibles and standard translations with paraphrase, questions, and coloring pages.

• Intentional Family Rhythms – Pray immediately after reading; let truth sink in; Scripture must be actionable, not just informational.

• Family Goals – Live for God, Love others, Learn always, Laugh often, Lead with vision, Listen to the wise, Labor for what matters (taught with hand motions).

• Feelings vs. Truth – Feelings are real but can lie; truth sets us free (John 8:32); parents should balance comfort with correction and model repentance.

• Phone Accountability – Children can take phones from parents during family time; open conversations about phone use and impulse control.

• Parenting for Kingdom Impact – A vision bigger than your lifetime; example of Wilberforce; teach children as you live (Deuteronomy 6).

• Little Wins Matter – Small encouragements (like children’s prayers or comments) are signs of God’s work; look for the “small cloud” of His movement.

• Presence Over Productivity – Choosing presence with children over outside work; wrestling with identity; seeing children as God’s sanctifying gift; drawing them close when they act out.

 

Scriptures Mentioned

• Acts 16 - Paul's connection with the church in Philippi

• Philippians 1:1-5 - Opening greeting and thanksgiving (read in paraphrase form)

• Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - think about such things" (Paraphrased as: "Choose to think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, beautiful, and respectable")

• Deuteronomy 6 - Teaching children as you live life (sitting, walking, going through daily activities)

• 1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain"

• 1 Kings 18 (Elijah and the prophets of Baal story with the cloud the size of a man's hand)

• John 8:32 - "The truth will set you free"

• Ephesians 5 - Husbands washing wives with the water of the Word

Books & Resources Mentioned

By Dan Nichols:

• Making Scripture Simple: Philippians  - https://a.co/d/3yXzwsv

• Making Scripture Simple: Colossians and Philemon - https://a.co/d/5nv7HhZ

• Making Scripture Simple: 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Jude (releasing Christmas 2025)

Other Resources:

• Little Pilgrim's Progress - mentioned as part of Anna's morning time routine - https://a.co/d/iYckMGF

• Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic - https://a.co/d/cggZHrG

• Corrie ten Boom testimony interview - both of Dan's sons were riveted watching this - https://www.sermonaudio.com/gb/sermons/130231919195552

• "Dents in the Darkness" podcast - https://www.necollaborative.com/dentsinthedarkness

Contact Information

Website: https://danandjoy.com/
Email: [e-mail]

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MUSIC CREDITS

Theme music: Brave New World

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Artist: Fantoms

Inspiring Hopeful

Audio source: Jamendo

Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich

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