Stand Firm Parents
Jake McCandless sits down with Dr. Jim Wilder to discuss the surprising connection between neuroscience and faith. Learn how your brain was designed to grow through joy and peace, how relational connections form the foundation of maturity, and how parents can use brain science to help their children develop a faith that truly lasts. Dr. Wilder also reveals how gratitude rewires the brain for resilience, and why a fully integrated faith is the key to spiritual and emotional health. Key Takeaways: • Your brain was designed for joy—and faith should be fueled by it. • Maturity is...
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Jake McCandless continues his conversation with Michael Hendrix about brain science and discipleship, focusing on practical steps parents can take to nurture a healthy and resilient faith in their children. Discover why building joy, practicing rest, and showing true connection with your kids can make all the difference. Key Takeaways: Brain science reveals how children learn through joy and rest cycles Parenting with maturity impacts children's natural development Disciplining with grace and maintaining connection builds character Michel Hendricks is a pastor, teacher, and the...
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Have we been discipling with half the brain? Michel Hendricks, co-author of The Other Half of Church, reveals how right-brain training is essential for true spiritual transformation. Most discipleship focuses on knowledge and willpower, but what if emotional and relational growth is the missing key? In this episode, we unpack: 🔹 How brain science connects to faith and formation 🔹 Why joy is the fuel for spiritual growth 🔹 The six big emotions that shape our discipleship 🔹 How parents can train their children’s emotional and spiritual resilience The Book - The Other Half of Church...
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Brian Johnson, co-founder of KC Underground, joins Stand Firm Parents to discuss a radical shift in how we do church and raise disciples at home. Instead of separating faith into a Sunday event, Brian shares how to make disciple-making a natural, daily part of life. Key Takeaways: ✔️ The biggest reasons young people leave the faith ✔️ What the early church teaches us about disciple-making ✔️ Why parents—not the church—are the primary disciple-makers ✔️ How microchurches can transform faith at home ✔️ Practical ways to integrate faith into everyday life Brian Johnson is...
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Rob Wegner joins Stand Firm Parents to challenge the way we think about church. Rather than centering faith around a weekly event, what if we saw it as a lifestyle of disciple-making? This episode explores how microchurches, spiritual families, and everyday disciple-makers are the future of faith. Rob Wegner is a leading voice in the missional movement and the co-founder of KC Underground, a decentralized network of disciple-making communities. He also serves with NewThing, helping catalyze reproducing churches globally, and leads Microchurch.Next for Exponential, equipping leaders to embrace...
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The underground church in Iran is thriving under persecution while Christianity in the West is in decline. Why? Joel Richardson shares what’s fueling explosive growth in the Middle East and what Western believers—and parents—must do differently to raise children with a faith that lasts. This eye-opening conversation challenges our approach to discipleship and evangelism. Key Takeaways: Why Iran’s underground church is the fastest-growing in the world How disciple-making movements (DMM) are transforming communities What American Christians are getting wrong about church & faith A...
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Jake McCandless speaks with Darren Huckey about the Jewish context of discipleship and what it means for parents raising children in faith. Learn how first-century discipleship was more than just knowledge—it was about full-life transformation through devotion, imitation, and replication. Key Takeaways: How first-century discipleship worked What Jesus meant when He said, "A disciple, when fully trained, will be like his teacher." How parents can model and teach discipleship at home Darren Huckey is the Assistant to the Rabbi at Shalom Macon Messianic Synagogue in Macon, Georgia. He...
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Jake McCandless sits down with Katharine van der Beek to explore the power of fully integrated faith through a Hebraic lens. Drawing from her experiences as an Israeli tour guide, Katharine shares profound insights into seeing God’s hand in everything and trusting His sovereignty in every aspect of life. Key Takeaways: The Hebraic mindset of faith as all-encompassing. How parents can teach their kids to see God in the details of life. Why recognizing God’s sovereignty changes how we face challenges. Katharine also gives a vivid snapshot of the current state of Israel, detailing the...
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What can the global church teach us about raising kids with a faith that lasts? Jake McCandless sits down with John David Smith, President of BMA Global, for an enlightening conversation about wholistic faith and parenting. Key Takeaways: The difference between wholistic Christianity and compartmentalized faith. Why simplicity matters in our walk with Christ. The power of the gospel to transform families and create a legacy of faith. With stories and lessons from 67 nations, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead your family toward a fully integrated faith.
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As parents, it’s easy to focus on devotionals, programs, and church events as the ultimate markers of success in discipling our kids. But are these the end game, or are they simply tools to help us reach the real goal? In this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless challenges listeners to step back and redefine their approach to raising children in the faith. He discusses: The difference between tools and true spiritual growth. Why family devotionals and church programs need to support—not replace—fully integrated faith. How to disciple your kids in a way that leads them to...
info_outlineIn this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless discusses the challenges and importance of being intentional about discipleship within the home. He emphasizes the need to start somewhere, even if it’s small, and shares practical advice on how to integrate faith into everyday family life.
Key Discussion Points:
- The Overwhelm of Discipleship:
- Many parents feel overwhelmed by the idea of discipling their children, often leading to inaction.
- The importance of being intentional about guiding children in their faith.
- Starting Small:
- The episode’s main message is to "just start somewhere."
- Jake shares a personal story about having a Bible study in the car with his daughters, highlighting that discipleship doesn’t need to be perfect or elaborate.
- The Imperfection of Discipleship:
- Waiting for the perfect moment or method often leads to missed opportunities.
- Jake discusses the challenges of maintaining regular family Bible studies and how he overcame the paralysis of perfection.
- Practical Steps for Parents:
- Begin with simple actions like reading a Bible story at bedtime or having faith-based conversations.
- Tailor discipleship activities to the age and maturity level of the children.
- Integration of Faith into Everyday Life:
- The goal is to fully integrate faith into every aspect of family life, rather than compartmentalizing it into specific times or events.
- Jake emphasizes the need to find natural ways to incorporate faith discussions and practices into daily routines.
- Biblical Foundation:
- Jake references Deuteronomy 6, which instructs parents to impress God's commandments on their children throughout daily activities.
- The episode encourages parents to be consistent and intentional in sharing their faith with their children.
- Encouragement to Parents:
- Jake encourages parents to take the first step, regardless of where they are in their faith journey or how old their children are.
- The episode closes with a reminder that every intentional action taken to guide children in their faith starts with a simple step.