The Child Discipleship Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
The Child Discipleship Podcast is a conversation dedicated to anyone who cares about the future of the faith. Melanie Hester leads listeners through conversations happening within the world of children’s ministry, with insights from thought leaders and front-line servants in the local church and throughout the child advocacy space. We believe this generation of kids can be the greatest generation of disciples this world has ever seen, but they need loving caring adults like you to help make that happen. New episodes drop every Thursday, listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts!
Episodes
- Moving Beyond “Bible Light” to Biblical Literacy
In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Matt Markins and Mike Handler explore the difference between teaching children “Bible light” and helping them grow in true biblical literacy. They argue that many churches unintentionally…
- It Might Be Time to End Children’s Ministry
In this episode, Matt Markins and Mike Handler tackle a provocative idea: what if the church needs to move from a children’s ministry mindset to a child discipleship mindset? Matt explains that after years of Awana research, one of the cle…
- The Discipleship Deadline Is Sooner Than We Think
Episode Summary In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast by Awana, hosts Matt Markins and Mike Handler dig into one of the most important — and often overlooked — realities in children’s ministry: the deadline of worldview formati…
- Discipling Kids on Mars
Episode Summary In this episode, Matt Markins and Mike Handler explore what it means to raise children and disciple the next generation in today’s rapidly shifting cultural landscape — a world they liken to raising kids on Mars. Inspired b…
- Carrying the Fire: Why Child Discipleship Matters More Than Ever
The Child Discipleship Podcast is built around one central burden: lasting faith in Jesus for every child. This opening episode introduces Matt Markins and Mike Handler as hosts for the new season and sets the direction for the conversatio…
- Resilience in Discipleship, with Glenn Packiam
In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Glenn Packiam emphasizes the importance of nurturing faith in children. He reflects on his own experiences growing up in Malaysia and the impact of early faith encounters…
- Transforming Young Hearts Through the Gospel, with Trevin Wax
In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Trevin Wax emphasizes the importance of imparting old truths to awaken the hearts of the next generation. Drawing from his experiences and biblical teachings, he discusse…
- Understanding the Role of Fathers in Discipleship, with Blair Linne
In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Blair Linne discusses the profound impact of fatherlessness on children and families. Drawing from her personal experiences and statistics, she highlights the importance…
- Navigating Child Discipleship in a Digital World, with Jay Kim
In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Jay Kim discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in ministry, particularly for emerging generations. Drawing parallels between the evolution of…
- Empowering the Next Generation: The Role of Apologetics with Sean McDowell
In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Sean McDowell discusses the critical role of apologetics in children’s ministry, emphasizing the need to equip kids with the ability to understand and defend their faith.…
- Empowering Families for a Resilient Future
In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Melanie Hester and Dee Dee Meyer discuss the importance of family connection and the challenges faced by today’s parents. They explore the role of the Boone Center for the Family in suppor…
- Creating Discipleship Moments at Home This Easter
In this conversation, Melanie Hester speaks with Kenneth Padgett, the director of Dwell Kids, about the importance of discipleship, family engagement with scripture, and the role of storytelling in shaping children’s faith. Kenneth shares…
- Embracing the Call to Discipleship, with Diane Comer
In this episode, recorded from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Diane Comer dives into the heart of church ministry, unpacking its challenges, rewards, and deep spiritual significance. She shares candid reflections on the emotional toll…
- Finding Peace in an Anxious World, with Mark Sayers
In this live episode from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Mark Sayers unpacks the rising anxiety epidemic among today’s youth, tracing its cultural roots and the amplifying role of technology. He discusses the shift from community to in…
- The Crucial Middle, with Sean Sweet
In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Sean Sweet, speaking from the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, explores how to empower preteens to take ownership of their faith. Sean highlights the unique developmental stage of preteens,…
- Habits of the Household, with Justin Whitmel Earley
In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, Justin Whitmel Earley, a featured speaker at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, unpacks the power of habits in shaping faith and identity within the home. Drawing from his expertise and pe…
- Mixtape: The Intentionally Layered Tracks that Form Childhood Faith, with Matt Markins
In this episode of the Child Discipleship Podcast, recorded live at the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum, Awana President and CEO Matt Markins dives into the critical themes shaping childhood faith formation. From the surprising early stages…
- Empowering Parents and Churches for Intentional Discipleship with Bobby Harrington
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, an…
- Discipling the Next Generation: Engaging Kids in a Polarized World with Sean McDowell
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…
- The Golden Window: Shaping the Next Generation in Africa
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-chang…
- The Intentional Journey: Discipleship, Family, and Formation with Glenn Packiam
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, an…
- The Importance of Orthodoxy in Children’s Ministry
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, high…
- Running to the God of All Comfort
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…
- Caring for the Vulnerable: Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus
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 Script…
- Peace in a Fast-Paced Culture
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 followi…
- Creating a Culture of Discipleship: Language and Community
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…
- Creating a Culture of Discipleship: Vision and Time
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 parent…
- Navigating Lasting Faith in Children
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 tod…
- Walking Upstream: Navigating Children’s Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture
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 limitation…
- The Child Discipleship Podcast: Season 5
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 Di…
- Jared Kennedy: Four Things Every Children’s Ministry Should Be About
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…
- Julie Lowe: Safeguards for Kids
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…
- Santosh Swamidass: Continual Spiritual Conversations of Substance
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…
- Phil and Diane Comer: Parenting out of Relationship
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…
- Clayton Greene: Creating Family Discipleship Habits at Home
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-sto…
- Caleb Brown: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers
The post Caleb Brown: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers appeared first on Child Discipleship .
- Carl Trueman: How Did We Get Here? (REPLAY)
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 rev…
- Pastor Shawn Thornton: The Power of a Loving Caring Adult for Every Child (REPLAY)
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,…
- Robby Gallaty: Child Discipleship That is Dependent on the Holy Spirit
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 d…
- Jon Tyson: Discipling Today’s Kids to be Like Daniel in Babylon
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 fai…
- John Mark Comer: Pursuing the “New Map” of Child Discipleship (REPLAY)
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 epis…
- John Mark Comer: Intentional Child Discipleship (REPLAY)
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…
- Rich Villodas: Child Discipleship Through a Deeply Formed Life
Live from the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum, Rich Villodas shares with Ross Cochran what makes kids who have been raised in homes that pursue a deeply formed life in Jesus unique, and how all of us have access to this kind of discipleship.…
- Andy Crouch: Technology, Culture, and Faith (REPLAY)
Author, musician, and public speaker, Andy Crouch, is interviewed by Ross Cochran and Michael Handler as part of a live online event on how to engage with technology, culture, and faith for the next generation. SHOW NOTES This episode was…
- Ellie Holcomb: Simple Songs, Genuine Discipleship
Live from the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum, Melanie Hester sat down with recording artist and disciplemaker Ellie Holcomb. They discussed how the discipleship of children is so important that it’s shaped Ellie’s work, and how writing simp…
- Chuck Peters: Genuine Discipleship (REPLAY)
Director of Lifeway Kids, Chuck Peters, wakes us up to the reality that if we truly want to disciple the next generation, we need to have genuine relationships with them just like Jesus did with His disciples. SHOW NOTES This episode was o…
- Jared Kennedy: How to Increase the Gospel-Centeredness of Your Ministry
Live from the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum, Jared Kennedy and Jenny Smith discuss the critical need for centering ministries around the Gospel, provide practical ways for leaders to evaluate how things are going, and encouragement for the…
- The Africa Child and School Initiative: An Opportunity to Reach 31 Million Kids with the Gospel
Live from the 2023 Child Discipleship Forum, Bishop Stephen Maphosah and Matt Markins share what God is doing in Africa through the public school system, and how you can be a part of reaching 31 million kids across the continent. SHOW NOTE…
- Al Mohler: Identity, The Gospel, and Truth in Today’s Culture (REPLAY)
Awana President and CEO Matt Markins interviewed Dr. Albert Mohler in a conversation focused on the truth of the Gospel in today’s rapidly changing environment. Dr. Mohler is the President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and…
- Elizabeth Smith: Being a Disciple While Also Being a Disciplemaker
Elizabeth Smith and Melanie Hester discuss the need for multigenerational investment in child discipleship, giving kids “someone to love” in Jesus, and how Elizabeth equips the next generation of kidmin leaders as a professor Moody Bible I…