Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal How do we raise kids—and grow as parents—who don’t crumble under pressure but become stronger through hardship?In Episode 402 of Let’s Parent on Purpose, Jay Holland is joined once again by author, missionary, and leadership coach Virgil Tanner for a deep, practical conversation on antifragile faith—the kind of faith Jesus describes as a house built on the rock.Together, Jay and Virgil explore why anxiety and fragility have become normalized in modern culture, how Christian discipleship often unintentionally reinforces weakness, and what it looks like to intentionally form resilient, grounded followers of Jesus. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, leadership formation, and lived experience—from COVID lockdowns to pediatric cancer hospital rooms—this episode offers parents a hopeful and actionable framework for nurturing spiritual, emotional, physical, cognitive, and relational health.This conversation will challenge how you think about discipleship, parenting, and what it truly means to love God with all of who you are.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy storms don’t reveal weakness—they reveal foundationsHow culture has reframed fragility as virtue—and why that’s spiritually dangerousThe difference between changing behavior and changing the story we live inWhy discipleship must be whole-person formation, not just Bible knowledgeThe five dimensions of the soul: spiritual, physical, cognitive, emotional, relationalSimple daily practices that cultivate resilience and joyWhy modeling matters more than lecturing when discipling kidsHow families can become “houses on the rock” for othersWhy noticing emotions comes before managing or forgivingHow loving God with heart, mind, soul, and strength leads to abundant life—not burnoutKey Scriptures ReferencedMatthew 7:24–27 — The House Built on the RockLuke 10:25–28 — The Greatest Commandment1 Corinthians 10:31 — Doing Everything for the Glory of GodJohn 15:11 — “That My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full”Practical Takeaways for ParentsFormation happens relationally and communally, not just informationallyShared and modeled habits shape kids more than rulesEmotional maturity begins with naming emotions without judgmentGratitude reframes suffering without denying itThriving families talk openly about how they’re really doing—not just how they’re performingLet’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgAbout Virgil TannerVirgil Tanner is a leadership coach, author, and missionary who has spent years equipping leaders and families to cultivate resilient, Christ-centered lives in high-pressure environments around the world. His work focuses on integrated human flourishing and forming leaders who can endure—and thrive—through adversity.Resources & Links:Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal by Jay HollandSoul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journalhttps://amzn.to/3MLWavlIn this episode of Let’s Parent On Purpose, Jay Holland sits down with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Lee Strobel to explore the historical, theological, and personal significance of the Christmas story. Together they unpack the evidence for the birth of Jesus, the reliability of the Gospel accounts, misconceptions about the Nativity, and why the Incarnation still changes lives today.Whether you're a long-time believer, a seeker exploring Christianity, or a parent looking to equip your teens with confidence in their faith, this conversation offers clear, compelling reasons to trust the Christmas story as true history—not just a seasonal tradition.Key Topics Covered• The Investigative Journalist Who Tried to Disprove ChristianityLee shares how his journey from atheism to faith began as an attempt to rescue his wife from what he believed was a “cult.” His two-year investigation into the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection led him to the unexpected conclusion that Christianity is true.Why the Nativity Story Is Historically ReliableLee walks through:Why Luke’s and Matthew’s accounts are independent and trustworthyWhy different Gospel perspectives strengthen—not weaken—the historical caseHow early Christian writings outside the Gospels affirm the virgin birthHow ancient biography differs from modern biography but remains reliableWhat “No Room in the Inn” Actually MeansLee reveals:The Greek word kataluma likely means guest room, not hotelThe Holy Family almost certainly stayed with relativesJesus was probably born in the family living space of a first-century home, not a wooden stableWhy nativity sets with wooden barns and angry innkeepers are historically inaccurateWhy the Virgin Birth Matters theologicallyLee explains why the virgin birth is essential for:Jesus being fully God and fully manJesus being born without inherited sinFulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14)Preserving core Christian doctrinesPagan Myth Claims DebunkedLee dismantles the popular internet claim that Christianity “borrowed” the virgin birth or resurrection from pagan myths such as Mithras, Dionysus, or Zoroaster. Each is exposed as historically inaccurate or chronologically impossible.How Investigating Christmas Strengthens WorshipLee shares how studying the incarnation moved him deeply, reminding him that Christianity is not a legend—it's a true story about God entering our world to save us.God Is Moving TodayLee and Jay reflect on the remarkable openness to the gospel they’re seeing nationwide—from churches to college campuses to everyday encounters.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgAbout Lee StrobelLee Strobel is a former award-winning legal editor for the Chicago Tribune and a New York Times bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, The Case for Miracles, and his newest seasonal release, The Case for Christmas.Originally an atheist, Lee spent two years investigating the evidence for Christianity as a journalist. His search led him to faith in Christ and ultimately into ministry, where he continues to write, speak, teach apologetics, and help people explore the evidence for God.Lee currently serves as founding director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. His books have sold millions of copies and inspired films, documentaries, and student editions that help the next generation explore faith with confidence.Resources & Links:The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel https://amzn.to/49S5BDcThe Case for Miracles Movie (2024) https://thecaseformiraclesmovie.com/Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this episode, Jay sits down with Jeremy Pryor to explore what it looks like to build a thriving multi-generational Christian family in a culture that often prioritizes independence over connection. Jeremy shares the story behind his family’s four-generation household, the biblical foundations for treating family as a “multi-generational team,” and how countercultural habits—like a weekly multi-generational meal—can deepen identity, strengthen relationships, and create long-term family discipleship. Together, they unpack the dangers of hyper-individualism, the impact of technology on kids, and the surprising joy found in reclaiming ancient rhythms such as Sabbath-style meals. Jeremy also offers practical steps for parents who want to introduce meaningful, sustainable traditions that anchor their children in faith, family identity, and gospel-centered community.Jeremy Pryor is a family identity expert and author of the book “Family Revision”. His passion is helping families discover and live out their multigenerational mission to further the Kingdom of God.Key TakeawaysWhy modern Western culture struggles with hyper-individualism—and how it harms families.The biblical idea of a multi-generational family team and how it differs from the fragile nuclear model.Jeremy’s real-life example of four generations living, working, and discipling together.How intentional weekly rhythms—especially a multi-generational family meal—can transform family unity and identity.Practical steps for starting meaningful family traditions that are enjoyable, sustainable, and spiritually rich.Why children thrive when they grow up with strong family identity, shared stories, and rootedness.How reclaiming ancient practices like blessings, Sabbath-style meals, and storytelling helps parents disciple their kids.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources & Links:Family Meal Template: https://courses.familyteams.com/family-mealFamily Identity Through Everyday Chores with Jeremy PryorYour Family As A Team with Jeremy PryorCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this conversation, attorney and author Justin Whitmel Earley unpacks how embodied habits shape our spiritual life—what he calls habits as liturgies. Drawing on neuroscience and Scripture (Genesis 2:7; Romans 5; Ephesians 2; Psalm 23), Justin explains why the body often leads the heart, how practices like box breathing + breath prayers, sleep and Sabbath, and fasting and feasting can realign our loves, and how parents can build grace-based rhythms that form their homes. Jay shares his own story of grief and healing to show how God uses humble, repeated practices—friendship, worship, exercise, daily prayer—to restore joy. If you’ve wrestled with anxiety, distraction, or unhealthy relationships with food/tech, this episode gives practical, theologically grounded steps to start small and stay faithful.Justin Whitmel Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. He is the author of The Common Rule, Habits of the Household, and Made for People, though he spends most days running his business law practice. Through his writing and speaking, Justin empowers God’s people to thrive through life-giving habits that form them in the love of God and neighbor. He continually explores both how physical habits are more spiritual than we think and how spiritual habits are more physical than we think. He lives with his wife and four boys in Richmond, Virginia, spends a lot of time around fires and porches with friends, and is a part-owner of a local gym. You can follow him online at justinwhitmelearley.com.Key TakeawaysHabits are liturgies. What we do repeatedly (often unconsciously) forms our loves; your identity tends to follow your practices, not just your ideas.Embodiment matters. God made, saved, and will resurrect us in bodies. Spiritual formation happens through the body, not around it.Top-down meets bottom-up. Pair truth in the mind with training in the body—e.g., Scripture + breath, theology + sleep rhythms, confession + tech limits.Breathing as prayer. Use box breathing to calm the nervous system and pair it with breath prayers (e.g., inhale: “The Lord is my shepherd”; exhale: “I shall not want”).Sleep & Sabbath are starting points. Begin the week (and each day) from rest, not for rest—work from God’s finished work.Food as formation. Redeem eating with the twin practices of fasting (dependence) and feasting (delight); both counter indulgence and shame.Fight habit with habit. You usually can’t think your way out of what you practiced your way into; stack small, embodied practices.Parenting is daily formation. The household is a “monastery” where we practice loving God and neighbor—bedtime blessings, screen rules, mealtime conversations, and pause-prayers change the parent, not just the child.Conversation HighlightsWhy “habits as liturgies” reframes everyday routines as worship.Jay’s testimony of grief, trauma, and how embodied rhythms restored joy.Breathing as the intersection of theology, psychology, and physiology.The Jewish day begins at sundown: a paradigm for starting with rest.How ultra-processed foods hijack dopamine and how fasting/feasting heal.“You can’t think your way out of what you didn’t think your way into.”Reflection / Small-Group Questions1. Where do your current habits reveal what you actually love?2. Which embodied practice (breath prayer, sleep/Sabbath, fasting/feasting, exercise) do you sense God inviting you to try first? Why?3. How could you redesign one household moment (bedtime, mealtime, screens, discipline) to make it a mini-liturgy?4. In a season of anxiety or grief, which small, repeatable habit most reliably pulls you back to God?Resources & Links:The Body Teaches the Soul — Justin Whitmel Earley Habits of the Household — Justin Whitmel EarleyBreath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind and Renew Your SoulJustin’s Website - https://www.justinwhitmelearley.comCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this conversation, Jay Holland and Rita Diapoules discuss the framework of children's ministry, focusing on the 'Ages and Stages' concept that helps parents understand how to guide their children spiritually as they grow. They emphasize the importance of habit stacking in daily routines to reinforce biblical truths, the significance of teaching biblical concepts appropriate to each age group, and the necessity of creating high-value touch points for families. Rita shares practical tips for parents to integrate spiritual discussions into their daily lives and the importance of partnering with the church for the spiritual growth of children.TakeawaysChildren's ministry should focus on long-term spiritual growth.The 'Ages and Stages' framework helps parents guide their children.Habit stacking can integrate spiritual teachings into daily routines.Parents are the primary disciplers of their children.Regular spiritual conversations are crucial for faith retention.Teaching should be age-appropriate and build on previous knowledge.Creating a community helps parents feel supported in their roles.Parents should actively engage with their church's children's ministry.Simple reminders can help reinforce biblical truths at home.Prayer and Bible reading should be prioritized in family life.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources & Links:Ages and Stages: A Discipleship Framework for Church and Home Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/