Ep. 331: The Real Differences Between the Generations with Dr. Jean M. Twenge

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.

Takeaways

• Children'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.

Lets Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network.

For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources & Links:

• Ages and Stages: A Discipleship Framework for Church and Home 

• Check out www.youthministry.coach

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! 

• Support Lets Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this conversation, Dr. Sy Garte shares his remarkable journey from atheism to Christianity, exploring the intersection of faith and science. He discusses his personal experiences, the complexities of evolution, and the importance of understanding inheritance in biological processes. Dr. Garte emphasizes that science and faith are not mutually exclusive, advocating for a perspective that sees scientific discovery as a way to appreciate God's creation. He also provides insights for parents on how to discuss science with their children in a way that celebrates discovery while affirming their faith.

Takeaways

• Dr. Garte's journey from atheism to Christianity was influenced by both intellectual and spiritual experiences.

• He emphasizes the importance of spirituality in human existence.

• The concept of inheritance is foundational to understanding evolution.

• Evolution does not contradict the biblical account of creation.

• Why Dr. Garte prefers the word divine design over intelligent design.

• Recent scientific discoveries suggest that even single-celled organisms exhibit agency and purpose.

• Science and faith can coexist and complement each other.

• Parents can equip their children to understand science as a celebration of God's creation.

• The history of science is deeply intertwined with Christian thought.

• Truth is unchanging, and God created everything for His pleasure.

About Sy Garte

Sy Garte, PhD in biochemistry, is the author of Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God (Tyndale, August 2025) as well as the award-winning book The Works of His Hands: A Scientists Journey from Atheism to Faith (Kregel, 2019); and Science and Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology (Kregel, 2024); and He has been a professor at New York University, the University of Pittsburgh and is currently Visiting Professor at Rutgers University. He has held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Uniformed Services University. Sy has published over two hundred peer-reviewed scientific papers and five books, as well as articles on science and faith. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Scientific Affiliations (ASA) quarterly magazine God and Nature. He is a fellow of the ASA, and Vice President of the Washington DC Metro chapter. He served as lay leader at his United Methodist Church. Sy was raised in an atheist, Marxist family, and was baptized 13 years ago. 

Lets Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources & Links:

• Check out www.youthministry.coach

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• Find Dr. Garte at https://sygarte.com/

• Get Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God: https://amzn.to/4mzDyem

• Get The Works of His Hands: A Scientists Journey from Atheism to Faith: https://amzn.to/3Vthrv9

• Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! 

• Support Lets Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In recent days, our children have experienced another horrific act of evil with the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  There are some ways in which Charlies murder was unique - his explicit Christian faith, the motives behind the murder, and its brutal public nature caught on video for the world (and our children) to see.  In other ways, this is just one more horrible act of traumatic violence that our children are exposed to.  In this episode, Jay shares four helpful guidelines for moms and dads to help their children process this (and other) wickedness. He then shares his recent episode of Guided by Faith, where he directly addresses young people to help them process the murder.  Listen as Jay shares the following wisdom for moms and dads:

Be compassionate 

• Grieve for somebody whose life was cut short.

• Grieve for the friends and families of those affected. 

• Grieve with your child that they had to be exposed.

Be curious 

• Can you tell me what you heard or saw?

• Who was with you when you heard? What was their reaction?

• What was your reaction? What do you remember feeling right away? What are you thinking and feeling about it now?

• The Lord promises to be with us. In what way was the Lord with you when you heard about this?

Be cautious 

• Dont fan the flame of fear.

• Dont fan the flame about contempt.

• Dont fan the flame of vengeance.

• Pay attention to how obsessed you are getting with the situation.

• Pay attention to how obsessed your child is getting. You might need to make time for more conversations, or let them talk to a pastor or other trusted counselor. 

Be courageous 

• Your children will remember your tone and your spirit more than your specific words. 

• Ground your hope and emotions in the reality that Christ has overcome the world. 

• Remind your children that Christ has overcome the world, and that he is coming back to set all things new. Until then hes promised us that the world will have trouble, but hes also called us to be his salt and light in the world. 

• We dont have to live afraid when we are living out Gods mission.

Lets Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources and links mentioned:

• How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 1: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-1-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/

• How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 2: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-2-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! 

• Support Lets Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

Hey friends, today weve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!

Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This years series follows Christian Parentings brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. 

Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:

This first week is all about Noaha man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted Gods word even when it didnt make sense. Thats the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to Gods voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.

If you love this episode and dont have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, its not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And dont forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. 

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

Follow Pardon the Mess on Apple or Spotify

What if the Jesus youve been following isnt the Jesus of the Bible? In this episode of Lets Parent on Purpose, Jay Holland talks with Shane PruittNational Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board and author of the brand-new Bible study Not My Jesus: Reclaiming the Truth, Rejecting the Idolsabout how cultural counterfeits of Jesus can creep into our homes, churches, and parenting.

Shane shares powerful insights from decades in student ministry and parenting six children (four through adoption), along with stories of walking through profound joy and deep grief. Together, Jay and Shane explore:

• Common false versions of Jesus such as:

• Eternity-Only Jesus cares only about your afterlife, not your daily walk.

• American Dream Jesus blesses comfort, accumulation, and nationalism over mission.

• Non-Judgmental Jesus loves but never calls for repentance.

• Comfortable Jesus keeps life safe and easy, rather than calling us into obedience and sacrifice.

• National Jesus conflates the Kingdom of God with any earthly nation.

• How parents may unintentionally model a counterfeit Christ through their attitudes and actions.

• Why your familys faith is caught more than its taught.

• How to lead your kids in authentic discipleship by living consistently for Jesus at home and in public.

• The danger of making comfort the measure of Gods blessingand how to evaluate if youre living beyond yourself on mission.

• A biblical view of love that both accepts us as we are and calls us to holiness.

Shane and Jay also talk about practical ways to stay anchored in Scripture, model genuine faith for your kids, and resist the cultural pull to create a Jesus in our own image.

About Shane Pruitt

Shane serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board, leading ministry to students and young adults across more than 50,000 churches. Hes a sought-after conference speaker, podcast host, and the author of 9 Common Lies Christians Believe and Calling Out the Called. His latest Bible study, Not My Jesus, is available in both student and adult editions and helps believers spot cultural distortions of Christ and embrace the true Savior found in the Gospels.

Lets Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Resources mentioned:

Resources & Links:

• Check out www.youthministry.coach

• Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.net

• Get Not My Jesus (adult and student versions): https://amzn.to/4mPefFT

• Follow Shane Pruitt: Instagram | X/Twitter | Website

• Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! 

• Support Lets Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/