Ep. 85 Christmas Fun as a Family

It's Christmas time!! Let's talk about ways to have fun as a family while keeping the focus on Him.  Names of Jesus Advent Cards: https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/product-page/names-of-jesus-advent-cards The Real Story of Christmas: https://amzn.to/4gmdr7Y Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

How can we celebrate Advent with our kids? Join us as we discuss ways to keep the focus on Jesus with our kids during December. Names of Jesus Advent Cards (physical copy): https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/product-page/names-of-jesus-advent-cards-1 Names of Jesus Advent Cards (digital copy): https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/product-page/names-of-jesus-advent-cards Training Them Wisely: https://www.trainingthemwisely.com Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

I am so excited to have Kendra Joyner join us again today! We talk about commonly held beliefs that your kids are exposed to and how to teach your kids the truth. Is God distant or present in our lives? Are people supposed to just be good to each other or is there more? What is the purpose in life? How do we know right from wrong? Does God allow good people into heaven? What does God want us to do?   Looking for family discipleship resources? Check out our website: https://trainingthemwisely.com or our Etsy shop: https://trainingthemwisely.etsy.com Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

I love filling shoeboxes with gifts for Operation Christmas Child. My kids fill a box for a child their age, and we have the best time filling these boxes! My son, Jonny joins me on this episode to discuss some of his favorite things to put in the shoeboxes.  Kids who receive these boxes also hear the gospel message, and this is a great way to partner in sharing the love of Jesus with others!    https://www.samaritanspurse.org/   Training Them Wisely: https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/ Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

I am so excited to welcome Leslie Nunnery from Teach Them Diligently! She is one of the wisest women I have had the privilege of knowing, and she hosts one of my favorite podcasts. As parents, we want our children to love God. Join us as Leslie gives practical tips on how we can point our children toward Jesus. You won't want to miss this episode! Heart School book: https://teachthemdiligently.net/product/paperback-heart-school-book/ Teach Them Diligently Conferences: https://teachthemdiligently.net/teach-them-diligently-homeschool-conventions/ Teach Them Diligently Membership: https://teachthemdiligently.net/ttd-365-membership-2/ Heart School Course: https://teachthemdiligently.net/product/heart-school-course/ How to Create a Legacy Bible book: https://teachthemdiligently.net/leaving-a-legacy-book Training Them Wisely: https://trainingthemwisely.com/ Training Them Wisely Resources: https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/shop   Leslie Nunnery is a Christian author, speaker, and homeschooling advocate. She is the co-founder of Teach Them Diligently, a ministry that provides resources and experiences to strengthen Christian homeschooling families. Leslie is also the author of several books on parenting and homeschooling, including "Teach Them Diligently: Raising Children of Promise," and "Heart School: How Amazing Parents Become Excellent Home Educators." She’s also the host of Homeschooling Families podcast. Through her work, Leslie aims to encourage and equip families to raise their children to love and serve God. In her latest book, Leslie challenges parents to understand that homeschooling for the heart of your children is a lifestyle choice that goes well beyond a mere educational decision. It can strengthen your family, increase confidence, and bring peace to your days. This book also gives very practical information on how to use the platform homeschooling affords to build deep, impactful relationships with your children. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

I am so excited to talk to you about d groups or discipleship groups for kids. Kendra Joyner who has led d groups for kids for years joins us to talk about how to set up d groups, what growth she has seen through them, and why they are important.  Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Have you been told you need to break, harness, control, nip in the bud, or any other such phrase in regard to your child's will and you're feeling the pressure to conform? We have some godly encouragement for you instead today on this episode about how Strong Will Does Not Equal Defiance. Strong will is another way of labeling the determination, drive, and spirit that does not give up easily. How the strong will is applied is what makes the difference. Is the will coming from a place of rebellion against God and what He wants or rebellion against cultural pressures and sin?Philippians 2:3-4 Pray that God will help them to SURRENDER their will to HimRomans 6:13 (NIV) - Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Correction and not condemnation, especially in the words we speak over them.Do not want to speak bondage, death and destruction over their wills and lives but instead speak freedom, life, and build them up. Not interested in teaching a child to CONTROL their own will because they are incapable of doing so in their own strength. Commit instead to leading your children through discipline and discipleship to SURRENDER their will to the Lord who loves them most. They have a Savior who loves them and has a better way for them than anything they could ever manipulate or try to control on their own. We should seek to humbly discipline and disciple our children in a way that honors God because He has lovingly entrusted us to shepherd them!Ephesians 6:1 Their sin is more obvious - this is a plus Be calm, clear, and CONSISTENT, do what you say you will do, and help them understand their personal responsibility in the choices they make with their will. Correction and not condemnation Galatians 6:9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. We want to raise children that are not conformed to the things of this world but transformed for mighty kingdom work and they will NEED strong wills for these battles! Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Want an Encouraging family culture where your children thrive? Melissa and her family are finding joy even amid the incredible hardship of losing their son. Her testimony is inspiring and so encouraging. Join Melissa and Rene as they discuss ways to find joy, delight, creativity and create a vibrant family. Melissa Hannigan holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Midwestern Theological Seminary. Before becoming a full-time homeschool mom, Melissa has worked with teen girls to overcome abuse, addictions, and trauma. She is passionate about helping people discover God’s best for their lives. Melissa is married to John, they reside in Jacksonville, FL, and they are the parents of four children. Inconvenient Parenting: https://www.moodypublishers.com/authors/h/melissa-hannigan/?srsltid=AfmBOoqZoC2tKbpN-pDYgOTFgRj63DY71ei7OYyr-nDgsTnPjcb-sREM Find Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahannigan.author/ Training Them Wisely: https://www.trainingthemwisely.com Find Rene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trainingthemwisely/ Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Let's talk mom jealousy. It's out there and can quickly change our moods at moms.  Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D