The Church is God’s Family — VBS Day 1

In our first episode of God's Big Story — Parent Talk, Julie and Matt wrap up our mini-season with a focus on family discipleship. They share practical strategies for integrating faith-building activities into daily family life, emphasizing the importance of scheduled time, natural moments, and celebratory milestones. Drawing inspiration from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, they provide a clear framework for parents to teach their children about God's love and faithfulness. Time refers to scheduled family activities centered around faith, such as reading scripture, singing worship songs, and prayer. Moments involve seizing everyday opportunities to discuss faith naturally, such as observing nature or answering children's spiritual questions. Milestones are special celebrations that mark significant events, offering chances to reflect on God's goodness. Through personal stories and practical tips, this episode equips parents to weave faith into their family routines effectively. Key Takeaways: Time: Scheduling dedicated family time for spiritual activities like reading the Bible, singing, and praying together. Moments: Using everyday experiences to spark gospel conversations with children. Milestones: Celebrating significant family events to reflect on God’s faithfulness and create lasting spiritual memories. Flexibility: Encouragement for parents to remain adaptable and patient in their discipleship efforts. Community: Highlighting the importance of involving church resources and community support in family discipleship. Follow Matt and Julie on Instagram and check out Resources from The Village Church. Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Julie and Matt talk about the last way God builds His family - by growing His children to become more like Jesus. Their friend Lehia, a plant expert, explained how the Holy Spirit grows the fruit of the Spirit in believers over time, just like different fruits grow in different seasons. They look at how God grew Abraham to be the "father of faith" and Rahab to be part of Jesus' family tree by the end of their lives, even though they didn't follow God at first. The main point is that once someone is called and adopted into God's family, God keeps growing them to act more like Christ through experiences and the Holy Spirit's work in their life. Helpful Definitions: THE CHURCH — All the people who know, love, trust, and obey Jesus all over the world!  Scripture Reference: Galatians 5:22 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) Who is the head of the family of God?” Another way to say this is “Who is in charge of the family of God?” (GOD…HE IS THE PERFECT FATHER) What are the three steps God uses to build His family? (1. GOD CALLS, 2. GOD ADOPTS AND 3. GOD GROWS HIS FAMILY) What does God call sinners to do? (TO TURN FROM THEIR SIN AND FOLLOW HIM!) True or False? When God adopts someone into their forever family, He give them a new car?! (A NEW CAR? WHAT? NO! GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN A NEW HEART THAT CAN LOVE, TRUST, AND OBEY HIM) Song: The Apostles’ Creed by The Village Kids Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Julie and Matt had their friend Doug the bird caller back to review how God calls people into His family. They talked to Ryan, who helps kids get adopted into safe families as a court-appointed advocate. God gives adopted children new hearts to love and obey Him as part of His eternal family, the church. Anyone can be adopted by admitting they are a sinner, believing Jesus died for their sins, and saying Jesus is their Lord. Helpful Definitions: ADOPTION — When someone is given a place in a family even though they weren’t born into that family. THE CHURCH — All the people who know, love, trust, and obey Jesus all over the world!  Scripture Reference: Joshua 6:22-23 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) Who is the head of the family of God?” Another way to say this is “Who is in charge of the family of God?” (GOD…HE IS THE PERFECT FATHER) What are the three steps God uses to build His family? (1. GOD CALLS, 2. GOD ADOPTS AND 3. GOD GROWS HIS FAMILY) Song: The Church is God’s Family by The Village Kids Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Julie and Matt talked about how God calls people to be part of His family, the church. Their friend Doug, who does bird calls, explained that just like birds use special calls to find others of their kind, God uses His call to bring people into His family. They discuss the Bible stories of Abraham, who God spoke to directly to call him, and Rahab, who heard about God's power and wanted to join His people. The main point was that God calls sinners, like Abraham and Rahab, to turn away from their sins, believe that Jesus died for their sins, and confess that Jesus is their Lord so they can become part of God's eternal family. Helpful Definitions: THE CHURCH — All the people who know, love, trust, and obey Jesus all over the world!  Scripture Reference: Genesis 12:2-3 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) Who is the head of the family of God?” Another way to say this is “Who is in charge of the family of God?” (GOD…HE IS THE PERFECT FATHER) What are the three steps God uses to build His family? (1. GOD CALLS, 2. GOD ADOPTS AND 3. GOD GROWS HIS FAMILY) Song: The Apostles’ Creed by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Julie and Matt talk with the brave explorer Will-Derness about God's family. They discuss what it's like for the church to be God's family, how God is like the head of the family, and the way God makes this family grow. Will makes the talk fun and easy to understand. He shares stories about joining God’s family, how it grows, and how each person has a special part in it. Helpful Definitions: THE CHURCH — All the people who know, love, trust, and obey Jesus all over the world!  5-Second Fly Through Review: True or False: God’s Church is a Building (FALSE! THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) True or False: God is in charge of his family (TRUE)  How does God build his family? (HE CALLS, ADOPTS, AND GROWS HIS CHILDREN) How do you become a part of the family of God? Remember it’s as easy as A-B-C! (YOU ADMIT YOU’RE A SINNER. BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS. AND CONFESS THAT JESUS IS LORD!) Song: The Church is God’s Family by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In the 100th episode celebration of God's Big Story, hosts Julie and Matt, along with a lineup of returning friends like Sean, Garrick, Kerry, Anna, Judge Jesse, and Guy the Zookeeper, reminisce and share favorite memories from the show. The episode is filled with laughter, cake, blooper reels, insightful reflections, and memorable jokes. Each guest imparts valuable lessons from various biblical stories, emphasizing the attributes of God and the importance of putting faith in Him. The celebration serves as a testament to the enduring impact of storytelling, community building, and biblical teachings within the God's big story podcast! Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! Sponsors: Dwell Life is busy, and finding time to read the Bible can be hard. But with Dwell, the audio bible app, getting the time in the Scriptures has never been easier. With tons of customizations, like the narrator, the background music and translation, you can make your listening experience fit you just right. Dwell also has the FIRST audio recording of a Children's Bible (ICB) read BY children. This translation was made with children in mind so the language is easy to understand. And with Dwell's audio version its even easier! Go to dwellbible.com/GBS to receive your 25% discount today. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Join us for a special celebration of our 99th episode as we answer your questions about God's Big Story! Listen in as we tackle the mystery of the Trinity, explore why we might not be able to hear or see God, and how the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping us understand the Bible. We're also teasing what's ahead in season 11! Listener Questions: What’s the Trinity? Why can’t I hear or see God? How many attributes will we cover next season? How did God make the earth? How does God be with Papa in Indiana and me too in Virginia?  I want to know why God does not eat Can God create a rock so heavy that even he couldn’t lift it? Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

We wrap up Season 10 with a bang! Your favorite trio, Julie, Matt, and Garrick, come together to revisit all of the attributes of God we've discovered this season! Attributes of God: UNCHANGING — God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!  GOOD — God is what’s best and He does what’s best. CREATOR — God made everything. HOLY — God is completely perfect and separate from sin. JUST —God is right to punish sin. SOVEREIGN — God is in charge of, and can do everything and anything he wants. GENEROUS — God always gives what’s best. PROVIDER — He meets the needs of his children. WISE — God always knows what is best for His children. ATTENTIVE — God hears and responds to the cries of His people.  Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:1-3 5-Second Fly Through Review: True or False? An attribute is a word that tells us what someone or something is like? (TRUE!) True or False?: All of God’s attributes are true of him all of the time? (TRUE!) True or False? An incommunicable attribute is an attribute that we can have too (FALSE! IT’S A COMMUNICABLE ATTRIBUTE) True or False?: God created some things (FALSE! GOD CREATED EVERYTHING!) True or False?: A theologian is someone really, super smart (FALSE! ANYONE CAN BE A THEOLOGIAN!) True or False?: God’s attributes are just for us to know things about him (FALSE! GOD WANTS US TO KNOW HIM, NOT JUST KNOW STUFF ABOUT HIM) True or False: Next season on God’s Big Story we’re going to learn even more attributes of God? (TRUE!) Song: Our Great God (Attributes Song) by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Join us as we wrap up an enlightening season filled with growth in both our understanding of God and our vocabulary! Listen in as Julie and Matt reflect on the powerful words and attributes of God we've explored together. Get ready to expand your lexicon even further because we're introducing one last hefty term: attentive. Discover what it means for God to be attentive and how this divine quality enables Him to hear and respond to each of us, no matter where we are or what we're going through. Brittney, a 911 operator, drops by for an engaging chat about the importance of being attentive in her critical role. Brittney's insights give us a unique perspective on this week's attribute and illustrate how, even in our human capacity, we can embody attentiveness to serve and respond to those around us. Don't miss out on this conversation that not only celebrates the end of a fantastic season but also equips us to be more attentive in our daily lives. Helpful Definitions: ATTENTIVE — God hears and responds to His people. Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17 5-Second Fly Through Review: Fill in the blank. An attribute tells us what someone or something is _______ (LIKE) Fill in the blank. God is attentive. He _____ (HEARS) and _________ (RESPONDS) to the cries of his people.  True or False. God is attentive to one person at a time. (FALSE: GOD IS ATTENTIVE TO ALL PEOPLE ALL AT THE SAME TIME!) On the count of three, shout out any of the attributes of God you remember from this season, 1, 2, 3! Song: Our Great God (Attributes Song) by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Listen in as we explore the wisdom of God and how it's not only an attribute of God but also a quality we can share and grow in as His people.  We're thrilled to have Professor Jonathan from the university join us this week, offering his intellect and humor to our discussion. He humbly shares his thoughts on wisdom, reminding us that the more we learn, the more we realize there is to learn—especially about God's vast and intricate creation.  Don't miss out on this episode full of enlightenment and maybe a little homework on gravity-defying clouds! Helpful Definitions: WISE — God always knows what is best for His children. Scripture Reference: Acts 9:3–6 5-Second Fly Through Review: Fill in the blank. An attribute is a word that tells us what something or someone is ______ (LIKE!) True or False. God is Wise is a communicable attribute. (TRUE!)  Fill in the blank. God is Wise. He knows what is _______ (BEST!) True or False. We can be as wise as God. (FALSE. ONLY GOD IS PERFECTLY WISE) Song: Our Great God (Attributes Song) by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]