Training Them Wisely - discipling kids

💡 Episode Summary
Maybe your kids are older. Maybe you came to faith later. Maybe life just got in the way. If you've ever wondered, "Is it too late to start family discipleship?" — this episode is for you.
Rene and Rebekah bring encouragement and real-world wisdom for parents starting fresh. Whether your children are toddlers, tweens, or teens, God’s grace meets you right where you are—and He can do amazing things, starting today.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
📖 Hope from Scripture reminding you that God can redeem any timeline
❌ Why guilt and comparison have no place in your parenting journey
🛠 4 practical ways to start discipling your kids right now—even if it feels awkward or late
🙌 Encouragement that small steps matter more than perfect plans
🗣 Personal stories of real families who started later and still saw God move powerfully
📖 Key Scriptures
Isaiah 43:18–19 – “Forget the former things… I am doing a new thing!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ… the new is here!”
Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test their own actions…”
Zechariah 4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings.”
Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”
🛠 4 Simple Ways to Start (or Restart) Discipleship
Start with PrayerBegin by talking to God—and pray with your kids.
Start SmallPick one habit
Use Everyday MomentsTalk about faith during drives, chores, or dinner. Life is the best classroom.
Model Authentic FaithLet your kids see you reading your Bible, seeking God, and depending on Him in real time.
💡 Bonus Tip: Try simple Family Faith Goals, and aim for 1 Scripture moment, 1 prayer, and 1 act of kindness each week.
❤️ Encouragement for Parents
You don’t need a flawless past—you just need a faithful present.Grace says: “Let’s start here.”Your effort matters. Your presence matters. And it’s never, ever too late to start.
💬 Favorite Quote
"You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." — C.S. Lewis (often attributed)
🙏 Closing Encouragement
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” – Philippians 1:6
God is faithful to finish what He starts—including the work of discipleship in your home.
📣 Share + Subscribe
Was this episode a breath of fresh grace for you? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another parent who’s ready to start strong—no matter when they begin.
Check out our best-selling discipleship book! Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids has encouraged thousands of parents to grow in their faith with the Lord, model discipleship for their children and grow, and disciple their kids in every age and stage of life. It is practical, encouraging, and you can start working on it right away. You can find it on Amazon, at TrainingThemWisely.com or in Christian bookstores.
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

💡 Episode Summary
The Bible isn’t just for Sunday mornings—it’s for breakfast tables, car rides, bedtime snuggles, and messy moments. In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah encourage parents to open God’s Word consistently and meaningfully with their kids—no matter their age or stage.
You’ll hear real-life stories, practical tips, and biblical wisdom to help make Scripture a normal, joyful part of your everyday family rhythms.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
📖 Why the Bible should be the heartbeat of your home (2 Timothy 3:16)
🛠️ Simple ways to read Scripture as a family—even in 5 minutes a day
🗣 How to turn Bible time into a conversation, not a lecture
🌀 Encouragement for when it feels messy, inconsistent, or hard
🏡 How God’s Word can shape your family culture and language
🙏 Practical steps to start small and stay faithful
📖 Key Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed…”
Isaiah 55:11 – “My word… will not return to me empty.”
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
💬 Real-Life Ideas & Examples
Start your day by reading one chapter at breakfast
Let each family member choose and share a favorite verse
Use a child-friendly Bible for younger kids—like The Action Bible or Bible in Stories
Ask open-ended questions like, “What does this show us about God?”
Display Scripture around the house (mirrors, fridge, lunchboxes)
Pray Scripture out loud together during family prayer time
Keep going—even if your kids are coloring or interrupting!
❤️ Encouragement for Parents
You don’t need a seminary degree to lead your kids spiritually.You just need a Bible, a little time, and a heart that says, “Let’s grow together.”
Takeaway Thought:Start where you are. Open the Bible. Ask a question. Pray together.God promises His Word will never return empty—and that includes your living room.
 
📣 Share + Subscribe
Encouraged by today’s episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with a fellow parent or church leader. Let’s raise a generation that sees God’s Word not as a task—but as life.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app—and start building a Bible-centered culture in your home, one conversation at a time.
 
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

💡 Episode Summary
Is your faith visible to your kids outside of Sunday mornings? In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah explore what it means to live a faith that’s consistent, contagious, and grounded in real life.
From quiet prayers to big conversations, everyday moments matter. Faith is formed not just through what we say—but how we live when no one else is watching.
You’ll walk away with encouragement, Scripture, and practical ways to help your kids see that Jesus is real… not just at church, but at home, in the car, and in the middle of life’s mess.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
📖 Why doing the Word matters more than just hearing it (James 1:22)
🏡 How to bring faith into daily rhythms—mealtimes, nature walks, bedtime, and beyond (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
💔 How grace and humility when we mess up speak volumes (Psalm 51:17)
❓ Ways your faith can spark spiritual curiosity in your kids (1 Peter 3:15)
🛠 Practical ideas for praying out loud, modeling trust, and responding with peace in everyday situations
📖 Key Scriptures
James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – Talk about God “when you sit, walk, lie down, and get up.”
Psalm 51:17 – “A broken and contrite heart… you will not despise.”
1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you.”
❤️ Encouragement for Parents
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.Your faith doesn’t need a spotlight—it shines best in the margins of everyday life.
Ask yourself:
“If my kids never heard a sermon, what would they know about God from watching me?”
🙏 Closing Prayer Highlight
“Lord, help us to live a faith that speaks even when we say nothing…”This short prayer wraps the episode with grace, purpose, and encouragement to invite Jesus into the everyday.
📣 Share + Subscribe
Was this helpful for your parenting journey? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Let’s build homes where faith isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something our kids can see.
🎧 Available now wherever you listen to podcasts. Faith isn’t just for Sundays—it’s for the everyday.
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

💡 Episode Summary
Life gets messy—and fast. From tantrums and laundry piles to heartache and broken plans, it’s easy to feel like discipleship is on pause when real life takes over. But in this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah remind us that our everyday mess isn’t a distraction from discipleship—it’s the classroom God uses to grow our families in faith.
Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical tools, this episode will equip you to find Jesus right in the middle of the chaos—and teach your children to do the same.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
🌪 Why the mess isn’t an obstacle to discipleship—it’s often the greatest opportunity
📖 Romans 8:28, Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 46:1, and more Scripture to anchor messy seasons
💬 Stories of real-life moments that turned into spiritual breakthroughs
🛠️ How to disciple your kids through squabbles, stress, and surprises
🙏 Practical tips for modeling grace, prayer, and honesty in the thick of family life
💛 Encouragement to trade perfection for presence—and let God use every part of your day
📖 Key Scriptures
Romans 8:28 – “In all things God works for the good…”
Hebrews 4:15 – “He was tempted in every way, just as we are…”
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength…”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”
🛠 Practical Discipleship Ideas
Say out loud: “Jesus knows how this feels—and He’s with us right now.”
Keep a visible family verse in the kitchen or living space
Start a “Messy Moments Prayer Jar” to pray through hard things together
Model age-appropriate honesty in your own struggles
Use simple, everyday moments (spilled juice, meltdowns, stress) as teachable lessons in grace, forgiveness, and dependence on God
💬 Encouragement for Parents
Your mess doesn’t disqualify you. It qualifies you to show your kids what real faith looks like.You don’t need to be perfect—just present, honest, and surrendered to Jesus.
📣 Share the Hope
Encouraged by today’s episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send it to another parent walking through the same messy season. God is at work—in your home, in your heart, and even in your hardest days.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app—and discover how Jesus shows up in the mess, again and again.
 
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

💡 Episode Summary
Let’s be real—parenting is hard, and the pressure to “get it all right” can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah pull back the curtain on the myth of the perfect parent and offer a refreshing reminder: God doesn’t call us to perfection, but to faithfulness, humility, and honesty.
Join us as we talk about discipling our children from a place of authenticity, not image. You'll hear practical stories, biblical encouragement, and real-life examples of how God uses our weaknesses to display His grace.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
💬 Why perfection isn’t the goal—and how God works through our realness
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you…”
💥 The cultural and church pressures parents feel to appear perfect
🛠️ Practical ways to disciple your kids when you're tired, overwhelmed, or discouraged
🗣️ How to have “real talk” moments with your kids about struggles and God’s faithfulness
🧎‍♀️ The power of apologizing, praying together, and modeling dependence on Jesus
💛 Encouragement to let go of the image and embrace the grace
📖 Key Scriptures
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”
Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…”
Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”
🛠 Practical Tips
Journal about areas where you feel weak as a parent—and ask God for strength
Share age-appropriate struggles with your kids to model humility
Apologize when needed—it builds trust and models grace
Create a family “realness board” or prayer journal for tracking daily wins and struggles
Have open conversations about depending on God together
📚 Recommended Resource
📘 Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids by Rene ChristensenThis book offers encouragement for your personal walk with Jesus and practical, age-appropriate discipleship tools to help you raise faith-filled kids. Perfect for parents, grandparents, and ministry leaders.
📣 Share the Hope
If this episode encouraged you, consider subscribing, leaving a 5-star review, and sharing it with a friend or fellow parent. Realness is contagious—and freeing.
 
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

How in the world have we recorded 100 episodes? Time flies by. We are so thankful for each and every listener, both new and old!
We had so much fun recording this episode, and we're giving you some sneak peeks about what is coming up soon!
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

 
💗 Episode Summary
In this episode of Training Them Wisely, Rene and Rebekah explore how God’s love meets us—and our children—uniquely in every stage of life. From rocking a newborn in the quiet hours to texting a college student encouragement from afar, biblical love grows, stretches, and adapts through the seasons.
You’ll walk away with encouragement, relatable stories, and Scripture-rooted insights for loving your kids well—right where they are today.
🧭 What You’ll Hear
💡 Why love isn’t one-size-fits-all—and how God models flexible, faithful love
👶 Early Years: Love as nurture and physical presence (Isaiah 40:11)
🧒 Elementary Years: Love as patient teaching and consistent discipline (Proverbs 22:6)
👦 Tween Years: Love as listening and emotional safety (Colossians 3:21)
👩‍🦰 Teen Years: Love as mutual respect and humble presence (Micah 6:8)
🧑‍🦱 Young Adult Years: Love as release, blessing, and ongoing prayer (Numbers 6:24–26)
🙏 A prayer to help you reflect God’s love through every season
📖 Key Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season…”
Isaiah 40:11 – “He gently leads those that have young.”
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go…”
Colossians 3:21 – “Do not provoke your children…”
Micah 6:8 – “Walk humbly…”
Numbers 6:24–26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you…”
💬 Let’s Reflect
What does love look like for your child right now?Is it presence? Patience? Release?Ask God to help you love in the way they need most today.
📣 Share the Love
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a second to share it with a friend or fellow parent? Every share helps us reach more families walking this discipleship journey. 💛
Check out our best-selling family discipleship book! Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids is available on Amazon, on our website TrainingThemWisely.com, and in Christian bookstores. 
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

You don’t need a perfect devotional plan to disciple your kids—you just need a table, some time, and a heart to listen.
In this episode of Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids, Rene and Rebekah share how simple, everyday moments—especially around the dinner table—can become powerful opportunities to point your children to Jesus. From chicken nugget dinners to bedtime chats, these ordinary routines hold extraordinary potential for spiritual growth.
Together, they walk through Scripture, share personal stories, and offer practical conversation starters that help parents disciple with grace, not guilt.
🔑 In This Episode:
Why your dinner table might be one of the most powerful places in your home
How Jesus used meals to teach, connect, and reveal truth
Simple ways to turn ordinary conversations into moments of grace
What to do when things feel messy, loud, or far from “spiritual”
Encouragement for showing up with consistency—not perfection
📖 Scripture Highlights:
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 — Teach them when you sit at home
Luke 24:30–32 — Jesus revealed at the table
Colossians 4:6 — Let your conversation be full of grace
1 Corinthians 10:31 — Do it all for the glory of God
🙌 You’ll Walk Away With:
Fresh vision for how everyday life can shape your child’s faith
Encouragement that even chaotic dinners count
Easy faith-filled questions to ask around the table
A reminder that God works through your presence, not your perfection
💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more weekly discipleship encouragement, and leave a review to help other parents discover simple, grace-filled ways to disciple their kids.
✨ Resource Mentioned:Check out Rene’s book, Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids—a practical, biblical guide for growing your faith and leading your kids with confidence and purpose. You can find it on Amazon or on our website: 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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Health for our families is important. I am excited to welcome Laketa Entzminger to the podcast today. She is a clinical herbalist with a strong foundation in public health and education. Her journey into herbalism began out of personal necessity—while working as a new educator, Laketa found herself frequently ill. Discovering the healing power of herbs not only transformed her own health but also ignited a passion to share her knowledge and experience with others. As the founder of Lady K's Herbal Solutions, Laketa empowers children and families with practical, everyday ways to use herbs. Through hands-on workshops and dynamic presentations, she creates engaging, accessible learning experiences that demystify herbal wellness and promote lifelong habits of natural self-care.
Check out the links below. You can follow her on Instgram and check out her products below.
Find Laketa Here:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ladykherbal
Website: https://ladykherbal.company.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladykherbalsolutions/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

“You don’t have to shout to be heard. Your gentleness might be your most powerful parenting tool.”
In a world that feels louder and harsher by the day, our kids need homes that reflect the gentleness of Christ. In this episode, Rene and Rebekah explore how discipling with tenderness creates lasting influence in your child’s heart.
You’ll discover:🌿 Why gentleness is strength, not weakness and is modeled perfectly by Jesus🏠 How your tone and presence shape your child’s sense of safety🛠️ Practical ways to disciple through hugs, calm correction, and everyday grace💡 How to make your home a holy ground in a harsh world
🗝️ Key Scriptures:
– Matthew 11:29– Proverbs 15:1– Philippians 4:5– Ephesians 6:4– Galatians 5:22–23
💬 Episode Highlights:
How gentleness creates space for real influence
The difference between correction and condemnation
Why your calm presence speaks louder than control
Practical ways to disciple with tenderness (even in tough moments!)
The importance of being a safe place in a noisy, critical culture
🙏 Prayer Prompt:
– Thank God for His gentle love and faithful patience with you– Ask Him to help you disciple with kindness, calm, and Spirit-led wisdom– Pray over your child—especially while they sleep
📘 Want more support?Grab Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids by Rene Christensen—perfect for parents who want to grow spiritually and lead their kids with confidence, even if they’ve never been discipled themselves.
🎧 Encouraged by this episode?Share it with another parent who needs a reminder that grace is powerful. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!
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🔗 Let’s connect:Website: trainingthemwisely.comInstagram: @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