Training Them Wisely - discipling kids

“If you’ve ever snapped at your kids, felt overwhelmed, or wondered if you’re doing this discipleship thing right, this one’s for you.”
In this debut episode, Rene and Rebekah unpack what it means to create grace-filled homes, homes where discipleship happens through love, not lectures… through compassion, not control.
You’ll learn:💛 What biblical love actually looks like in parenting🛑 Why control can’t produce true discipleship—but compassion can🏡 How to reflect God’s love in your discipline, words, and everyday moments🛠️ Simple, practical ways to make your home a safe space for spiritual growth
🗝️ Key Scriptures:
– 1 Corinthians 13:4–7– Psalm 103:13– Ephesians 4:32– 1 John 4:19– Romans 5:8
💬 Practical Takeaways:
Slow your response—pray before reacting
Speak more encouragement than correction
Let failure be a doorway to grace, not shame
Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up—model humility
Wrap your rules in relationship
🙏 Prayer Prompt:
– Thank God for His patient, loving leadership– Ask Him for a heart of compassion toward your children– Pray for gospel-centered parenting rooted in grace
📘 Want more discipleship tools?Grab your copy of Training Them Wisely: Discipling Kids by Rene Christensen—a Scripture-rich, practical resource that equips parents to grow in their own faith and guide their children at every age and stage. Available at trainingthemwisely.com and on Amazon.
🎧 Enjoyed the episode?Share it with a fellow parent and leave a 5-star review to help spread the message of grace-filled discipleship!
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🔗 Stay connected: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

In today’s episode, Rene and Rebekah explore what it means to create a grace-filled home by discipling our children with compassion, not control. Parenting isn’t about producing perfect kids; it’s about pointing them to a perfect Savior.
With biblical insight and personal stories, they share how God models love, patience, and grace—and how we can reflect that same love in our parenting, even on the hardest days.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
The difference between control and biblical love (1 Corinthians 13)
Why compassion is more effective than correction (Psalm 103:13)
How to model God’s unconditional love in everyday parenting (1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8)
Simple, practical tips to build a home rooted in grace
🛠️ Practical Tips from This Episode:
Pause and pray before responding to your child.
Speak more encouragement than correction throughout the day.
Let failure be a doorway to grace, not shame.
Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up because your humility teaches more than your perfection ever could and models God's grace.
🙏 A Word of Encouragement:
God has grace for you as a parent, too. You don’t have to get it all right, just do your best. As you rest in His love, you’ll have more to give your children. You’re not alone on this journey.
📖 Scripture Highlights:
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – Love is patient and kind...
Psalm 103:13 – The Lord shows compassion as a father to his children...
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other...
1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us.
Romans 5:8 – While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
📣 Don’t Miss This:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that grace is the goal. Make sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and check out Rene’s book:
📘 Training Them Wisely: Discipling KidsA Scripture-rich resource to help parents grow in faith and lead their children well. Available at TrainingThemWisely.comand on Amazon.
 
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

We are so excited to bring back the Training Them Wisely, Discipling Kids podcast! We took an unexpected break after a new baby, job situations, and going back to school, but we are back and can't wait to talk about family discipleship!! Listen to what we have planned for the next few months!!

Kendra Joyner joins the podcast to discuss discipling older elementary-age kids. This is such a fun age. They have started to think more critically, can read more, and can learn so much. 
Resources for children this age:
https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/children-s-bible-studies
Foundations for Kids:
https://amzn.to/3PWA4Vi
https://amzn.to/3PTNPUL
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

Today we continue our series on discipling different developmental ages. How do we disciple young kids who don't read well yet? Let's talk about how to teach them about God, the Bible, prayer and more. 
Kendra Joyner joins us as our guest. 
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

We are so excited to start a new series about discipling kids of every age, from babies to adults! This week, we will dive into discipling our youngest kids, from babies to toddlers. This is such a fun age of growth, and there are fun and effective ways to teach our kids about Jesus that are easy, and we can start immediately. Let's make a difference in our kids' lives! 
Thanks so much for joining us!
Training Them Wisely Book:
https://amzn.to/42f2v8C
Creation Activity Book: https://trainingthemwisely.etsy.com/listing/1772133801/creation-activity-booklet
Blog Post:
https://www.trainingthemwisely.com/post/discipling-babies-and-toddlers
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTHGlJN3ZzigRGFP7nQJTXLrEjJc7PSG9
Instagram:
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Let's talk about spending time each day with God. Why do we do this? What do we do each day? 
When we were coming up with a title for this episode, I kept hearing the phrase walking with Jesus. Really that's what time with Him is. We are spending time with Him. It is so important to spend that time with Him and develop a relationship with Him. 
Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the evening. He wants a relationship with each of us. Relationships involve time, and your relationship with Jesus is worth the time!
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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D

Why should we have goals? What should our goals look like? How should our goals look different than the worlds?
Let's use Scripture to dive in and answer these questions as we set our goals for the new year.
https://www.trainingthemwisely.com
Love to Pray!
https://amzn.to/40deDFC
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

Does what we listen to matter? I love singing Christmas carols with my kids! I love going caroling. We are going to give cards and sing tomorrow night, and I can't wait. 
So often when I listen to Christmas songs that are randomly playing, I only get the modern songs, many of which I love. But, I love hearing the old carols. So - we have three playlists for us all to enjoy!
They are the same songs, but one list is modern, another is traditional and the other is instrumental. I love playing instrumental music in the background while I am working or when the kids are homeschooling. There is something so soothing about it. I have also loved listening to my kids singing along with these carols. I hope that you get as much joy from these as we have! 
We had said we were going to put these on Spotify, but one of us doesn't have Spotify, so these are on Amazon instead. 
Training Them Wisely:
https://www.trainingthemwisely.com
Instrumental List:
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/9f786c95022c4b95acc15831f97bafecsune?ref=dm_sh_gIDqOOzbC7AMusMYOedhKlwwo&referrer=dm_sh_messages
Modern List:
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/ddd5fda04e2a490e871dec4824442630sune?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_thOezBTCrBgnJCiCay5KLBvz6
Traditional List:
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/d8d7d7d3ac384283b535bd6050bbd945sune?ref=dm_sh_SYej2z9HTZY2Pyop8bNpuEK2W&referrer=dm_sh_messages
 
The Real Story of Christmas:
https://amzn.to/4gvm00A
 
Here are the carols we included:
Joy to the World
The First Noel
-O Come All Ye Faithful
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Angels We Have Heard on High
Silent Night, Holy Night
Away in the Manger
Angels from the Realms of Glory
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Go, Tell it on the Mountain
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
What Child is This
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Mary Did You Know
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

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/trendsetterLicense code: QG9F8BI91PJEEH5D