Church and Family Life Podcast

What should shape the education of our children: Greek philosophy or biblical discipleship? In this episode, Scott Brown welcomes Kevin Swanson of Generations for a candid discussion on the foundations, goals, and methods of Christian education. The biblical model — as described in Deuteronomy 6 and the Proverbs — is family-centered, character-focused, life-integrated, and rooted in the fear of the Lord. Whereas the Greek model — central to many classical education programs — is rooted in the pride of man, emphasizing the “greet books” penned by such pagans as Aristotle and Homer. Their conclusion: we must bow the knee to God’s word, not the “wisdom” of pagans, in how we teach our children.   To learn more about Generations’ God-centered, Bible-based, life-integrated, Christ-exalting, Gospel-emphasizing, family-discipleship curriculum, click here.

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” In most weddings today, these words are just a quaint formality. But what stands behind them is a timeless biblical principle—that parents have the authority to give or withhold consent in their children’s marriages. The truth is, parents generally know their children better than they know themselves and see blind spots they miss. This said, parents should exercise their authority with wisdom. They must recognize there’s no “perfect suitor” and that their child and potential spouse won’t be as mature, at age 20 or 25, as they are now.  Learn more on these points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

How do parents cultivate a child’s affection? First and foremost, model love in your marriage. You can be perfect technicians in child training, but if you’re snippety toward your spouse, you’ll undo everything—so teach your children, by example, what loving respect is through your conversations. Second, give clear expectations and hold your children to them. You only get what you insist on, so promptly discipline them in love when they cross the line. Finally, don’t allow your children to constantly interrupt, but teach them to wait to ask questions by modeling patience as husband and wife.  Learn more on these points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

“Hands-off” parenting advocates scorn the use of physical correction, but what does the Bible say? Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by Scott’s wife Deborah, explain that disobedience, dishonor, and dishonesty call for the rod. And how should such correction be pursued? First, make sure there is a fault committed that has just cause. Second, make sure your child is convinced that he has sinned. Third, pray for yourself and your children before correcting them. Fourth, correct them in love. Fifth, make sure your emotions are under control when you discipline them. And, sixth, correct by word and instruction before correcting by the rod. In all this, recognize that just as God lovingly corrects His sons, so we, too, must correct our children (Heb. 12:5-11). Learn more on these points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

What do parents need to do to faithfully raise their children? William Gouge has the answers. Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by Scott’s wife Deborah, give five critical actions parents should take drawing from William Gouge’s, A Holy Vision for Raising Children. First, engage in focused parenting while your child are young; don’t wait till they’re 8 or teenagers. Second, teach your children good manners. This will help your kids to thoughtfully focus on others, rather than themselves. Third, train your children to be in some good vocation. This means more than a job skill. It’s about calling and dominion, equipping them to take care of their own family one day. Fourth, teach your children piety. Point them toward godliness—that they might love the word of God, live by it, and trust it with all their hearts. And, fifth, redeem the time, for what’s learned in childhood lasts the longest. Learn more on these (5) points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

The Christian faith is about more than inner piety; it must openly manifest itself in the real-life battle lines of our earthly walk. In this podcast, hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by guest Carlton McLeod, discuss the Christian’s call to battle. Our engagement must be built on God’s Word and then put into practice. Fathers must reject passivity and take charge of their families. Women must embrace their femininity, not fall prey to feminism. Parents must diligently shape their children’s education, not send them to Pharoah’s schools. Young people must not seek their identity through escapist media and entertainment, but earnestly walk in the ways of God. Our call before God is this—we must not be merely hearers of the word, but doers also (James 1:22). 

Michael grew up in a rough household. Most nights, he heard his parents fight, and on more than one occasion, he covered his father’s sleeping body up on the sidewalk near their home after a drunken bout. Pent up anger led Michael to disruptive outbursts at school, prompting his mom to ship him to live with his grandmother, a tough German woman who survived the Dresden firebombings in WWII.  From her rural country farmhouse, she taught him structure and discipline, yet still he struggled till God saved him at a Christian basketball tournament at age 17. Michael met his future wife Emily at a Bible study, and they’ve been blessed with 22 years of marriage and 9 children together. Author of It’s Good to Be a Man, he currently serves as lead pastor of East River Church in Batavia, Ohio.