God's Big Story

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 [https://www.instagram.com/mattmccauley81/] and Julie [https://www.instagram.com/juleswilding78/] on Instagram and check out Resources from The Village Church [https://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources]. 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 [https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/f6d1ae58-eaab-11ed-a021-07f7056be002/podcasts/6b00d458-f069-11ed-ad3f-5f22e14442b5/episodes/4d32a580-2134-11ef-b4d0-0b2e38557880/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. [http://thegoodpodcast.co/]  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co [sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co]

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: 1. Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) 2. 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) 3. What are the three steps God uses to build His family? (1. GOD CALLS, 2. GOD ADOPTS AND 3. GOD GROWS HIS FAMILY) 4. What does God call sinners to do? (TO TURN FROM THEIR SIN AND FOLLOW HIM!) 5. 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 [https://open.spotify.com/track/7aqyLcmw8WCioCHncWqdwq?si=b4ada487c8a9435a] by The Village Kids [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fWZLurbxdc4jawL3amZq3?si=B-fVhEq9RwOnMqAlVuDpaQ] 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 [https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/f6d1ae58-eaab-11ed-a021-07f7056be002/podcasts/6b00d458-f069-11ed-ad3f-5f22e14442b5/episodes/4d32a580-2134-11ef-b4d0-0b2e38557880/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. [http://thegoodpodcast.co/]  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co [sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co]

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: 1. Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) 2. 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) 3. 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 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fWZLurbxdc4jawL3amZq3?si=B-fVhEq9RwOnMqAlVuDpaQ] 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 [https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/f6d1ae58-eaab-11ed-a021-07f7056be002/podcasts/6b00d458-f069-11ed-ad3f-5f22e14442b5/episodes/4d32a580-2134-11ef-b4d0-0b2e38557880/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. [http://thegoodpodcast.co/]  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co [sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co]

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: 1. Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) 2. 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) 3. 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 [https://open.spotify.com/track/7aqyLcmw8WCioCHncWqdwq?si=b4ada487c8a9435a] by The Village Kids [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fWZLurbxdc4jawL3amZq3?si=B-fVhEq9RwOnMqAlVuDpaQ] Survey: Click this link [https://www.speakpipe.com/godsbigstory] 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 [https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/f6d1ae58-eaab-11ed-a021-07f7056be002/podcasts/6b00d458-f069-11ed-ad3f-5f22e14442b5/episodes/4d32a580-2134-11ef-b4d0-0b2e38557880/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. [http://thegoodpodcast.co/]  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co [sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co]

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: 1. True or False: God’s Church is a Building (FALSE! THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) 2. True or False: God is in charge of his family (TRUE)  3. How does God build his family? (HE CALLS, ADOPTS, AND GROWS HIS CHILDREN) 4. 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 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fWZLurbxdc4jawL3amZq3?si=B-fVhEq9RwOnMqAlVuDpaQ] Survey: Click this link [https://www.speakpipe.com/godsbigstory] 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 [https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/f6d1ae58-eaab-11ed-a021-07f7056be002/podcasts/6b00d458-f069-11ed-ad3f-5f22e14442b5/episodes/4d32a580-2134-11ef-b4d0-0b2e38557880/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. [http://thegoodpodcast.co/]  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co [sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co]