How to Disciple Our Kids with Melissa Swain

Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Melissa Swain.

Melissa Swain has spent nearly 23 years as a pastor’s wife and she is a mom, homeschool teacher, writer, and editor. 

She and her husband, Chris, have served all across the south in ministries. Chris served in Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, as Disciple-Making Pastor and CEO of Replicate Ministries, training the local church to make disciples. 

Chris served in full-time ministry for over two decades after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. Sadly, Chris passed away in 2021, but he and Melissa co-wrote the book, “Write It On Their Hearts” before going to his heavenly home. The words he leaves reflect his devotion to his family and to making disciples, and today Melissa is here to share that guidance with us. 

Last week, we had Dennis Allen who spoke to us about discipleship, and today it only seems fitting we continue that conversation with Melissa.

Melissa and Somer will stay rooted in scripture as they explore what it means to disciple your children, with practical real sustainable approaches discussing things like:

 

• The pressure we put on ourselves to disciple our kids well
• Simplifying daily discipleship with our kids
• Holding our kids capable rather than accountable
• The importance of rest and modeling that for our kids
• And so much more!

 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Melissa:

Write It on Their Hearts book! 

Instagram

 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-A lot of times we are our own worst enemies because we put so much pressure on ourselves - we end up sapped of energy, inspiration and joy and it seems like an overwhelming task to disciple our kids

-We all have the desire to fit in - we all want to be one of the group

-We are not taught that standing out is OK - so we have to change our mindset and understand that it is ok to be different and it is ok to stand out

-We have to teach ourselves and let God teach us through His word that we are not supposed to be like everyone else

-Take a step back and teach our kids to evaluate based on what God’s word says:

“What does God’s word say about that?”

“What do you think God thinks about that?”

 

REMEMBER:

-Be in constant open ended conversation with your kids

-Intentional discipleship of our kids does not mean that you have all of the answers all of the time

-As God teaches us, we teach our kids

-You have to say things out loud because your kids can’t read your mind

-As parents, our children are our first and closest disciples

-The big things aren’t what make the most impact, it’s the small things

-When we hold our kids capable that means that we believe in them and we are telling them, "Hey, I believe in you."

-“Restlessness is an addiction. Hurry is the drug.”

-You can’t pour out of an empty cup

-Bring God into our rest

 

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.