The Gospel Shaped Family Podcast

Navigating Screens in Your Home: Christian Parenting Strategies for Media Use

Screens take up more of our children’s time than most of us realize. What can parents do to respond wisely?
In this episode of The Gospel Shaped Family Podcast, Josh and Jen Mulvihill share practical ways their family has learned to balance technology, set healthy boundaries, and replace screen time with better options. From limiting video games and TV to encouraging outdoor play and family read-alouds, they offer real-life examples of what works.
You’ll also hear why media functions as a form of “digital discipleship” and how parents can help children filter messages through God’s Word. This episode provides encouragement, biblical wisdom, and tangible steps for shaping your home in a tech-saturated world.
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time. Check us out on YouTube, Rumble and anywhere you get audio podcasts.
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
The Last Child in the Woods: https://a.co/d/abzpSeQ
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids - and How to Break the Trance https://a.co/d/6AZx5mN 

Training Children to Worship Corporately

What role should children play in corporate worship? Too often, families split up at church and send children to age-based programs while adults attend the main worship service. But Scripture gives us a different picture.
In this episode, Josh and Jen explain why children belong in the worship gathering and how parents can prepare them to participate. They share practical tips—like teaching children the music ahead of time, giving them notebooks instead of toys, setting expectations, and even strategic use of suckers—to help make worship both meaningful and manageable.
You’ll also hear stories from the Mulvihill home, where joining corporate worship at age five has become a milestone for their children. Learn how to move beyond distractions, encourage note-taking and discussion, and show children that worship is for the whole family.
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time. Check us out on YouTube, Rumble and anywhere you get audio podcasts.
 
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
Gospel Shaped Family Homepage: https://bit.ly/gsfhpc 
Family Style, Ina Garden https://amzn.to/41X0Ymu
Home is Where the Eggs Are by Molly Yeh https://amzn.to/48nEgb3
Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis https://amzn.to/48mOJnc

Establishing Family Worship in Your Home

Family worship has been one of the most important ways parents have discipled children for centuries. But what does it look like in real life?
In this episode, Josh and Jen share how to start family worship, why it matters, and how it changes as children grow older. They answer questions from parents about helping little ones sit still during Bible reading, building prayer habits with teens, and using music to make Scripture memorable.
You’ll hear their own family’s story of moving from short Bible readings around the dinner table to in-depth study and prayer with older children. They also highlight practical resources like Long Story Short, Old Story New, and Seeds Family Worship that make it easier for parents to begin.
Whether you’re new to family worship or looking to grow deeper, this episode will encourage you to take the next step in leading your home with God’s Word.
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time. Check us out on YouTube, Rumble and anywhere you get audio podcasts.
 
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
Gospel Shaped Family Homepage: https://bit.ly/gsfhpc 

Becoming an Intentional Christian Parent: Creating a Customized Family Discipleship Plan

Parenting without a plan often leads to missed opportunities. In this episode of the Gospel Shaped Family Podcast, Josh and Jen share why intentionality is critical and provide guidance about how to create your own customized discipleship plan for your children.
You’ll hear:
The story of how Josh and Jen began setting yearly goals for each of their children
Why intentionality matters when it comes to spiritual formation
Practical ways to create a discipleship plan for your family
The four benefits of parenting with a clear plan and purpose
How their book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home equips families with a framework for raising children to godly adulthood
Whether you’re raising toddlers or sending teens into adulthood, this conversation will encourage you to be intentional with the time God has entrusted to you.
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time. Check us out on YouTube, Rumble and anywhere you get audio podcasts.
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
Gospel Shaped Family Homepage: https://bit.ly/gsfhpc 
What Does the Bible Say About That? By Kevin Swanson: https://amzn.to/4mWaoXx
Nertz Card Game: https://amzn.to/3HCxH9O
50 States in 50 Days YouTube Series: I Visited 50 States in 50 Days

Capturing a Biblical Vision for Parenting: Passing Faith to the Next Generation

What is the biblical goal of parenting? In this episode of the Gospel Shaped Family Podcast, Josh and Jen share how parents can move beyond survival mode and gain crystal clarity about what they’re aiming for with their children.
You’ll hear:
Personal stories of faith and legacy from Josh and Jen’s families
The surprising research on why children keep (or leave) their faith as adults
The three simple practices every parent can start today to nurture authentic faith at home
Key biblical passages that shape how parents can disciple their children
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or church leader, this conversation will encourage you to make your child’s maturity in Christ your priority.
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time.
 
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
Gospel Shaped Family Homepage: https://bit.ly/gsfhpc 
Article: The No. 1 Reason Teens Keep Faith as Young Adults: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-no-1-reason-teens-kee_b_6067838
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp: https://amzn.to/4p62zR5

Meet the Mulvihills: Faith, Family, and Why We Launched

What happens when a pastor and a musician raise five children, run a farm, and still find time to equip families to disciple their children and grandchildren? In this premiere episode of the Gospel Shaped Family Podcast, Josh and Jen Mulvihill invite you into their world: a home filled with music, ministry, and a mission to raise children who love Jesus, live in obedience to God's truth, and make a difference in this world for Christ. 
 
You’ll hear their story 25 years of marriage, a growing family, and a passion for biblical parenting, intentional Christian grandparenting, and family discipleship. Learn how this podcast is an extension of their ministry with RenewaNation, equipping parents and grandparents to pass on a biblical worldview in today’s culture. 
 
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, church leader, or just longing to raise children who love Jesus, this episode sets the tone for what’s to come: real conversations about life and family, biblical guidance, gospel-centered insights, and theologically rich resources to help you shape your family with God's Word. 
 
In this episode: 
Meet Josh and Jen: their family, farm, and ministry life 
Why they created this podcast and what you can expect 
Their vision for encouraging and equipping parents and grandparents
Book recommendations based on what they are reading right now
A goldfish story you don’t want to miss 
 
Subscribe now and join us as we shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel one conversation at a time.
Book 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/50thingspc
Renewanation: https://bit.ly/rangsfpc 
Gospel Shaped Family Homepage: https://bit.ly/gsfhpc 

The Gospel Shaped Family Podcast

Dr. Josh and Jen Mulvihill provide biblical, practical guidance about parenting, grandparenting, marriage, family discipleship, and raising children with a biblical worldview.
 
Subscribe and join us for the first full episode. Together we’ll shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel—one conversation at a time.