God's Big Story – Details, episodes & analysis

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. Check out Resources from The Village Church. Sponsors: Want to help your kids learn the Good News in a way that sticks? Check out Penelope Judd. It’s full of truth, hope, and a little bit of mud. Visit ⁠PenelopeJudd.com⁠ today to grab a copy for you and a friend 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Who is the family of God? (THE CHURCH IS GOD’S FAMILY!) 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) What are the three steps God uses to build His family? (1. GOD CALLS, 2. GOD ADOPTS AND 3. GOD GROWS HIS FAMILY) What does God call sinners to do? (TO TURN FROM THEIR SIN AND FOLLOW HIM!) 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 by The Village Kids 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 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we explore the attribute of God as our ultimate Provider. We welcome Julia, a dedicated Meals on Wheels delivery driver, who gives us a heartwarming insight into her daily mission of feeding seniors in need. Her stories are a powerful testament to how God often works through us to meet the needs of His children. Don't miss this episode filled with storytelling, practical insights, and an invitation to recognize and give thanks for the provisions in your own life. Helpful Definitions: PROVIDER — God meets the needs of His children. Scripture Reference: Mark 6:41-43 5-Second Fly Through Review: Fill in the blank. An attribute is a word that tells us what something or someone is ______ (LIKE) Fill in the blank. God is Provider. He meets the needs of his _______ (CHILDREN) Fill in the blank. A miracle is something amazing - that doesn’t normally happen - that shows God’s _____. (POWER) True or False. All of the attributes of God are true about him all the time.. (TRUE) Song: Our Great God (Attributes Song) by The Village Kids Survey: Click this link to ask us your questions and for a chance to win some free GBS merch! 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guest, Morgan the Great, joins Sean and Julie to talk about the time God saved Simon the magician! Helpful Definitions: DISCIPLE — A friend or follower of Jesus Scripture Reference: Acts 8 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who left Jerusalem to tell the people of Samaria about Jesus? (PHILIP) Did Israelites like talking to Samaritans? (NO!) What amazing things did God do through Philip? (HEAL PEOPLES’ BODIES)  Who else was doing amazing things, tricking the people with magic? (SIMON) Was Simon as great and powerful as God? (NO!) Simon offered Peter & John money to get the power of …. (THE HOLY SPIRIT) Can we buy power from God with money? (NO!) Unlike Simon, who is in Charge of Everything! (GOD!) Song: God is in Charge of Everything by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Julie are joined by their friend, Nathan the Historian, to talk about how God is in charge of everything through the story of Peter and John healing the man who was paralyzed. Helpful Definitions: DISCIPLE — A friend or follower of Jesus APOSTLE — Someone who was sent on a special mission by Jesus and was given special power and authority too. Scripture Reference: Acts 3:6-7 5-Second Fly Through Review: What were the names of the two apostles who went to the temple? (PETER AND JOHN) Who did they see sitting outside the temple? (A PARALYZED MAN)  What did he ask Peter and John to give him? (MONEY) Did Peter and John give the man money? (NO) What did they give him instead? (THEY HEALED HIM THROUGH THE POWER OF JESUS.) What is it called when God does something amazing that doesn’t normally happen to show his power? (A MIRACLE!) Why did Jesus and the apostles do miracles? To show that God loves people and that  what they were saying about Jesus was… (TRUE!) Who is in charge of our bodies and our hearts? (GOD IS! GOD IS IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING!) Song: God is in Charge of Everything by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Julie are joined by their friend, Jack Hammer the Builder, to learn about how the early Church began! Helpful Definitions: THE CHURCH — Everyone who has ever loved and trusted Jesus. Scripture Reference: Acts 2:46-47 5-Second Fly Through Review: Everyone who has ever loved and trusted Jesus is called the... (THE CHURCH) The Church is God’s… (FAMILY) Who started the Church? (GOD) What does the Church do because God loves them? (THEY WORSHIP GOD) What is worship? (WORSHIP IS TELLING AND SHOWING GOD THAT YOU LOVE HIM, TOO!) What are some ways the Church worships together? (LISTENING TO AND OBEYING HIS WORD, SINGING ABOUT HOW GOOD GOD IS, LOVING OTHERS, AND GOING ALL OVER THE WORLD TO TELL EVERYONE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS!) Is God still bringing more and more people into His family? (YES!) What is the Church waiting for? (FOR JESUS TO COME BACK, MAKE ALL THINGS NEW, AND BE WITH GOD FOREVER!) Song: God is Good by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Julie are joined by their friend Matt Chandler, the News Anchor, to learn about how the Holy Spirit helped Peter share the good news of Jesus! Helpful Definitions: THE HOLY SPIRIT — The Helper. He gives us new hearts, helps us talk with God, and helps us understand the Bible. Scripture Reference: Acts 2:37–38 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who did God send to help Peter and the Disciples after Jesus went back up to heaven? (THE HOLY SPIRIT!) What was the name of the special day that the Holy Spirit came to help the disciples and Peter share news about God? (PENTECOST!) Was the news that Peter shared with the crowd good news or bad news? (GOOD!) What was the good news that Peter shared? (JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS!) How many people loved and trusted Jesus that day? (3,000) On the day of Pentecost, what did the 3,000 people do after they believed in Jesus. (GOT BAPTIZED!)  Song: God is in Charge of Everything by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Julie are joined by their friend, Fire Chief Jenny, to talk about how Jesus sent a helper—the Holy Spirit—to be with His friends and followers after He went back to heaven. Helpful Definitions: THE HOLY SPIRIT — The Helper. He gives us new hearts, helps us talk with God, and helps us understand the Bible. Scripture Reference: Acts 2:7-8 5-Second Fly Through Review: Who did Jesus send to be with His disciples and help them? (THE HOLY SPIRIT) The Holy Spirit helps God’s people in lots of ways like: He gives us new hearts, helps us talk with God, and helps us understand the _____? (BIBLE)  What was the day called when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples? (PENTECOST) When the Helper came, what did it sound like? (WIND) What appeared above their heads but did not hurt them? (FIRE) Who heard and understood the disciples when they were speaking in different languages? (PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO WERE IN THE CITY) Did those people love and trust Jesus? (YES!) Song: God is Good by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Julie are joined by their friend Dr. Matt, the theologian, to talk about heaven. Helpful Definitions: THE CHURCH — Those who love and trust Jesus. Scripture Reference: Romans 8:34 5-Second Fly Through Review: What is heaven? (THE PLACE WHERE GOD LIVES) What is special about heaven? (GOD IS THERE AND SIN IS NOT) Where is Jesus right now? (IN HEAVEN WITH GOD THE FATHER) Why is Jesus sitting down? (HIS WORK IS FINISHED) Why is Jesus sitting on a throne? (HE IS THE KING!) What is Jesus waiting for His followers to do? (GO AND TELL EVERYONE EVERYWHERE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT HIM) Why do God’s people want to be with Him forever in heaven? (BECAUSE GOD IS GOOD AND BEING WITH HIM IS THE BEST!) Song: God is Good by The Village Kids 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.  For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This season, Sean and Julie will focus on what happened to Jesus' friends and followers after He went back to heaven. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices