What does Job have to do with everyday family discipleship?

In this week’s episode of The Wholehearted Households Podcast, host Alex Blount introduces us to the book of Job, reflecting on the universal experiences of suffering and loss.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on Job’s raw and honest prayers to God, giving us a model for mournful lament and reminding us that God created us, loves us, and can handle our most difficult thoughts and emotions.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you to make room for your family’s big questions, guiding them to ask their questions as an act of faith toward the God who hears, listens, and answers.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you to prayerfully consider your own moments of grief and unmet expectations and to bring your honest and unfiltered thoughts to God.

Wherever you listen, may you and your family be blessed by this episode as you seek to follow Jesus with your whole heart.

The Wholehearted Households Podcast is a production of InterVarsity Press (IVP) and made possible by the generous support of the Lilly Endowment. Discover more great listens from IVP on our website or on YouTube.

To reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.

Resources from the episode

This week’s Bible spotlight is adapted from Wrestling with Job: Defiant Faith in the Face of Suffering by Bill Kynes and Will Kynes.

This week’s discipleship nugget is adapted from The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and Deeper Faith by J.R. Briggs.

This week’s spiritual practice is adapted from Can You Just Sit with Me?: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith.

Credits

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPWHP for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Kaitlin Borek, Abby Lee, Karen Savella Stallard, and Travis Albritton

✅ Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅ Hosts: Alex Blount and Helen Lee

✅ Narrators: Kaitlin Borek, Jack Reece, and Karen Savella Stallard

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Amy Cerra

✅ Theme Song: “Elegant Flight” by Sounds Like Sanders and “Birdhouse” by EVOE

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts/authors featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

What does Esther have to do with everyday family discipleship?

In this week’s episode of The Wholehearted Households Podcast, host Helen Lee introduces us to the book of Esther, reflecting on how our unique identities can be the source of our vocation and the foundation out of which God calls us.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on Esther’s identity as a bicultural woman, and how God uses her particular gifts and circumstances to save His people.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you to practice the Examen with your family, helping you and your family to become more aware of the presence and fullness of God all around you.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you into a time of breath prayer, in which we seek to draw into deeper relationship with God so we may better understand both Him and ourselves through His Spirit’s leading.

Wherever you listen, may you and your family be blessed by this episode as you seek to follow Jesus with your whole heart.

The Wholehearted Households Podcast is a production of InterVarsity Press (IVP) and made possible by the generous support of the Lilly Endowment. Discover more great listens from IVP on our website or on YouTube.

To reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.

Resources from the episode

This week’s Bible spotlight is adapted from Hermanas: Deepening Our Identity and Growing Our Influence by Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson.

This week’s discipleship nugget is adapted from Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren.

St. Augustine’s prayer in this week’s spiritual practice: Novem te, novem me, or May I know you, may I know myself.

Credits

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPWHP for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Kaitlin Borek, Abby Lee, Karen Savella Stallard, and Travis Albritton

✅ Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅ Hosts: Alex Blount and Helen Lee

✅ Narrators: Kaitlin Borek, Jack Reece, and Karen Savella Stallard

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Amy Cerra

✅ Theme Song: “Elegant Flight” by Sounds Like Sanders and “Birdhouse” by EVOE

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts/authors featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

What do Ezra & Nehemiah have to do with everyday family discipleship?

In this week’s episode of The Wholehearted Households Podcast, host Alex Blount introduces us to the partner books of Ezra & Nehemiah. He recalls his daughter’s experience of a favorite toy breaking, reflecting on how experiences of brokenness and loss are universal and start at a young age. Yet, Ezra & Nehemiah remind us that God is the One who mends and rebuilds, who can take the broken pieces of our lives and gives us hope.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on Nehemiah’s leadership to the exiled Israelites. His prayer in Nehemiah 1 models a posture of reverence, repentance, and courage, which is required as he seeks to lead the Israelites back to close relationship with God.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you and your family to implement an act of rebuilding in your home or neighborhood. Rebuilding is as crucial for us as it was to the ancient Israelites, and it reminds us that in the midst of our brokenness, God is still at work in our stories.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you to experience God’s restoration through moments of delight. Discipling and rebuilding can be grueling work, and God’s blessings of joy and delight can help sustain us, filling our cup and reminding us of God’s love and companionship.

Wherever you listen, may you and your family be blessed by this episode as you seek to follow Jesus with your whole heart.

The Wholehearted Households Podcast is a production of InterVarsity Press (IVP) and made possible by the generous support of the Lilly Endowment. Discover more great listens from IVP on our website or on YouTube.

To reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.

Resources from the episode

This week’s Bible spotlight is adapted from the LifeGuide Bible Study Nehemiah: The Courage to Face Opposition by Don A. Fields.

This week’s spiritual practice is adapted from Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair by Jonathan P. Walton.

Credits

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPWHP for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Kaitlin Borek, Abby Lee, Karen Savella Stallard, and Travis Albritton

✅ Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅ Hosts: Alex Blount and Helen Lee

✅ Narrators: Kaitlin Borek, Jack Reece, and Karen Savella Stallard

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Amy Cerra

✅ Theme Song: “Elegant Flight” by Sounds Like Sanders and “Birdhouse” by EVOE

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts/authors featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.