God's Big Story

Anna and Matt help parents navigate one of the biggest questions that can come up when raising kids in the faith: How do I know if my child is ready for baptism? Children can genuinely love and trust Jesus, but parents also want wisdom to discern between a passing moment and lasting evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work.

❤️ The REAL Marks of Grace

🙏 R — Repentance
Look for more than an “I’m sorry” after getting caught. Is your child beginning to recognize their own sin, confess it, and understand that they need Jesus to forgive them and change their heart?

❤️ E — Expressed Love for Christ
Does your child talk about Jesus outside of church or family worship? Do they show a growing desire to read the Bible, pray, and know Jesus without always being prompted?

🌱 A — Active Fruit of the Spirit
Look for growing evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, especially in areas where your child has struggled before. The fruit won't be perfect, but is there real growth?

🏃 L — Lasting Perseverance
Faith isn't only about an emotional moment. After correction, disappointment, or an ordinary day, does your child continue returning to Jesus, prayer, and God's Word?

💧 Disciple Expectantly. Baptize Evidentially.

The goal isn't to wait until your child is perfect. Instead, disciple your children expectantly, believing the Holy Spirit can genuinely save them at any age, while baptizing evidentially, looking for clear and lasting signs of repentance and faith.

🏡 What Parents Can Do Next

🙌 Praise God when your child expresses interest in following Jesus or baptism.

📖 Keep discipling them by reading Scripture, praying together, and modeling repentance.

👀 Look for the REAL Marks of Grace over time rather than rushing after one emotional moment.

⛪ Talk with your local church about its beliefs and process for baptizing children.

💬 Ask simple questions like, “What do you think baptism means?” and “Why do you want to be baptized?”

✝️ What Baptism Is—and Isn't

Baptism does not save your child. Only Jesus saves.

Baptism is a beautiful public picture and declaration of what Jesus has already done: a believer has died to sin and been raised to new life in Christ. It's an act of obedience to Jesus and a joyful testimony before the church family.

🙌 Encouragement for Parents

You don't have to manufacture your child's faith or rush God's work in their heart. Keep making your home a place where Jesus is loved, the gospel is talked about, repentance is modeled, and God's Word is treasured.

Pray for wisdom. Watch for God's grace. Walk alongside your local church. And trust the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do.

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DJ Manna shares four powerful Psalms that remind us of God’s goodness, kindness, strength, and sovereignty. From celebrating God's blessings in Psalm 126:3 to resting in His power in Psalm 115:3, this episode closes the summer series with encouragement and worship—pointing us to the God who is faithful forever.

What You’ll Learn:

🙌 ⁠Psalm 126:3⁠ — Be joyful and thankful for the good things God has done.
💛 ⁠Psalm 103:8⁠ — God is merciful and gracious, and we can show kindness too.
🛡️ ⁠Psalm 46:1 ⁠— God is our safe place and strength in every situation.
👑 ⁠Psalm 115:3⁠ — God is in control, and His plans are always good.
🎵 The Psalms help us worship, reflect, and trust God no matter what.

Try This at Home:

✅ Write down three “great things” God has done for you this summer (Psalm 126:3).
✅ Practice one act of kindness today inspired by God’s mercy (Psalm 103:8).
✅ Memorize Psalm 46:1 and say it when you feel scared or worried.
✅ Draw a crown and write “God is in control” on it to remember Psalm 115:3.
✅ End the summer by singing or praying one Psalm together as a family.

DJ Manna shares three powerful scripture songs to help us live with strength, courage, and faith. With Joshua 1:9, we learn that God is always with us—even when life feels scary, like taking a big test or starting something new. Next, Hebrews 11:1 shows us that faith is believing in what we can’t see but know is true because God promises it. Finally, Isaiah 40:8 reminds us that even though everything else in the world fades away, God’s word lasts forever.

What You’ll Learn:

🎶⁠ ⁠Joshua 1:9⁠ — God gives us courage and strength because He is always with us.

⁠⁠⁠🎶 ⁠⁠Hebrews 11:1⁠ — Faith means trusting in what we can’t see but know is true.

⁠⁠⁠🎶 ⁠⁠Isaiah 40:8⁠⁠⁠ — God’s word never fades—it lasts forever.

Try This at Home:

✅ Memorize Joshua 1:9 and say it before something that makes you nervous.
✅ Talk about what faith means to you—what are things you can’t see but know are real?
✅ Read Isaiah 40:8 and draw a picture of something that fades away (like a flower) and something that lasts forever (God’s Word!).
✅ Make a “Strength & Faith” playlist with your favorite worship songs that remind you of God’s promises.
✅ At dinner, share a way you saw God give you courage this week.

DJ Manna shares three songs that help us see how much God loves us, how good He is, and how much He wants to hear from us. You’ll hear “Jesus Came to Save Sinners,” a reminder that Jesus loves us even when we mess up; “God Is Good,” which helps us notice His kindness in everyday life; and “God Wants to Talk with Us,” a joyful invitation to pray and spend time with God.

What You’ll Learn:

🎶⁠ Jesus Came to Save Sinners⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠🎶 ⁠God is Good⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠🎶 ⁠God Wants to Talk With Us⁠⁠

Try This at Home:

✅ Write down or draw three ways you’ve seen God’s goodness this week.
✅ Pray out loud as a family—just like talking to a friend.
✅ Listen to “Jesus Came to Save Sinners” and thank God for His grace.
✅ Play “God Is Good” and try to list as many blessings as you can while it plays.

DJ Manna shares three songs from the God With Us collection that remind us of one big truth—God is always near. Whether you're having a good day, a sad day, or a confusing day, these songs point to the comfort and joy we find in God’s presence. You’ll hear “God With Us,” “Psalm 146,” and “Shout Joyfully”—each one building from quiet trust to loud praise!

What You’ll Learn:

👣 ⁠God With Us⁠ shows us that we’re never alone—God is always close.

🛡️ ⁠Psalm 146⁠ reminds us that God is our protector and safe place.

🎉 ⁠Shout Joyfully⁠ teaches us that we can praise God no matter how we feel.

🎵 Music can help us remember God’s promises and feel His peace.

💬 Faith grows stronger when we turn to God in both quiet and joyful moments.

Try This at Home:

✅ Make a “God Is With Me” list—write or draw times you’ve felt God’s comfort.

✅ Read Psalm 146 and talk about what it says about God’s care.

✅ Listen to one of today’s songs before bed to feel calm and close to God.

✅ Make some joyful noise! Have a family praise time with instruments (real or homemade!).