Podcast
The Gospel Shaped Family Podcast
Hosted by joshmulvihill · EN
Join Dr. Josh and Jen Mulvihill for conversations about faith and family and learn how to navigate cultural challenges with insight from God’s Word. Josh and Jen provide biblical wisdom and practical solutions on parenting, grandparenting, marriage, and family discipleship and discuss how to disciple children with a biblical worldview. Whether you’re raising children, shepherding a church, or longing to build a legacy of faith in your home, this podcast is for you. Join the Mulvihills as they explore how to shape hearts, homes, and churches around the gospel—one conversation at a time.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Helping a Child Understand the Gospel: Practical Tips for Christian Parents
1w ago00:31:22Tap to summarizeThere is no more important conversation a parent can have with their child than the gospel. In this episode, Josh and Jen walk through practical, scripture-grounded steps for sharing the good news with children at every age and stage, from toddlers to teenagers. Drawing on their own family's experience and the wisdom of Charles Spurgeon, they help parents overcome intimidation and take up their God-given role as the primary evangelists in their children's lives. The episode covers eight specific tips, from the importance of starting early and keeping testimony alive, to knowing key scripture passages and calling for a genuine response without manipulation. Josh and Jen also walk through a curated list of resources, including children's Bibles, gospel-sharing tools, and apologetics books for kids wrestling with doubt. Whether your child has already placed their faith in Christ or is still in the process, this episode is a practical guide for faithful, consistent, and loving gospel proclamation in the home. 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
Transcribe →Pointing Children to the Gospel Through Literature with Korrie Johnson and Kathryn Butler
2w ago00:48:59Tap to summarizeWhat if the books on your family's shelf were doing more than filling time between meals and bedtime? In this conversation, Josh and Jen welcome Kathryn Butler, author of the Dream Keeper Saga, and Korrie Johnson, founder of Good Book Mom, to discuss their new book Stories Woven in Silver. Together they make the case that well-chosen stories are instruments of discipleship, pointing children toward the gospel from the earliest age. The conversation covers what it looks like to build a read-aloud culture in your home, how to navigate the overwhelming book market with discernment, and why your public library is a mission field rather than a minefield to avoid. Practical, honest, and grounded in Scripture, this episode will equip parents and grandparents to see their bookshelves as part of their family's spiritual formation strategy. From Deuteronomy 6 to Tolkien's Minas Tirith, from toddler snack time to Shakespeare acted out on school breaks, this episode is full of tools and encouragement for families at every stage. 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 https://goodbookmom.com/ www.kathrynbutler.com Stories Woven in Silver by Kathryn Butler and Korrie Johnson — https://a.co/d/0gun0uR3
Transcribe →11 Money-Saving Hacks for Every Home
3w ago00:39:30Tap to summarizeLiving on one income is harder than ever, but it is possible, and it can be done without sacrificing the things that matter most. In this episode, Josh and Jen Mulvihill pull back the curtain on the practical strategies that have carried their family through ministry salaries, five kids, a PhD, and multiple home renovations, all while staying out of debt. From cutting your grocery bill and shopping secondhand to bartering services, negotiating cash discounts, and building income streams that center on the home, Josh and Jen walk through eleven specific money-saving hacks drawn from decades of intentional, frugal family living. This isn't theoretical advice, it's what they've actually done. Whether you're newly married and trying to structure your finances well, or in a season where the budget feels tight and the bills feel heavier, this episode gives you a proven, principled framework for stewarding what God has placed in your hands. 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
Transcribe →Helping Children Develop a Biblical View of Creation with Dr. Christopher Rupe
Jun 900:37:17Tap to summarizeMost Christian parents want their children to trust the Bible, but few feel equipped to answer the questions their kids are already hearing. In this episode, Josh and Jen sit down with Dr. Christopher Rupe, sedimentary geologist and president of Back2Genesis, to talk about why Genesis 1–11 is foundational to the entire Christian worldview, not a secondary doctrine to be sidestepped. Dr. Rupe walks parents through the specific claims children encounter, from dinosaur timelines to so-called ape-men, and explains how a clear, confident understanding of biblical history equips families to answer those questions honestly and faithfully. He also addresses how popular old-earth frameworks like the gap theory and day-age theory undermine the very doctrines they claim to preserve. If you've ever felt underprepared when your child asks about fossils, the flood, or where dinosaurs fit in the Bible, this episode gives you the foundation, and the tools, to lead them well. 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 Back2Genesis.org
Transcribe →What Is Biblical Justice? Why Social Justice Is a Dangerous Counterfeit with Scott David Allen
Jun 200:54:22Tap to summarizeJustice may be one of the most important words in the Bible — and one of the most distorted in our culture. In this episode, Josh sits down with Scott David Allen, president of the Disciple Nations Alliance and author of Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice, to unpack what genuine, biblical justice actually means and how it differs fundamentally from the ideology reshaping schools, churches, and governments today. Scott walks through a clear, scripturally-grounded definition of justice as conformity to God's moral standard — the same standard rooted in his character, revealed in the Ten Commandments, and fulfilled at the cross. He traces the Marxist roots of modern social justice, explains how it redefines sin, salvation, and human dignity, and describes the real-world consequences already playing out in cities like Minneapolis and Portland. For parents and grandparents, this conversation ends where it matters most: the home. Scott gives practical guidance on how to model and teach biblical justice and mercy to the next generation — and why doing so is one of the most urgent callings of Christian family life right now. 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 Disciple Nations Alliance: https://disciplenations.org/ Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: https://a.co/d/0bNOWi3I
Transcribe →Setting Healthy Boundaries with Technology in Your Home with Arlene Pellicane
May 2600:42:31Tap to summarizeMost parents know screens are a problem. Few have a plan. In this practical and encouraging conversation, Josh sits down with Arlene Pellicane — speaker, author of Screen Kids, and host of the Happy Home podcast — to talk about what it actually looks like to raise children with healthy boundaries around technology. Arlene and her husband raised their three kids through high school without social media, video games, or smartphones. The fruit speaks for itself: kids who can focus, communicate with adults, solve problems, and walk with God without a device in hand. Arlene breaks down the neuroscience of what screens do to the developing brain, explains the difference between casual use, at-risk behavior, and addiction, and offers a tiered family technology plan — from the Platinum Plan (delay everything through high school) to practical bronze-level wins any family can start this week. She also addresses the real-world questions parents face: How do your kids communicate with friends without a phone? What do you do when the device becomes a babysitter? And what happens when a child already seems addicted? This episode is a gift to any parent who wants to be proactive — not reactive — about technology in the home. Come for the practical tools; stay for the vision of children shaped by the gospel rather than a screen. 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 Happy Home Podcast: https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/ Screen Kids Book: https://a.co/d/0hDpiIKi
Transcribe →10 Practical Ways to Make the Most of Your Family Summer
May 1900:26:34Tap to summarizeSummer offers a unique opportunity for families to move from the frantic pace of the school year into a season of intentionality. With extracurriculars on pause and longer daylight hours, parents have a strategic window to deepen relationships and build a legacy of faith. This episode provides a roadmap for maximizing the precious months of summer that parents have before their children reach adulthood. From establishing new family rhythms to incorporating biblical history into your patriotic celebrations, Josh and Jen share practical ideas to help your children grow closer to Christ while making lifelong memories. Whether it is working together on a garden, embarking on outdoor adventures, or prioritizing time with grandparents, this conversation is designed to help you reach the end of August without the regret of wasted 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
Transcribe →What Does it Mean for a Man to Lead a Family?
May 1200:45:35Tap to summarizeFathers play a monumental role in the spiritual health of the next generation. A landmark 35 year study involving 3000 family members reveals that the active involvement of a father is the most critical factor in whether children retain their faith into adulthood. When a father is perceived as warm and engaged, he becomes the tipping point for a child’s lifelong commitment to Christ. This episode explores the biblical "job description" for men, moving past cultural confusion to find clarity in God’s design. We discuss the three primary responsibilities of a godly head: leading through servant-heartedness, providing both financially and spiritually, and protecting the family as a watchful warrior. Whether you are a father looking for direction or a mother seeking to support the men in your life, this conversation offers practical, scriptural foundations for building a legacy of faith. 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
Transcribe →Teaching Children the Big Picture of the Bible
May 500:31:02Tap to summarizeMany children grow up viewing the Bible as a fragmented collection of "do’s and don’ts" or a random assortment of disconnected stories. This perspective often leads to confusion and a failure to see how the individual stories of Scripture connect to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we discuss why it is essential for parents and church leaders to prioritize the "big picture" of Scripture, moving from biblical theology to systematic application. By teaching the Bible as one unified narrative, we safeguard our children against moralism—the tendency to teach biblical stories void of the gospel. We explore the methodology Jesus used on the road to Emmaus, showing how the entire Old Testament points toward His mission of glorifying God through salvation. This conversation provides families with simple, concrete tools to summarize the Bible’s core message, ensuring the next generation understands God’s overarching plan from creation to restoration. 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
Transcribe →Making Your Marriage Last a Lifetime with Larry and Gladine McCall
Apr 2800:44:27Tap to summarizeMany couples enter marriage with the expectation that their spouse exists to satisfy their personal needs. When the initial excitement fades or challenges arise, this self-focused perspective often leads to "marital monotony" or even divorce. Larry and Gladine McCall, high school sweethearts married since 1975, join the podcast to share wisdom gained from over 50 years of marriage and 40 years of pastoral ministry. They offer a vital corrective to the cultural understanding of romance by anchoring the relationship in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This conversation explores the transition from a "reactionary love" to a "vertical love" that depends on God's grace rather than a spouse's performance. The McCalls, authors of books such as Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church and A Seasoned Marriage, provide practical insights on navigating the empty nest, the value of walks in building intimacy, and the joy of coming alongside adult children to disciple the next generation. Whether you are a newlywed or approaching a "seasoned" stage of marriage, these biblical principles will help you build a legacy of faith that endures for decades. Walking Like Jesus Ministries: https://www.wljministries.org/ Walking Like Jesus Ministries YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WalkingLikeJesusMinistries 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
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