Forming Lifelong Followers of Jesus with Sarah Cowan Johnson and special host Andrew Mook

What does it take to raise resilient, Jesus-following kids when it feels like you’re swimming upstream against culture, norms, and sometimes even your own doubts?

In this final extended episode of the season, Sarah Cowan Johnson hands over the mic to Andrew Mook, founding pastor of Sanctuary Church in Providence, Rhode Island, to turn the tables and interview her. Together, Sarah and Andrew dig deep into the major themes, surprises, and the most memorable moments from this season of The Teach Your Children Well Podcast.

Reflecting on their shared passion for family discipleship, Sarah and Andrew examine why discipleship is at the heart of all parenting, how the Western church’s default approaches are often falling short, and what it looks like to help kids and ourselves embrace a faith that lasts. They candidly tackle the dizzying array of cultural narratives bombarding parents, how to “decode” the world for your kids, and ways to build rhythms of faith into busy family life, even when you feel spiritually dry or out of your depth.

They talk about various topics from swimming upstream in areas of sexuality, technology, and hurried family schedules, to building weird but wonderful faith communities, to why boundaries, not legalism, are essential to spiritual formation at home. You'll also hear directly from Sarah’s son Silas, whose honest reflections add both humor and practical wisdom for parents eager to see faith flourish in the next generation.

This episode is candid, encouraging, and deeply practical, reminding every parent that though the way of Jesus can seem lonely or hard, you’re not alone. Together, small habits and honest conversations can shape a faith that lasts through every stage of life.

Listen to the full conversation now.

This episode highlights the following themes:

✅Why discipleship is the key to faith that lasts
✅Ways for spiritually dry parents to lead with authenticity, not perfection
✅The crucial but overlooked role of faith communities in raising resilient kids

Links from the episode:

✅Learn more about Andrew Mook (sanctuaryri.org/2011/06/20/sanctuary-planters-andrew-corrie/) and Sanctuary Church (sanctuaryri.org/)
✅Listen to sermons (sanctuaryri.org/teaching/) from Sanctuary Church
✅Listen to Sanctuary Music (sanctuaryri.org/music/) and Andrew’s project, Breton Yard (li.sten.to/bretonyardep)
✅Learn more about Sarah Cowan Johnson (www.ivpress.com/sarah-cowan-johnson)
✅Read Teach Your Children Well (ivpress.com/teach-your-children-well) by Sarah Cowan Johnson
✅Read The Anxious Generation (amzn.to/3GortcZ) by Jonathan Haidt
✅Read Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know (amzn.to/3JLWoB6) by Melissa Kruger
✅Explore Sarah’s library of family discipleship practices and resources here (sarahcowanjohnson.com/family-library)
✅Learn more about prayer journaling (sarahcowanjohnson.com/prayer-journaling) and imaginative prayer (sarahcowanjohnson.com/imaginative-prayer)
✅Hear Sarah’s talk (tinyurl.com/52evn47v) on hearing God’s voice as a family
✅Visit Sarah’s websites here (sarahcowanjohnson.com/) and here (familydiscipleshiplabs.com)
✅Read the transcript here (tinyurl.com/326jc5kh)
✅Take the survey here (rb.gy/khg8j4)

Credits

✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com (ivpress.com) and use the code IVPTEACH25 for 25% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
✅Producers: Kaitlin Borek, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton
✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts (honestpodcasts.com/)
✅Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅Theme Song: "Childlike Wonder" by Reveille

=== Time Stamps ===

00:00 – Introduction
01:31 – About Andrew Mook
03:22 – Why Family Discipleship Matters
05:34 – Highlights from This Season
09:02 – Navigating Competing Cultural and Biblical Narratives
12:57 – How to Decode Cultural Messages with Kids
17:53 – Personal Experiences “Swimming Upstream” in Parenting
26:20 – Decoding Technology and Family Boundaries Through a Biblical Lens
30:16 – Strategies for Resisting Busyness and Reclaiming Family Rhythms
37:43 – How Parents Can Build Ecosystems and Faith Communities
43:07 – Building Habits and Rhythms in Family Life
47:44 – Leading Your Kids When Faith Feels Hard
57:02 – How Churches Unintentionally Discourage Parent-Led Discipleship
01:06:41 – Tips to Help Kids Hear God’s Voice
01:10:20 – Steal This Idea: The PRAY Acronym, Direct From Silas

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

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