What does Song of Songs 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 Song of Songs. Although Song of Songs might not be the first book you think of when talking to kids, it still has plenty to teach us and our families about being God’s beloved.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on the extravagant love the Shulamite woman experiences from her beloved, representing the love Jesus has for us. The Shulamite woman’s passion for her beloved catches the curiosity of her friends, and she is able to share about this great love with them too.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you to reinforce the goodness of our bodies with your family, emphasizing how God delights in the beauty of every human and how we are made in His image.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you into a time of delight and reflection. Through the practice of lectio divina, we enter into a space of divine delight, offering praise and gratitude to God, and remembering the delight we feel is only a fraction of the love God holds for us.

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 Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher, and Little Prayers for Ordinary Days by Tish Harrison Warren, Katy Bowser Hutson, and Flo Paris Oakes.

This week’s spiritual practice is adapted from Making Room in Advent: 25 Devotions for a Season of Wonder by Bette Dickinson, and Prayers for the Pilgrimage: A Book of Collects for All of Life by W. David O. Taylor.

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 Ecclesiastes 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 Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the unpredictability of life and how God is so much bigger than we think.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on our tendency to look at things from “under the sun,” focusing on our restlessness and disappointments. Instead, we are encouraged to turn toward the things above and practice contentment by recognizing the good gifts God has given us.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you and your family to discuss where you feel small or out of control, and how our loving and generous God is a steadfast presence, meeting us in each of these places.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you into a time of detachment, where we let go of the things of this world that are meaningless and fleeting, allowing ourselves to become more securely attached 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 40/40 Vision: Clarifying Your Mission in Midlife by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty.

This week’s spiritual practice is adapted from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun.

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 Proverbs 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 Proverbs, reflecting on the importance of wisdom as we navigate the complex situations in our lives.

Our Bible spotlight focuses on the opening words of Proverbs, commonly known as the prologue. Here we learn about the book’s intended purpose and audience, encouraging us to have a posture of teachability and to begin with God in our own pursuit of wisdom.

Then, our discipleship nugget equips you and your family to embrace the wisdom of our elders, providing ways you can facilitate a time of meaningful conversation with an older relative or friend in your family’s life.

Finally, our spiritual practice invites you to reflect on an area of life where you need wisdom and discernment, then to ask God to open your eyes to His presence and help you listen to His Spirit.

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 How to Read Proverbs by Tremper Longman III.

This week’s spiritual practice is adapted from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun.

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.