In this summer edition of Timeless Parenting, we spoke with our guest, Christine Jensen, about setting goals and priorities for ourselves and our families. We reflected on questions like:

• What worldly priorities can influence our parenting?
• Why isn't happiness a good aim for our children?
• How can we set goals for our family when so much is out of our control?
• What is a better aim for our children than achievement or success?
• How can we love our children as God loves us?
• What are some good personal, daily goals?

This conversation will help you to get intentional about living out your Christian faith in front of your children.

Links:
Timeless Parenting Episode 03: How to help our kids stick with Jesus. With Al James.

Growing Faith articles:
'Why I don't want my children to be (just) happy' by Harriet Connor.
'Back to school and the achievement game' by Jess Chilton.
'What is Christian parenting?' by Harriet Connor.

Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which includes chapters on 'What is Christian parenting?' and 'Growing your family in the faith'.

Mothers Union Sydney Seminar on 'The Joy of Enough' coming up on February 27, 2026. Register for FREE to attend in-person or online.

Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we talked with the host of HerTheology podcast, Cass Backhouse, about the value of parents, especially mums, reading and studying the Bible. We spent some time reflecting on why it's worth investing in our relationship with God by reading his word. But then we turned to the problem: it can be so hard! We talked through some questions like:

• How can I adjust my expectations for Bible reading to my season of life?
• Does it have to be a 'quiet' time?
• Does it have to look the same every time?
• What are the benefits of doing a Bible reading plan?
• What if reading the Bible feels dry or boring?
• What if I forget what I read?
• What are the benefits of reading in community?
• What if I don't understand what I read? Where can I find some resources to help?
• How will all this benefit my children?
• Is there anything wrong with just 'flicking to a page'?

This conversation with inspire and equip you to get stuck into the Bible, with the ultimate goal of knowing God better with both our hearts and our minds.

Links:
HerTheology podcast hosted by our guest, Cass Backhouse: exploring all of life in light of the Bible.
Knowing Faith podcast with Jen Wilkin.
Lift Their Eyes theology resources for families.

Recommended books:
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin.
God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts.
Knowing God by JI Packer.
The Ology by Marty Machowski.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we got practical about prayer with our guest, author and mother-of-three, Wendy Lin. We spoke about how we experienced (or didn't experience) Christian prayer in our families of origin and how we decided to approach it with our own children. We discussed questions like:

• What is prayer? Why should we pray if God already knows everything?
• How can practise both routine and spontaneous prayer?
• How does God answer prayer?
• How can we do family prayer when we're not confident?
• What should we do if our spouse is not a keen Christian?
• How can busy parents find time to focus on prayer themselves?

This conversation is insightful, practical, encouraging and full of grace for families in every season of life!

Links:
Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Bible reading and prayer across the stages of family life' by our guest, Wendy Lin.

Wendy Lin's blog, with book reviews and devotional resources for families, Musings in Adelaide.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.