the last century, churches around the globe have traded the biblical doctrine of family life for worldly pragmatism. This change has led to broken homes and dysfunctional families. To reverse course, the next generation must understand and reclaim what God created the family to be. Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss a new catechism designed to help families in this quest. Using a simple question-and-answer format, it gives robust but concise definitions of what a family is and how God designed the home to function. Foundational Scripture verses are given for each topic, along with family discussion questions and a suggested hymn and memory verse.

Justin grew up in rural Tennessee, working tobacco fields with his father. He loved laboring outdoors with his dad, yet his mom took him and his siblings to church, where Justin heard the Gospel. Around 12, he answered an altar call and was baptized—but in his teen years struggled with his faith. Seeing his younger brother’s own anguish over salvation, Justin knew he had to get right with God. Confessing his sins, Justin was rebaptized. John Piper’s sermons on Romans deepened his grasp of sovereign grace, and in time he committed his life to pastoral ministry. Husband to Tilly and father of three, Justin serves as elder at Grace Baptist Church in Hartsville, Tennessee. 

The Western church is in shambles. It has become lukewarm and compromised because of a love for the world, a lack of an awestruck fear of God, and a watered-down view of His grace and sovereignty. In answer to this crisis Kevin Swanson has issued an urgent call-to-arms in his new book, Strong: An Urgent Call to Strengthen the Things that Remain. Pulling no punches, he calls out Christians to reject escapist pursuits—be it through alcohol, sports, the Internet, or other off-ramps from reality—and pursue a stronger grace, a stronger faith, a stronger church, and stronger families.   

Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm in today’s podcast as they break down the book with Kevin.  

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” In most weddings today, these words are just a quaint formality. But what stands behind them is a timeless biblical principle—that parents have the authority to give or withhold consent in their children’s marriages. The truth is, parents generally know their children better than they know themselves and see blind spots they miss. This said, parents should exercise their authority with wisdom. They must recognize there’s no “perfect suitor” and that their child and potential spouse won’t be as mature, at age 20 or 25, as they are now. 

Learn more on these points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

How do parents cultivate a child’s affection? First and foremost, model love in your marriage. You can be perfect technicians in child training, but if you’re snippety toward your spouse, you’ll undo everything—so teach your children, by example, what loving respect is through your conversations. Second, give clear expectations and hold your children to them. You only get what you insist on, so promptly discipline them in love when they cross the line. Finally, don’t allow your children to constantly interrupt, but teach them to wait to ask questions by modeling patience as husband and wife. 

Learn more on these points in: A Holy Vision for Raising Children 

Michael Clary grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, in the shadow of the Marshall University plane crash that marked his hometown. Ministry ran deep in his family line—his great-grandfather and grandfather were both Baptist preachers—but his own childhood was shaken when his parents divorced at age seven. Shuttling between households, Michael experienced both the steady example of his Christian father and the destructive influence of a tyrannical stepfather. Those early wounds left him with a deep burden for healthy, Christ-centered homes.

Though he professed faith from a young age, Michael’s spiritual growth accelerated through Campus Crusade for Christ at Marshall University. Immersed in Bible study, evangelism, and worship leadership, his heart for ministry took root. It was during a summer project with Crusade that he met Laura, the shy young woman who would later become his wife. Married in 1999, Michael and Laura went on staff with Crusade before sensing God’s call to local church ministry.

In 2010, with nothing but faith and a handful of families meeting in his basement, Michael planted Christ the King Church in Cincinnati. Over 15 years, the church has grown, planted daughter churches, and recently moved to a new facility in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Along the way, Michael’s convictions deepened around biblical manhood, womanhood, and family life—shaped by both his wounds and God’s grace. Today, he continues to serve as lead pastor, husband to Laura, and father to four children, proclaiming God’s good design for households and the church