Gospel Centered Education

Tom Argersinger
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join us to explore how we as Jesus Followers can “connect the dots” between Education, Culture & Biblical Theology, and to support faithful & discerning parents to help their kids live like Jesus in a broken and challenging  world.**Disclaimer** CCS does not warrant, endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information offered by guests, literature, or third party websites. These resources are provided for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of a licensed provider with any questions regarding yours or your child’s emotional or physical health.

  1. 4D AGO

    Christmas Wishes for Our Kids

    In this episode, Tom and Kelly explore the 12 common myths in modern parenting they covered in the previous two episodes, their takeaways from them, and the Christmas wishes they have for their children.  They emphasize the critical role of consistency, modeling, and authenticity in raising children. They challenge the "do as I say, not as I do" mentality, highlighting that children are constantly watching and learning from their parents' actions. The discussion also covers the vital importance of involved fathers, the pitfalls of compartmentalizing faith, and the dangers of "trophy parenting," where a child's accomplishments become an idol for the parents. Finally, they address the modern obsession with safetyism and the tendency to make financial gain the primary filter for life decisions, urging parents to instead foster wisdom and trust in God's calling for their children's lives. #ParentingMyths #ChristianParenting #FatherhoodMatters #FaithAndFamily #BiblicalWisdom #IntentionalParenting #Discipleship 🔗Helpful Link https://youtu.be/eLC-eCO6SKE?si=sn0RmhMi0ZeKE9uR Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    17 min

  2. DEC 8

    6 MORE Common Mistakes Modern Parents Make

    Continuing on from our last episode, this episode examines six more modern parenting myths by contrasting them with Christian principles. Our hosts Tom and Kelly first debunk the "do as I say, not as I do" approach, emphasizing that consistency and modeling are crucial, as children watch their parents 24/7. They reject the myth that "dads are optional," citing research that links positive father involvement to better academic achievement and greater emotional security in children. The discussion moves to faith, arguing against its compartmentalization by stating that it should apply to every area of life and that reluctance often stems from idolatry. The hosts caution against making kids an idol with the myth, "my life should revolve around my kids," warning against "trophy parenting" and implicitly teaching a child they are the center of the world. They also address the danger of safetyism (the unhealthy obsession with safety) by challenging the myth, "I must make my child 100 percent safe," stressing that parents must use discernment and allow children to experience failure and practice independence. Finally, they confront the idea that "money is the final filter for decision making," asserting that for Christians, money should not be the central question, especially regarding life callings, and that the focus should be on trusting God's will and provision. 🔗Helpful Links GCE on YouTube : https://youtu.be/hh62LdxFtAw?si=fwUMunZtlCTV-uDX Referenced In This Episode: https://theparentcue.org/do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do/ https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/4-indicators-of-genuine-faith-in-everyday-life.html https://www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/involved-fathers-play-an-important-role-in-childrens-lives/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2021/11/16/not-your-parents-career-or-is-it-parents-exert-significant-influence-on-kids-career-choices/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/targeted-parenting/202412/afraid-to-allow-your-kid-to-take-risks-heres-why https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/does-performance-drive-your-parenting/ Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    43 min

  3. NOV 24

    Common Mistakes Modern Parents Make

    In this candid and challenging episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Kelly Allen and Tom Argersinger dive deep into six common pitfalls and misconceptions that influence how modern Christian parents raise and educate their children. Tom, drawing on decades of experience, urges listeners to move beyond cultural narratives to embrace a more thoughtful, nuanced, and biblically grounded approach to family life. They confront the idea that a parent's primary job is to ensure happiness, arguing that our ultimate role is pointing our children to Jesus and fostering Christian character. The conversation clarifies the crucial difference between healthy resistance and harmful rebellion, and stresses the importance of creating a safe space for children to express doubt and ask tough questions about their faith. The hosts also tackle the challenges of technology and objective standards, asking: Do monitoring apps signal trust or mistrust? And when is a standard meant for everyone, and when must it be individualized? This discussion is designed to provoke thoughtful reflection, help parents identify areas for growth, and remind everyone that parenting is extremely difficult, requiring a daily, vital walk with Jesus. #ParentingMistakes #GospelCenteredEducation #ChristianParenting #FaithandDoubt #RaisingKids #BiblicalWorldview #FamilyTech #DisciplineAndStandards 🔗Helpful Links GCE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jRWMaGyhxGM?si=V3p9JtyrOmrRud1i  Referenced In This Episode: https://rootedministry.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human-a-biblical-response/ https://www.lookingatchrist.com/the-ultimate-purpose-of-christian-parenting/  https://thetituswoman.com/causes-teenage-rebellion/ https://www.barna.com/research/prodigal-pastor-kids-fact-or-fiction/ https://www.barna.com/research/6-tech-habits-changing-american-home/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-principles-disciplining-children/ Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    46 min

  4. NOV 10

    Identity Has an Author

    This episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast explores the crucial idea of sourcing identity in the Bible. Tom and Kelly emphasize that the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative revelation, making it the essential foundation for life. The biblical narrative is summarized in four movements—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—with Redemption through Jesus Christ being the non-negotiable key to living out the Restoration (the Kingdom of God) now. Tom and Kelly express concern that many self-identified Christians compartmentalize their faith, leading to confusion among children. Ultimately, a child’s primary identity and purpose comes from their family, parents, teachers and leaders living a committed, surrendered, and non-compartmentalized faith. #GospelCenteredEducation #ChristianParenting #BiblicalIdentity #CreationFallRedemptionRestoration #KidsDevelopment #CommunityChristianSchool 🔗Helpful Links GCE on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gospel-centered-education/id1726439459Referenced In  This Episode: https://positivepsychology.com/erikson-stages/ https://www.barna.com/research/what-most-influences-the-self-identity-of-americans/ https://www.christianpost.com/news/barna-christian-parents-scrambled-worldview-harms-kids-faith.html%20 https://truthandtidings.com/2018/02/a-christian-worldview-individualism/ https://www.reviveourhearts.com/blog/dividing-lines-beware-of-us-vs-them/?srsltid=AfmBOorjQmiOq1SyP9zymVTYwIk5gHdv3comfUJ6P662Y_VnZH8dAU07 https://research.lifeway.com/2025/05/13/americans-judge-the-good-book-more-positively-but-still-often-by-its-cover/ https://sotb.americanbible.org/ https://www.scripturalgrace.com/post/the-metanarrative-of-the-bible https://www.whattoexpect.com/community/parenting-trends-youll-see-in-2024 https://research.lifeway.com/2021/04/06/americans-views-of-lifes-meaning-and-purpose-are-changing/ Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    44 min

  5. NOV 7

    The Leaders We Need and Why We Don’t Have Them

    Why don't we have the leaders we need today? This episode breaks down the essential traits emerging leaders must master, starting with the ability to set a clear vision and connect it to strategic thinking. Beyond hard skills, we emphasize the often-overlooked necessity of self-reflection and emotional intelligence to navigate today's complex world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). We argue that true growth is a product of forming (being encouraged) and forging (enduring sustained hardship), which is necessary to build the adaptability and resilience now cited as a top leadership trait. We also confront the alarming burnout rates in fields like education and non-profits, concluding that to cultivate better leaders, organizations must prioritize high expectations with high support—including time for recovery—to ensure they thrive, not just survive. 🔗Helpful Links: GCE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8fNSSRjOVXo?si=tP3aY4XXn6A72aNX Referenced In This Episode: https://northwest.education/insights/careers/leadership-traits/4-leadership-qualities-from-day-one-for-emerging-leaders/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.fejobs.com/blog/40-key-traits-of-vuca-leaders https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/nonprofit-leaders-cite-burnout-as-top-concern-in-new-study-on-state-of-us-nonprofits/ https://www.k12dive.com/news/survey-half-of-school-leaders-considering-leaving-the-profession/629885/ #LeadershipDevelopment #VisionaryLeadership #Grit #EmotionalIntelligence #VUCA #SelfReflection #NonprofitLeadership #BurnoutCrisis #FormingAndForging Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    48 min

  6. OCT 6

    The Calling of The Teacher

    This episode addresses the difficult reality of the teaching profession, noting declining well-being, widespread lack of respect, and high turnover. Educators are stressed in a "VUCA" (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, grappling with everything from new technology like AI to debates over curriculum, while many teacher preparation programs are failing to teach practical skills like classroom management. Furthermore, parents and teachers often struggle to partner effectively with each other. Despite these significant hurdles, Tom and Kelly emphasize that teaching is a deeply profound calling where one has the privilege of forming and forging a person. A gospel-centered calling goes beyond natural talent or enjoyment, it requires a willingness to lay down your life for the student, even those who are difficult. Teachers have a wonderful opportunity to help students discern their vocation, making a lasting difference in their life. 🔗Helpful Links GCE On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOexUovoSieOcy63LuHU3nkZ_ecfcDLY Referenced In This Episode: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Education-in-a-VUCA-(Volatile%2C-Uncertain%2C-Complex%2C-Morales/f14720b881c90fc46b3c827a56456b3f9e14b4e0 https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/10_17_2023.asp https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/what-new-survey-says-about-teachers-plans-leave-their-jobs https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/k-12-teachers-are-quitting-what-would-make-them-stay #TeacherCalling #GospelCenteredEducation #TeachingProfession #EducationPodcast #Vocation #TeacherWellness #SchoolLeadership #ChristianEducation #CallingandVocation Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    47 min

  7. SEP 29

    Modern Education In America: A Critique

    Dive into a crucial discussion on what's driving the decline in modern education! This episode explores why  math and reading scores are at their lowest levels in over two decades, attributing the crisis to complex, multi-factor issues. We analyze how the  COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses, especially due to a lack of student self-initiation and parental support during remote learning , while persistent problems like chronic absenteeism continue to plague schools.  Beyond the classroom, a focus on hyper-practical skills and a de-emphasis on higher-level thinking are undermining students' ability to discern and think logically. We also discuss how cultural forces—including rising anxiety , hyper-individualism, and a challenging move to student-centered learning —contribute to a decline in student flourishing.  Ultimately, we argue that moving away from a biblically-centered perspective has stripped education of its necessary foundation, making it harder than ever for kids to carry the weight of the world. #Education #LearningLoss #ModernEducation #StudentAnxiety #GospelCenteredEducation Resources mentioned in this episode: Alpha School: Using AI To Unleash Students And Transform Teaching Struggling High School Seniors Fall Even Further Behind on 'Nation's Report Card' https://christianschoolmanagement.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Time-to-Be-Obsessed-About-Play-not-Technology-the-Zechariah-Impact.pdf?mc_cid=7f5ff94f9a Student Burnout: A Review on Factors Contributing to Burnout Across Different Student Populations - PMC...  Useful Links: • GCE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FPscFU2HR/?mibextid=wwXIfr  Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this! Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    46 min
  8. The Case for Gospel Centered Education

    SEP 15

    The Case for Gospel Centered Education

    This season on Gospel Centered Education our goal is to bring thoughtful, practical insight to the larger conversation about forming young lives, so you can be more effective, more intentional, and more hopeful in the work you do with children and teens. We’ve also faced our own challenges in figuring out how to do this well! In this episode, we’ll ask big questions: Who is shaping the next generation? What should we see, be, know, and do to guide them well? How does faith in God shape this process? We’ll also begin to uncover how Gospel Centered Education can bring a unique perspective to the broader conversation about raising and educating the next generation. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or mentor, this episode will inspire you to lead with purpose and conviction.  Useful Links: •GCE on Facebook •GCE on YouTube Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this! Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherford

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join us to explore how we as Jesus Followers can “connect the dots” between Education, Culture & Biblical Theology, and to support faithful & discerning parents to help their kids live like Jesus in a broken and challenging  world.**Disclaimer** CCS does not warrant, endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information offered by guests, literature, or third party websites. These resources are provided for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of a licensed provider with any questions regarding yours or your child’s emotional or physical health.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Argersinger
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Gospel Centered Education
  • Show Website
    Gospel Centered Education