Keeping It Young

Dave Young, Bethlie Young
  • 4.9 (310)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

A weekly podcast hosted by Dave and Bethlie Young who have spoken to thousands of people across America and around the world. Their heart is to encourage, direct, and strengthen your marriage, family, and ministry life. You will find humor, helpful teaching, and great encouragement. Join them each week as together they share Biblical and practical insights.

  1. 5d ago

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 4 [Archive]

    Please pray for Dave and Bethlie as they continue this season of pause on the podcast. If you're a brand new listener or a orignal listener from 6 years ago, we're sure this series will be a blessing.   Recap of Steps So Far Fear God — must first know God to stand in awe of Him. Host shared a personal illustration: praying as a family for a new RV, and God's provision through friends/supporters — using it to show their kids God's goodness firsthand. Keep God First Love God (heart, soul, might/mind/strength) Step 4 (this episode): Teach God's Word Diligently Deut. 6:4–9  1. It must be personally real first (v.6 — "shall be in thine heart") You can't teach what you don't know/live yourself — parents need their own regular time in God's Word before they can pass it on. There is value in a physical Bible over a phone/app: fewer distractions (notifications), and the ability to highlight, underline, and write notes  Not legalistic about method (no requirement to read X chapters/day) — the goal is that Scripture is treasured and genuinely part of daily life, not just consumed on a screen. 2. It must be diligently taught (v.7 — "teach them diligently") Two forms: Formal family devotions — scheduling a set time (Dave and Bethlie do this in the evenings). Their practice: reading a passage, reviewing memorized passages (Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Psalm 1, 19, 23, 100), closing in prayer. Informal/organic teaching — woven into daily life as Deut. 6:7 describes ("when thou sittest... walkest... liest down... risest up"): Using teachable moments from TV (example: an Andy Griffith episode with a drunk character as an opening to discuss what the Bible says about alcohol; also referenced a real story about alcohol contributing to an affair in a church). Correcting sibling conflict by quoting Scripture on the spot, and having kids write out Bible verses as a consequence/reinforcement. Attaching specific verses to recurring life moments — e.g., Psalm 19:1 ("The heavens declare...") for stargazing, Psalm 23 imagery for green pastures/lakes seen while driving, Ecclesiastes ("in all labor there is profit") for schoolwork motivation, Proverbs 11:16 ("a gracious woman retaineth honor") for daughters navigating "mean girl" dynamics, Job 31:1 ("I have made a covenant with mine eyes,") for teenage sons and purity of eyes. 3. It must be prominently displayed (v.9 — "write them upon the posts of thy house") Scripture decor/signs around the home Kids writing verse references or phrases on their own hands as personal reminders — modeled after a young evangelist who traveled with the family; framed as intentional and temporary, not a tattoo. 4. It must be reasonably explained (previewed, to be covered in a future episode) As kids get older, genuine "why" questions are an opportunity to explain Scripture's reasoning — distinguished from rebellious "why," which needs correction rather than explanation. As kids mature, ask them "What do you think we should do based on what the Bible says?" to build their own habit of returning to Scripture.

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 4 [Archive]

  2. Aug 10

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 3 [Archive]

    Please pray for Dave and Bethlie as they continue this season of pause on the podcast. If you're a brand new listener or a orignal listner from 6 years ago, we're sure this series will be a blessing. Series Recap Fear God — To fear God, kids must first know God (can't stand in awe of someone unfamiliar). Keep God First — God takes priority over comfort, convenience, and blessing. A home can look put together (loving spouses, "good kids," active church attendance) and still fail at these principles. None of this happens by accident; it requires deliberate, daily practice. Parents can "perform" faith at church, but they cannot fool their own family — kids sense whether God is genuinely first. Step 3 (this episode): Love God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength "No one rebels against that which they love." What you love becomes obvious to others (illustrated humorously via sports team loyalty). How to Train Kids to Love God In the good times: Teach kids to be thankful. Teach them to be thankful for each other (birthdays, Father's/Mother's Day, graduations), and for God's provision through others (writing thank you notes). Prioritize church attendance even when life is comfortable — ease is often when people quietly deprioritize God. Invest financially/practically in opportunities for kids to encounter God (e.g., sending kids to summer camp despite the cost). In the dark times: Personal Example: loss of children (infant loss), loss of both of Bethlie's parents, church transitions, ministry conflicts/misunderstandings. Foundation matters: loving God consistently in good times prepares a family not to be "blown out of the water" by hard times. Framing for kids: hardship isn't God abandoning the family — it's the reality of living in a fallen/sin-cursed world; God remains good and can grow us through difficulty. Model consistency: continue church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, and kindness within the home even when discouraged — kids watch whether parents' faith holds up under pressure. Have honest, age-appropriate conversations with kids about what's happening and reaffirm the family's commitment to keep loving God through it. Serving others during hard times shifts focus off self and onto others — described as "powerful." Callback to Episode 1 theme: "serve the Lord with gladness" — serving happily in both good and bad times testifies to love for God. Caution on guarding the tongue (referencing James 1:26) — complaining/negativity undercuts a credible testimony of loving God, especially in front of children. Closing Thought "Love is never stagnant — it is either growing or declining. "Relationship with God requires ongoing, active pursuit, not a one-time declaration. Summary challenge to listeners: fear God, keep God first, and love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength — then train the next generation to do the same.

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 3 [Archive]

  3. Aug 3

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 2 [Archive]

    Turn to Matthew 6:19-21 and Philippians 1:21 and join Dave and Bethlie as the continue their discussion on Building A Chrisitian Family. Here are some practical diagnostic questions for parents: When did you last skip an activity (beach, TV, a purchase, a look/fashion choice) because God comes first? Do your kids see you pray, read Scripture, and make decisions on the basis of faith rather than convenience? Personal example: host's daughter prayed for two years before the family took a scaled-back Disney trip, modeling "seek the Lord first" over just charging it to a credit card. "Priorities are demonstrated by actions (money, calendar, speech, treatment of others), not just by stated beliefs."

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family Part 2 [Archive]

  4. Jul 27

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family [Archive]

    In this "From The Archives" episode, we revisit this popular series entitled Seven Vital Steps to Building a Christian Family, based on Deuteronomy 6. God charged Israel to live distinctly from surrounding culture and to actively pass that faith down to children and grandchildren. This is a multi-generational, slow-built process rather than a quick fix. Step One: The Fear of the Lord Psalm 33:8, Psalm 33:18, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 1:29, 8:13, 10:27, 14:27 — Fearing God is tied to wisdom, knowledge, protection, and a fuller life. Practical ways to cultivate reverence in kids Congregational singing as an act of worship and awe Daily gratitude and prayer at meals Careful, deliberate use of God's name in the home Creating "awe" experiences

    7 Steps To Building A Christian Family [Archive]

  5. Jul 21

    Overcoming Challenging Events Part 2

    Dave and Bethlie finish up the second part of this Overcoming Challenging Events series. 3. Keep growing Only God can bring beauty out of ashes Satan wants to increase the ash heap God wants to grow beauty from the ash heap He does it as we grow in Him Stay in the Word Read it daily Listen to it read aloud You Version Blue letter bible Etc Pray a lot Keep trusting God Remind yourself of truth Sin is bad Sin is the reason for all the wrong in the world God is good God is continually working to enable us to overcome the wrong   4. Be prepared for people When they forget When they say the wrong thing When they let you down

    Overcoming Challenging Events Part 2

  6. Jul 13

    Overcoming Challenging Events Part 1

    In this episode, Dave and Bethlie launch a new mini-series on overcoming the challenging events of life. Whether it's the death of a loved one, a church split, a battle with cancer, or the pain of divorce we all encoutner challenging events. Part 1 of this mini series focuses on the importance of maintaining daily rhythms and staying connected both spiritually, and relationally, and through honest conversation. Even when everything in you wants to shut down. What do we mean by challenging events of life? A death A church split A cancer A divorce or betrayal Pastor Bill Prater call it How to get through what you can't get over So how do you overcome all of this?  We can make these suggestions: Keep going Practically Remember to eat Remember to sleep Try to exercise Maintain responsibilities Work Chores Family Spiritually Stay in church Play psalms hymns and spiritual songs Relationally Keep talking Stay connected Seek counsel Illustration of Joseph in the OT Called by God to be a leader Sold into slavery by his brothers Leads Potiphar's household Winds up in prison unjustly Leads the prison (is there for 12-13 years)   Keep talking  Talk to God Be honest Be real Stay in the Psalms a lot They are raw They are honest They always point to truth Talk to each other God designed us to talk to each other Sharing our emotions with a trusted friend can help bring cleansing It allows our brain to process the emotions - especially if you are a man It cleanses our brain - especially if you are a woman Sharing our emotions with a counselor can allow them to point us to truth

    Overcoming Challenging Events Part 1

  7. Jul 7

    Overcoming The Pitfalls or Ministry & Family Part 2

    We're finishing this mini-series on Overcoming Pitfalls of Family and Ministry! 3. Please God wholeheartedly In ministry we were/are all in  We served as a family We have gone soul winning as a family We have sung as a family We have worshiped as a family We have sat together as a family in church We have had family devotions We have had long talks about life and godliness We have prayed together and seen God do great things as a result   In family we were/are all in We have Trained - it never stops until they are adults on their own We have done a ton of teaching - it never stops either We have played - we did a lot of this Games Walks Movies Fun Family Fridays Beach days Coffee shops We have been to Disney, Busch gardens, and Cedar Point We have hiked in Nevada, Arizona, California, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan We have been to the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, The Gulf of America (or Mexico :)) and all of the Great Lakes Dr. Dave Teis - spend money having fun with your kids We also attended church some 300 nights each year in revival services, conferences, and camps

    Overcoming The Pitfalls or Ministry & Family Part 2

  8. Jun 29

    Overcoming The Pitfalls of Ministry & Family Part 1

    So how do you overcome the pitfalls of family and ministry? Dave and Bethlie make three suggestions: Have ONE priority GOD IS EVERYTHING I know that we are taught that Family is First Bethlie and I perhaps take a different approach Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added unto you.  All these things: Refers to God's blessings and favor and provisions The kingdom of God encompasses all of our Christian lives and responsibilities  Our walk with God - that is a priority Our family - that is a priority Our ministry - that is a priority This doesn't have to be about 1, 2, 3 It has to be about living our lives each day doing the right thing in the right way His righteousness: What does He want? What is right according to Him?   Pursue all responsibilities passionately and intentionally Dr. Bob Jones Sr. famously said - Duties never conflict.  Like any saying that can be challenged - it isn't the Bible But he has a point Duties must be fulfilled God doesn't want us to give up one for the other He wants us to live our life and win on all fronts Ministry is not above family Serve the Lord - with your family Family is not above ministry Serve the Lord - with your family Both are life and and both are God given responsibilities Win at both

    Overcoming The Pitfalls of Ministry & Family Part 1
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About

A weekly podcast hosted by Dave and Bethlie Young who have spoken to thousands of people across America and around the world. Their heart is to encourage, direct, and strengthen your marriage, family, and ministry life. You will find humor, helpful teaching, and great encouragement. Join them each week as together they share Biblical and practical insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Young, Bethlie Young
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    331
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Keeping It Young

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