God’s Voice, Avoiding Judgmentalism, & Children’s Deep Formation
Welcome to Friends In Formation, a podcast where listener questions set the table for conversations on Christian spiritual formation — brought to you by Renovaré’s Friends in Formation Monthly Giving Community.
Three listener questions spark life-giving discussion between host James Catford, co-host Richella Parham, and guest contributor Grace Pouch. Today’s episode begins with a conversation on learning to pay attention to God’s voice and to distinguish it from other voices.
- How do you discern between the multitude of voices speaking; the world, my flesh, the devil, God through his Word and the Holy Spirit?
- I struggle with feeling judgmental about putting my friends into categories of ‘going to Heaven’ and ‘not going to Heaven’ when actually how can I know where their hearts are with God?
- I would like to teach spiritual formation and the kingdom worldview to elementary age children… Are there ready-made resources that you recommend so I don’t have to re-invent the wheel?
We’d love to hear your question! Submit one here.
What We’re Enjoying Right Now
- David’s Crown (book) by Malcolm Guite
- Fall in Love (song) by Carolyn Arends
- Grace Pouch’s book Savoring Childhood: Practical Wisdom for Slowing Down (Read an excerpt in Christianity Today)
More Links
- Thomas Kelly’s A Testament of Devotion
- The Renovaré Covenant
- Recommended by Grace Pouch (re: question three):
- Children’s Bible in 365 Stories by Mary Batchelor. This is my go-to children’s Bible because it maintains the integrity of the story as a whole and has a beauty and depth to the storytelling.
- Life with God for Children, by Lacy Borgo.
Lacy’s curriculum for grades Pre‑K — 6th shares key stories from the Bible narrative that help kids catch a vision for life with God and step into spiritual practices that help kids to know God personally and transformatively.
A Child’s Journey of Spiritual Formation: A Curriculum and Guide for Spiritual Formation with Children for Parents and Children’s Ministries, by Vernie Schorr Love (Renovaré Institute graduate)
Vernie’s curriculum reorients us to the goal of helping children know the Lord God personally and interact with him in ways that shape their inner life, or character to be increasingly like Jesus. She helps us see that Spirit-empowered adults can do much more than just keep kids entertained or teach them to follow rules.
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Grace Pouch
Grace Pate Pouch is Content Manager for Renovaré where she curates and produces resources for spiritual renewal. She is the author of Savoring Childhood: Practical Wisdom for Slowing Down. She previously served as a seminary professor and Christian education specialist for elementary school children. Grace and her husband William live with their two children, Charlotte and Henry, in Greenville, SC.
James Catford
During a career in commercial publishing, James worked with many of the authors most closely associated with Renovaré and he now chairs SPCK, the largest Christian publisher in the UK. After fourteen years leading the British Bible Society James also works with American Bible Society to support Christians in leadership around the world. He lives with his wife Sue in London.
Richella Parham
Richella is Chair of the Renovaré Board of Trustees. With a background in small business, education, and church leadership, Richella is a speaker and the author of Mythical Me (IVP) and A Spiritual Formation Primer. She is the mother of three young adult sons and lives with her husband Jack in Durham, North Carolina. Read her full bio and connect with Richella at richellajparham.com.