Spiritually Fit Today

The 4 Things Every Child Needs to Thrive - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole, and guest featuring Mrs. Thimijan. In this episode we explore the “spiritual seeds” that grow into lifelong roots. Mrs. Thimijan emphasizes listening, modeling kindness and manners, praising gifts, exploring interests, and the critical role of social-emotional skills for school success. Memory verse: Proverbs 22:6.4 R Action StepsRead — Read Proverbs 22:6 aloud with a child or quietly for personal reflection.Reflect — Ask: How can I invest 10–15 focused minutes today to notice a child’s gift, feeling, or social need?Respond — Short prayer: Lord, give us wisdom to nurture the hearts you’ve entrusted to us. Help us listen, model kindness, and point children to your love. Amen.Reveal — Put the plan into practice: put the phone down, listen, praise a strength, name an emotion, model manners, explore an interest, then share what you tried with another caregiver or mentor.Questions or resources: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: children’s spiritual formation, early childhood faith, Christian parenting, child discipleship, Proverbs 22:6, social emotional learning, preschool ministry, faith formation, parenting tips, Arnie Cole, Mrs. ThimijanSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Helping Kids Handle Grief and Change - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and his guest this week, Mrs. Thimijan. In this episode we gently explore how to support preschoolers facing divorce, death, or major family crises. We emphasize presence, listening, one‑on‑one prayer, and grounding little ones in the assurance of God’s care, using Proverbs 22:6 as our guiding memory verse.4 R action steps:- Read: Read Proverbs 22:6. - Reflect: Consider how you can prioritize heart care—presence, eye contact, listening—rather than trying to resolve every “why.” - Respond (short prayer): Lord, in times of pain, be close to our children. Help us guide and protect their hearts, remind them You are near, and give us wisdom to love them well. Amen. - Reveal: Demonstrate this truth by finding a safe space to pray one‑on‑one with a child, read a comforting Bible story together, and show consistent love and reassurance that God is with them.Need to reach Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Mrs. Thimijan, children and grief, preschoolers and death, helping kids through divorce, Christian parenting, Proverbs 22:6, children’s spiritual formation, one‑on‑one prayer, grief support for children, faith and kidsSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Parenting Reset Every Family Needs - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mrs. Thimijan. In this episode we address scattered adult attention, device distraction, and practical ways even the busiest parents and grandparents can create heart-anchoring moments that nurture a child’s spiritual growth.Take action with the 4 R’s- Read: Read Proverbs 22:6 aloud with your child. - Reflect: Ask together — Where do I notice devices taking our attention? What small part of today can we make different? What adventure can we share this week? - Respond (short prayer): Lord, help us choose presence over distraction. Teach us to listen, love, and guide our children so their hearts grow toward You. Amen. - Reveal: Demonstrate this truth by scheduling a daily device-free check-in. Keep mealtimes and bedtime prayers consistent.ContactQuestions or feedback for Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: parenting, spiritual formation, child discipleship, Proverbs 22:6, screen time, intentional parenting, family devotions, prayer for kids, family meeting, device-free parenting, Arnie Cole, Mrs. Thimijan, Spiritually Fit TodaySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

How to Plant Faith in a Child’s Heart - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mrs. Thimijan. In this episode they explore how to weave faith into a preschooler’s everyday life so it becomes a lasting heart-level foundation. Mrs. Thimijan emphasizes love first, using music, visual object lessons, daily small moments, and prayer to move faith from the head to the heart. 4 R practical next steps- Read: Read Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it."- Reflect: Ask a simple question like “Where does Jesus live?” and let the child point to their heart; notice what that means for them today.- Respond: Pray a short prayer — “Lord, help this child know they are loved by you; grow their faith one small step at a time. Amen.”- Reveal: Demonstrate the truth by creating one daily faith moment (a short prayer, a bedtime story, an object lesson such as an egg to represent new life, or playing a worship song together).Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: preschool spiritual formation, faith formation for kids, Proverbs 22:6, Christian parenting, children's ministry, object lessons, kids worship, prayer for children, early childhood faith, Mrs. Thimijan, Arnie ColeSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Words That Shape a Child for Life - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mrs. Thimijan. In this episode we explore how the everyday words and actions adults offer preschoolers can plant unbreakable confidence and early spiritual roots, anchored in Proverbs 22:6. Mrs. Thimijan draws on 43 years in Christian preschool ministry to share practical practices: give focused attention, eye contact, listening, specific affirmation, handle teasing gently, help perfectionistic children try without fear, point out God-given gifts, partner with parents and church, and rely on the Holy Spirit and prayer. 4 R Action Steps- Read: Proverbs 22:6.- Reflect: Which small, daily habit (a specific compliment, eye contact, a listening moment) can you start today to “plant” confidence and faith?- Respond (prayer): Lord, thank you for each child made in Your image. Help us speak life, show patience, and plant seeds of confidence and faith through our presence and prayer. Amen.- Reveal: Choose one child this week—spend focused time, speak a specific truth about their gift, pray for them aloud, and tell their parent or teacher what you noticed so the encouragement is reinforced.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: child self-image, preschool faith, Christian parenting, Proverbs 22:6, early spiritual development, building confidence, spiritual formation, Holy Spirit, Christian preschool, parenting tips, grandparentsSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Stop Praying Safe Prayers - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Roy Moran. In this episode we unpack how the early church prayed for boldness, why disciple‑making movements thrive on prayer. Memory verse: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:18–20).Read - Read Matthew 28:18–20 (the Great Commission).Reflect - Ask: Where can I practice holy ambition today? Who around me needs the Father’s favor? Am I helping others discover Jesus or just telling them?Respond (short prayer) - Lord, I need You. I don’t want a life of quiet comfort. Grant me boldness to speak and faith to act. Amen.Reveal - This week invite one person to a brief conversation, ask "How can I pray for you?" or share one verse and ask what God might be saying—help them discover, not just receive information.Connect: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: disciple making, spiritual fitness, Great Commission, prayer, Scripture, obedience, holy ambition, church movements, discipleship, evangelism, Christian podcastSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
 
 

Stop Being a Fan. Start Being a Disciple Maker. - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Roy Moran. In this episode we unpack disciple-making as the everyday calling of every Christian — moving from supporting missions to actively helping others follow Jesus through simple, reproducible habits. 4 R action steps you can use right nowRead — Choose a short passage like Matthew 28:18-20 or another Gospel paragraph. Read it slowly and get your “fingerprints on the page” through a simple discovery Bible study.Reflect — Ask: What is one specific thing Jesus is calling me to do from this passage? Turn it into an “I will…” statement you can try in the next 24–48 hours.Respond — Short prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for equipping ordinary people. Give me humility to learn, courage to obey, and faithfulness to practice one step of obedience today. Use me to build your body and make disciples who make disciples. Amen.Reveal — Share your “I will” with one person and invite them to try the same habit; or walk a neighborhood for 20–30 minutes this week, pray for neighbors by name, and look for people to help start a short discovery study.Want help or resources? Email Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: disciple making, Great Commission, spiritual fitness, daily discipleship, discovery Bible study, read reflect respond reveal, neighborhood outreach, evangelism, practical obedience, Roy Moran, Arnie Cole, Spiritually Fit TodaySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Are We Avoiding the Hardest Places? - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Roy Moran. In this episode they explore "holy ambition" — strategic compassion that moves ordinary believers beyond comfortable circles to love the unreached on purpose. Roy emphasizes relational, marketplace-centered disciplemaking, small-group multiplication, and obeying the Great Commission in everyday life. Memory verse: Matthew 28:18–20 — "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."4 R action stepsRead — Read Matthew 28:18–20 slowly this week.Reflect — Ask: Where do I spend most of my time? Who in my workplace, neighborhood, or social circles has little or no gospel access? What would one obedient next step look like?Respond — Short prayer: Lord, give me Your heart for the unreached. Forgive my comfort. Fill me with holy ambition to love, pray for, and reach others where I already am. Amen.Reveal — Practical next steps: start one reproducible discipleship group (6–10 people), invite a coworker to coffee and listen for spiritual need, pray and give toward trusted efforts, or share a personal story of Jesus with someone you already know.ContactArnie Cole — arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: holy ambition, Great Commission, unreached people groups, strategic compassion, disciple making, relational evangelism, marketplace ministry, small group multiplication, Matthew 28:18-20, Roy Moran, Arnie ColeSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Nations Are in Your Neighborhood - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Roy Moran about the Great Commission as a daily, local calling — not just overseas missions. Learn to see the mission field in workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and everyday routines. Memory verse to read: Matthew 28:18–194 R action steps- Read: Read Matthew 28:18–19, and Luke 15 to see how Jesus frames the mission and how a lovesick Father seeks the lost.- Reflect: Ask: Who are the “nations” already in my life? Who might be a person I can offer relationship and spiritual conversation to? Where am I already walking that could become a mission field?- Respond (short prayer): Father, make me a carrier of Your peace. Train my mouth to bless before I speak. Give me eyes to see those You’re drawing to Yourself and the courage to show up with kindness. Amen.- Reveal: Reach out to one person today — tell them you’re grateful for them, that you’re praying for them, wish them peace, and ask “How are you really doing?” If they’re open, offer to pray and invite them into something you’re learning in Scripture.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Great Commission, disciple making, everyday mission, Matthew 28, person of peace, evangelism, Christian discipleship, Luke 10, Luke 15, outreach, faith in daily life, gospel in the workplaceSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
 

Disciple-Making Starts With Trust - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Roy Moran. In this episode Roy explores how Jesus’ authority in Matthew 28:18–20 reframes the Great Commission from a risky volunteer task into a confident act of obedience. Roy shares his journey into disciple-making.4 R action stepsRead — Read Matthew 28:18–20 (memorize verse if you can).Reflect — Ask: How does Jesus’ proclaimed authority change my fear or hesitation about sharing my faith? Where could I obediently go this week?Respond — Prayer: Lord, you are King with all authority. Forgive my fear. I submit my schedule, comfort, and reputation to you. Give me courage to take one obedient step to speak, love, and invite someone, and remind me you are with me. Amen.Reveal — Be spiritually obvious by sharing your story: ask one meaningful question of someone today, invite them to read a passage with you.Connect: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20, disciple making, evangelism, church planting, hybrid church, New Generations, Roy Moran, Arnie Cole, discovery groupsSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft