Welcome to another encouraging episode of Fierce Calling with Doris Swift, where today we have the pleasure of introducing Lee Ann Mancini, an award-winning executive producer, author, podcast host, and advocate for raising children with a strong Christian foundation. In this episode, Lee Ann shares her incredible journey and passion for equipping families to instill biblical values in their children, and to help them become critical thinkers. Her new book Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God, is a powerful resource for parents, that doesn’t just tell parents what to do, it shows them how to do it.

We discuss some startling statistics regarding young people leaving the faith, concerns about culture shifts, and what we can do to help kids build strong spiritual foundations. Lee Ann also discusses her captivating children’s book series, “Sea Kids,” and the animated adaptations that aim to teach children to live out God’s principles in everyday life. With her nonprofit dedicated to providing Christian resources to families, Lee Ann speaks on critical issues like religious beliefs, parenting, and the challenging cultural shifts impacting Christian households. She is also passionate about the importance of apologetics, and what that means for our kids and us.

Doris and Lee Ann engage in a profound discussion, exploring practical advice for parents and grandparents who play vital roles in the spiritual development of the next generation. This episode is packed with valuable insights, not only from Lee Ann’s books but also from her impactful parenting resources and approaches to teaching children about absolute truth, identity, and faith.

Stay tuned to be inspired and equipped to reinforce a solid Christian foundation within your family!

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2. Belief and Critical Thinking:
   
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   • Importance of children understanding faith beyond parental influence.
     
   • Critical thinking as an essential skill for children
     
   
   
   
3. Early Education and Vocabulary:
   
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   • Children’s understanding extends beyond what they can articulate, even as young as six months.
     
   • Recommendation for parents to use biblical language from an early age.
     
   • Encouragement to teach terms like ‘redemption’ and ‘salvation.’
     
   
   
   
4. Parenting and Family Structure:
   
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   • Initiating family meetings to create a mission statement
     
   • Emphasize accountability to God, love for children, and safety.
     
   • Importance of distinguishing children’s privileges from rights, such as technology use.
     
   
   
   
5. School and Gender Discussions:
   
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   • Concerns about children choosing identities in schools without parental consent.
     
   • The concerns surrounding early gender identity discussions and potential identity crises.
     
   
   
   
6. Identity and Christ:
   
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   • Raising children with Christian values for a true sense of identity.
     
   • Reassurance for parents regarding past parenting mistakes.
     
   
   
   
7. Children’s Media and Learning:
   
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   • Lee Ann Mancini’s observation of a gap in biblical principles within children’s stories.
     
   • Creation of “Sea Kids” series to teach biblical principles in real-life scenarios.
     
   • Availability of the series on various platforms and adaptation into an animation.
     
   
   
   
8. Lee Ann Mancini’s Nonprofit Projects:
   
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   • Projects like the parenting book and “scripture bear” that support Raising Christian Kids.
     
   • Proceeds from projects support Mancini’s nonprofit efforts providing free resources.
     
   
   
   
9. Financial Struggles of Christian Families:
   
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   • Research statistics on Christian families’ financial struggles.
     
   • Free resources provided by Mancini’s nonprofit to families through South Florida Bible College.
     
   
   
   
10. Additional Resources and Recommendations:
    
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    • Available resources on Mancini’s nonprofit website, like expert tips and videos.
      
    • Recommendations for a Trumie phone for safety and Answers in Genesis’s apologetic curriculum.
      
    
    
    
11. Church Events and Influences:
    
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    • Mention of a church event featuring Greg Kochel.
      
    • The inclusion of the “Tactics” book in church’s discipleship pathway.
      
    
    
    
12. Fostering Faith in Children:
    
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    • Importance of parents and grandparents in influencing children’s faith.
      
    • Practical ways parents can pass teachings to their children, even from afar.
      
    
    
    
13. Lee Ann Mancini’s Book “Raising Kids to Follow Christ”:
    
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    • Provides practical resources for faith-related questions and emphasizes absolute truth.
      
    • Encourages critical thinking and role play for children’s independent development.
      
    • Focuses on inner transformation and obedience to God rather than behavior modification.
      
    
    
    
14. Age-Specific Faith Education:
    
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    • Addresses parenting from the womb to age 13.
      
    • Emphasizes laying a solid faith foundation and building on it.
      
    
    
    
15. Apologetics and Cultural Concerns:
    
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    • Includes a chapter on apologetics with 312 Bible references.
      
    • Discusses challenges like gender issues and decline in Christian values.
      
    • Countering cultural challenges with a well-rounded, faith-based upbringing.
      
    
    
    
16. Deconstruction of Faith:
    
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    • Acknowledges the trend of people leaving Christianity.
      
    • Importance of solid early faith education to counteract this trend.
      
    
    
    
17. Educational Approach and Community Role:
    
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    • Critiques of “Sunday school faith” and advocacy for deeper faith education.
      
    • Importance of parental and church engagement in children’s spiritual development.
      
    
    
    
18. Spiritual Warfare and Biblical Directive:
    
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    • References to cultural “spiritual warfare” akin to World War 2 efforts.
      
    • Advocates for integrating faith into daily life, referencing Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
      
    
    
    
19. Host Doris’ Reflections:
    
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    • Agreement with the practical nature of Mancini’s advice.
      
    • Emphasis on establishing good habits to equip children.
      
    
    
    

You can connect with Lee Ann and find her podcast, books, and free resources at raisingchristiankids.com

Lee Ann Mancini is the author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God, and hosts the award-winning podcast Raising Christian Kids, available on all major platforms and streaming on KHCB Radio’s Uplifted station. She shares expert godly advice, biblically-based wisdom, and insightful tools for parenting children to bring them closer to Jesus. Lee Ann is also an award-winning Christian children’s author and executive producer of the animated series Sea Kids, which can be viewed on Answers.TV, Pure Flix, Right Now Media, and SeaKidsTV. This series is based on her children’s books about cute, colorful sea creatures who learn about God’s morals and values and how to live those daily.

Lee Ann Mancini An adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, as well as a sought-after speaker on topics such as Christian growth, biblical understanding, and children’s spirituality, she received her B. A. in Religious Studies from Regent University, master’s degrees in Christian & Classical Studies and Biblical & Theological Studies from Knox Theological Seminary, and a master’s in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Lee Ann and her husband Guy have two adult children and make their home in South Florida.

Connect with Doris at https://dorisswift.com/ For speaking engagements, visit her booking page at womenspeakers.com

Join us for this heartening episode of Fierce Calling and be inspired to deepen your biblical study and walk with God.

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

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Doris

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