Jake McCandless sits down with Dr. Jim Wilder to discuss the surprising connection between neuroscience and faith. Learn how your brain was designed to grow through joy and peace, how relational connections form the foundation of maturity, and how parents can use brain science to help their children develop a faith that truly lasts.

Dr. Wilder also reveals how gratitude rewires the brain for resilience, and why a fully integrated faith is the key to spiritual and emotional health.

Key Takeaways:

• Your brain was designed for joy—and faith should be fueled by it.

• Maturity is about staying yourself when things go wrong.

• Gratitude is brain training for spiritual and emotional health.

• Parents can build resilience in their children through joy-based parenting.

Dr. Jim Wilder - Bio & Links

Dr. Jim Wilder is a neurotheologian, author, and the chief neurotheologian at *Life Model Works*, where he integrates brain science with spiritual formation to help individuals and communities grow in maturity and connection. He has dedicated his career to exploring the intersection of neuroscience and discipleship, helping people cultivate emotionally and spiritually healthy relationships. His work has profoundly shaped the field of relational discipleship and character transformation.

📖 **Growing We the People: More Human Community** – Get it on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-People-More-Human-Community/dp/B0DG2SX5F1

🔗 Life Model Works – Learn more:
https://lifemodelworks.org

Jake McCandless continues his conversation with Michael Hendrix about brain science and discipleship, focusing on practical steps parents can take to nurture a healthy and resilient faith in their children. Discover why building joy, practicing rest, and showing true connection with your kids can make all the difference.

Key Takeaways:

• Brain science reveals how children learn through joy and rest cycles

• Parenting with maturity impacts children's natural development

• Disciplining with grace and maintaining connection builds character

Michel Hendricks is a pastor, teacher, and the co-author of The Other Half of Church, a book that explores the integration of brain science and biblical principles to create healthy, thriving church communities. He has worked and trained alongside Dr. Jim Wilder, a leading voice in neurotheology, at Life Model Works. Michel’s passion is to help leaders cultivate environments where joy, hesed (loving-kindness), and spiritual maturity flourish. Learn more about his work at Life Model Works.

📖 The Other Half of Church by Michel Hendricks and Jim Wilder – Get it on Amazon

Have we been discipling with half the brain? Michel Hendricks, co-author of The Other Half of Church, reveals how right-brain training is essential for true spiritual transformation. Most discipleship focuses on knowledge and willpower, but what if emotional and relational growth is the missing key?

In this episode, we unpack:
🔹 How brain science connects to faith and formation
🔹 Why joy is the fuel for spiritual growth
🔹 The six big emotions that shape our discipleship
🔹 How parents can train their children’s emotional and spiritual resilience

The Book - The Other Half of Church - https://a.co/d/eaNy4Ms

Life Model Works - https://lifemodelworks.org