Child Discipleship Forum 2024

Thought Leadership for Children's Ministry Leaders

Nashville or Online - Sept. 19 & 20, 2024

Register Now

Why should you come to the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum?

There is no better place to engage in the timely topics relevant to the children in our churches and communities we serve. At CDF, you’ll learn how to develop a culture of child discipleship in your church. You don’t want to miss hearing from our 16 biblically sound leaders who work, lead and think deeply in the areas of theology, apologetics, gender/sexuality, ecclesiology, technology, anthropology, ministry and more. We curate these voices to help you lead and disciple the next generation to form lasting faith in Jesus, no matter the culture or context.

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Learn From Biblically Sound Leaders

Hear from experts on: the effects of technology on childhood anxiety, a love for biblical orthodoxy in a culture of compromise, answering tough questions with apologetics and more.

Get Equipped to Grow Child Discipleship in Your Church

Participate in roundtable discussions with your fellow children’s ministry leaders. Reflect, plan and respond to a host of new information and research. Return home with a renewed passion for biblical child discipleship.

A Unique Experience

CDF isn’t a conference; it’s a forum built around topics and conversations. The CDF places an emphasis on hearing from and reacting to leading voices as we gather at round tables. That’s why there are no breakout sessions, because we want participants to converse together to process, challenge and encourage one another. CDF is unique, because it’s focused on formation and participation.

NEW! CDF Welcome Party at the Factory

🎉 Come hangout at the CDF Welcome Party at the Factory from 4:30 - 6:30 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 18! Eat delicious appetizers, make memories at the photo station, play games and win giveaways – the grand prize is Brite Weekend Curriculum. It’s going to be a blast! Plus, we’ll check you in for CDF, so you can show up on Thursday morning ready to go. See you on Sept. 18!

CDF Music Experience

We're thrilled to announce we’ll be joined by prolific singer-songwriter and modern-day hymn writer, Sandra McCracken, for a story & song segment. Additionally, we will be led in worship by award-winning artist Travis Cottrell and his team.

Hear from experts on biblically discipling kids through the issues they’re facing in today’s culture.

•Bringing a Biblical understanding of gender and sexuality to children living in an “anything goes” world

•Navigating the epidemic of loneliness that is isolating children and families in our churches

•The porn pandemic and how it forms the identities and expectations of girls

•Cultural apologetics and making room for tough questions even among the youngest of us

•Gaining perspective as to how technology is malforming the youngest of hearts and minds

•Reawakening a love for Biblical orthodoxy in a culture of compromise

•And more!

Learn How to Successfully Shepherd Your Kids in Living Out Biblical Truth.

Child discipleship provides the power to CHANGE lives and TRANSFORM the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow child discipleship in your church. Register today for the Child Discipleship Forum. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

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Kellie - Dallas

“This conference was thought-provoking. The depth of the content helps lay a foundation for why we minister to children and families, how to truly disciple people and form a solid strategy for the Church to reach the next generation.”

Mark - Nashville

“It’s really an eye-opener. It allows us to grasp the urgency of child discipleship and leads us to the next steps of “What are we doing with discipleship?” Because if we’re not, something else will.”

Richard - San Diego

"Absolutely life-changing. I’ve gone from feeling hopeless in the light of our current culture to feeling encouraged and empowered. I’ve already made it a priority to spend time with our children’s ministry team to explore how we can be doing better at discipling whole families.”

Alex - St. Louis

“CDF made it even more clear how much our children’s ministry has got to step it up right now. Time is of the essence to reach these students and families.”

What to Expect

  • Learn from expert panels and 16 keynote speakers in just 2 days
  • Participate in roundtable discussions with like-minded ministry leaders
  • Enjoy free lunch, coffee and snacks with your team each day
  • Form new connections with kidmin leaders and teams from around the world
  • Reflect, plan and respond to a host of new information and research
  • Return home with a renewed passion for biblical child discipleship
Save Your Seat

2024 Speakers: Orthodox Biblical Views for Living in an Unorthodox World.

Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin

Author & Speaker

Sean McDowell

Apologist & Professor

Blair Linne

Author & Speaker

Trevin Wax

VP of Research and Resource Development at NAMB

Sandra McCracken

Prolific Songwriter
Modern-day Hymn Writer
and Record Producer

George Barna

Researcher & Professor

Glenn Packiam

Pastor & Author

Stephen Maphosah

Executive Vice President
International

Justin Whitmel Earley

Author & Speaker

Diane Comer

Founder
Intentional Parents International

Jay Kim

Pastor & Author

Elizabeth Mitchell

Ministry Leader

Sean Sweet

Community Director at FourFiveSix

Rachelle Starr

Scarlet Hope Founder & President

Matt Markins

Awana President & CEO

Tony Shepherd

CDF Host

Travis Cottrell

CDF Worship Leader

Event Details

  • September 19 & 20, 2024

  • Rolling Hills Community Church

  • 1810 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064

You're Invited to the CDF Welcome Party!

🎉 Come hangout at the CDF Welcome Party at the Factory on Sept. 18! Eat delicious appetizers, make memories at the photo station, play games and win giveaways – the grand prize is Brite Weekend Curriculum. It’s going to be a blast! Plus, we’ll check you in for CDF, so you can show up on Thursday morning ready to go. 💯
P.S. Have you been to the Factory recently? They’ve added tons of amazing shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to eat dinner and find gifts for your volunteers and families. See you there!
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18
Location: The Shed (outdoor pavilion) at The Factory, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

Explore the Factory

CDF 24 Schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 18

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. — 🎉 CDF Welcome Party! 🎉

The Shed (outdoor pavilion) at the Factory, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin TN, 37064.

Come hangout at the CDF Welcome Party! Eat delicious appetizers, make memories at the photo station, play games and win giveaways – the grand prize is Brite Weekend Curriculum. It’s going to be a blast! Plus, we’ll check you in for CDF, so you can show up on Thursday morning ready to go. 💯 P.S. Have you been to the Factory recently? They’ve added tons of amazing shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to eat dinner and find gifts for your volunteers and families. See you there!

 

Thursday, Sept. 19

7:30 a.m. — Church opens for Registration & Coffee

8:00 a.m. — Worship Center Doors Open

8:00 a.m. — Online Pre-Event Broadcast Begins

8:30 a.m. — Session 1

10:40 a.m. — Session 2

12:20 p.m. — Lunch (Included in Nashville Registration)

1:30 p.m. — Session 3

4:00 p.m. — Session 4

5:30 p.m. — Day 1 Ends

 

Friday, Sept. 20

7:30 a.m. — Church opens for Community & Coffee

8:00 a.m. — Worship Center Doors Open

8:00 a.m. — Online Pre-Event Broadcast Begins

8:30 a.m. — Session 5

11:00 a.m. — Session 6

12:30 p.m. — Lunch (Included in Nashville Registration)

1:45 p.m. — Session 7

3:30 p.m. — CDF Day 2 Ends

3:30 p.m. — Online Wrap Up Show

Schedule is approximate and all times are subject to change.

Plan Your Trip

Nashville is widely known as Music City – and for good reason. Nashville, TN is the hometown of country music and the birthplace of bluegrass, with roots in R&B, and a thriving pop and rock scene. The city offers exciting experiences for all ages and interests. Visitors come from all over the world to listen to live music, see the famous recording studios on Music Row, try Nashville’s famous hot chicken or simply plan a fun vacation in the city.

Hotel Accommodations

The Child Discipleship Forum will be held at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN. We have blocks of rooms available at the hotels below. Mention code “CDF” when booking.

Homewood Suites Franklin Residence Inn Franklin Berry Farms

FAQs

Past CDF Talks Worth Watching

CDF 2022
Matt Markins
We're Using Old Maps
View
CDF 2022
Rebecca McLaughlin
Things the Church Must Reclaim
View
CDF 2022
Sam Luce
The Job of a Children's Pastor
View
CDF 2022
Carl Trueman
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
View

About Awana

The Child Discipleship Forum has been organized by Awana. From its roots in mid-week children's ministry, Awana has become a leader in global child and youth discipleship, providing curriculum and leader equipping in 135 countries. Awana partners with ministries like Compassion International, World Vision, and numerous denominations in over 78,000 churches, engaging more than 6.4 million children and students weekly.