The Lord of the Rings is a timeless classic, able to capture the minds of young and old alike. But apart from its singularly masterful writing and vivid imagery, The Lord of the Rings has an element of theological truths interwoven into its very fabric in such a way that even the most hardened skeptic […]

Episode 20: I was an Atheist Until I Read Lord of the Rings

Mama Bear Apologetics is a podcast for mothers of biological, adopted, or spiritual children who want to learn about how to defend the Christian faith, help give their children reasons for faith, and understand the worldviews that challenge Christian faith in the first place.

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SummaryMy heart swells with gratitude when I recall the gentle whispers of wisdom my own mother shared with me, shaping my spiritual path. This Mother's Day, join us as we celebrate the extraordinary influence mothers, both biological, adoptive and spiritual have on nurturing faith. Alongside my friend and ministry partner Alexa, we weave together touching narratives and Biblical wisdom to honor the irreplaceable role of mothers in faith formation. The world often measures success in material wealth and titles, but we want to acknowledge the profound beauty in the simplicity of a faith-filled home. Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 31:26, we discuss the pressures modern moms face, encouraging a return to wisdom, kindness, and the nurturing of young souls. We also discuss the importance of a nurturing church environment that shows respect, equips for the journey, and accepts every mom with open arms. As we wrap up, we offer parenting wisdom and encouragement, acknowledging the various expressions of motherhood and the power of speaking life into our children. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to all the 'mama bears' out there, standing firm in faith and love.to a resource that helps you have those conversations with your children.Main Points CoveredMom’s you are vital in nurturing the faith of your child.You don’t have to “have it all” to have it all.Your church is there for you.
People and Resources MentionedProverbs 31:26https://www.barna.com/research/spiritually-vibrant-household/https://www.barna.com/research/faith-heritage-faith-practice/https://www.barna.com/research/moms-christians-households/
Thanks to our Sponsors
 The CSB Bible Translation The brand-new CSB Men’s Daily Bible makes the ideal Father’s Day gift. Whether it be for a biological, adoptive, or spiritual father, they’ll love the thoughtfulness and intentionality behind a gift that walks with them through the finer points of fatherhood specifically and manhood generally. Use the code MDB50 at lifeway.com and you will receive 50% off your purchase.

Episode 104. Three Encouragements for All Moms on Mother's Day

SummaryOn this episode we are Joined by Christopher Yuan to discuss The Holy Sexuality Project and what led him to create it. Christopher vulnerably shares his story of how he stepped into a homosexual lifestyle and how, as he says, the prayers of his own Mama Bear led to his salvation. We focus on the pivotal role of parents and grandparents in shaping the conversation on sexuality, emphasizing the necessity of home discipleship. Through the lens of Christopher's ministry, we explore why he felt the need to create resources aimed at equipping families to broach these topics from a biblical context. We also discuss the challenges and timing of introducing the concept of sexuality to children and the pressing need for parents to guide their children before the onset of puberty. We recognize the flood of "almost true" information that surrounds our kids on a daily basis, even from the Christian community and the hope of this episode is to not only help provide a biblical context for confronting that messaging but also point you to a resource that helps you have those conversations with your children.Main Points CoveredWhat is the current landscape of the sexuality conversation in our culture?When is right time to talk with your child about sexuality.The importance of clarity over agreement in the conversation of sexuality.What is Side A and Side B as it relates to the Christian conversation on sexuality?What is a biblical view of identity and sexuality?
People and Resources MentionedThe Holy Sexuality ProjectChristopher Yuan's WebsiteJeremiah 29:11Matthew 18:6-14
Thanks to our Sponsors
 The CSB Bible Translation The brand-new CSB Men’s Daily Bible makes the ideal Father’s Day gift. Whether it be for a biological, adoptive, or spiritual father, they’ll love the thoughtfulness and intentionality behind a gift that walks with them through the finer points of fatherhood specifically and manhood generally.  Use the code MDB50 at lifeway.com and you will receive 50% off your purchase. 
Unfamiliar VocabularySide A: Your sexual orientation is unchangeable and is part of your identity that should be accepted.Side B: Your sexual orientation is unchangeable and is a part of your identity that should be deprived.Celibacy (in relation to Side B same-sex orientation): A volitional vocation of being single. (This is a practice primarily informed by the worldview that your sexual orientation cannot be transformed, but is a part of who you are).

Episode 103. The Holy Sexuality Project with Christopher Yuan

SummaryHello, fellow Mama Bears! On this episode we are ROAR'ing through the latest He Gets Us commercial that aired during the Super Bowl at the beginning of this year. We want to take a careful look at what the message is and what it isn't. Our hope is to highlight the importance of sifting through the media we consume, even media that appears wholesome of biblical on the surface. We want to hold the message of the He Gets Us commercial against the scriptures to examine where it does or doesn't line up with what the Bible teaches. We will do walk through each step of our ROAR method to discern what the appropriate steps are for engaging with that message and how to disciple our children accordingly. We're here to empower each other to raise discerning, wise, and loving families. So, let's sharpen our ability to recognize truth under the veneer of messages that surround us, and pass on this legacy of wisdom to our little ones.Main Points CoveredWhat is the He Gets Us campaign?The 4 issues we see with the message of the He Gets Us Super Bowl commercialHow to discern the the false and true messaging in the commercialHow shepherd your children in media consumptionPeople and Resources MentionedHe Gets Us CommercialCommercial ExplanationJohn 13:1-20Luke 22:24Prov 6:16-19James 1:19Colossians 4:6Thanks to Our SponsorsThis episode is made possible in part by the support of Summit Ministries. Our hope, like yours, is that your children will grow up to develop an unshakeable faith, to be followers of Jesus Christ and live out His call on their lives in a way that brings God’s glory and flourishing. That's one of the reasons we love Summit. Summit takes biblical worldview training and makes it seriously fun. If you have a child between the ages of sixteen to twenty-two, send them to a two week conference in Colorado or Georgia this summer. Register today at summit.org/roar/. Save $200 when you use the code ROAR24.

Episode 102: ROAR'ing Through The He Gets Us Campaign

In this episode of Mama Bear Apologetics, we discuss all things bible translations — Formal, Functional, and Optimal

Episode 101. What Bible Translation Should I Use?

SummaryEvery mother's prayer journey is unique, yet bound by a common thread of seeking God's guidance through the chaos and beauty of raising children. Julie and Hillary, walk through the pages of "Honest Prayers for Mama Bears," a new book birthed from the depths of maternal hearts and a collaboration that spans the nation. We reveal the sometimes raw, unpolished dialogues with God that range from the humorous pleas of wanting to use the bathroom in peace to the heartfelt petitions of a mother facing a miscarriage. Hillary and Julie, alongside voices from the Mama Bear community, crafted a tapestry of prayers that we hope speaks to the soul of motherhood. Our conversation takes you behind the scenes of this unique creative process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity as we addressed delicate subjects like addiction and family dynamics. Poring over every word, we ensured that our prayers resonated with truth and relevance, offering a lifeline of hope and solidarity for mothers everywhere. As we share personal insights and practical tips for integrating prayer into the daily grind, "Honest Prayers for Mama Bears" is more than just a book—it's a spiritual companion for every season of motherhood. From fill-in-the-blank prompts to theological expertise, we've poured into this project with a shared goal: to empower mothers to foster honest, heartfelt communication with God, and to support one another as we navigate this transformative journey called motherhood. We hope it blesses you! Pre-order the book now at mamabearapologetics.com/bookMain Points CoveredWhy did we write this book?The difference between Honest and Shallow prayers.Creating a collective voice from momsPrayer book creation processHow to use this bookHonest journalingOur favorite, most convicting and hardest to write prayersPeople and Resources MentionedEvery Moment Holy - Douglas McKelvieHonest Prayers for Mama BearsThanks to Our Sponsors This episode is made possible in part by the support of Summit Ministries. Our hope, like yours, is that your children will grow up to develop an unshakeable faith, to be followers of Jesus Christ and live out His call on their lives in a way that brings God’s glory and flourishing. That's one of the reasons we love Summit. Summit takes biblical worldview training and makes it seriously fun. If you have a child between the ages of sixteen to twenty-two, send them to a two week conference in Colorado or Georgia this summer. Learn more at summit.org/roar/. Save $200 when you use the code ROAR24–and another $200 if you register before March 31st. Register today at summit.org/roar/ Quotable Quotes “I think sometimes learning how to do honest prayers often starts with shallow prayers. And so I just want to give mom's permission to pray the shallow prayers, if that's where you are starting." - Hillary Morgan Ferrer "We made it. We're not saying it's perfect, but... our heart's desire was to make sure that these prayers were Theologically sound." - Hillary Morgan Ferrer "I know I thought back on what were some of the times that really drove me to prayer, maybe as a younger mom, as a mom of a teenager, and then even now. I had some opportunities to write some prayers that maybe approach more being a mom of an adult child too, because that's a whole other season there." - Julie Loos

Episode 20: I was an Atheist Until I Read Lord of the Rings

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