This episode of Mama Bear Apologetics takes you on a journey through the creative landscape of the new Netflix movie "Mary," directed by D.J. Caruso. Drawing inspiration from the pseudo-evangelical book of James, we dissect how this film reimagines the Christmas story, providing parents with guidance on navigating its differences from biblical accounts. Our goal is to equip you with the insights needed to foster meaningful conversations with your kids about faith, scripture, and the importance of historical and theological contexts.

We consider the creative liberties taken by the filmmakers and how these narrative choices can serve as conversation starters with our kids about faith and scripture. By comparing these portrayals to traditional biblical texts, we invite families to appreciate the strength and courage of Mary and Joseph's story, often overlooked in Protestant narratives, and reflect on the film's helpful and harmful perspectives. As the Christmas season unfolds, let's consider how to engage your children in Christ-centered conversations that rise above the holiday hustle and bustle.

 

Main Points Covered

• Summary of Netflix's Mary
• What is the message of the film
• Good and problematic elements of the film
• How to help kids discern the message
• How to reinforce the true message found in scripture

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Pseudo-evangelical: The book claims to be written by the brother of Jesus, but in fact is not.
• Apocryphal: Not divinely inspired and filled with historical and theological inaccuracies.

People and Resources Mentioned

• Mary on Netflix
• Matthew 1:21
• Proverbs 3:5
• Psalm 118:8-14
• John 15:5
• Book of Luke
• Book of Matthew
• Isaiah 7:14
• James 1:2-4
• Interview by Mama's Geeky with Noa Cohen and D.J. Caruso
• The Very First Noel by Exclaim Entertainment
• The Birth of Jesus depicted in the mini-series “The Bible” by Lightworkers Media
• Referenced quotes found

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Join us in this thought-provoking episode of the Mama Bear Apologetics podcast as we tackle the challenging task of discussing racism and social justice with children from a biblical perspective. We're excited to welcome our friends and esteemed guests, Krista Bontrager and Monique D

uson, authors of the insightful book "Walking in Unity." Together, we explore how to communicate love, justice, and racial unity amidst today's tense political climate. We emphasize the importance of defining terms clearly and understanding their roots in social sciences, ensuring that parents and educators can engage in meaningful conversations with the younger generation.

We also examine the complexities of systemic racism and the role of power in societal structures, urging critical analysis before attributing disparities solely to racism. We critique contemporary models of racial reconciliation, highlighting the biblical concept of unity through faith in Jesus, and explore the themes of identity beyond race. This discussion is designed to equip parents with the tools needed to guide their children in understanding their identity in Christ while celebrating their cultural heritage.

Main Points Covered

• Defining Racism and Bias Biblically
• Biblical Unity vs. Racial Reconciliation
• Understanding Identity Beyond Race
• Navigating Disparities and Racial Injustice
• Equipping Kids on Biblical Identity

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Social Justice: the idea that everyone should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment, regardless of their race, class, gender, sexuality, or other identity. Often accompanied with programs/legislation for advancement.
• Institutional/Systemic Racism: a system of policies, practices, and beliefs that results in the unfair treatment of people based on their race.
• Racial Reconciliation: holds many of the same tenants as anti-racism. It is a works based system aimed and unity across races and socioeconomic classes.
• Creation Identity: Things that are true about us, from God’s perspective, for all humans, at all times, in all places.
• Salvation Identity: An identity gained through putting your faith, hope, and confidence in Jesus.

People and Resources Mentioned

• Visit: centerforbiblicalunity.com
• Buy: Walking in Unity
• Download: Center For Biblical Unity app
• John 17
• John 1
• Genesis 1-3

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Our culture is heavily evangelistic in shaping our child’s worldview identity, which is why we Christian parents are called to speak up! In this first episode of a two-part series, Amy interviews Ricky Chelette of Living Hope Ministries on how to raise gender healthy boys.

In Raising Gender Healthy Girls, Ricky graciously addressed the girly-girls and the tomboys of the group. He debunks the cultural stereotype that parents are helpless on-lookers when girls get emotional, but instead offers tangible ways both mom and dad are to nurture their growing daughter to help her be secure in her womanly identity. Funny, accessible, and filled with practical steps, listeners will be empowered to know their daughter better and raise her up to the glory of God.

Main Points Covered

• The importance of nurturing gender healthy kids today
• Understanding your Girl(s)
• What individual girls need from Mom and Dad
• Suggestions for when you're struggling to connect with your girl
• What can dads and families do when they don’t have a present/stable mother figure within the home?

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Girly Girl: Love all the things classically associated with femininity.
• Tomboy Girl: More sporty and outdoorsy and “girly things” are less appealing to her.

People and Resources Mentioned

• www.livehope.org
• www.biblicalsexuality.net
• www.mamabearapologetics.com

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

Our culture is heavily evangelistic in shaping our child’s worldview identity, which is why we Christian parents are called to speak up! In this first episode of a 2-part series, Amy interviews Ricky Chelette of Living Hope Ministries on how to raise gender healthy boys.

In Raising Gender Healthy Boys, Ricky unpacks how to nurture your sensitive boys and rough-and-tumble-boys, what each child needs based on their personality from mom and dad, and how to launch men solid in their manhood. Filled with practical tips and humorous stories, listeners will leave knowing how to raise up their boys to be warriors in the faith.

Main Points Covered

• The importance of nurturing gender healthy kids today.
• Understanding your boy.
• What individual boys need from Mom and Dad.
• Suggestions for when you're struggling to connect with your boy.
• What can moms and families do when they don’t have a present/stable father figure within the home?

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Rough and Tumble Boy: A boy who wants to express his emotions in physicality.
• Sensitive Boy: A boy who is more inclined to express his emotions in creative, artistic, or emotive ways.

People and Resources Mentioned

• www.livehope.org
• www.biblicalsexuality.net
• www.mamabearapologetics.com
• Proverbs 22:6
• Matthew 3

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Talking about politics is hard enough, but throw kids into the mix and it can feel like navigating a mine field. That’s why we here at Mama Bear want to take a few minutes to help empower parents with a few tips on how to share their political beliefs in front of their children. In this podcast, Jennifer and Amy encourage parents not to let tempers flare when analyzing the views of their political opponent. Instead, parents are challenged to exercise self control while ROARing through the policies coming across the debate platform, recognize and unpack buzz words, vote for policies not personalities, and much more!

Parents will leave feeling challenged and embolden help their children think critically, love biblically, and stand firm in the faith while exercising their right to vote.

Main Points Covered

• We have a right to speak our views in public.
• Represent Jesus well in your conversations: Control your temper
• ROAR through the information
• Vote Policy not Personality
• Fact check
• Value truth over feelings — all truth is God's truth

People and Resources Mentioned

• CNN report on what 10 year olds had to say about the election
• Vox piece on politics and kids
• Colossians 4:6
• Colossians 2:8
• 1 Peter 3:15
• 2 Timothy 2:15
• Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

Summary

Join us as we tackle the crucial topic of biblical inerrancy and inspiration, particularly its impact on the faith of younger generations. We explore how the vast number of biblical manuscripts available today provides us with a unique opportunity to affirm the accuracy of Scripture through textual criticism. Drawing insights from the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, we aim to equip parents with practical tools to strengthen their children's faith against competing worldviews. 

We highlight its historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecies, and unbiased portrayal of flawed individuals, underscoring how archaeological discoveries continue to affirm biblical accounts. We explore the unity of Scripture and its transformative power through the Holy Spirit, as well as Jesus' endorsement of its divine inspiration. We emphasize that inerrancy is deeply rooted in God's nature, as He cannot lie, establishing the Bible as an authoritative and reliable guide for life and morality. Furthermore, we caution against false teachers who distort Scripture for personal gain, encouraging listeners to measure their teachings against God's truth.

Main Points Covered

• Can we trust that the Bible is the revealed word of God?
• What is Inspiration?
• What is Inerrancy?
• What is infallibility?

People and Resources Mentioned

• 1 Corinthians 2:13
• 2 Peter 1:20–21
• Mark 12:36
• John 14:26
• Titus 1:2
• John 5: 7-8
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Recommended Resources
• Theology for Today by Elmer Towns
• Archeological finds that affirm scripture
• Chicago Statement on Inerrancy
• Actual PDF of Chicago Statement on Inerrancy

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Apologetics and theology go hand in hand. But before we can defend the faith, we have to know what we believe. In this podcast listeners will make a look at an important aspect of theology: the revelation of God.

Listeners will understand what revelation is, what it isn’t, how God reveals Himself in nature and through His word, and what He has communicated. Parents are then offered discussion topics and relevant resources to nurture discussions on the revelation of God.

Main Points Covered

• What Revelation is and isn’t
• What God has revealed about Himself
• How He has done this

People and Resources Mentioned

• 1 John 4:1
• Isiah 1:18
• 2 Timothy 3:16
• Deuteronomy 29:29
• Romans 1:20
• Psalms 19:1
• Romans 2:15-16
• 2 Timothy 3:15
• Mark 12:30-31
• Recommended Books
• The Bible
• Christian Liberty Nature Readers
• Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
• Crafted by God by Dr. Georgia Purdom and Stacia McKeever
• Keeping your kid on God’s Side by Natasha Crain
• Theology for Today by Elmer Towns

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Divine Hiddenness: Argues that God hides to prevent created persons from reacting inappropriately
• Post-Modernism: a late 20th-century movement in philosophy and literary theory that generally questions the basic assumptions of Western philosophy in the modern period
• Cosmological Argument: God is the Cause
• Teleological argument (fine-tuning): God is the Designer
• Anthropological argument: through human nature we see God is a personal God

Equip your children with the spiritual armor they need to navigate the cultural challenges they face in school. Join us as we walk through key strategies for instilling a strong sense of identity in Christ, using We'll discuss how to affirm your child's true worth and identity, rooted in their Creator, and provide practical advice for facing the unique pressures that come with today's social media-driven world. We also address the unique challenges faced by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are influenced by social media to seek validation externally. By reinforcing that their identity is rooted in being made in God's image, we guide parents on how to instill a Christ-centered worldview in their children, using examples from the Bible.

We'll discuss how to guide your children to think critically, ask the right questions, and stand firm in their faith amidst the temptations and false ideologies promoted by secular society. Together, let's ensure our children are spiritually ready for the year ahead and ready to reflect God's image to those around them

Main Points Covered

• Your Identity is in Christ
• Truth Matters
• Be on Guard
• Test the Spirits
• Be Willing to do the Hard Thing.

People and Resources Mentioned

• Psalm 139:13-14
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• Luke 15
• Ephesians 6
• Proverbs 22:6
• John 14:6
• Colossians 3:9
• Colossians 4:6
• 1 Peter 3:15
• John 17:17-19
• Deuteronomy 4
• 1 Peter 5:8
• Nehemiah 4:17-23
• Mark 12:30
• Colossians 2:8
• 1 John 4
• Romans 1:16
• Esther 4:14
• Colossians 3
• Quote from Jason Whitlock: “When we are fearful before God we are fearless before culture.”
• A Look at Black Lives Matter with Monique Duson

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

Mom’s have a lot go great questions regarding how they can share their faith with unbelievers, and raise kids who are empowered to do the same. Should we ambush our friends with all the knowledge we’ve streamed over the past week or keep silent for fear of rocking the boat? In this podcast Lindsey Medenwaldt gives some great advice on how build bridges with those around us. Listeners will find out where to start their witnessing journey, tool needed, how to navigate different worldviews, and witnessing in the midst of cancel culture.

Main Points Covered

• Sharing Faith With Friends and Family
• Common Misconceptions about Apologetics
• Navigating Online Interactions With Humility
• Building Bridges Through Truth and Friendship
• Boundaries vs Bridges in Relationships

People and Resources Mentioned

• Psalm 91
• Bridge-Building Apologetics: How to get along even when we disagree by Lindsey Medenwaldt
• Tactics by Gregory Koukl

Unfamiliar Terms

• Shalom: concern for the wholeness, flourishing, completeness of a person.
• Chew and Spit Method 

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

Prayer is many things: an act of worship, way to do battle, how we commune with the almighty, and an act of submission in supplication. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Satan is intent about warping their prayer life. In this podcast Amy discusses two commons myths that cripple the prayer life of kids and adults. Listeners will hear biblical truth break these strongholds and learn practical tips to nurture a healthy prayer life. Lastly, listeners are equipped with an important discernment skill that every believer needs to learn when it comes to prayer: testing the spirits. Filled with practical advice relevant for every walk, this podcast will leave you feeling refreshed and trained to disciple your children in prayer.

Main Points Covered

• What is prayer in the life of the believer?
• Recognize that not everything is a “Mountaintop Moment”
• There are no "lone wolves" when it comes to prayer
• Test the spirits. The Holy Spirit isn't the only spirit at work.

People and Resources Mentioned

• 1 Kings 19:11-13
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Proverbs 27:17
• Romans 1:12
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Hebrews 10:25
• Ephesians 6:12
• The Screwtape letters by CS Lewis
• Episode 69: Mentorship and How it Can Affect Your Kids with Gale Carter 

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]