Victor discusses "The Great 8," questions every teenager should have in their toolbox when considering a policy issue or idea.

On today's show, he shares the first four questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

Pause point questions for parents:

1. What questions do you ask when encountering a new idea? (4:24)

2. What do you think happened next? (8:30)

3. What were the first two questions of The Great 8? (16:23)

4. What question stood out to you? Which one do you think you would learn the most by asking? (21:08)

Victor walks parents and teens through one of the hardest questions Christians have to face. How can a loving, all-powerful God allow evil?

He discusses the argument that Christians can't have all three:

God is loving.

God is all-powerful.

Evil exists.

Finally, he lays out the problem — the inaccurate assumption — snuck into this argument, which successful counters it.

This is an important discussion for teenagers and parents to have — together.

Some pause point questions:

1. (4:49) Have you ever heard a good argument for the idea that you disagreed with and what did you do?

2. (6:04) Do you agree with those three statements? Do you think believing all three statements is contradictory?

3. (17:04) Why do you think people find this argument persuasive?

4. (17:56) What does it mean — and not mean — to say that God is all-powerful?

5. (22:24) Have you ever struggled when you think about how God could allow evil?

The phrase "my truth" and "your truth" are everywhere in today's culture. But have you thought about if truth can be a personal position.

In today's show, Victor helps parents and teenagers think about the implications of if truth is relative or reflects actuality. He then walks through the arguments that truth is relative. Finally, he presents the case that the truth is a true thing.

As always, Victor offers parents questions to discuss with their teenager about this important and timely issue.

Victor guides parents and teens through a discussion of the most foundational concept in economics. Do we live in a world of plenty or scarcity?

First, he looks at the implications of this idea.

Then, he lays out the arguments that we live in a world of plenty.

Finally, he makes the case that resources are limited while human needs and desires are unlimited.

Is man basically good or evil? This profound question matters more than you might think.

Join us as we explore the implications of this belief on your emotions, society and even salvation. Then we look at the best arguments for both sides of this question.

This is a question teenagers need to wrestle with.

In this episode of Sharpening Arrows, host Victor Joecks discusses the challenges parents face in guiding their teenagers through the complexities of politics, theology, and critical thinking. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and discussing opposing viewpoints, particularly in relation to bad ideas and their appeal. Joecks encourages parents to create an environment where teens can question and explore their beliefs, ultimately preparing them to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.