In this second episode of a behind the scenes look at The Chosen Season 3, we hear from Elizabeth Tabish who plays Mary - Giavanni Cairo who plays Thaddeus - George Xanthis who plays John the beloved - Brandon Potter who plays Quintas. We also hear from 2 of the writers, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson who will give us a glimpse of future episodes as well as Head of Original Content, Kathryn Warnock.

America is at a tipping point and very few people realize how serious it is, warns Cary Gordon, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Iowa. He is the creator of the documentary film Enemies Within the Church, which exposes the corruption and communism within the American church. God gave Americans a wonderful and unique country with rare liberties we should fight to protect, but we’ve taken our hands off the wheel. This man of God explains the four critical steps each of us must take to save our country: repent, turn to positive action, hold fast to a Biblical worldview, and confront evil where we encounter it. This documentary will provide the theological solution necessary to stop the destruction of our beloved nation’s foundation: The Church.

TAKEAWAYS

Repentance is not purely verbal; it means to turn around and go in the opposite direction

Christians tend to turn a blind eye to the widespread evil around them, but now it’s time to take action and share the gospel far and wide

Enemies Within the Church will give you a great understanding of Christianity’s contribution to the founding of American freedom

Three big ideas changed American culture after the Reformation: antinomianism, situationism, and pietism

Leah Brooks never thought she would homeschool, but after taking a glance at the reading list from her son’s school over 15 years ago, she was shocked to find an LGBTQ title on the agenda for her four year old child! Leah explains how she got started on her homeschooling journey by utilizing the My Father’s World curriculum, and how important it is to train up children to be strong in the Lord before sending them out into the world. Leah also discusses how she has pioneered a whole new approach to homeschooling via microschools. Microschools are when two or more families use the same curriculum and meet together in person on a regular basis to foster learning and growth. The step-by-step process is discussed on how to start a microschool in your community.

TAKEAWAYS

To learn more about My Father’s World, homeschooling, and microschools, visit MFWBooks.com/4Tina

Microschooling allows parents to take the educational reins while facilitating social time and group growth

Leah’s journey to microschooling was kick-started after she was unjustly laid off due to Covid policies at her local school

5,000 Blankets is a great Christmas film for the whole family, only in theaters on December 12-13

How do the five love languages look different when it comes to children with special needs? This is a question that Jolene Philo, the co-author of Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families, seeks to explain to parents raising kids with disabilities. Jolene co-authored this insightful guide which has encouraged many caregiving families, alongside well-respected Dr. Gary Chapman. The book discusses the five primary love languages of children, which include Acts of Service, Gift Giving, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Jolene offers valuable methods for identifying the love languages in our children, how to relay these love languages with our children’s educators, and how we can get comfortable and effective in helping special needs families.

TAKEAWAYS

Offer to do practical things to help families with children who are disabled, like making a meal or driving them to school activities

Pray for special needs families; pray for their strength and that God would provide the resources they need

It may take a little more time to identify the love language of a child with disabilities but take the time and do the research

Get to know families with kids with special needs and ask them how you can be a support

Serving the Needs of the Disabled in Third World Countries With Dr. David and Laurie Vanderpool

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Dr. David Vanderpool and his wife Laurie sold their possessions and moved his medical practice from the U.S. to Haiti after a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck this tiny island on January 12, 2010. Their story is filled with awe and wonder at what God did in and through them over the last several decades of ministry. David and Laurie met in a youth group, where their love for the Lord drew them closer together as a couple. Laurie’s brother, Johnny, was born with Down Syndrome, and he serves as the inspiration for the couple’s ministry, Live Beyond, which ministers to those in need outside the U.S. This God-fearing couple offers insight into how to best serve the disabled and needy, and how westerners can get out of their comfort zones by serving the poor in third world countries.

TAKEAWAYS

When you’re working with children or adults with disabilities, look at their strengths instead of their disabilities

Don’t invite people over to your house with the expectation of being invited to their house in return

David and Laurie participated in long-term missions trips with their children to places like Ghana and Mozambique

The Vanderpools operated a hospital on the border of the Dominican Republic filled with 24 operating rooms

You don’t know what the parents raising children with special needs go through until you step into their shoes, Stephanie Davis explains. Stephanie is the Vice President of The Miracle League, a special baseball league where kids with disabilities get to play sports alongside their peers while their families cheer them on. “It all stemmed from me being able to play youth sports growing up,” Stephanie shares. She reveals the impact of providing a space where kids with special needs not only participate in sports, but gain confidence, build their self esteem, learn the lessons of teamwork, and do something they never dreamed possible. Besides hosting local, hometown events, The Miracle League organizes a yearly All-Star Event where children travel to a new destination and play ball!

TAKEAWAYS

Kids with disabilities are just typical kids who want to participate in the same activities as their peers

Caregiving families raising children with special needs are on-call 24/7, which causes major strain and the need for assistance

Playing sports teaches kids the values of teamwork, reliability, and dedication, along with boosting their confidence and self-esteem

The Miracle League provides a place where kids get a chance to play ball and have fun and parents can connect and encourage each other

Carol Grace Stratton knew that she wanted to write stories about autistic children after working in a classroom filled with kids with special needs. Carol is an author, with four published books and almost 600 articles to her name. Her novel, Lake Surrender, focuses on the story of a mother with a son who’s autistic. “Fiction is a great way to teach people,” Carol shares. Although she does not have an autistic child, she explains the unique challenges of raising a child who’s autistic, and reveals that many of these children are widely misunderstood by the people around them. Carol says that the Lord doesn’t make any mistakes, and that every child has special worth and value. “There is something they can teach us,” she explains.

TAKEAWAYS

80-90 percent of parents with autistic children get divorced

We don’t always get credit for selfless service, but we will once we get to heaven

If you have a special needs child, get involved with a support group

It’s okay to reach out for help and support from the people around you when you are raising a child with special needs

Theme: Do you ever feel unqualified to do great things? Be encouraged, because we serve a God who can do a lot with your little !

“The best way to be for your children is to be with your children,” says social media expert Dr. Kathy Koch. Kathy is the President and Founder of Celebrate Kids, and she has been researching and speaking on the effects of technology on youth for over a decade. Technology is affecting the character and behavior of our kids, and parents are usually unaware of the level of danger. Most teens, tweens, and toddlers are using devices within the home, and the immediate gratification and satisfaction garnered from media can create selfishness and even stunted development. For example, there’s a difference between needing a smartphone and wanting a smartphone, Kathy highlights. Kathy also cautions parents to turn off their own screens and spend valuable, one-on-one time with their children - often.

TAKEAWAYS

Technology can change a child’s brain structure and feed them destructive lies about God and themselves

When parents are holding their smartphones, kids rarely will start a conversation

Technology can make kids believe that they are the center of their own world

Check out Kathy’s phenomenal book, Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World

So many children have been exposed to horrifying social media content, but Titania Jordan offers a safeguard while kids are surfing the net. Titania is the Chief Parenting and Marketing Officer at Bark, a software program that keeps children safe both online and in real life. Bark’s dashboard proactively monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and a plethora of social media networks, and alerts parents to any potential safety concerns. Bark also allows parents to manage screen time, filter websites, and set location alerts. Titania offers practical tips for parents who want to save time and gain peace of mind while their children are online. Creating safeguards and boundaries for the sake of children’s mental and emotional well-being is a must, and Bark is an excellent solution.

TAKEAWAYS

Childhood 2.0 is a documentary exploring the dangerous and damaging effects of social media on teens and tweens

Children usually won’t share problematic content they’ve come across on their devices because they don’t want to lose access to the Internet

Make an effort to be plugged in and empathetic toward your children

Having a healthy relationship with your child trumps everything