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What is the greatest prophecy from the Hebrew Bible that Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament? How does it impact your life today? Find out in today's episode!

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Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney LaFleur unpack why gratitude can be difficult for teens, especially during the holidays when entitlement and cultural pressure rise. They explain that real thankfulness grows over time through modeling, conversations, boundaries, and opportunities to work and give. Building a thankful heart takes patience, but it strengthens teens and prepares them for adulthood.

Have a question about raising your teen? Ask Mark at markgregston.com

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

Happy Thanksgiving! As you gather with family and friends today, we hope your hearts are filled with gratitude to God for His many blessings. While Thanksgiving is a treasured tradition for us, its roots stretch back more than 4 centuries. Who gathered at that first feast in 1621? Why were they there? And what exactly were they giving thanks for?

Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable story of the Pilgrims—one of enduring faith, sacrifice, and God’s gracious provision.

Most of us learned in grade school that the Plymouth Colony—located in present-day Massachusetts—was founded in 1620 by a group we know as the Pilgrims. These settlers, also called Separatists, longed to break away entirely from the Church of England, believing it had drifted from biblical teaching. Their commitment to worship according to Scripture set them on a courageous journey toward religious freedom.

Nearby, the Puritans would establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. While they shared many beliefs with the Pilgrims, their approach differed. The Puritans remained within the Church of England, seeking to reform it from within. Though their strategies diverged, the stories of these two groups are deeply intertwined in the early chapters of American history.

The Pilgrims faced significant persecution in England for worshiping outside the established church. Holding fast to the Bible as their ultimate authority made them targets. In 1609, seeking refuge, they fled to Leiden, Holland. Yet even there, challenges persisted—some were arrested, and the freedom they sought still felt out of reach.

Recognizing Europe would not offer the spiritual liberty they longed for, they made a bold and costly decision: to sail to the New World. About 120 men, women, and children boarded the Mayflower. While some passengers—known as “adventurers”—joined the voyage for economic opportunity, the Pilgrims’ primary aim was clear: to worship freely and build a life rooted firmly in their faith.

Their journey across the Atlantic was long and brutal. Delays meant they arrived in November—not summer—leaving no time to plant crops. That first winter, remembered as “the starving time,” was devastating. Nearly half the group died from disease and lack of food.

Still, in God’s providence, the Pilgrims formed a gracious relationship with local Native Americans. A Native American named Squanto—who had learned English years earlier—became a critical ally. He taught them how to plant corn, where to fish, and how to survive in an unfamiliar land. His guidance helped bring the colony through that difficult first year.

With Squanto’s help, the Pilgrims planted crops in the spring of 1621 and harvested enough that fall to sustain their small community. To honor God for His provision, they invited their Native American neighbors to join them in a feast of thanksgiving.

By that point, only 22 men, four married women, and 25 teenagers and children remained from the original group. Their guests nearly doubled the gathering, bringing food and friendship—resulting in what may have been America’s first potluck meal. Together, they celebrated survival, provision, and the kindness of God expressed through unexpected relationships.

Years later, Plymouth’s longtime governor, William Bradford, reflected on their experience in Of Plymou

The rise of Friendsgiving celebrations, plus the real story behind Thanksgiving, and navigating grief during the holidays.     

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech 

Roundtable: Thanksgiving With Friends

For people who either can’t or won’t celebrate Thanksgiving with family, the trend of “Friendsgiving” is here. We interview three single young adults who’ve hosted and participated in Friendsgiving celebrations. They’ll provide tips for how to invite and include people, divvy up the food, plan activities around the meal, and keep thankfulness at the center.       

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Culture: What Really Happened at the First Thanksgiving?

Pilgrims, Squanto, turkey, corn, big hats and a New World: We think we know the details of the first Thanksgiving, but what’s fact and what’s fiction? Thankfully, Bill Petro has done all the research so we don’t have to. He’ll share what led up to the historic feast, who participated, what it meant, and why it matters in 2025. We’ll also discuss the commercialization of Thanksgiving and some of the more modern applications and traditions.  

 They Came for Freedom: The Forgotten, Epic Adventure of the Pilgrims    

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Inbox: Grief at the Holidays

Whether you’ve experienced a recent loss or not, the holidays are a trigger for grief and other big emotions. Using the example of his father’s recent death, counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in on how to process feelings of intense sadness. 

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This Christmas season, you’ll likely revisit the famous narrative of Christ’s birth in Luke 2. But the Christmas story didn’t begin in Bethlehem—it began thousands of years before Jesus was even born. Dr. Robert Jeffress looks at the birth and life of Jesus through the lens of Old Testament prophecy.

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Jay Milbrandt shares his research about the Pilgrims’ journey from England to North America as they fled religious persecution. As a descendant of two early immigrants on the Mayflower, Milbrandt was curious about what the true story was behind their ocean voyage. He describes the harsh conditions that the Pilgrims and Puritans endured, as they barely survived the first couple of years, with the help of an Indian named Squanto and the native Wampanoag tribe, explaining how festivals in Plymouth, Massachusetts became connected to our modern-day Thanksgiving. He also shares about the significance of the Mayflower Compact, which in some ways laid a foundation for the U.S. Constitution.    

Receive Jay Milbrandt's book They Came for Freedom for your donation of any amount! And when you give today, your support will be DOUBLED to Give Families Hope!

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Is it possible to actually be “good” AND “mad”? According to scripture there are times when the right thing to do is get angry. In this message, Chip persuades us that it's possible to know when anger is the best option.

Introduction: How to be good and mad

• Anger is a channel to maximize your potential in Christ.
• God’s agenda for your life is for you to trust Him.
• What’s at stake – God gave you this gift of anger to transform your life to make you like Christ.

I. God commands us to express our anger. -Ephesians 4:26a

II. God commands us to express our anger appropriately. -Ephesians 4:26b

III. Righteous Indignation: How God Used Anger

• Jesus was visibly angry. -Mark 3
• Jesus was verbally angry. -Matthew 23
• Jesus was physically angry. -Mark 11

IV. God commands us to resolve our anger before bedtime. -Ephesians 4:26c-27

• Anger Resolution = “Healing the Wound” so good things can happen.

Step #1 – Cleanse the wound -Ephesians 4:31

• How? CONFESS and REPENT of unresolved anger!

Step #2 – Treat the wound -Ephesians 4:32

• How? Extend FORGIVENESS and seek RECONCILIATION! As far as it depends on you!

Step #3 – Bandage the wound -Ephesians 5:1-2

• How? Put the PAST behind you!

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• Overcoming Emotions that Destroy Resources
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• Overcoming Emotions that Destroy Small Group Offer

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