Tuning the Bow

How do you know if someone is a true Christian? A lot of people claim to be  believers, but their lives seem to go against their claim. In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss how Scripture gives us this answer. If you are doubting your faith or salvation, entrust it to Jesus! Depending on Him is required, so study the Bible and see what else God requires (hint: Romans 10:1-13 is a good place to start).

Passage – 2 Timothy 2:1-7

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Parents make a lot of difficult decisions for the betterment of their children. These choices may not be like by the kids, but certain people should be avoided, certain teachers should not be listened to, and every decision should be compared to sound teaching. In this episode, Matt and Tim continue their trek through 2 Timothy and discuss these things and why encouraging others is so important. If all parents do is focus on the negative, then children will not know what right things to imitate. Encourage those who need to be encouraged, and avoid those who need to be avoided.

Passage – 2 Timothy 1:13-18

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Parenting comes with challenges that can seem overwhelming. There are times when you can be discouraged and want to give up, but the Gospel gives hope to everyone in any situation. In today's episode, Matt and Tim talk about how the Gospel changes the way parents should view their roles. God gives us the strength and encouragement to continue pressing on. So stop, see that He is in control, and live in the moment knowing that your family is a precious gift!

Passage – 2 Timothy 1:1-12

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The differences between adults and children are many, but maturity is not seen in every adult. Some things adults do are very similar to the decisions children make. In this episode, Tim and Matt begin a discussion about the book of 2 Timothy and what it looks like to be a biblical adult. This book is the final letter the Bible has that the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his child in the faith. It reads like a father's last words to his son, and it is filled with wisdom believers must take to heart. As our hosts walk through this book, pay careful attention to what Paul points out and think about how you can apply this to parenting.

Passage – 2 Timothy 2:22-23

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If there is one thing that people learn over time is that news stations love to take an incident and report it into the ground. Negative story after negative story keeps people wondering if this really is the end. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about why people should not buy into the constant crisis narrative and what to do when it actually becomes that. As Christian parents should continue to stay biblical, they must continue to be learners of God's Word so that they may teach it to their children. God wins in the end, so there is no breaking news story that He is unaware of.

Passages – Ecclesiastes 1:9-11; Matthew 24:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:13-17

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There are a lot of voices telling parents what is good and beneficial for their kids, but which voices should you listen to? In this episode, Tim and Matt work through a systematic theology of verifying what parents should trust. Whether you decide to homeschool, participate in extracurricular activities, or anything else, lay out the details and compare them with Scripture. Fearing God and obeying His commands is the ultimate call, so use that metric to decide what you kids will do.

Passages – Proverbs 24:3-6; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 John 4:1

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"Service with a smile!" This slogan is used in a lot of businesses, but that service is their job. What about the Christian? In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss what true service is: sacrificial work for the betterment of others. The Bible does more than reveal the way to eternal salvation; it details what the ideal godly life is supposed to be characterized by. If Jesus came to serve and not be served (Mark 10:45), then this is what is expected from His followers.

Passages – Romans 12:9-14; Philippians 2:3-5

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The world today seems to have a degradation in morality. In response to this, Christians must raise kids to be polite and always act on their best behavior to set them apart, right? In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how this problem has been around for thousands(!!!) of years stemming from a lack of biblical, Christ-centered living. Moral people still do not line up to God's standard, so there must be another way to achieve lives that bring God praise, glory, and honor. Listen to find out.

Passage – Micah 7:1-7

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It is very common for parents to spend most of their day at work. When they come home, the frustrations from work can easily be taken out on their spouse or kids. In this episode, Tim and Matt take a more practical approach to dealing with this issue that is not specifically addressed in Scripture. Taking the whole counsel of God's Word, believers have the basics to dealing with stress at work AND discipling their families well without the two colliding like cars in a highway accident. Give your frustrations to the Lord in prayer, depending on Him to give you the strength you need.

Passages – Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22

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The world is hostile to God and His children, so how should Christian parents approach dealing with the many voices telling them that their parenting is outdated or abusive? In this episode, Tim and Matt finish their study of Psalm 3 by focusing on how God grants rest and deals with sin in the culture. Do not be afraid to stand on biblical truth because it is God who brings salvation. Sin causes disruption, but God brings rest to the weary.

Passages – Psalm 3:5-8; 1 John 5:14-17

As of posting, baby Laurel is here! Please be in prayer for Tim and Mary as they begin their journey with three kids in the house that peace, patience, and kindness would be in their home! Also, Matt is doing just fine (in case you were wondering).

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