Tuning the Bow

Idolatry can be a difficult thing to talk to someone about. Believe it or not, many people in the church carry idols with them. These idols demand attention to be taken away from God and placed on them, so Tim and Matt want to encourage parents to reorient their eyes and place them on the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. They also talk about temptation and if God gives people more than they can handle.

Passage – 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

Resource – Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Tim Keller

Homework – Read and pray through Psalm 119 that God would give you the same desire for His Word that the writer has

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

According to the world's standard of success, two youth ministers probably should not be talking about this. But the Bible talks about success in a much different way. Matt and Tim discuss what the Bible defines success as and how it impacts parenting today. The modern culture can be difficult to overcome, but as through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, parents can know what God's standard is for their parenting.

Passages – Hosea 6:4-6; Hebrews 13:10-16

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

Welcome to a new series called Today's Tomorrow! In this series, Matt and Tim will be working through different terms and definitions and giving the biblical response. This episode covers the priesthood of the believer, a term commonly thought to mean that each believer is basically their own church. Spoiler, this is wrong. The local church is still necessary, and each parent has a bigger responsibility. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, however, each parent can do well and make biblically transformed households.

Passages – Deuteronomy 6:7b; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

What is required for kids going to school? They need to be vocal about their faith! Just like last week, Tim and Matt want to encourage parents to teach their kids about being a witness for Christ in their schools. Their uniqueness can lead to many opportunities to let God work through their strengths and weaknesses, so be sure to always build up your children and not tear them down.

Passages – Psalm 139:13-16; Acts 1:8

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

There are plenty of voices that say you must do this or that, but that legalism can only leave people feeling bogged down with thoughts of failure if they cannot. In this episode, Tim and Matt urge parents to get involved in their kids' school since this is a great way to be a light in a dark world but only if possible. The idea of necessity only applies to going into the world to share the Gospel and not in any specific way. Be encouraged to find ways to minister to your kids and their friends this year!

Passages – Acts 17:16-21; James 1:27

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

There are many ways we worship, but a common thought among church members is that it is only expressed in singing. Matt and Tim want to push that notion to the side by expressing that worship does not just happen in the big moments, but in the tedious, small moments throughout every day. Listen in and be challenged to rethink how you worship through parenting!

Passages – 1 Kings 18-19; Colossians 3:12-17

Resources – Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship by Mark D. Liederbach and Evan Lenow
Scripture-Guided Worship: A Call to Pastors and Worship Leaders by Joseph Crider
*EXTRA* Spiritual Warfare and Missions: The Battle for God's Glory Among the Nations by Jerry Rankin and Ed Stetzer

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

Theology is often thought to be a pastor's or seminary student's job to understand, but it impacts the daily life of believers. Through a little thought experiment, Tim wants to show how parents can take biblical principles and apply them, and Matt works to show where these principles come from in the Bible. Get ready to think.

Passages – Acts 1:16-17; Ephesians 4:29, 5:15-21; 1 Peter 1:16

Resource – The Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

Missions have been discussed multiple times on this podcast, but Tim and Matt want parents to be aware of what goes into getting ready for a mission trip. Preparing for a mission trip is not just about finding a place and contact, but it includes getting hearts ready to be sent and used by God. In this episode, the guys want to show what that looks like and where we find these things in Scripture.

Passages – Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 15:22-27, 16:22-34

Resources – https://www.igoglobal.org/resources
And You Will Be My Witnesses : 31 Devotionals to Encourage a Spirit of Everyday Evangelism edited by Matt Queen and Alex Sibley

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

Tim and Matt just got back from church camp this past week, and boy are they fired up! There is plenty of follow-up to do with their students, but part of it is this episode where they talk about the importance of parents sending their kids to camp. No matter how tedious life can get, it's the moments when we get away from normal life that God can use for His incredible purposes.

Resources (unrelated to the topic, but kind of) – Foreign to Familiar by Sarah A. Lanier
Who Is the Holy Spirit?: Biblical Insights into His Divine Person by Malcolm B. Yarnell III

Message us through Buzzsprout here!

It can be difficult confronting our past sin, but there comes a time when people deal with the consequences. Kids might be tempted to replicate our past mistakes, so parents should be prepared to explain why God's grace allows people to deal with the consequences and be blessed. Matt and Tim work through this process while Matt is TOTALLY in England when they recorded this episode.

Passages – Proverbs 22:6; 24:13-16; 26:10-11

Resource – Heart of the Problem by Henry Brandt and Kerry L. Skinner

Message us through Buzzsprout here!