Tuning the Bow

In the past, Tim and Matt discussed why we should pray, this episode tackles the question of how people can pray. This is a spiritual discipline that is lacking in many students, so the best time to fix that problem is now. Lead your house in prayer by being the example.

Passages – Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:13-16

Resource – Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney

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There are many stores and restaurants that make political stances on the conservative and liberal sides, and these stances may cause some uproar. In this week's episode, Tim and Matt talk about what to do when these political stances affect families and how parents must be in conversation about what is acceptable and what is not. Instead of sheltering kids without teaching them how to respond biblically to the world, we must use God's Word to show how we can live in this world and not be misled by it.

Passages – Romans 1:18-24; 12:1-2

We have reached the part of summer where Matt and Tim are in and out of the office and country, so do not be surprised if a week is missed here and there. Thank you for listening, and please be in prayer as they minister to their students and go on mission trips.

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Forgiveness is a difficult thing to work through, but it is something God does all the time. As you forgive the lateness of this episode, Tim and Matt talk about the difficulties of forgiveness and the importance to freely forgive as God does. If this is something you struggle with, give this episode a listen!

Passage – Matthew 6:9-15

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In a Tim-less episode, Matt wants to simply encourage parents to be with their kids this summer. It can be a chaotic time trying to balance work and parenting since school is out, but parents should attempt to simply be with their kids without changing their discipleship responsibilities. 

This is a quicker episode, and this busy time for Matt and Tim will bring some inconsistency, but Tuning the Bow will still be for your encouragement and edification. Enjoy the summer!

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Life is full of moving from one age to another, and with this comes many different transitions. Tim and Matt want to give parents a foundation and applications to deal with these transitions in parenting. Based on the foundation, many things can be dealt with through remaining in Scripture, sticking with your convictions, and prayer.

Passages – Proverbs 9:9; John 17:17; Daniel 1; James 1:5-8; Philippians 4:6-7

Resource – The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

As Matt writes this description, he is currently eating the worst bag of sour cream and onion chips he has ever had. This has nothing to do with the episode, but he thought you should know this.

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Laziness is an easy sin to fall into unknowingly and knowingly. There are plenty of things that can take our attention away from the things that matter, so parents should be diligent to check what they spending their time doing and possibly reorient their priorities. Tim and Matt give some helpful application, but it is up to the individual to act on their belief.

Passages – Proverbs 6:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11

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

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Mission trips are a part of most churches, but why do many families not want to send their kids to them? In this (sleepy) episode, Matt and Tim want parents to understand why mission trips are important for kids' Christian growth and why parents should prayerfully prepare their kids to go on one before they graduate high school. Though mission trips may be expensive, they are wonderful ways to teach what a life dedicated to Christ looks like.

Passage – Matthew 28:16-20

Resource  – Matthew 28:16-20

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We often set goals for our kids and not communicate them, and this can give our kids the wrong idea of what we expect or desire for their future. In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about what these goals should look like and why parents should tell their kids about them. Life is more than making it past graduation but is about continually walking closer to God.

Passages – 1 Corinthians 15:3; Psalm 119:1-5

Resources – Gospel Centered Family by Tim Chester
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

*quality warning* There was a problem with Matt's recording, so he had to rerecord some of his dialogue. Please excuse the weird sounding audio at some moments.

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When your child receives Christ into their life, many things will change for them, but the lives of parents do not change that drastically. The big question most parents ask is, "How do I keep this excitement going?" This episode, like most episodes so far, will be a starting point to show what parents need to be teaching their newly saved kids by looking at the ultimate parenting book: Proverbs. Build habits that will bless your kids for the rest of their lives.

Passages – Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:5-8; 4:20-27

Resources – Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle
Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond

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Summertime approaches, which means schools will be out and kids will be at home. What should you do then? In this episode, Matt and Tim want to get you to start thinking about how you will disciple your kids this summer. Sports camps and church camps are good things, but the focus should be on Jesus when they are not at some camp. Give this episode a listen so you can begin to think about how you will minister to your kids when they are on break.

Passage – Matthew 6:21

Resource – Raising Disciples: How to Make Faith Matter for Our Kids by Natalie Frisk

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