Tuning the Bow

Marriage is held to a high standard in Scripture, so Tim (married with two kids) and Matt (marriage expert and currently single) will explore what the book of Ephesians says about it. Through the lens of Scripture paired with their experiences and understanding, they want to encourage you to look to Christ first when dealing with your spouse because a biblical marriage will lead to biblical parenting.

Passage – Ephesians 5:22-6:4

Resources – Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas
Marriage Resurrection by Chris and Rochelle Schroeder
The Disciple-Making Parent: A Comprehensive Guidebook for Raising Your Children to Love and Follow Jesus Christ by Chap Bettis

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Our lives are defined by who Jesus is, but we do not always act like it. In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss the place of Jesus being king over our families and the battles that will come when trying to reorient them into this perspective. This episode was heavily influenced by the youth ministry GOAT Dr. Richard Ross.

Passages – Hebrews 1:8-12, 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; 2 Peter 1:3

Resources – Reactivity: How the Gospel Transforms Our Actions and Reactions by Paul David Tripp
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

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Matt and Tim have talked about how having a devotional time is good, but this episode will talk about why it is good. Using examples from the Bible and experience, they build a case on the necessity of parents having a personal and family devotional time. What better way is there than to start a new year than in Scripture with your family?

Passages – Matthew 6:6; Luke 5:15-16; 2 Peter 1:12-15

Resources – Truth For Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume Two by Alistair Begg
Dad Tired and Loving It: Stumbling Your Way to Spiritual Leadership by Jerrad Lopes

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Not every part of life is filled with excitement or stress (thankfully), so in this episode, Matt and Tim want to encourage you to continue to parent through the mundane parts of life. Your kids are probably at home for the next week, so use these opportunities to continue to disciple them in the boring and slow parts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Passages – Exodus 2:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Resources – Kingdom Family Devotional: 52 Weeks of Growing Together by Tony Evans
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

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The Christmas season is full of lights, presents, and things that try to take our attention off Christ. Instead of just going along with the culture, Matt and Tim talk about being holy through the holly (youth pastor joke). They want to challenge you to shepherd your kids to continue to live different from the culture through this month and the rest of the year. Continue to share Jesus now and whenever the time arises.

Passages – John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:14-16

Resources – A Parent's Guide to Understanding Teenage Brains: Why They Act the Way They Do by Mark Oestreicher
The Heart of Your Teen: An Insider Look at the Parent-Teen Relationship by Lissy Rienow

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Here at Tuning the Bow, we want to do the heavy lifting for you, so this Christmas season, Tim and Matt (mostly Tim) are giving you an extended resource list of Bibles, Bible studies, and reference materials to give your kids this Christmas. They will explain the books and give you the reasons why they have choses them. However, these gift ideas are good for any day and not just Christmas, so come back to this episode whenever you want to a resource to give your children.

Bibles:
CSB Explorer Bible for Kids
CSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students
CSB Essential Teen Study Bible
CSB Seven Arrows Bible
ESV Following Jesus Bible

Studies for Girls:
True Feelings: God's Gracious and Glorious Purpose for Our Emotions by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre
Salvaging My Identity: A 40 Day Experience for Girls & Young Women by Rachel Lovingood and Jennifer Mills

Studies for Guys:
How to Be a Man: Pursuing Christ-Centered Masculinity by Rick Burgess and Andy Blanks
How to Be a Man: Learning From The Real Men Of The Bible by Andy Blanks and Dr. Bryan Gill
How to Be a Man: Discovering What It Means to Be a Disciple

Extra Help/Devotionals:
The Ultimate Bible Guide by Kendell H. Easley
ESV Scripture Journal (This is the search result from Lifeway since each book of the Bible is its own journal.)
Hebrews: Jesus is Better by Chad Poe

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Christmas time is here! This is a favorite season for Matt and Tim, so they want to help you understand what Advent is and how it can help you prepare your hearts and your children's hearts to get ready for Christmas day. There is not much talk about the Bible in this episode, but their goal is to equip you to talk about why Christmas is important and not about the presents and the trees (though they are cool things). Be encouraged to continue to disciple your kids through the most wonderful time of the year!

Passages – Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 4:4-7; Hebrews 11:1

Resources – The Expected One: Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent by Scott James
The God Who Is with Us: 25-Day Devotional for Advent by Ronnie Martin
Family Advent Devotional by Matt and Lauren Chandler
Advent by Derwin Gray

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In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss how faith is not a result of works, but our works are the result of our faith. In working through a few questions about how we should view parenting, they hope to encourage you to live out your faith in your works as you think about your goal, motivation, and model of parenting.

Passages – James 2:14-26; John 13:34-35, 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6; Genesis 22; Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Resources – Dare 2 Share
In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

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TTB a day early! The holiday season is upon us! With Thanksgiving coming up and Christmas not too far behind, Matt and Tim want to equip you to parent well during the holidays. Whether it is talking to lost family members or taming your tongue to watch what you say, your kids are watching everything you do. Parenting well through these moments will help grow your family closer to God, and you will be blessed through it all.

Passages – Galatians 5:13; James 1:27; Philippians 2:3; Proverbs 10:11, 18:2; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Romans 12:9-18

Resource – The Heart of the Matter by Christian Counseling & Education Foundation

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This week, Tim and Matt finish their discussion about the armor of God and its role in parenting. Building off of some points from last week, they want to encourage parents to continue to endure through the hardship of parenting with even the smallest attacks that the enemy throws at you. Continue to stand firm for the sake of your children, and God will bless your efforts greatly!

Passage – Ephesians 6:16-20

Resources – A Life of Endurance by Dr. David Jeremiah (Part 1 and Part 2)
Once-A-Day At the Table Family Devotional by Christopher D. Hudson
Great Spoil: Thomas Manton's Spirituality of the Word by J. Stephen Yuille

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