Fairhaven Parent Talks

When sin entered the world, Adam and Eve hid from God in fear and shame. But rather than abandoning them, God came looking for them, inviting them back into relationship with Him. As we begin our churchwide Make Way series, we explore God's desire to dwell with His people and how He continues to pursue us even when we pull away. As parents, we discuss how to recognize the ways we might be hidi...

The book of Malachi reminds us how quickly God’s people can turn away from Him, even after experiencing His faithfulness. As we wrap up the Old Testament, we explore God’s call to remember what He has done, recognize and repent of sin, and look with anticipation toward the promised Messiah. We also discuss how God continues to purify and transform us through the process of sanctification. As paren...

After Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt, God raised up Ezra to help His people understand that rebuilding the city wasn't enough. They needed to rebuild their hearts! As Ezra read God's Word, the people were convicted of their sin, renewed in their relationship with God, and filled with joy. We explore the transforming power of Scripture and why God's Word is essential for every gener...

When Nehemiah learned that Jerusalem's walls still lay in ruins, he turned to God in prayer and trusted Him to make a way. Despite opposition and discouragement, God worked through Nehemiah and His people to rebuild the wall and accomplish what seemed impossible. We explore how God exchanges discouragement for perseverance, how His power enables us to do His work, and what Nehemiah's story...

When a plot threatened to destroy the Jewish people, God worked through Queen Esther's courage to accomplish His greater purpose. Though God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, His hand is seen throughout the story as He protects His people and fulfills His plan. We explore Esther's courageous obedience, God's sovereign care, and the reminder that He is always at work,...

As God's people rebuilt the temple, the prophet Zechariah reminded them that God was doing something far greater than restoring a building. He pointed them to the coming Messiah, a humble King who would establish a new and better kingdom. We explore Zechariah's call to return to the Lord, the hope found in God's promises, and what it means to live like those promises are real. As paren...

When opposition brought the rebuilding of the temple to a halt, it may have seemed like God's plans had been defeated. But through the prophet Haggai, God called His people back to the work He had given them, reminding them that His purposes cannot be stopped. We explore how God faithfully accomplishes His will despite obstacles and how He invites His people to return to Him when they have dri...

After 70 years in exile, God fulfilled His promise to bring His people home. Working through King Cyrus, He made a way for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem, rebuild the altar, and restore their worship. We explore how Ezra reminds us that God always keeps His promises, even in unexpected ways and on His perfect timeline. As parents, we reflect on the importance of making worship a priority an...

As we wrap up the book of Daniel, we turn to the prophetic visions that point beyond Daniel’s own lifetime to God’s eternal kingdom. We explore how Daniel’s dreams remind us that while earthly kingdoms rise and fall, God’s kingdom will remain forever. We also reflect on the lessons woven throughout Daniel’s life: standing firm in faith, resisting the influence of culture, trusting God, and walking...

As Daniel grew into an older man, God continued to show him favor as he served under a new king, Darius. But Daniel's faithfulness stirred jealousy among the royal officials, who convinced the king to outlaw prayer to anyone but himself. Rather than compromise, Daniel continued to pray to the One True God. We explore how God honored Daniel's steadfast faith, why a lifetime of faithful obed...

When King Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to worship a golden statue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise their faith. We explore their courageous stand, God's presence with them in the fire, and the powerful impact their faithfulness had on the king. We're reminded that following God doesn't always keep us from difficult circumstances, but He is with us through the...

When Daniel and his friends were taken captive to Babylon, they found themselves in a culture that challenged everything they believed. Yet even in exile, they remained faithful to God, choosing conviction over compromise. We explore how God honored their obedience, why faithfulness often requires courage, and how Daniel’s story reminds us that God remains faithful to His people wherever they are....

In Ezekiel 37, God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a valley filled with dry bones as a powerful picture of His ability to bring life where there is only death. We explore how God's Word and Spirit work together to restore His people, why our hope is secure in His promises, and what this vision reveals about His power and goodness. Ultimately, Ezekiel’s prophecy points us to Jesus, whose r...

After generations of rebellion, the people of Judah faced the consequences God had warned about for years. Yet even in their disobedience, God never stopped pursuing them with compassion and calling them back to Himself. We explore the fall of Judah, the seriousness of sin, and the hope found in a God who continues to love His people. As parents, we reflect on how to help our kids recognize God’s...

The prophet Jeremiah faithfully proclaimed God’s Word to His people during Judah’s final days before exile. Though he warned of the consequences of sin and reminded God’s people that their hearts could not be trusted, Jeremiah also shared a message of incredible hope. God promised a new covenant, writing His Word on the hearts of His people and offering lasting forgiveness through Jesus. As parent...

As the people of Judah drifted further from God, He continued to send prophets to call them back. We explore the messages of Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah and discover a common theme: God’s people were called to repent, but they were never left without hope. Even as the prophets warned of coming judgment, they pointed to God’s promise to restore His people and provide salvation. As parents...

While many kings led God’s people away from Him, Hezekiah and Josiah chose a different path. In 2 Kings 18, 22, and 23, we see how faithful leadership, the removal of idols, and a renewed commitment to God’s Word led people back to the worship of the One True God. We explore the power of repentance, the importance of God’s Word, and the hope that a new legacy can begin with one faithful generation...

After generations of rebellion, idol worship, and ignoring God’s warnings, the Northern Kingdom of Israel finally faced the consequences of its choices. In this episode, we explore the fall of Israel in 2 Kings 17 and the tension between God’s justice and His mercy. We reflect on God’s patience in sending prophets to call His people back and consider why we often resist correction in our own lives...

The book of Hosea tells a powerful story of love, betrayal, and redemption. Through Hosea’s relationship with Gomer, God gave His people a picture of their own unfaithfulness and His unwavering love for them. We explore how Hosea points us to God’s constant and faithful character, even when His people wander away. We also discuss how this story helps us understand Christ’s love for His Church and...

When God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way. What followed was a story of storms, a great fish, reluctant obedience, and God’s incredible mercy. We explore how God pursued Jonah despite his disobedience and extended compassion to the people of Nineveh. We’re reminded that God’s mercy is greater than we often imagine and that His desire is for all people to know Him. As parents,...

As Elijah’s ministry came to an end, God appointed Elisha to continue proclaiming His truth and pointing people back to Him. We explore the relationship between Elijah and Elisha, the miracles God performed through Elisha, and how those miracles revealed God’s power and compassion. We’re reminded that faithful people leave lasting legacies, and that the people we follow shape who we become. As par...

As we continue through the story of Israel’s wicked kings, we return to King Ahab, who repeatedly rejected God’s truth, even after witnessing His power. Yet through Elijah’s bold words and God’s continued pursuit, Ahab was eventually humbled before the Lord. We explore the role of truth, repentance, and humility in restoring a broken relationship with God. We also talk about how parents can model...

In 1 Kings 18-19, the prophet Elijah confronted King Ahab and the people of Israel for worshiping Baal. On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the false prophets to a showdown that revealed once and for all who the one true God is. We explore Elijah’s courage, God’s powerful response, and the difference between simply knowing about God and truly following Him. As parents, we reflect on how to lead our...

After the kingdom divided, Israel’s kings led the people further away from God. We look at how Jeroboam’s fear and self-focus led him to create idols, causing an entire nation to turn from the one true God. We explore how idolatry can take root in our own lives when we prioritize anything above Him. As parents, we talk about how to help our kids enjoy the good gifts God gives without letting those...

After the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel reached a turning point. Though Solomon was known for wisdom, his unfaithfulness led to a divided kingdom. We look at how Rehoboam’s pride and poor counsel split the nation in two and what that reveals about the importance of listening to godly wisdom. We’re reminded that the voices we follow shape the direction of our lives. As parents, we refl...