Sharpening Arrows

Some people want to fundamentally change how American presidential elections work. Here’s why the Electoral College is better than the National Popular Vote. Parental pause point questions: 1. Parents, what’s something you appreciate about your parents now that you didn’t growing up? (2:48) 2. What do you know about the Electoral College? How many electoral votes does it take to win the presidency...

In a swipe at President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV claimed "God does not bless any conflict." The Bible says otherwise. Plus, Trump posted and then deleted a picture of himself as Jesus. Parental pause point questions: 1. What are the differences between Protestants and Catholics? Why is your family Protestant or Catholic? (1:51) 2. What should Protestants be grateful for about Catholici...

Over Easter weekend, the U.S. military rescued a downed airman in Iran. Is it a sign that we’re losing the war or one of the most incredible displays of military might in human history? Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you heard about the war in Iran? Do you have any questions or concerns? (2:54) 2. Should the US have risked dozens of lives and spent hundreds of millions of dollars to...

The extraordinary claims that Christians make about Easter are backed up by extraordinary evidence. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why do you think Christmas gets more attention than Easter? (4:10) 2. How do you think the story of Easter sounds to a non-believer? (5:17) 3. Which of The Great Eight Questions would you use in response to this argument? (7:56) 4. Is there evidence outside the Bib...

Society should honor billionaires, not let the left turn them into bogeymen. You don't lose your property rights by acquiring more property. Many leftists disagree. Parental pause point questions: 1. Parents: Is there something you've chased and prioritized over Christ? How did that turn out? (3:32) 2. What emotion is this argument appealing to? (7:00) 3. Which of The Great Eight Questions...

Just because a politician says he’s a Christian and quotes the Bible doesn’t mean that his policies are in line with God’s Word. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why do people vote for certain political candidates? (4:02) 2. Why do stereotypes exist? Are they ever useful? (6:43) 3. Is this what happened in Luke? (14:05) 4. What does the Bible say about abortion? (16:03) 5. Which of The Great Eig...

Anyone trusting “the science” is going to end up contradicting themselves. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you believe there is a contradiction between science and Christianity? (2:08) 2. Have you ever been personally attacked for your beliefs? How did you respond? (5:36) 3. What would you say in response to these arguments? (8:00) 4. Which of The Great Eight Questions would you use in respo...

President Donald Trump bombed Iran. Was that the right thing to do? Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you think about the war with Iran? (1:31) 2. When was the last time the U.S. officially was at war? (10:20) 3. Should you stop listening to someone that you generally agree with because you disagree with them on a major issue? (15:27) 4. Which of The Great Eight Questions would you use in...

You don’t have to know the difference between a body check and a break away to celebrate the U.S. winning gold in men’s and women’s hockey. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why do we cheer for our country? (3:09) 2. If you were an Olympic champion, would you accept a presidential invitation from a president you politically disagreed with? (6:58) 3. Why do countries exist? (9:33) 4. Could you eve...

Many teenagers don’t want to have kids. Here’s why they should. Parental pause point questions: 1. How many kids do you want to have someday and why? (5:48) 2. Why does a good job and a large bank account matter? (8:12) 3. How much time do you think a parent spends each day caring for their child or children? (10:11) 4. What concerns do you have about raising children? (12:11) 5. Which of The Grea...

Cinderella is a great movie, but it can leave you with the wrong impression about long-term love. Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a weighty political topic. But we need to have meaningful discussions become part of our regular routine. Use these “Pointed” episodes to connect during even the busiest seasons.

President Donald Trump shared a video that portrayed the Obamas as apes. How should a Christian or a conservative respond? Parental pause point questions: 1. It’s wrong to demean people based on their skin color. But what can an atheist base that belief on? (6:34) 2. Have you ever made a public mistake before? Would you like that mistake to define how other people view you? (10:15) 3. Can you supp...

You can't make the poor wealthy by beating up on billionaires. California is about to learn this the hard way. Parental pause point questions: 1. What percentage of the income tax do the top 1 percent of wage earners pay in taxes? (2:29) 2. Imagine you have saved up significantly more money than your siblings. How would you feel if your siblings decided that you have to pay for their ice cream...

There’s violence on the streets of Minneapolis connected to the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants. Let’s figure out why. Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you heard about what's happening in Minnesota? (1:48) 2. Can you think of a scenario where you would not get in trouble for intentionally pushing your younger sibling? (3:00) 3. What activities are and ar...

Letting a boy play on a girls’ sports team isn’t compassion. Its cruelty to the young women he’s competing against. Parental pause point questions: 1. How do you think the lawyer responded? (4:21) 2. Do men have an advantage in sports? And if so, are you a better basketball player than a woman in the WNBA? (6:30) 3. Does this athlete have the same opportunity as his peers? (10:57) 4. Can an issue...

Many of the same people who don’t believe in absolute truth will get very upset when people refuse to ignore biological realities, like men are not women. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you know about transgenderism? (6:41) 2. Is everything a person feels valid? (9:08) 3. What would you say in response to this argument? (11:34) 4. Have you ever been insulted for your beliefs? (12:29) 5...

President Donald Trump sent the U.S. military into Venezuela on a daring raid to arrest the country’s president. Was that a victory, an example of American imperialism or the start of another forever war? Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you heard about the U.S. arresting Nicolas Madura, who claimed to be Venezuela’s president? (3:48) 2. Why does Venezuela have so much oil, but produce...

It’s almost New Years. Is it worth making resolutions? Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you think about New Year's resolutions? (4:08) 2. Have you ever made a resolution? What was it about? (5:35) 3. Did you keep your resolution? (6:57) 4. Which of The Great 8 Questions apply here? (11:39) 5. What is the problem with these goals? (18:21) 6. What is a specific, measurable and controll...

Christmas is a celebration of something that’s scientifically impossible. Should this concern Christians? Also, Victor is podcasting from a special location. Listen to find out where. The newly released book, Memory Burn, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Burn-Thriller-Resistance-Veilfire-ebook/dp/B0G7G13LKQ/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1 Parental pause point questions: 1. What makes a compellin...

It’s time to answer a question that’s vexed high school students for decades. Why do we write papers and do algebra? Parental pause point questions: 1. In 2023, 13% of teenagers used ChatGPT to help with their homework. What percent do you think did so in 2024? (4:55) 2. Is it cheating to use AI to complete your homework? (5:10) 3. Do you agree or disagree with this argument? (7:34) 4. What is the...

Why do students need intelligence when there's artificial intelligence? Victor looks at the role of AI in education. Parental pause point questions: 1. Does you or your school use AI in education? (2:32) 2. What is a benefit and a downside of AI in education? (5:17) 3. Do you know someone who's used AI to complete an assignment? Have you? (10:16) 4. Which of these arguments do you find the...

One way Christians can improve their communities is by getting involved in politics. Now, that's not something you hear everyday, but Victor shows why it's true. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do Biblical teachings have any practical applications for modern politics? (4:56) 2. Do Christians bring anything important to political discussions? (7:22) 3. Which of The Great 8 Questions appl...

If you’re looking for something to be thankful for, try this. You have better stuff than a billionaire. And a late-show appearance by some of my children make listening impossible. You've been warned. Parental pause point questions: 1. What makes someone rich? (03:07) 2. What would prevent a billionaire from buying something that you could afford right now? (05:01) 3. Which of The Great 8 Ques...

It’s time to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the separation of church and state. Parental pause point questions: 1. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “separation of church and state”? (3:23) 2. Do you think any governments in the U.S. have ever favored Christianity over other faiths? (5:02) 3. Which of The Great 8 Questions would you use in response to Justice Black's con...

President Donald Trump has floated a new solution to high housing prices: 50 year mortgages. Is that a good idea? Also, Allie Beth Stuckey (unknowingly) provides a ringing endorsement Sharpening Arrows. Very flattering. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you think you'll ever want to buy a home someday? (2:45) 2. Why do people want to buy a home? Parents, why did you buy a home? (4:18) 3. D...