Fairhaven Parent Talks

The world offers a fragile kind of joy, one that rises and falls with our circumstances. But the Holy Spirit gives us something far better: a joy that holds steady through hardship, suffering, and everyday chaos. We look at how the Spirit grows unshakable joy in us, how Paul and the early believers found joy even in persecution, and how we can model Spirit-filled joy for our kids in both the highs...

The Christian life isn’t easy; it’s a spiritual battle. Thankfully, we don’t fight alone. We explore how the Holy Spirit helps us recognize the lies of the enemy, resist temptation, and pray with power. Discover how the Spirit shapes our character, anchors us in Truth, and connects us to the strength we need to stand firm in every struggle.

The Holy Spirit gives every believer a unique set of spiritual gifts, not for personal gain, but to build up the Church and glorify God. We explore how these gifts show that God is alive and active among His people, and how parents can help their kids recognize that they have a role to play in God’s mission too. Plus, we share a story about how one child’s unexpected strength pointed back to the S...

God’s Spirit doesn’t just dwell with us; He dwells in us. We unpack how the Holy Spirit transforms our lives from the inside out, making us into a temple of His presence, power, and holiness. We discuss what it looks like to live from this new identity and how to help our kids understand that God isn’t distant, and He’s closer than we think. Plus, hear how one mom used a kitchen mishap to point he...

The Holy Spirit not only inspired the Bible, He illuminates it. We explore how the Spirit helps us understand, trust, and apply God’s Word in our daily lives. From helping our kids see Scripture as more than just a storybook to shaping our own hearts as parents, the Spirit is constantly at work through the truth of God’s Word. Plus, hear how one preschooler surprised his teacher with a verse he ne...

At Pentecost, God fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit, and everything changed. No longer would the Spirit come and go; He would dwell within every believer, sealing them and making them new. In the first week of "The Helper" series, we explore how the Holy Spirit redefines our identity, empowers us for God’s mission, and shapes the way we live. Plus, simple ways to talk to your...

Samson was chosen by God to deliver Israel, but like the nation he represented, he was marked by compromise and rebellion. We explore how Samson’s strength couldn’t overcome his weakness, and yet God’s plan moved forward anyway. We unpack what it means to be set apart, why character matters more than gifting, and how to help kids recognize that God’s presence is worth more than personal success. P...

Gideon’s story begins with fear and uncertainty, but ends with one of the most unexpected victories in the Bible. We explore how God met Gideon in his doubt, patiently confirmed His calling, and showed that true strength comes from dependence on Him. We talk about how parents can help kids navigate uncertainty, what it looks like to take faithful steps even when we’re unsure, and why God often wor...

After entering the Promised Land, a new generation of Israelites forgot the Lord and turned to worship idols. As we see in Judges 2, their story is a reminder of how quickly faith can fade, and yet, it also reveals God’s relentless mercy. We unpack the cycle of rebellion, consequences, and deliverance, and what it teaches families about passing down faith to the next generation. Plus, we share pra...

As Joshua delivers his final words to the Israelites, he calls them to remember God’s faithfulness and choose whom they will serve. We explore how worship and obedience are inseparably linked, why idols are often more subtle than we realize, and how parents can model wholehearted devotion to God for their kids. Plus, we talk about how everyday actions – from sports to schoolwork to family routines...

As Joshua nears the end of his life, he reminds the Israelites that it was God, not their own strength, who gave them victory. We look at Joshua 23-24 and the legacy of trust and obedience he leaves behind. We explore what it means to let God fight our battles, how to help kids remember God’s faithfulness, and why spiritual consistency matters more than perfection. Plus, hear how a simple family t...

When one man’s hidden sin brings defeat to an entire nation, we’re reminded just how seriously God takes obedience. In Joshua 7-8, we see the story of Achan’s disobedience, God’s righteous anger, and ultimately, His mercy and restoration. In this episode, we unpack why sin is such a big deal, how confession leads to restored relationship with God, and why we can’t hide anything from Him—even if we...

The Israelites face a fortified city, but God delivers victory in the most unexpected way. Through radical obedience and complete trust, the walls of Jericho fall. We explore how spiritual battles are won not by strength but by surrender, and how God’s faithfulness outweighs our forgetfulness. We talk about the power of Christian community, the importance of spiritual milestones, and why it matter...

As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, they face a new obstacle: the Jordan River. But through courageous obedience and Joshua’s leadership, they witness God’s faithfulness once again. We unpack what it means to take a step of faith before the waters part, how remembering God’s faithfulness builds courage for the future, and why spiritual milestones matter for families. Plus, hear h...

As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses delivers a powerful farewell in Deuteronomy 31-34, urging God’s people to remember His faithfulness, follow His commands, and pass the truth on to future generations. We explore the weight of Moses’ final words, the challenge of choosing life over distraction, and how parents today can help their families stay close to God. We also unpack...

We look at a strange and powerful moment in Israel’s journey through the wilderness when poisonous snakes filled the camp and the only cure was to look up at a bronze serpent. What was God really teaching His people in that moment? We unpack how their grumbling hearts, misplaced focus, and refusal to trust led to painful consequences, and how God, even then, offered healing through faith. We'l...

We explore the Israelites’ journey to the edge of the promised land and how fear, forgetfulness, and disobedience nearly kept them from God’s best. We discuss the powerful example of Joshua and Caleb, who chose faith and boldness when others gave in to fear, and how their story points us to Jesus, the one who has already conquered the ultimate battle for us. Parents will hear practical ways to hel...

We reflect on the Israelites’ struggle with gratitude as they wandered the wilderness, craving more than what God had provided. Their complaints about manna reveal a timeless human tendency: to overlook God’s blessings and desire more. We talk about how this story challenges us as parents to model gratitude, trust God’s provision, and resist the pull of discontentment in our own families. You’ll a...

We take a one-week dive into the book of Leviticus, a challenging but powerful reminder that God is both holy and deeply personal. We explore why Leviticus matters, how it points to Jesus, and what it teaches about approaching God with reverence and gratitude. You’ll hear practical ways parents can help kids understand God’s desire to dwell with His people, how to talk about sacrifice and atonemen...

We’re joined by a special guest, Fairhaven’s lead pastor David Smith, as we explore the instructions God gave His people in Exodus for building the tabernacle. We discuss how the tabernacle revealed God’s deep desire to dwell with His people and how that same desire is fulfilled today through the Holy Spirit living within us. You’ll hear practical ways to help kids and students understand that God...

We explore Exodus 32-34, where the Israelites turn from God to worship a golden calf, and where Moses steps in to intercede on their behalf. We talk about how easy it is to replace God with lesser things, how God responds with both righteous anger and steadfast love, and how spending time with Him truly transforms us. You’ll hear how Moses points forward to Jesus as our intercessor, and how this s...

We dive into Exodus 19-20 and take a closer look at the Ten Commandments: what they reveal about God’s holiness and how they guide our relationship with Him and with others. We explore the difference between simply knowing God’s law and truly delighting in it, and discuss how obedience flows from a heart that’s been transformed by God’s presence. We also tackle two big questions: How do we avoid p...

We explore Exodus 17-18 and two powerful moments in Moses’ journey that reveal why we all need community. From Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms in battle to Jethro’s wise advice about sharing leadership, we’re reminded that we were never meant to go it alone. We discuss how godly community helps us fight the enemy, carry life’s burdens, and keep going when we’re weary. Plus, we dive into how f...

We continue our journey through Exodus, focusing on chapters 15-17 and the Israelites’ response to God’s provision. Even after a miraculous rescue, the people complain about food, forgetting God’s faithfulness. We talk about how this story challenges us, and our families, to fight the temptation to grumble and instead respond with gratitude. You’ll learn how God uses difficulty to shape our charac...

In this special Mother’s Day episode, we explore Exodus 13-15 and the unforgettable moment when God parts the Red Sea. We talk about how God used an impossible situation to show His power, call His people to faith, and remind us that He is always leading – even when it feels like we’re trapped. You’ll also hear how this story points forward to the rescue we have in Jesus, and how God’s character n...