Teach Them Diligently

What difference can one shoebox make in a child’s life? For Kristiana Allenbaugh, it became a tangible reminder that she was seen, known, and loved—and an introduction to the hope found in Jesus Christ. Growing up in Latvia, Kristiana experienced heartbreaking circumstances. By the age of six, she was caring for her two younger sisters. At ten, she and her sisters fled their home in the middle of...

Your family needs a good local church—but how do you know when you’ve found one? In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently podcast, David Nunnery goes solo to share four characteristics he has learned to look for after decades of visiting, serving in, speaking at, and evaluating churches in the United States and around the world. This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive theological checklist for...

What would you tell your children about marriage right before they said, “I do”? David and I have now had the privilege of watching three of our children get married, including one just last weekend! And before each wedding, we’ve made it a point to sit down individually with our son or daughter and their future spouse for a very honest conversation about marriage. I’ll admit, the kids aren’t alwa...

When five-year-old Gabby Walker walked into a church in Honduras, she was living in extreme poverty. Her mother worked multiple jobs, there were days without enough food, and Gabby often felt alone. That Sunday, she heard clearly about Jesus’ love for her—and wondered, “Does Jesus know who I am?” Then someone handed her an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Before she opened it, Gabby whispered on...

Is something just not working in your homeschool? Maybe the schedule feels chaotic. A curriculum isn’t clicking. Your days aren’t unfolding the way you pictured them—or you’re already wondering whether you need to scrap the plan and start over. Before you change anything, David and Leslie Nunnery want you to work through a simple framework: Believe. Think. Feel. Do. Too often, homeschool parents j...

Most Christian homeschool families don't intentionally abandon their mission. They drift away from it—one small decision, pressure, activity, or expectation at a time. In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently Podcast, David and Leslie Nunnery talk about why homeschool drift happens and how to recognize when curriculum, schedules, academics, activities, fear, or other people's expectations have...

Parents have an incredible responsibility to disciple their children. But that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to do it alone. In fact, one of the dangers Christian families can face—especially homeschool families—is allowing responsibility to slowly become self-sufficiency. We educate our children. We organize activities. We teach the Bible. We create community. Before long, we can begin acting as th...

How do we pass down a vibrant, lasting faith to the next generation in a world full of distractions? In this episode, Leslie sits down with Angie Tolpin to discuss the importance of the church in our family culture. This is a powerful conversation that is full of practical ideas from 2 very seasoned mamas. You don’t want to miss it.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Reclaiming the Local Church: W...

As we enter Pride Month, conversations around identity, gender, and family dynamics are more prevalent than ever. This week, we sit down with Walt Heyer for a deeply personal and candid conversation that serves as a valuable tool for families navigating these complex topics. Walt shares his firsthand journey through gender dysphoria and cross-dressing, shedding light on how early childhood trauma...

Aside from parents, grandparents hold some of the highest potential for influence in a child’s life. But in today’s rapidly changing culture, navigating family dynamics, physical distance, and the delicate line between supporting and overstepping can feel like a minefield. In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Lori Wildenberg to explore the beautifully vital role of intentional Christian...

How does parental divorce impact adult relationships later in life? In this eye-opening interview, Kent Darcie shares his personal journey from experiencing parental divorce to becoming a dedicated advocate and resource for adults and couples affected by it. Whether you are dating, preparing for marriage, or looking to strengthen your current relationship, this episode offers practical guidance on...

The landscape of faith-based learning has shifted dramatically in recent years. What was once a choice between traditional private schools and homeschooling has expanded into a vibrant ecosystem of micro schools, co-ops, and hybrid models. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Edmondson from the Herzog Foundation to explore the post-COVID boom in Christian education. Jonathan shares how the “...

In a rapidly changing educational landscape, parents and students alike find themselves wrestling with the question: Is traditional college worth it? With rising costs and shifting job markets, many are seeking alternatives that provide real-world experience and spiritual growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore insights from Andrew Haak, director of the Excel Summer Leadership Camp and faculty me...

In an era of rising costs and impersonal systems, many families are looking for a healthcare alternative that aligns with their biblical values. This week, we sit down with Wes Humble from Liberty Health Share to explore the world of Christian health sharing. Unlike traditional insurance, health sharing is a community of believers who share one another’s medical burdens. We dive into how this mode...

The world isn’t waiting for our children to grow up before it starts trying to shape their hearts. Ideologies and cultural shifts are “invading” the family space every single day. The question is: Are we as parents ready to be the primary line of defense and discipleship? This week on the podcast, David and Leslie Nunnery are honored to sit down with Dr. Albert Mohler , President of the Southern B...

Is your parenting driven by a list of rules, or a life of discipleship? In this insightful episode of the Teach Them Diligently podcast, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Israel Wayne to pull back the curtain on what it truly means to raise children with a biblical worldview in a confusing culture. They move past the surface-level “how-to” and dive into the heart of the home: the parent’s own walk wit...

We often think of books as part of education—but what if they’re actually one of our most powerful tools for discipleship? In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Korrie Johnson of Good Book Mom to explore how the books our children read are shaping far more than academic skills—they’re forming worldview, discernment, and faith.   From navigating the public library with confidence to using...

How do you help kids develop clarity and confidence about who they are when culture constantly pushes confusion? In this episode, Leslie Nunnery is joined by Dr. Kathy Koch (Celebrate Kids) and Dr. Jeff Myers (Summit Ministries), co-authors of Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design , to talk about one of the most urgent discipleship challenges facing families to...

Welcome to a new season of the Teach Them Diligently Podcast! Today, Elizabeth Urbanowicz joins Leslie Nunnery to discuss the essential work of guiding children to think both biblically and critically. Together, they move past abstract ideas to explore five practical strategies you can use to nurture faith, navigate hard questions, and point your children toward God’s design in the middle of every...

In the final episode of our Homeschool Dad Series, David Nunnery sits down for a heart-to-heart with David Mills about a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough: the vital role of the father in the home. Let’s be honest—it’s easy for dads to feel like “the principal” or just the “financial provider.” But God has called us to be so much more. David Nunnery and David Mills dive deep into what it...

Is your family’s sports schedule life-giving or life-draining? In this episode of the Homeschool Dad Series, David Nunnery and Owen Strachan dive into the “theology of the sidelines.” They discuss how coaching and athletics provide a unique “Deuteronomy 6” opportunity for fathers to disciple their children through shared struggle, hard work, and adversity. Learn how to set healthy boundaries, keep...

In this episode of the Homeschool Dads series, David Nunnery talks with Isaac Tolpin, a seasoned parent and speaker, discussing the challenges and opportunities of courageous parenting. They explore the importance of intentionality in raising confident Christian children, overcoming fear in spiritual leadership, and the role of technology in modern parenting. The conversation emphasizes the need f...

Are you feeling the pressure to make your homeschool look “perfect”? In this episode, we dive into the all-too-common trap of unrealistic expectations in homeschooling — the pressure parents put on themselves and the expectations driven by social media, comparison, and “ideal” homeschool images. You’ll hear honest, practical insights that confront unrealistic standards, plus encouragement for how...

In this conversation on the Homeschool Dad Series, Mark Hancock tackles the rising tide of challenges facing boys in modern society, offering a powerful call to action for parents and leaders. He breaks down the alarming statistics—including boys' growing academic performance gap and their disproportionate representation in special education—and identifies the crisis of absent father figures and t...

Costs creep up when you’re feeding a family and homeschooling full-time. Today, Jenny Martin—founder of Southern Savers and homeschool mom of five— shares the simple system that cut her grocery bill by $500 in one month (18 years ago!), how to stock up the right way (without hoarding), where to find the best meat prices, and how to turn everyday shopping into a discipleship lab for financial stewa...