Tuning the Bow

Censorship is a hot topic in the political realm, but it is not always bad. What does it mean for parents to censor things for their kids? In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about this question and how it is played out in the way we approach entertainment. Books, movies, YouTube videos, and more might contain adult themes parents are not aware of, so there should be plenty of research done in orde...

…but not everything is beneficial. There are things that may be legal and moral-ish, but that does not mean they are good for the believer. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about some of these things and what the Bible says about dealing with things that may not be beneficial to the believer. Parents must be careful that they worship God throughout the week so that they may live in a way that br...

How does God work? Does He only use big moments to create incredible situations and miracles? Or does He use the faithfulness of those who trust and obey Him? In this episode, Tim recounts a story of an act of faithfulness that changed the course of his family, showing that God can use anyone to accomplish His will. Little acts of faithfulness lead to big moments of power. Parents must play the lo...

Things can be going smoothly for a time, and then everything seems to crumble and fall. In these times, we must remember how great God is and how much we need to continue to rely on Him. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about Bible study that stalls and feels like there is no progression or learning. Your faith is not dependent on your performance, and your parenting must be grounded in the fact...

Part 2 is here for you! In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about the Bible study resources they use and recommend to you. SPOILER, get a study Bible. Though commentaries are important and can benefit you greatly, prayerfully working through Scripture through the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit will get you the knowledge to obey God's commands. Obedience, not complete knowledge, is the e...

Unless you have a seminary education to some degree, you have mostly been left on your own to figure out how to study the Bible. Sadly, many churches do not give classes or examples of how this is done. In this episode, Tim and Matt bring their seminary-educated minds together to give the first of a few episodes focused on giving parents the basics they need to begin their journey in studying the...

"A whole Bible makes a whole Christian." This saying teaches that the Old and New Testaments not only make up the whole Bible, but they are both necessary to make a whole Christian. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about why "unhitching" the Old Testament from believers today goes against God's intended meaning for giving us the Bible. If parents are to better understand...

There are a lot of people talk about how they order what is important in their lives, but do their actions line up with their words? In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about the importance of having God direct believers' priorities and some practical things to keep in mind. In everything, make sure to set aside time in God's Word in your schedule so that you may love Him with all you are...

Let's be honest. Thankfulness is not a lifestyle that many of us live. It is much easier to go through life and just accept things the way they are, but should that be the way a believer lives? In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about living a life of thankfulness by acknowledging God's providence in the seemingly insignificant parts of life. God is the originator of all good and perfect...

There are moments when we need to take a risk for God, but is every big decision like that? In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about the importance of biblical decision making and why being risk averse is not what the Bible prescribes when making big decisions. The goal is obedience, and sometimes that obedience comes with a risk. God is faithful, so we must be faithful to follow His guidance. Pas...

God is love. The Bible paints that picture clearly throughout its books, but this truth is only known because of God's love. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how truth has always existed in the same way love has since God is eternal. However, truth without love makes it difficult for people to want to abide it, so how can the believing parent reconcile this idea and pass it on to thei...

Friends are hard to come by in this day and age. Though people are instantly connected to each other through the internet, solid friendships are few and far between. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about their friendship and how it has been influenced by the patterns found in Scripture. Meaningful relationships are found in the midst of hardship and trials, so cling to those who build you up in...

The story of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah does not end with them getting big and strong, but their bonds to God and each other are tested for the rest of their lives. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how important it is to see that one victory does not lead to ease. The decisions parents make now will slowly build their children into who they can be as adults, and this must be do...

When the prophet Daniel was being raised, there is a chance his parents did not consider he would be taken into a foreign culture. In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about the real possibility that kids are being raised in an equally hostile culture like Babylon's. Parents should decide in their hearts to swim against the current of culture and look for others doing the same with the intent t...

Here we are. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has talk a lot about how believers are supposed to live, and Matt and Tim have added some commentary about one of Jesus's most memorable speeches. When families build upon the rock of God's Word, they create an environment for children to develop into adults who can face the many challenges of the world with confidence. Now that y...

The Bible is clear: there is one way to God. There is no work we can do to earn our way to Heaven, so God made that way possible through Jesus. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how there are many things that will try and take believers' eyes away from God, but those evil works are evident. Taking the narrow path of life is difficult, it goes against what most people do, and it does no...

What does it mean to ask God for things? A lot of people think it is focused on improving yourself or gaining certain things, but Matt and Tim want to bring a different perspective. God blesses believers so that they may be a blessing to others. In fact, when we treat others the way we want to be treated, Jesus said that this is the main focus of the Law and the Prophets! Listen to how God's...

Preconceived notions and bias are difficult to avoid, but Jesus does not beat around the bush. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about judging and how the application is right in the first verse. Confrontation about sin is different because of the desire for repentance and reconciliation. Judgment negatively assumes guilt with no chance of making the situation better, so don't do it. Passage...

"Do not worry about anything" is a difficult command to follow. There are so many uncertain parts of life that cause many parents to constantly be afraid about the future, but Jesus is pretty clear. In this episode, Tim and Matt encourage parents to consider how great and good God is in light of anxiety. God is in control of all things, meaning that nothing happens without Him knowing ab...

This world is very materialistic. People want things and live their lives trying to get the most things, but ultimately, there is no joy or satisfaction in the things of this world. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about what believers should treasure (after an eight minute breakdown of a depressing weekend of football). If your whole heart is set on Christ, then your parenting and other actions...

There's a lot that is going on for Matt and Tim this time of the year. Football season is upon them, but that will not detract the whole episode (up until around the nine minute mark) because they will talk about the difference between doing good and being a do-gooder. Our actions reflect our hearts, and if our hearts are not right with the Lord, then our actions will fall short of God's...

There are a lot of challenging things that Jesus talks about on the Sermon on the Mount, and His talks on love really show how far believers need to go in order to love like God does. In this episode, Matt and Tim want to press parents to love better and show that love to their kids. We have not been given ordinary love from God because His love is extraordinary, so take that extraordinary love an...

"Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no.'" This phrase is spoken frequently when parents talk to their kids, but what are the implications? In this episode, Tim and Matt break down this phrase and other similar phrases to show that God takes delight when we do what we say we will do or do not do what we say we will not do. Simply put, parents...

Honestly, this is a topic few people like to talk about. Not only is divorce a rampant problem in the world today, but adultery can be committed in a lot of different ways. It is easier to just avoid the issue and move on, but if Jesus felt the need to teach on it, then we should not hide this issue from our kids. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how adultery plays itself out in our lives...

We're back at it in Matthew 5 talking about anger. Now, Matt and Tim have talked about anger before, but they surprisingly did not use this passage. So in this episode, they break down the implications of anger and parenting. There is a lot of baggage when someone mentions anger, but Jesus is very cut and dry about how sinful anger should be dealt with. Live a life of repentance in front of y...