Tuning the Bow

In the past, Tim and Matt discussed why we should pray, this episode tackles the question of how people can pray. This is a spiritual discipline that is lacking in many students, so the best time to fix that problem is now. Lead your house in prayer by being the example. Passages – Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:13-16 Resource – Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whi...

There are many stores and restaurants that make political stances on the conservative and liberal sides, and these stances may cause some uproar. In this week's episode, Tim and Matt talk about what to do when these political stances affect families and how parents must be in conversation about what is acceptable and what is not. Instead of sheltering kids without teaching them how to respond...

Forgiveness is a difficult thing to work through, but it is something God does all the time. As you forgive the lateness of this episode, Tim and Matt talk about the difficulties of forgiveness and the importance to freely forgive as God does. If this is something you struggle with, give this episode a listen! Passage – Matthew 6:9-15 Message us through Buzzsprout here!

In a Tim-less episode, Matt wants to simply encourage parents to be with their kids this summer. It can be a chaotic time trying to balance work and parenting since school is out, but parents should attempt to simply be with their kids without changing their discipleship responsibilities.  This is a quicker episode, and this busy time for Matt and Tim will bring some inconsistency, but Tuning the...

Life is full of moving from one age to another, and with this comes many different transitions. Tim and Matt want to give parents a foundation and applications to deal with these transitions in parenting. Based on the foundation, many things can be dealt with through remaining in Scripture, sticking with your convictions, and prayer. Passages – Proverbs 9:9; John 17:17; Daniel 1; James 1:5-8; Phil...

Laziness is an easy sin to fall into unknowingly and knowingly. There are plenty of things that can take our attention away from the things that matter, so parents should be diligent to check what they spending their time doing and possibly reorient their priorities. Tim and Matt give some helpful application, but it is up to the individual to act on their belief. Passages – Proverbs 6:6-11; 2 The...

Mission trips are a part of most churches, but why do many families not want to send their kids to them? In this (sleepy) episode, Matt and Tim want parents to understand why mission trips are important for kids' Christian growth and why parents should prayerfully prepare their kids to go on one before they graduate high school. Though mission trips may be expensive, they are wonderful ways t...

We often set goals for our kids and not communicate them, and this can give our kids the wrong idea of what we expect or desire for their future. In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about what these goals should look like and why parents should tell their kids about them. Life is more than making it past graduation but is about continually walking closer to God. Passages – 1 Corinthians 15:3; Psalm...

When your child receives Christ into their life, many things will change for them, but the lives of parents do not change that drastically. The big question most parents ask is, "How do I keep this excitement going?" This episode, like most episodes so far, will be a starting point to show what parents need to be teaching their newly saved kids by looking at the ultimate parenting book:...

Summertime approaches, which means schools will be out and kids will be at home. What should you do then? In this episode, Matt and Tim want to get you to start thinking about how you will disciple your kids this summer. Sports camps and church camps are good things, but the focus should be on Jesus when they are not at some camp. Give this episode a listen so you can begin to think about how you...

Our digital world is covered in screens, so it is hard to avoid them altogether. Tim and Matt want to help you understand what is at stake in what your kids are watching or reading about on their devices. They will also give some helpful starting points so you can begin to utilize what they are seeing for the glory of God. Passages – Matthew 6:19-23; 1 John 2:15-17 Resources – "Communicate wi...

Some things are hard to talk about since they can be foreign issues we are not used to, but the problem of gender identity is becoming more and more prominent in our churches today. In this episode, Matt and Tim want to encourage you that godly and biblical love should be our motivator when dealing with those working through gender identity and other issues. Listen with an open heart and mind to h...

"The Bible is clear about marriage." This is an easy thing to say, but what about when people disagree with that statement? Matt and Tim want to help parents talk about this uncomfortable and increasingly needed topic when it comes to sexuality. Much like last episode, they will discuss what Scripture says about homosexuality and how you can begin this conversation with your kids if the...

Oh man. It's that time. In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about sexuality as it is described in Scripture. This will launch into a new series for the next two episodes, but before they get any deeper, they will work through what the Bible says about sex, sexual impulses, and gender identity, all the while giving you some extra resources and helpful tips to when you encounter sexual sin in yo...

Depression hits in a much different way than most mental disorders. It can feel as if the world is against you, and there is no hope for it to end. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about biblical writers and their depression, how they responded to it, and what believers can learn from their stories along with some practical works you can do for yourself or your kids. It's a longer episode,...

Tim and Matt use the Bible a lot in their lives, but why? There are lots of books out there that talk about life issues, and some are a little easier to understand at times. In this episode, they will talk about how the Bible is inspired by God, inerrant, and authoritative in believers' lives. They will also talk about which English translations are good for kids and students. Passages – 2 Ti...

The blood starts pumping, the senses start to diminish, and the feelings begin to erupt through your words and actions. They are the symptoms of anger as common as a cold.  This episode is directed to this for those who write in ALL CAPS, those who cannot seem to stop listening to that rock music, and the homes that are akin to a warzone. Sinful, selfish anger is a common sin that everyone deals w...

Anxiety is a killer that has become a common struggle in schools, workplaces, and the church. The problem is that a lot of people think they are not qualified to deal with issues like this, so Matt and Tim are starting a new series focused on helping you guide your kids (or yourself) through these difficult issues. You will learn about how to deal with sin through alliteration (speak, soak, serve)...

In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about the response husbands and children should have towards a Proverbs 31 woman. Whether you have a biblical family, a blended family, or a broken family, trust is a big part of the marriage relationship, so be encouraged to trust your spouse and be deserving of that trust! Live out Scripture in every possible way. Passage – Proverbs 31 Resources – Marriage on t...

Plenty of people read Proverbs 31 thinking it is only applicable for women, but Tim and Matt want to show you how this chapter teaches both men and women. They go into detail about some qualities that are important, but ultimately these qualities become secondary to having a foundation built upon Christ. Join them as they seek to encourage wives to apply these qualities and push husbands to do the...

Marriage is held to a high standard in Scripture, so Tim (married with two kids) and Matt (marriage expert and currently single) will explore what the book of Ephesians says about it. Through the lens of Scripture paired with their experiences and understanding, they want to encourage you to look to Christ first when dealing with your spouse because a biblical marriage will lead to biblical parent...

Our lives are defined by who Jesus is, but we do not always act like it. In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss the place of Jesus being king over our families and the battles that will come when trying to reorient them into this perspective. This episode was heavily influenced by the youth ministry GOAT Dr. Richard Ross. Passages – Hebrews 1:8-12, 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; 2 Peter 1:3 Resources...

Matt and Tim have talked about how having a devotional time is good, but this episode will talk about why it is good. Using examples from the Bible and experience, they build a case on the necessity of parents having a personal and family devotional time. What better way is there than to start a new year than in Scripture with your family? Passages – Matthew 6:6; Luke 5:15-16; 2 Peter 1:12-15 Reso...

Not every part of life is filled with excitement or stress (thankfully), so in this episode, Matt and Tim want to encourage you to continue to parent through the mundane parts of life. Your kids are probably at home for the next week, so use these opportunities to continue to disciple them in the boring and slow parts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Passages – Exodus 2:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:4-...

The Christmas season is full of lights, presents, and things that try to take our attention off Christ. Instead of just going along with the culture, Matt and Tim talk about being holy through the holly (youth pastor joke). They want to challenge you to shepherd your kids to continue to live different from the culture through this month and the rest of the year. Continue to share Jesus now and whe...