The Bible talks a lot about love and joy. The love of God is shown through His mercy and grace, and joy is the outcome of His salvation and deliverance. In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about how Christian parents are not called to "normal" parenting but that of different, holy parenting. Living without God's love leads to the inability to experience true joy and satisfaction. In a culture of exploring new ways to fulfill your desires, the Bible calls for believers to stand on the truth of who God is and what He calls us to do.

Passage – Galatians 5:22-26

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For the next few episodes, Matt and Tim are going to be discussing the fruit of the Spirit and how it pertains to parenting. Before that happens, though, some initial thoughts to the preceding verses need to be made. The works of the flesh, as Paul calls them, are centered around self-gratification and self-idolatry. These cannot co-exist with the fruit of the Spirit and will not help parents establish a biblical foundation in their homes. Listen to what parents need to know about the antithesis before the discussion of the main topic.

Passage – Galatians 5:16-21

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Jesus makes it plain to His disciples that following Him will cause disruption. The world is against God wholeheartedly, and this affects every household to the smallest point of contention. Why would Jesus say He does not bring peace? In this episode, Tim and Matt talk about why this idea is important to keep in mind as parents search the Scriptures for what God says they should do. Along with this, Tim gives two resources that will add to parents' understanding of how to prepare for any disruption that may come their way.

Passage – Matthew 10:32-39

Resources – Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley

Equipping for Life: A Guide for New, Aspiring & Struggling Parents by Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger

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The Bible is pretty clear on what God wants believers to know, but there are some things that can get a little confusing. What is intercessory prayer? Who does it? How do I pray for others? In this episode, Matt and Tim talk about what it means for parents to intercede for their kids and why these prayers are important. Our praying should never decrease, but we change the way we pray as our kids get older. No matter what, we should constantly be in prayer for our family, friends, leaders, and random people we come in contact with.

Passages – Romans 8:22-27; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Galatians 6:2; James 5:13-15

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Hurt people hurt people. Pain can lead people to making horrible, sinful decisions, but how should Christian parents respond to those who hurt them? In this episode, Matt and Tim continue their conversation on church hurt by discussing what it looks like to stay at a church and not immediately leave. God calls believers to be different than the world, so Christians should respond to difficulty differently by putting our hurt and burdens on the One who created all things. Also, the guys talk about the Superbowl, which you might have heard about, for far too long.

Passage – Ephesians 4:25-28

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A lot has happened in the lives of Tim and Matt, and they have experienced a lot of hurt from inside and outside the church. Though some things happened when they were younger, the actions of their parents set them up for success. God is not pleased with sin. Even when church leaders commit hurtful actions against others, this cannot and does not please God. Instead, He freely forgives those who have placed their faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. If we are made in His image, then we must act according to the standard He has set out in Scripture.

Passages – Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-17

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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 order to make sure children know the ways of God before they are confronted with the realities of a fallen world.

Passage – 1 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians 4:8

Resources – Plugged In: reviews with a Christian worldview
Common Sense Media: reviews with a secular worldview

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…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 brings Him praise, glory, and honor.

Passages – Romans 7:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12-17; Philippians 4:8

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