The MAVEN Parent Podcast

Parents, do you need to "do better?" Popular parenting influencer BillyVSCO thinks so, ending each of his parenting videos with this mantra. He's one of hundreds of prominent social media voices offering parenting advice on everything from discipline to discipleship. So how can Christian parents possibly sort through all the contradictory advice and noise online? In this episode, Brett and Erin respond to a couple of BillyVSCO's videos and walk you through strategies for sifting through good and bad parenting advice.

How does Scripture define faith? Last week, we discussed some of the mistaken views of faith that are popular in the church today. In this episode, Brett and Erin explore 3 key Scriptures that help us accurately define faith, and equip you with some practical parenting strategies for passing a true view of faith to your kids. Listen to Part 1 of this conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSzMM_mSYY8 Check out our interview with Greg Koukl here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrpDIVMSwMA

How would you define faith? Does it depend on how many Bible facts we know or is faith just a feeling? Unfortunately, many Christians hold a mistaken view of faith and don't even know it. We hear the word "faith" used by pastors, fellow Christians, and sometimes even by atheists. But, how many of us know what it really means? In this episode, Brett and Erin unpack some of the most prevalent mistaken views of faith that have seeped into the church today.

When our kids have questions or hang-ups about faith, is there a strategic way to approach those conversations? How can we equip our kids well so that one day they are ripe to become ambassadors for Christ? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Greg Koukl, a Christian apologist, author, and the president of Stand To Reason about his new book, Street Smarts, and about how parents can use questions to pass on their faith to their kids and give them tools to navigate our culture. Buy Greg's book here: https://store.str.org/purchase/street-smarts

Happy New Year to the MAVEN Parent Podcast community! Are you ready for 2024? At MAVEN, we want to come alongside and support you in the discipleship of you and your kids in the year ahead. In this episode, Brett and Erin outline MAVEN's upcoming resources in 2024 to help you plan your year with intentionality. MAVEN Conferences: https://www.mavenconferences.com/ Open Enrollment Trip: https://maventruth.com/open-enrollment/

Is it just us or has it been a long time since a solid film with solid values rocked our culture? So many of the classic films seem to be aware of right and wrong in a way that's painfully absent in Hollywood today. Is it possible to reclaim any of this cultural worldview consensus? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Dr. Onalee McGraw, known for her tenure on the National Council on Education Research under the Reagan administration, about her project with the Educational Guidance Institute. Brett and Erin delve into Dr. McGraw's mission: educating kids about classic films and cultivating a taste for good, true, and beautiful things.

Humility is a Christian virtue, and it often manifests itself in our teachability. And as adults trying to disciple the next generation through some unprecedented cultural waters, we need to remain teachable in order to adapt and grow so that we can be most effective in teaching and guiding our children. In this episode, Brett and Erin share 10 lessons learned this year that will encourage and challenge you.

Philippians chapter two describes one of the most significant moments in human history and provides us the reason why we worship during Christmas: God became man. The Incarnation is the supreme act of God’s selfless love and His greatest gift to humankind. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss how Christmas is a perfect time to hold up Christ as the selfless example for our kids to follow. They also provide some very practical advice about helping our kids to give gifts to others, in ways that help cultivate unselfishness and generosity.

Should parents break the law to secure their kid's future? Desperate Housewife actress Felicity Huffman made news for her recent comments offering this justification for her role in the explosive 2019 college admissions scandal. We may think such extremes examples are only fit for Hollywood, but Christian parents and educators unknowingly adopt the same secular values that undergird Huffman’s illegal actions on behalf of her daughter. That’s why we must regularly examine what our vision of success is in the lives of our kids. Is it acceptance into a prestigious college? Is it a good job? Is it attaining enough wealth to live comfortably? Ultimately, God’s Word and not the secular culture must inform every thought we have and decision we make on behalf of our kids.

Philosophy has a major public relations problem. The word conjures up images of dusty books and ivory towers, far removed from the realities of normal life. But what if philosophy is actually one of the most practical subjects of study that has serious implications for our deepest of human needs? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with philosopher Dr. Ross Inman about his new book, Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life: An Invitation to Wonder. Dr. Inman makes a compelling case that philosophy is valuable, practical, and significant for every aspect of Christian life and ministry and, therefore, has tremendous value for our parenting, as well. Dr. Inman's books: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Philosophy-Way-Life-Invitation/dp/1540965732/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CJV4JA0E4CNE&keywords=Christian+Philosophy+as+a+Way+of+Life&qid=1701300252&sprefix=christian+philosophy+as+a+way+of+life%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1

Advent, the first season of the Christian church year, is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our kids’ understanding of the Incarnation and help lead them into a more thoughtful season of worshipping Christ our King. In this episode, Brett & Erin interview Rebecca Zipp of A Humble Place to discuss ways we can incorporate Advent celebrations and even slow down the rhythms of the bustling Christmas season.

As parents, we’re properly concerned about our kids being teachable. But even as adults, we must also remain teachable so that we can continue to grow in our knowledge and wisdom as parents and the spiritual leaders of our homes. What things reveal our resistance or unwillingness to learn, be challenged or even receive correction? How does an unteachable spirit reveal our lack of humility before the Lord? In this episode, Brett and Erin help us to honestly assess our teachability and offer practical steps to help us become more teachable.

At the recent MAVEN Conference in Texas, attendees sent in their questions all throughout the weekend. The conference Q&A panel was only able to cover a limited amount of questions, so in this podcast episode, Brett and Erin dive in and answer questions about males wearing makeup and navigating secular music.

In a broken and fallen world, discouragement is a given, especially when it comes to our families. When our marriage is rocky, when our kids are struggling, or when other trials hit us, we can be overwhelmed by discouragement. So what do we do in those times? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss the reality of discouragement and three biblical truths that can renew our minds and prevent us from allowing discouragement to turn into despair.

The results of a recent Barna study are sobering: the vast majority of Christian kids do not have a biblical worldview. Parents and church leaders must redouble their efforts and be intentional in teaching biblical truth to their kids. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss five practical ways we can pass along a biblical worldview. Check out our open enrollment immersive experience here: https://maventruth.com/open-enrollment/

According to recent Barna research, the vast majority of our kids do NOT have a Christian worldview. Barna identified seven cornerstones of a biblical worldview that significantly increase the chances that our kids and students will go on to develop a robust Christian worldview. Sadly, most of our kids do not adhere to the majority of them. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss these findings and challenge parents, educators and leaders to assess their own kids. The results may be sobering.

In this episode of the Maven Parent podcast, we delve into the profound cultural shifts surrounding sexuality and their implications on our understanding of gender roles, relationships, and self-identity. Drawing from a riveting talk by John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center, we explore how the sexual revolution has transformed societal norms and challenged traditional beliefs. From the interchangeable roles of men and women to the separation of sex, marriage, and procreation, we discuss the pressing need for a grounded understanding in today's rapidly changing world. Additionally, we touch upon the history of sex education in the church and the challenges faced by the younger generation. Join us as we navigate these complex topics and offer insights on how to approach them with clarity and conviction.

“You do you. Live your truth.” Our secular culture constantly chips away with these self-oriented messages. Of course, ideas have consequences. A relativistic culture that pushes individual autonomy as the highest value will undermine important concepts like obligation, duty, and responsibility. And families with a weakened sense of their obligations to one another will crumble and break apart. How should Christian families think about the nature of their obligations to one another? Do our kids have duties to their parents, or are only parents obligated to their kids? In this episode, Brett & Erin respond to these serious challenges.

This week, Brett and Erin interview Eric Hernandez on his unique approach to evangelism. In this episode, they discuss the importance of asking the right questions and avoiding heated debates when engaging with atheists. Eric shares insights from his book, "The Lazy Approach to Evangelism," where he demonstrates how a few well-placed questions can plant seeds of faith and foster meaningful conversations. Discover practical strategies for effective evangelism and hear inspiring stories from our immersive experiences, including trips to Utah and college campuses, that equip students to defend their faith confidently. BUY ERIC'S BOOK HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Approach-Evangelism-Conversing-Nonbelievers/dp/1948618974/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P41OMG04LL2C&keywords=lazy+approach+to+evangelism&qid=1694714882&sprefix=lazy+appro%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-1

Families with special needs kids have unique opportunities but they also face unique challenges. How do you navigate life with your child? How do you navigate friends, family and church with a special needs kid? In this episode, Brett and Erin interview Mike and Terri Sherrard about this important topic for families.