On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we have a Q&A with Tim Challies to explore how churches and families can thoughtfully navigate technology. We discuss the shift from hymnals to projectors, the impact of AI and social media on youth, and practical ways to cultivate disciplined discernment in our congregations. Throughout the conversation, we offer concrete ideas for balancing screen time, fostering community, and protecting children while embracing the benefits that digital tools can bring.

On this episode of The Disciple‑Making Parent Podcast we hear from Tim Challies on how families can create a truly porn‑free home. We'll hear about the early exposure risks children face online, share practical tools such as filtering, accountability software, parental controls, and open communication, and walk through a step‑by‑step plan—planning, preparing, meeting, and monitoring—to protect our households.Resources From This PodcastSuffering and Our Savior- podcast episode 124 with Tim ChalliesPersonal Accounts of God’s Goodness in Suffering- podcast episode 125 with Tim ChalliesFinding Comfort in Suffering- podcast episode 126 with Tim ChalliesChallies.com- Tim Challies’ blogCovenant EyesOpenDNS

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we talk with Tim Challies about how Christian families can think clearly about technology in a world where screens, social media, and now AI are everywhere. We look at the real numbers shaping teen life, the risks that often stay hidden until it is too late, and three common responses to new tools: enthusiastic embrace, strict separation, and disciplined discernment. We also explore a distinctly Christian framework for technology. We are image-bearers called to create and use tools for good, while recognizing how sin twists every technology toward harm and idolatry. Finally, we consider what is coming next, including AI, augmented reality, and transhumanism, and how we can choose practices that help our families use technology to love God and serve others.-----Managing Your Households WellWant to lead your family (and your home) with wisdom in a distracted age? Managing Your Households Well: How Family Leadership Trains You for Church Leadership is a practical resource for church leaders and aspiring leaders—showing how faithful, steady care at home shapes the kind of character needed for lasting ministry leadership.Learn MoreFree Disciple-Making Parent AudiobookYou can also get the Disciple-Making Parent audiobook free. Visit thedisciplemakingparent.com, sign up for the weekly newsletter, and we’ll send you the full audiobook—because we want to help parents and grandparents raise kids who love Jesus and learn to make disciples in everyday life.Resources From This PodcastSuffering and Our Savior- Podcast with Tim Challies ​Personal Accounts of God’s Goodness in Suffering- Podcast with Tim ChalliesFinding Comfort in Suffering: Personal Q&A on Grief & God’s Goodness- Podcast with Tim Challieschallies.com – Tim Challies’ blogThe Next Story: Faith, Friends, Family, and the Digital World, by Tim Challies

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we talk with Dan Darling about what healthy Christian patriotism looks like.We unpack why love of country can be an expression of gratitude and a part of discipleship, and how we can teach children and grandchildren to think biblically about their nation without slipping into cynicism or idolatry. We discuss how to tell the full story of history, including real sins and real progress, and why reform is strongest when it grows out of love for a country’s ideals. We also clarify the difference between patriotism and Christian nationalism, and why robust Christian engagement in the public square matters while maintaining a clear distinction between church and state. Along the way, we reflect on American exceptionalism, ordered loves, and practical ways families can cultivate civic gratitude and responsibility.

In this episode, Chap Bettis sits down with Tim Challies and pastor Travis Rymer for a candid Q&A that closes out The Disciple-Making Parent’s mini-series on suffering. Tim shares Scriptures and hymns that shaped his grief, how his family helped their daughters process loss, and why grief must never become our identity. You’ll also hear practical counsel on balancing honest lament with trust in God’s goodness, and on letting truth shape emotions rather than emotions shaping truth.Resources From This PodcastTim Challies: Suffering and Our Savior (#1 in series)Tim Challies: Personal Accounts of God’s Goodness in Suffering (#2 in series)On Jordan’s Stormy Banks, performed by Indelible GraceSeasons of Sorrow, by Tim ChalliesA Manifesto for Times of Suffering- Tim’s “Grief Manifesto”Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, by Mark VroegopTim Challies- Walking Through Deep Sorrow and Loss (Prior podcast interview) ​

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we listen as Tim Challies shares a deeply personal “story of grace” from the aftermath of losing his son, Nick. We hear what those first shocking moments were like, how grief can cloud our thinking and sap our strength, and why it’s essential to let truth—especially what we know about God’s sovereignty and goodness—lead when our emotions feel unsteady.Topics Covered in This Week’s Podcast03:46 Introduction: Losing and grieving Nick09:31 Glimpses of grace15:25 Tim’s manifesto 21:25 Five lessons about grief29:31 Five ways to help people who are grievingResources From This PodcastTim Challies: Personal Accounts of God’s Goodness in Suffering (Previous podcast)Seasons of Sorrow, by Tim ChalliesChallies.com, Tim’s blogA Manifesto for Times of SufferingTim Challies- Walking Through Deep Sorrow and Loss (Prior podcast interview)

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we begin a new series by listening to Tim Challies as he helps us think biblically about suffering, sorrow, and the compassion of Christ.Tim walks us through Luke 7:11–17, where Jesus meets a grieving widow in Nain and raises her son, and we’re reminded of three simple, steady truths: death is strong, God is stronger, and one day death itself will die.As we listen, we’re encouraged to trust God’s good purposes in our pain, to remember that Jesus draws near to the brokenhearted, and to anchor our hope in the future comfort and resurrection promised to all who are in Christ. Topics Covered in This Week’s Podcast4:01 Introduction 11:18 Death is strong19:04 God is stronger25:11 Death will dieResources From This PodcastSeasons of Sorrow, by Tim ChalliesTim Challies- Walking Through Deep Sorrow and Loss (Prior podcast interview)Challies.com, Tim’s blog

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent Podcast, we start unpacking three hard topics that come up in conflict: forgiveness, reconciliation, and what some people call boundaries. We walk through a simple peacemaking framework, then clarify two complementary kinds of forgiveness: a heart-level decision to release the moral debt to God, and a relational forgiveness that enables reconciliation when repentance is present.We also talk about how to love people who will not repent, including how to stay open-hearted while setting wise limits that separate wisdom from folly, and how to rebuild trust proportionally over time. Along the way, we look at key passages like Acts 15, Matthew 18, Romans 12, and Luke 17, and we end with practical encouragement to pursue peace in a way that honors Christ.Topics Covered in This Week’s Podcast01:47 Introduction and review03:59 Principles of forgiveness10:29 Inner forgiveness17:29 Relational forgiveness22:55 What about someone who will not repent or reconcile?Resources From This PodcastBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 1– Introduction and the Call to Glorify GodBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 2– The Call to Get the Log Out of Our Own EyeBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 3- The Call to Go and RestoreThe Peacemaker, by Ken SandePursuing Peace, by Dr. Robert JonesMaking Sense of Forgiveness, by Brad Hambrick

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we continue our four-part series on biblical conflict resolution. We'll talk about why conflict is part of everyday life and how Scripture helps us respond with wisdom. We review the first two steps from Ken Sande’s The Peacemaker and then focus on the decision point: when should we overlook an offense, when should we submit, and when should we go and gently restore.We walk through helpful criteria for making that call, like impact, responsibility, frequency, seriousness, and whether the issue is public or private. Then we cover practical, Christlike communication that aims for reconciliation, including listening well, asking clarifying questions, speaking humbly, and choosing the best setting for hard conversations. We also close with a clear warning about gossip and slander, and how to seek wise help without spreading harm. Topics Covered in This Week’s Podcast01:20 Review02:30 Go, overlook, or submit?11:20 Wisdom for when to approach18:13 Go and gently restore39:39 Getting help while avoiding gossipResources From This PodcastBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 1- Introduction and the Call to Glorify GodBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 2- The Call to Get the Log Out of Our Own EyeThe Peacemaker, by Ken SandePursuing Peace, by Dr. Robert Jones

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Parent podcast, we continue our four-part series on biblical conflict resolution with part two, focusing on the essential practice of examining ourselves before addressing conflicts with others. We explore Jesus' teaching about removing the log from our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's eye, and why this principle is foundational to resolving disagreements in a God-honoring way.We discuss how to conduct an honest self-examination, looking at both our actions and attitudes that may have contributed to conflict. We explore common blind spots like argumentative spirits, passive-aggressive behavior, and the tendency to see ourselves as more righteous than we actually are. We also examine how leaders in particular need to be willing to acknowledge their blind spots and the impact their words and decisions can have on others. In the second half of the episode, we break down Ken Sande's Seven A's of Confession—a practical framework for asking forgiveness in a way that's genuine, specific, and transformative.We learn the difference between saying "I'm sorry" and truly asking for forgiveness, and why details like addressing everyone involved, avoiding qualifiers like "if" and "but," and accepting consequences matter so much in the reconciliation process. Whether you're navigating conflict in marriage, parenting, church leadership, or the workplace, this episode equips us with biblical tools to own our part, confess well, and move toward genuine restoration. Topics Covered in This Week’s Podcast02:00 Review04:49 Principle 2: Get the log out of your own eye09:34 Questions for self-examination14:43 Examining our own desires20:37 Applications25:46 Confession and forgivenessResources From This PodcastBiblical Conflict Resolution Part 1- Introduction and the Call to Glorify GodThe Peacemaker, by Ken SandeWisdom and Justice vs. Lack of Wisdom and Injustice