Christian Parent, Crazy World

Few subjects present a greater challenge for parents than teaching children about God’s design for their identity. How do we start these vital conversations without overwhelming our little ones or feeding them information beyond their comprehension?

Catherine's guest, Elizabeth Urbanowicz, has developed a curriculum that helps parents navigate these challenging waters. Elizabeth is the founder of Foundation Worldview, an organization committed to providing Christian parents, educators, and church leaders with the resources they need to teach children to think critically and biblically.

In this enlightening discussion, Elizabeth introduces her new curriculum aimed at kids ages 4-8 called "God's Good Design." 

This episode emphasizes:

1.     The Importance of Being the First: Introducing children to these topics early helps parents establish authority and provide a biblical perspective.

2.     Maintaining Innocence While Informing: Teaching children about God's good design protects their innocence by providing them with the truth before encountering corrupted versions of identity.

3.     Living in Truth while Loving Others: Both Catherine and Elizabeth emphasize the need to always love those who disagree while we teach our kids God’s truth about their identity.

4.     Resources for Parents and Educators: Foundation Worldview's curriculum and other recommended resources for guiding children and teens in sexuality education from a Christian perspective are highlighted.

Keeping Christ at the center of the Christmas season is always a challenge. The hectic pace of life intensifies during December, and often our focus shifts to the never-ending list of responsibilities and chores to complete before the big day.

Strategically celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to keep Christ central in all the commotion of gatherings, parties, concerts, baking, and buying. Utilizing Advent calendars, candles, and books help us to focus on the magnitude of what Christ accomplished in coming to earth while pointing us toward his return.

Catherine’s guest in this episode, Laurie Christine, has accumulated a wealth of devotional resources that will help enrich your Christmas season by celebrating Advent. Catherine and Laurie start by digging into the history of Advent, and then they highlight the great gift of celebrating God’s hope, peace, joy, and love in line with each candle lit. Laurie also offers devotional and book recommendations for all ages to participate in the wonderful celebration of Advent.

Gratitude plays a pivotal role in the life of a Christian, serving as a cornerstone for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. It's not just a fleeting feeling of thankfulness, but a profound, daily practice that transforms our perspectives and opens the door to divine blessings. In fact, gratitude has the power to radically change your future and the future of your family.

But a lack of gratitude can change your future as well.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Catherine dives into the transformative power of gratitude by exploring how the Israelites failure to be grateful led to a 40-year-detour in the desert, where their humble and benevolent leader actually prayed for God to take him out. Gratitude will open the door for God’s blessings and favor to flow, or it can shut the door to the future God has planned.

Key takeaways include:

·       Gratitude in the Bible: The Israelites' ingratitude delayed their entry into the Promised Land by 40 years, showing how a lack of thankfulness can have serious consequences.

·       Negative Impact of Ingratitude: Being ungrateful fosters fear, distrust, and idolatry, affecting our relationship with God and others.

·       Gratitude as Protection: A grateful heart can shield us from sinful behaviors like greed and obscene talk, aligning our focus with God’s goodness.

·       Practical Gratitude: Making a list of things we're thankful for and displaying it can help combat fear and anxiety.

·       Daily Gratitude: Incorporating thankfulness into our daily routines can transform our outlook and unlock God's blessings.

·       Faith in Tough Times: Even when facing difficult circumstances, practicing gratitude can provide peace and open doors for future blessings.

This episode is filled with biblical insights, personal stories, and practical takeaways to help you and your family choose gratitude over grumbling—even when life gets hard.

Reflecting on biblical stories, personal experiences, and scriptural insights, Catherine uncovers how choosing gratitude over grumbling shapes not just our hearts but our destinies.

In a world where cultural pressures challenge our faith every single day, how can we stay true to our beliefs and be a light in dark times?

Catherine is joined once again by Martyn Ilse, CEO of Answers in Genesis, for a powerful discussion on living faithfully in a "lost culture." Together, they dive into the biblical story of Daniel and his friends in Babylon, using it as a guide for standing firm in our faith despite societal pressures and shifting cultural values.

Martyn draws fascinating insights from the experiences of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, explaining how their time in Babylon mirrors the challenges we face today. He discusses how Daniel and his friends were subjected to intense indoctrination, with even their names being changed as an attempt to erase their God-given identities. Catherine explains the meanings of their original Hebrew names versus their Babylonian names, showing how lost cultures always attempt to reshape beliefs by changing the meaning of names.

Despite this, Daniel and his friends held onto their faith. Martyn points out that their story reminds us of the power of staying rooted in our convictions, even when external influences try to sway us.

So, how do we resist compromise and live faithfully today? Martyn offers some practical advice:

• Decide ahead of time. Just like Daniel determined not to compromise, setting clear boundaries beforehand can help us stand firm when faced with temptation.
• Let God shape your future. Daniel didn’t try to plan everything; he trusted God to guide his steps.
• Live by God’s principles. Focus on doing the right thing and leave the consequences to Him.
• Live for God’s approval. Instead of seeking validation from others, prioritize God’s opinion and stay mindful of His presence.

These timeless lessons are especially valuable for parents, offering wisdom to help prepare the next generation to navigate today’s challenges with faith and courage.

About the Guest: Martyn Iles is an Australian-born lawyer, commentator, and the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis. Previously the co-founder of a not-for-profit law firm specializing in religious freedom cases, he also led one of Australia’s largest grassroots political movements through a 5-year period of remarkable growth. Martyn became known for his many gospel-focused appearances in the Australian mainstream media and for his online programs, Living in Babylon, The Truth of It, and Truth in 10. Martyn has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

In today's increasingly secular world, many Christians grapple with understanding how to live faithfully amidst cultural changes that stray further from biblical truths. What are the characteristics of a "lost" or "Babylonian" culture, and how can believers navigate these complexities while staying true to their faith?

Catherine welcomes Martyn Iles, the CEO of Answers in Genesis, to delve into these pressing questions.

Drawing from a rich tapestry of primary biblical narratives, Martyn provides a clear analysis of what defines Babylonian culture throughout history and how these traits resonate in modern society. Martyn presents an eye-opening exploration of pride, idolatry, moral decay, and spiritual conflict, offering listeners practical insights and timeless truths for living out their faith in contemporary "Babylon-like" environments.

Martyn notes the striking similarities between ancient Babylon and today's cultural landscape. He emphasizes the need for Christians to recognize these characteristics and remain steadfast, much like Daniel and his friends, who navigated the challenges of living in a godless culture with unwavering faith.

Key Takeaways:

1.     Pride and Rebellion Against God: Modern culture mirrors the pride and rebellious spirit of ancient Babylon, where self-glorification often trumps humility before God.

2.     Idolatry and Self-Worship: Today’s society idolizes self-identity, personal success, and material wealth, paralleling Babylon's historical focus on worshiping created things over the Creator.

3.     Fear and Existential Anxiety: Despite advancements, contemporary society is plagued with existential fear and anxiety, drawing a parallel to the uncertainties of Babylonian times.

4.     Attempts to Usurp Divine Authority: Humanity’s efforts to control nature and exert god-like influence reflect a deeper rebellion against God's sovereignty.

5.     Opposition to the People of God:

o   Both ancient Babylon and modern cultures often stand antagonistically against Biblical values and beliefs.

6.     The Call to Live Faithfully: The story of Daniel offers a model for Christians to maintain faith and integrity amidst societal pressures and hostility.

Navigating a culture that mirrors the lost characteristics of Babylon can feel overwhelming. But just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm in our faith, teaching our children to do the same. By recognizing the parallels between ancient and modern times, we can equip our families with the truth and wisdom needed to thrive spiritually in a modern Babylon. We must remember that even in a lost culture, God’s presence and guidance are unwavering.

BIO: Martyn Iles is an Australian-born lawyer, commentator, and the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis. Previously the co-founder of a not-for-profit law firm specializing in religious freedom cases, he also led one of Australia’s largest grassroots political movements through a 5-year period of remarkable growth. Martyn became known for his many gospel-focused appearances in the Australian mainstream media and for his online programs, Living in Babylon, The Truth of It, and Truth in 10. Martyn has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University.

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