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Will your kids stand up for Jesus when it costs them something? Many kids raised in Christian homes truly believe, but when the pressure comes, they stay quiet. In this episode, we talk about why protecting your children isn't enough, and how to give them real experiences standing firm for their faith before they leave your home. We start by defining what persecution is (and what it isn't), then talk about the balance between protecting your kids and building their resilience. From there, we share three things every family can do to raise children with courageous faith, including stories from our own family. In this episode: • What persecution is, and what it's not (1 Peter 4:14–16) • The balance between protecting your kids and building resilience • How to encourage courage in your family: be it, coach it, and keep growing (1 Corinthians 11:1) • Doing things that take courage, even when they attract persecution (1 Samuel 17:34–37) • Ridding your family of people-pleasing and the fear of man (John 12:42–43) 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Protecting your kids from harmful media isn’t enough. If you don’t also equip them, they’ll indulge in all the wrong things as teenagers. In this episode, we show you how to raise kids who choose high media standards for themselves. AI and online algorithms are now experts at influencing anyone who spends enough time online, and that includes your children. Whether you have littles, middles, or bigs, we share the few key principles every child needs to learn so they can handle screens, social media, and entertainment wisely, even when you’re not watching. If you feel like things need to change in your home, you’ll love our step-by-step guide to running a family meeting to reset your media standards and get the whole family on board. In this episode: • Why protecting without equipping backfires in the teen years • How algorithms and AI shape your kids’ hearts and habits • The core principles to instill in littles, middles, and bigs • How to run a family meeting to recalibrate your media standards • How to get your kids to embrace better standards for themselves #ChristianParenting #ScreenTime #CourageousParenting 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Do you find it hard to read your Bible? Do you want to grow closer to God but feel stuck? In this episode, we share five things to do when you feel spiritually dry. As parents, you are the lid on your children’s spiritual growth. Many of us are busier than we should be, and if we’re honest, not all of that busyness is productive. We can believe in God, and even love Him, yet still lack the motivation to learn from Him. If you take this episode to heart, we believe it will reignite your walk with the Lord. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/ Tags: spiritual dryness, spiritually dry, feeling far from God, how to read the Bible, Bible reading, daily devotions, quiet time, growing closer to God, spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines, prayer life, busy parents, Christian parenting, biblical parenting, discipling your kids, raising godly children, leading by example, Christian fatherhood, Christian motherhood, faith-filled family, Be Courageous Ministry, Courageous Parenting podcast

Every parent wants their kids to have a good name. But there’s a fine line between building a strong reputation and becoming a people pleaser. In this episode, we look at what Scripture says about both: why a good name is worth more than riches, and why the fear of man is a trap. We share six areas to focus on, some unexpected but vital. Don’t raise kids who live for applause. Raise kids who live for God, and let the reputation follow. Get practical insights for every season of parenting. Subscribe for more from Be Courageous. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

The enemy has used Halloween to create confusion, division, and even desensitize God’s people from evil! Hear me out, it’s something many churches don’t take a hard stance on. We understand that taking a stance against participating in Halloween in the traditional sense will likely cause you to experience persecution.  In fact, you may be fearful of causing division in your marriage, in your family, with your friends, and even in your church community! We get it because we have been there. There was a time over 23 years ago when we walked through this exact same crossroad with our conviction. In fact, I remember being told by a pastor’s wife and a large group leader that I was being too ‘black and white.’  Yes, I received persecution from church leadership! Over the years, God continued to grow our conviction, and even prompted more and more scripture to become illuminated in regards to calling evil what it is and seeing one of the greatest deceptions in the greater church which we believe has impacted why so many young people are leaving the faith/church by 18! We must live what we believe, like the disciples, follow Jesus and be willing to suffer and be persecuted for it.  Let’s just read the Bible together, see what God has to say about things that are often associated with the American holiday of Halloween which obviously stems from pagan roots, urban legends, and plays a strong role influencing the culture of American stores, decorations, and traditions from the end of July- Oct! You cannot deny scripture, yet so many christians will just take the easy road and call names like “legalistic” or “judgmental” in their defense of participating and condemning those who simply have an honest conviction by the Holy Spirit!  Join us for this timely episode where we dive deep into what to teach your children and how to equip them to discern spirits, call evil evil rather than good, and how to reclaim October 31st as a “day the Lord has made.” As Christians, we must be challenged to grow in our understanding of how the Word of God applies to our every day life. If you are not being exhorted or challenged to grow by the leadership in your church, then you have hit a lid in growth. If you are a leader in your church, I exhort you to rise up, “Awake O, Sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph. 5:14  Leaders will be held accountable by God for what they teach. That applies to leaders in a church as well as each of us who are parents. What we teach is not just what we say, it’s not just listening to what the Pastor preaches, it’s also about living out what we say we believe by what we do. Please read James 3:1! If you are struggling with holding on to your traditions, fun childhood memories, to the point of even being willing to create division with a spouse who doesn’t want to participate, we must exhort you that you likely have made an idol out of Halloween.  Definition of Idolatry according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary: : the worship of a physical object as a god: immoderate attachment or devotion to something If your devotion and personal attachment to this holiday or traditional practices of it are causing division in your marriage, family, friendships, and community, you have made it an idol.  We know what God’s word says about idols. The triune God alone deserves that pedestal in our life.  Pumpkin Gospel Object Lesson Handout Scripture Verses for Handing out Candy Other Podcast Episodes and Articles we have done on this topic:  When they Knock, Will You Answer - Courageous Mom Redeeming Halloween Resources - Courageous Mom Engaging But Not Encouraging Halloween- Courageous MomShould Christians Celebrate Halloween Ep. 39Navigating Halloween as a Christian Parent - Ep. 372The Desensitization of Evil- Hold the Line on Halloween Ep. 317 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

“Homeschooling is not an experiment, like many like to call it; historically homeschooling has been one of the oldest forms of education.” Whether you homeschool and have been for many years or are in the process of deciding if you want to, this episode is sure to be an encouragement from two homeschool veterans, Angie Tolpin and Jennifer Pepito. Jennifer has homeschooled her 7 children over the past 30 years and Angie has been homeschooling her 9 children!  There are so many lies and struggles that homeschool parents face, especially as they are just getting started.  “I am not educated enough to homeschool my children.” “What if my children become socially awkward and they have a hard time making friends.” And then there are the lies we struggle with in the midst of the journey such as: “I am not doing enough.” “My child isn’t getting it, am I failing him/her?” “My child is not loving a specific subject, maybe it’s because I am not a good enough teacher?” We must take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ in all things and realize that these are all thoughts that every homeschool parent has been tempted to believe. But instead of just believing them and quitting, let’s seek God’s will, be encouraged by one another to grow, get better, and to rise up and become the parent He calls us to be, all while trusting in a sovereign God will cover us and our homeschool with grace and mercy. His grace is much greater than any mistake or shortcoming we have as parents.  Jennifer Pepito has just launched an incredibly encouraging book with practical insights on homeschooling and the historical relevance in deep diving into the past of some influential leaders in our world’s history and seeing not only how they were also homeschooled, but the depth of relationship that was developed with their parents that contributed in making them who they are and helping them to accomplish all they did. This is one of those must have books to read and reread with friends who are also thinking of homeschooling or who have been and just need a little reminder of just how powerful it is what they are doing!  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Do you really trust God? Are you allowing Him to guide your decisions? Are you willing to obey Him even if it’s a riskier path?  Too many Christians crave and pursue safety, but that’s not the example our children need to see. You could train them up in all the right things, but if your example doesn’t shout loudly in support of the words you teach, wisdom will likely be discarded in their futures. Be inspired to fully hear from the Lord and obey His guidance for your most important decisions. If your decisions fall in line with normal Christianity don’t be alarmed if the fruit of your legacy down the road is diminished. There’s no time to spare as we encourage and lead our families. They must see courage under our feet not just hear it from our lips. Equipping confident Christian Children for unprecedented times takes a path most Christians aren’t willing to walk down because it’s a path the leaves comfort and pursues righteousness that other Christians will mock. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

How much better could your marriage be? In this episode, the Tolpins reveal two things most marriages miss, even the good ones, and each share an area they've been personally working on to strengthen their own marriage of 27 years. Isaac and Angie know this firsthand. They have nine children, three of whom are launched, thriving, and married with children of their own. They're authors, podcasters, and Isaac is a pastor while also running Be Courageous Ministry. They live on a homestead in the mountains of Idaho, and after 27 years, their marriage is thriving stronger than ever, with a heart for helping other marriages thrive too. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

While Isaac and Angie are celebrating their 27th Wedding Anniversary they have spent some time reflecting and auditing their legacy and family culture and have some insights to share with you that might make you think and evaluate the power of legacy beyond habits on a more simple level of practicality that can influence even the way you decorate your home and what you prioritize in meditating on. You can learn a lot by walking through antique shops, when you are willing to ask yourself the good, hard questions and even ask questions about the current generations, their stance on “things” as well as their connectedness to family and faith. It’s worth a listen and may even get you excited about learning about your own family and what you can do to cultivate special memories to leave with your children about their childhood home they grow up in!  Topics covered:  What God’s word commands us to teach our children and how to diligently do thatThe power of dedicating and claiming your home for the Lord and inviting the Holy SpiritHow scripture and visuals of Christ, the parables, psalms, and other biblical truths can help plant the word on your children’s hearts and mindsHow you decorate your home impacts other people and stirs powerful conversationsYour Home can point your children to Christ and build a culture- what culture is being built by what you value and prioritize?Scriptures used in this episode: Duet. 6:5-9; Isaiah 55:10-11; Joshua 24:15; Eph. 6:10-20 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

We sat down with Alex Kendrick, the storyteller behind Facing the Giants, Courageous, War Room, Forge, and the upcoming Flywheel movie, for a conversation that goes far beyond moviemaking. Alex opens up about what his parents did to encourage their direction and sibling teamwork. He shares the testimony behind his calling, writing scripts rooted in biblical truth, and the difference between a good idea and a God idea when discerning direction for movies. He shares a powerful story from their teenage years, when he and his brothers shifted toward encouragement and teamwork with one another, living at the highest and wisest level as a family, and the practical fatherhood rhythms that hold their household together in the midst of the movie business: four family devotions a week, intentional travel together, and one on one time with each child so no one feels like just another task on the list. Alex shares a personal story of God calling him to deny himself, leading him to exclude himself from acting in one of the movies he wrote. We get into how attention, affirmation, and affection shape a child's sense of being fathered well. And movie making perspectives on AI as well. If you've ever wondered how a family builds a legacy of faith while also building a dynamic career, or how to keep from compartmentalizing calling and home life, this episode is for you. Topics covered: Alex's testimony and calling into filmmakingThe Good Idea vs God Idea filter for discerning directionFlywheel's re-release, October 16Keeping siblings and family in alignmentFamily rhythms: devotions, one on one time, not compartmentalizingPoint man mentality in being an effective team running a business with siblingsAttention, affirmation, and affection as the bedrock of fatheringRaising up the next generation of Christian filmmakersHis standards on AI and movie making as a ChristianLearn more about the Kendrick brothers new movie Flywheel at flywheelignitionofthesoulmovie.com 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Previnex vitamins the Tolpins use and love, get 15% off using code CP15 at previnex.com  REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0  CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Isaac and Angie have been married for 26 years, raised nine children together, and have a marriage that's thriving, not by accident, but on purpose. In this episode, they share four principles for proactively protecting and strengthening your marriage during unprecedented times, along with candid stories from their own journey. If you don't proactively protect your marriage, you'll end up reacting to problems that never needed to happen in the first place. The enemy is actively working to destroy Christian marriages, but the Lord has given us the responsibility to nourish and guard what He's given us. Listen in, and start applying these four principles to shift your marriage today. 🔔 Subscribe for more on marriage, fatherhood, and biblical masculinity. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book 🤝 Companies we love and use: Voetberg Music Academy (25% off, code COURAGEOUS25): VoetbergMusicAcademy.com REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Don't let overwhelm rob your home of peace, productivity, and joy. In this episode of Courageous Parenting, Isaac and Angie Tolpin share two simple, biblical steps to recalibrate your family with clarity — and build the rhythms that actually last. Barna's 2026 research found that only 1% of Gen Z holds a biblical worldview — proof that "normal" Christian parenting rhythms aren't working. Don't let your family conform to what's normal. Think clearly about what's best. This episode gives you a clear two-step plan the Tolpins use to keep thriving as a family whenever overwhelm creeps in. Stop letting overwhelm steal your joy — do these two things today. Subscribe for more episodes on raising faith-filled kids in a hostile culture. Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book Companies we love and use: Voetberg Music Academy (25% off, code COURAGEOUS25) — voetbergmusicacademy.com REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries — hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math — ctcmath.com

Dustin Garrett was addicted to heroin, nearly took his life in prison, and is now a strong Christian husband and father. Episode 413 of Courageous Parenting. He shares what he believes his parents could have done better when the early signs of waywardness first appeared — and what his father eventually did that was exactly what he needed, even though he hated it at the time. You'll hear why tough love becomes necessary once a child is fully in a prodigal season, and how well-meaning help can actually prolong the problem instead of solving it. Perhaps the most powerful moment in this conversation: the testimony of his grandmother, who kept speaking God's truth over him for years even when no one was listening — and who ended up playing a key role in his eventual return to Jesus. Too many parents let discouragement stop them from pointing their kids to Christ. This episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than results you can see right away. If you're watching a child drift and aren't sure whether to tighten your grip or let go, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Here's an Apple Podcasts version — same content, but formatted for Apple's platform conventions (plain URLs instead of markdown links, no video tags since Apple doesn't use them, and structured so the strongest hook lands in the first couple lines, since that's what shows before "see more" gets tapped): Get a candid behind-the-scenes look at what God's doing with the Tolpin's large family — full of powerful takeaways you can apply in your own. Do you want your family to be even more intentional about serving the Lord together? Is there anything God wants you to obey Him in, but you're not sure how to move forward? You'll learn something the Tolpins have experienced to be true and were reminded of while on their personal marriage retreat recently. They'll teach you the new marriage exercise they came up with that encouraged their marriage immensely, and also encouraged them to continue being obedient to the Lord when it isn't clear how it's even possible to do it. They get candid about the Lord's call to plant another Rooted Bible Church in a neighboring town this fall, and invite you to pray with them as they move forward. This is sure to empower you in the unique journey the Lord has for you and your family. 📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book Check out companies we love and use! REDEEM™ HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/ Voetberg Music Academy: 25% off, use code COURAGEOUS25 — VoetbergMusicAcademy.com

Are you making decisions within God's will — or just your own? It's one of the biggest questions people wrestle with, and if adults struggle to answer it, how do we disciple our children to walk confidently in God's will? In this episode, Isaac and Angie share insights from two chapters of their new book, Courageous Parenting: Biblical Parenting in Unprecedented Times, unpacking what Scripture says God's will IS — and isn't. Romans 12:2 reminds us that discerning His will requires a renewed mind through the washing of the Word, which changes how we approach decision-making with our kids. What you'll hear in this episode: - Tips from two chapters of Courageous Parenting on seeking God, surrendering your will to the Father, and walking by the Spirit, not the flesh - Why living out what you teach is essential to discipling your children - How to help your kids tell the difference between God's will, their own fleshly desires, and the "will" others try to place on them - The spiritual disciplines — prayer, fasting, stillness, abiding in Christ, and seeking wise counsel — that train discernment over time Whether you're wrestling with a big decision yourself right now or teaching your children to make biblically wise decisions, this episode is one worth taking notes on. Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book Companies we love and use: REDEEM HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0 CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/ Voetberg Music Academy (25% off, code COURAGEOUS25): voetbergmusicacademy.com Connect with Be Courageous Ministry: https://www.becourageousministry.org/