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Your family needs a good local church—but how do you know when you’ve found one? In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently podcast, David Nunnery goes solo to share four characteristics he has learned to look for after decades of visiting, serving in, speaking at, and evaluating churches in the United States and around the world. This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive theological checklist for church health. Instead, David offers a practical framework Christian parents can use as they consier whether a church will be a strong partner in the work of family discipleship. You’ll hear why David looks for strong leadership, an active gospel ministry, a church centered on Scripture and Jesus Christ, and genuine Christian community—plus one surprising place he recommends parents look when evaluating the health of a church. David also offers an important caution: churches are made up of imperfect people. Finding a healthy church doesn’t mean finding a perfect one. If your family is searching for a church—or you’re thinking carefully about the church you’re already part of—this episode will give you practical questions to consider together. Listen to Part 1: Why Your Family Needs Church Haven’t listened to Part 1? Before asking how to find a good church, hear David and Leslie discuss why Christian families need the local church as a partner in discipleship. LISTEN TO WHY YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A CHURCH Leslie also had a great conversation with Angie Tolpin about church. LISTEN TO WHY YOUR FAMILY’S COMMITMENT TO CHURCH MATTERS Bring Your Family to Teach Them Diligently Your family wasn’t meant to walk this journey alone. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to surround them with people who love Jesus, take His Word seriously, and encourage them to follow Him. That’s part of what makes Teach Them Diligently gatherings so special. For three days, you’ll be surrounded by Christian families who share your desire to raise children who know and love the Lord. You’ll hear biblical teaching, find practical help for parenting and homeschooling, worship together, and build relationships with people who understand the mission you’re pursuing. And your children will experience something important, too: They’re part of something much bigger than their own family. Teach Them Diligently isn’t a replacement for your local church. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your family for the work God has called you to do in your home and church throughout the year. Join us in 2027: Dallas/Fort Worth, TX: April 22–24 Pigeon Forge, TN: May 6–8 Branson, MO: May 13–15 Bring your family to Teach Them Diligently

What would you tell your children about marriage right before they said, “I do”? David and I have now had the privilege of watching three of our children get married, including one just last weekend! And before each wedding, we’ve made it a point to sit down individually with our son or daughter and their future spouse for a very honest conversation about marriage. I’ll admit, the kids aren’t always thrilled when we first suggest these conversations. 😊 But there are some things we want them to understand about building a healthy, biblical marriage—things we’ve learned through our own marriage and through years of walking alongside other families. In this episode, we’re inviting you into that conversation. We’re talking about what Ephesians 5 teaches us about love and respect, why honesty and keeping short accounts matter so much, and why it’s important to keep investing in your marriage long after the wedding day. We also discuss something Christian couples don’t always talk about openly: God’s good design for physical intimacy within marriage. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, raising children, or entering a new season after your kids have grown, we hope this conversation encourages you to invest intentionally in the relationship that started your family. In this episode, we discuss: The biblical foundation of a healthy marriage from Ephesians 5 Why husbands need to communicate love and wives need to communicate trust and respect How a shared family vision strengthens communication The importance of honesty, confession, and keeping short accounts Why continuing to date and enjoy your spouse matters A biblical perspective on physical intimacy in marriage Why investing in your marriage matters throughout the parenting years Mentioned in this episode: Teach Them Diligently Events: https://teachthemdiligently.net/teach-them-diligently-homeschool-conventions/ Teach Them Diligently 365: https://teachthemdiligently.net/join-ttd365 Operation Christmas Child shoebox season is here. Get all the details about how to pack your shoebox and where to drop them off by visiting https://teachthemdiligently.net/occ. National Collection Week is coming up November 16-23, 2026. For TTD365 Members, you can check out David’s workshop on “Husbands love your wives” from the TTD365 Audio Vault: https://members.teachthemdiligently.net/audio/husbands-love-your-wives-men-only-david-nunnery/ For TTD365 Members, you can check out Leslie’s workshop on “Refocus on Marriage” from the TTD365 Audio Vault: https://members.teachthemdiligently.net/audio/refocus-on-marriage-for-ladies-only/ Biblical Love Bible Study: https://members.teachthemdiligently.net/courses/biblical-love-bible-study/ Share this episode with your spouse or a couple you love. Sometimes the most important marriage advice is the advice we need to hear again.

When five-year-old Gabby Walker walked into a church in Honduras, she was living in extreme poverty. Her mother worked multiple jobs, there were days without enough food, and Gabby often felt alone. That Sunday, she heard clearly about Jesus’ love for her—and wondered, “Does Jesus know who I am?” Then someone handed her an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Before she opened it, Gabby whispered one of her first prayers: “God, please let there be a Barbie doll in here.” What happened next planted a seed that would affect not only Gabby’s life, but her mother’s as well. Today, Gabby is married, homeschooling three children in Mississippi—and now she packs Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with her own kids. In this episode, Leslie Nunnery and Gabby talk about the extraordinary impact of ordinary faithfulness: a kindergarten teacher who faithfully shared God’s Word, friends who invited Gabby to church, an unknown family who packed a shoebox, and a God working through it all. You’ll also discover why packing a shoebox can be such a meaningful family discipleship opportunity—helping our children look beyond themselves, practice generosity, pray for children around the world, and participate personally in sharing the gospel. PACK A SHOEBOX WITH YOUR FAMILY National Collection Week, November 16-23, 2026 How to Pack • Find a Drop-Off Location • Build a Shoebox Online Samaritan’s Purse also allows families to track where a box goes when they make the suggested shipping/ministry donation online, which could be especially fun for homeschool families. PACK A SHOEBOX WITH YOUR FAMILY

Is something just not working in your homeschool? Maybe the schedule feels chaotic. A curriculum isn’t clicking. Your days aren’t unfolding the way you pictured them—or you’re already wondering whether you need to scrap the plan and start over. Before you change anything, David and Leslie Nunnery want you to work through a simple framework: Believe. Think. Feel. Do. Too often, homeschool parents jump straight from a problem to action: buy a new curriculum, create another schedule, join a co-op, leave a co-op, or try the latest solution someone recommended. But lasting change starts further upstream. In this episode, you’ll learn how to reconnect what you do each day with what you believe God has called you to do, realign your thinking with that mission, understand the emotions influencing your decisions, and build homeschool rhythms that actually serve your family. You’ll also hear how Leslie used this framework to structure their family’s homeschool days around discipleship, relationship, meaningful conversation, and learning—and why getting the foundation right made everything else work better. Before you change what you’re doing, go back to what you believe. FREE RESOURCE Build Your Homeschool Mission Before you can align your homeschool with your mission, you need to know what that mission is. Download the Homeschool Mission Worksheet from our Heart School Master Class to prayerfully work through what God has called your family to do—and begin using that mission as a filter for the decisions you make. DOWNLOAD THE FREE WORKSHEET Knowing What to Do Is One Thing. Staying Tethered to It Is Another.   Teach Them Diligently 365 gives Christian homeschool parents ongoing biblical teaching, practical help, mentorship, and a community of families committed to living out what they believe.   And because the Heart School Master Class and Heart School Parenting Intensive are included in 365, this episode is an unusually natural invitation. LEARN MORE ABOUT TTD365 AND JOIN US THERE TODAY

Most Christian homeschool families don't intentionally abandon their mission. They drift away from it—one small decision, pressure, activity, or expectation at a time. In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently Podcast, David and Leslie Nunnery talk about why homeschool drift happens and how to recognize when curriculum, schedules, academics, activities, fear, or other people's expectations have quietly started driving your homeschool. You'll walk through five questions that can help you evaluate where your family is headed, reconnect your daily decisions to the mission God has given you, and make small adjustments before homeschool chaos takes over. David and Leslie also look back from the other side of homeschooling to share what mattered far more—and far less—than they realized while raising their four children. FREE RESOURCE: Take the 10-Day Remember Your Why Challenge and get the accompanying printable guide at TeachThemDiligently.net/Remember-Your-Why. Because curriculum and schedules are great tools—but terrible masters.

Parents have an incredible responsibility to disciple their children. But that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to do it alone. In fact, one of the dangers Christian families can face—especially homeschool families—is allowing responsibility to slowly become self-sufficiency. We educate our children. We organize activities. We teach the Bible. We create community. Before long, we can begin acting as though our family is sufficient by itself. But that’s not the picture of Christianity we see in Scripture.   You Can’t “One Another” Yourself The New Testament is filled with commands about how believers are to live together. Love one another. Honor one another. Serve one another. Bear one another’s burdens. Encourage one another. Forgive one another. Pray for one another. Those commands assume something important: Christianity is inherently relational. You simply can’t “one another” yourself. God has given parents the primary responsibility for discipling their children, but He has also placed believers within the body of Christ. And our children need that body too.   Your Children Need More Than Christian Friends One of the great gifts of a healthy church is that it surrounds our children with Christians at many different stages of life. Your children need to see what following Jesus looks like at 25. At 45. At 65. At 85. They need to see faithful Christians walking through marriage, parenting, work, loss, suffering, service and old age. They need people outside their immediate family who know them, pray for them, encourage them and have watched them grow. Those relationships may seem insignificant while our children are young. Years later, we often discover just how significant they really were.   Don’t Just Attend Church—Become Part of It Being present is important, but biblical community goes much deeper than occupying a pew each week. A healthy church gives your family opportunities to know and be known. To serve. To encourage. To pray. To bear burdens. To learn from believers in other generations. And your children need to understand that they aren’t simply consumers of church programs. They are part of the body too. Give them opportunities to serve. Let them work alongside adults. Help them learn people’s names and stories. Let them see that their presence and gifts matter.   Three Ways to Start As you consider your family’s relationship with your church, start here: 1. Show up. Make gathering with God’s people a genuine priority. Our children learn what we value not simply from what we tell them, but from the choices they watch us make. 2. Move toward people. Learn names. Ask questions. Pray for people. Invite someone into your home. Notice when someone isn’t there. Don’t wait for biblical community to happen to you. Move toward others. 3. Become needed. Serve. Encourage. Build relationships. Teach your children to contribute rather than simply consume. Ask yourself a revealing question: If our family disappeared from our church next week, would anyone notice? And who would we miss? God didn’t design the Christian life to be lived alone. Parents have been given the tremendous responsibility of bringing their children to Jesus—but a healthy church surrounds our children with examples of what following Him looks like for a lifetime.   Free Family Discipleship Resource We’ve created a free resource to help your family put this into practice: The Missing Piece of Family Discipleship: 41 “One Another” Commands Every Christian Parent Should Know Use these Scriptures during family devotions. Take one each week, talk about what it means, turn the command into a question, and consider together how your family can live it out within your church.   DOWNLOAD THE FREE RESOURCE   Then listen to the full conversation above as David and Leslie share why church became such an important part of their own family’s discipleship story.   Continue Exploring Church + Family Discipleship We moved across the country for one reason.— a helpful article about the importance of a healthy church. Why your family’s commitment to church matters more than ever-– a podcast conversation with Angie Tolpin. Discipleship in Parenting— a podcast conversation with Dr. Albert Mohler Faith That Sticks— a book by Leslie Nunnery and Tricia Goyer about parenting and discipling preteens that was mentioned in today’s episode. Teach Them Diligently— a book on biblical parenting by Leslie Nunnery that was mentioned in today’s episode.

How do we pass down a vibrant, lasting faith to the next generation in a world full of distractions? I Church attendance has become optional in many Christian homes—but what if we’re missing something far deeper than a Sunday service? In this conversation, Leslie Nunnery is joined by Angie Tolpin of Courageous Parenting to discuss why gathering with the local church remains one of the most important ways we disciple our children. Together they explore: Why livestreams can never replace biblical community What children learn simply by watching our priorities How church shapes identity, accountability, and spiritual maturity Practical ways to prepare your family’s hearts before Sunday morning Why serving—not consuming—is God’s design for His Church   If your desire is to raise children who love Jesus and remain faithful long after they leave your home, this conversation will encourage you to think intentionally about one of the most foundational rhythms of Christian family life. Show Notes In This Episode Leslie and Angie discuss why faithfully participating in a local church is one of the most powerful ways parents disciple their children. Rather than viewing church as another activity on the calendar, they encourage families to embrace it as God’s design for spiritual growth, accountability, and biblical community. The conversation includes practical ideas for making Sunday mornings less stressful, preparing your family’s hearts before worship, helping children understand why church matters, and modeling a faith that lasts beyond childhood. You’ll Learn Why church is far more than attending a weekly service The biblical purpose of gathering with other believers How parents communicate priorities through their weekly decisions Why children need to see faith lived out in community Simple Sunday traditions that prepare hearts for worship How serving together helps children discover their place in the Body of Christ Why biblical community must be built intentionally Encouragement for families facing competing priorities like sports and activities Scripture Mentioned Acts 2:42 Hebrews 10:24–25 1 Corinthians 12 Matthew 6:9–13 (The Lord’s Prayer) RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find out more about Angie Tolpin Get the Courageous Parenting Book on Amazon. Follow Angie on Instagram Learn more about Courageous Mom Find out more about Be Courageous Ministry TTD365 Membership– Were you not able to join us at TTD this year? TTD365 is like having a homeschool convention in your pocket! Don’t miss out on the encouragement. Listen to all sessions through our membership!    ABOUT THE GUEST:  Angie is an author & teacher at heart. Married to Isaac for 26 years, Angie has been homeschooling their nine children for 22 years and is expecting her fifth grandchild! The Tolpins are the founders of BeCourageousMinistry.org, host the Courageous Parenting podcast, and offer many biblical resources, including the Parenting Mentor Program, which has impacted thousands of legacies.     PODCAST SPONSOR: Hey homeschool families! I want to tell you about HF Homeschool. It’s a free, online guide to help you start a Christian homeschool group or co-op. You can go at your own pace, and if you finish the coursework, HF will even fund a mentor—a free coach to help your homeschool thrive. They’re also sponsoring the Teach Them Diligently conference, packed with workshops, resources, and fellowship with other Christian homeschool families. It’s a great way to connect, learn, and be encouraged in your homeschool journey.   Check it out and sign up today at hfhomeschool.com!

As we enter Pride Month, conversations around identity, gender, and family dynamics are more prevalent than ever. This week, we sit down with Walt Heyer for a deeply personal and candid conversation that serves as a valuable tool for families navigating these complex topics. Walt shares his firsthand journey through gender dysphoria and cross-dressing, shedding light on how early childhood trauma can profoundly impact identity development. Together, we explore the historical context of gender treatments, the critical role of therapeutic support, and the long-term consequences of hormonal interventions. Walt emphasizes why active parental involvement is crucial and advocates for a deeper understanding of the root causes behind gender dysphoria. Rooted in a message of faith, healing, and redemption, this episode encourages families to foster open, honest conversations at home. Listener Note: This episode contains mature themes and discussions surrounding trauma and medical interventions that may not be suitable for children. Parental discretion is advised.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Early Roots of Identity Struggles: Walt’s experience with cross-dressing began at a young age, highlighting how early these complex issues can manifest in a child’s life. Psychological Impact: Cross-dressing and related behaviors can lead to significant and lasting psychological harm. Historical Context: There is an established historical precedent for gender dysphoria treatments that helps frame modern approaches. Risks of Medical Intervention: Hormonal treatments can carry severe, long-term physical and psychological consequences. The Vital Role of Parents: Active, intentional parental involvement is absolutely crucial when addressing a child’s internal struggles. Vetting Professional Help: Parents must carefully vet therapists and counselors to ensure they are truly helping uncover the truth rather than just affirming a symptom. Addressing the Source: It is essential to understand and address the underlying root causes—such as childhood trauma—rather than just treating the surface-level identity issues. The Power of Faith: Faith and spiritual redemption can play a deeply transformative role in an individual’s recovery and healing journey. A Legacy of Support: Through his website and personal counseling, Walt has successfully helped thousands of individuals and families navigate these struggles. A Call to the Church: The church has a distinct responsibility to actively support, equip, and walk alongside families facing these modern challenges.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find out more about Walt Heyer Books by Walt Heyer TTD365 Membership– Were you not able to join us at TTD this year? Don’t miss out on the encouragement. Listen to all sessions through our membership!    ABOUT THE GUEST:  Walt Heyer’s male identity was fractured at an early age when his grandmother cross-dressed him in secret and affirmed how cute he looked as a girl. That led to other abuse, physical and sexual. In adulthood, Walt internally identified as a girl, continued to cross-dress, and drank to excess. Even so, Walt married, had children, and successfully climbed the corporate ladder until his ongoing distress caused him to seek a gender therapist who told him cross-sex hormones and “gender reassignment surgery” were the answer.   At age 42, Walt had the terribly destructive surgery and for the next 8 years, identified as a woman. But through a dramatic encounter with Jesus, Walt found redemption and healing. Walt has dedicated the last 20 years of his life helping thousands of people who identified as transgender and boldly sharing God’s truth with compassion.   Walt serves as Senior Fellow at Family Research Council in Washington DC and recently published his eighth book, co-authored with Jennifer Bauwens, Ph.D., called Embracing God’s Design—Addressing the Spiritual and Psychological Crisis Behind Transgender Identity.     PODCAST SPONSOR: What makes children great artists? They’re born to create! From mud kitchens to blanket forts, paper airplanes, and more, kids love being creative! Art empowers your child to dream, to wonder, to pick up the paintbrush of their imagination. They want to discover, explore, and bring ideas to life on the palette or page. Creating a Masterpiece offers award-winning online step-by-step fine art lessons trusted by parents and recommended by Celebrate Kids, Simply Charlotte Mason, Teach Them Diligently, Ginger Hubbard, and many more.   Give your child the gift of art by visiting creatingamasterpiece.com.

Aside from parents, grandparents hold some of the highest potential for influence in a child’s life. But in today’s rapidly changing culture, navigating family dynamics, physical distance, and the delicate line between supporting and overstepping can feel like a minefield. In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Lori Wildenberg to explore the beautifully vital role of intentional Christian grandparenting. Together, they unpack the unique challenges modern grandparents face, the immense power of organic faith conversations, and the essential roles that humility and respect play when partnering with your adult children. Whether you are a grandparent looking to leave a lasting spiritual legacy, or a parent wanting to foster a healthier relationship between your children and their grandparents, this conversation offers deeply practical wisdom and biblical encouragement for the whole family.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  A Powerful Position of Influence: Outside of a child’s parents, grandparents have the highest potential for meaningful, long-term influence in a grandchild’s life. Partnership Requires Respect: Effective grandparenting relies on a foundation of strong, healthy relationships with your adult children and their spouses. Cultivating this bond requires humility, respect for their household rules, and a willingness to avoid overstepping boundaries. The Power of Asking: One of the most supportive steps a grandparent can take is to directly ask their adult children, “How can I best support and help you right now?” rather than assuming what they need. Organic Faith Conversations: Nurturing a spiritual legacy doesn’t require formal lectures. Instead, faith is most effectively caught through everyday, organic conversations and observing a grandparent’s authentic walk with God. Navigating Modern Challenges: Modern grandparents must be intentional to overcome unique contemporary hurdles, such as physical distance, busy family schedules, and rapidly shifting cultural dynamics. Prayer as a Primary Tool: When physical distance or family dynamics limit quality time, consistent, intentional prayer remains a grandparent’s most powerful tool for protecting and supporting the next generation.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Learn more about Lori Wildenberg and her ministry Grandparents Make Grand Partners Messy Hope Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home The Messy Life of Parenting TTD365 Membership– Were you not able to join us at TTD this year? Don’t miss out on the encouragement. Listen to all sessions through our membership!    ABOUT THE GUEST:  Lori Wildenberg, licensed parent and family educator, author, and national speaker, is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime and beyond. Lori is the author or co-author of seven books including the newly released Grandparents Make Grand Partners: How to Have an Eternal Impact on Your Grandchild’s Life and the award-winning Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Lori is married to her college sweetheart, Tom. They have four adult children, 3 in-laws, and 5 grands. A perfect day in Lori’s world is a hike with Tom, any combination of family members, and Toby the family goldendoodle. The Wildenberg home is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. loriwildenberg.com   PODCAST SPONSOR: Looking for a Christ-centered education for your family? Liberty University offers K-12 through college options, building a solid biblical foundation at any stage. Since 2007, Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) has served over 60,000 students with flexible, self-paced K-12 programs. Students can get a head start on college with dual enrollment and then get a scholarship for 50% off residential tuition at Liberty University. LUOA is not raising tuition for 2025-26, and they offer discounts for military, first responders, and more. VisitLiberty.edu/TTD to learn more and apply today.

How does parental divorce impact adult relationships later in life? In this eye-opening interview, Kent Darcie shares his personal journey from experiencing parental divorce to becoming a dedicated advocate and resource for adults and couples affected by it. Whether you are dating, preparing for marriage, or looking to strengthen your current relationship, this episode offers practical guidance on healing, specialized premarital preparation, and building a healthy marriage rooted in faith.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The Hidden Impact: How parental divorce silently affects trust, communication, and vulnerability in adult relationships. Tailored Premarital Counseling: Why standard premarital prep often overlooks the unique hurdles faced by adults with divorced parents. Emotional Reprogramming: Practical steps for identifying, healing, and changing negative beliefs and emotional wounds left behind by divorce. Building a Strong Foundation: How to use biblical principles and intentional conversations to establish a thriving, healthy marriage. Equipping Families & Churches: Available resources and support networks designed for children and adults of divorce.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Hope4ADP.com Choose a Better Path (Book) Divorce Care Program Divorce Care for Kids TTD365 Membership– Were you not able to join us at TTD this year? Don’t miss out on the encouragement. Listen to all sessions through our membership!    ABOUT THE GUEST:  Kent Darcie, founder of Adult Children of Divorce Ministries, is committed to breaking the cycle of divorce among adults with divorced parents. Kent received his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Moody Theological Seminary and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He authored “Choose a Better Path: Overcoming the impact of Your Parents’ Divorce which is a devotional that helps adults with divorced parents identify and process issues (i.e. anger, mistrust, fear of abandonment, father hunger) created by their parents’ divorce. Since 2004, Kent has written and spoken extensively on the impact of parental divorce that continues after their kids are grown. He is also addressing the latest wrinkle in parental divorce, Gray Divorce, which occurs after the children have grown. Kent’s newest book is “Preparing to Say ‘I do’ When Parents said ‘I don’t’: A Premarital Guide for Adults with Divorced Parents”. Kent has been married to his high-school sweetheart, Kathy, for over 40 years. They have three adult children and live in Southeast Michigan.     PODCAST SPONSOR: The need of the hour is not simply more educated people—but grounded leaders. We need men and women with the courage to stand for truth in a culture that’s drifting. At Bob Jones University, we live that out through the BJU Promise—to prepare each student to pursue a higher calling. We anchor students in truth through a biblical worldview across every discipline. We mentor them in wisdom through faculty who invest personally in their growth. And we strengthen their faith through intentional discipleship, meaningful community, and daily opportunities to walk with Christ. It’s why homeschool families love BJU—over 30% of our students come from homeschool backgrounds and they would love to meet you and share what God is doing at Bob Jones University. Schedule your visit at BJU.EDU.

The landscape of faith-based learning is shifting. Jonathan Edmondson joins us to discuss the post-COVID boom in Christian education, from the "modern one-room schoolhouse" to the Herzog Foundation’s free resources for parents and educators looking to start their own programs.

Are you looking for a college model that balances academics with real-world readiness? Explore how Excel College uses a faith-based liberal arts approach and practical experience to prepare students for a meaningful life and career.

In a rising cost environment, many families are seeking healthcare that aligns with their values. Wes Humble of Liberty Health Share joins us to explore how Christian health sharing fosters community, provides financial support, and offers a biblical approach to medical expenses.

David and Leslie Nunnery are joined by Dr. Albert Mohler to discuss the urgent responsibility of Christian parents to disciple their children amidst a shifting cultural landscape.

Discover how to lead a Christ-centered family with Leslie Nunnery and Israel Wayne. Learn practical discipleship strategies and biblical worldview training.