What we believe about Jesus shapes how we understand the gospel and help our children follow him. Collin Mathies, Caitlyn Rozenboom, Bobby Harrington, and Jordan Arnold discuss why faith depends on what is true about Jesus.

Go deeper with this related RENEW.org article on central Christian beliefs: https://renew.org/the-christian-beliefs/

Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

On this episode of The Family Conversations podcast we explore why sincere belief alone isn’t the whole picture. Bobby Harrington points to 1 Corinthians 15 and the resurrection: Christian faith rests on what God has done in history. Jordan Arnold explains how Jesus’ claims about himself distinguish him from other religious figures. The group also discusses why the real Jesus, as revealed in Scripture, matters more than the versions we may shape around our own assumptions.

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Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

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Learn how church tradition and cultural pressure can compete with biblical authority and shape your family’s faith.

https://renew.org/sola-scriptura/

Welcome to this Bonus episode on the Family Conversations Podcast.

Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold join hosts Collin Mathies and Caitlyn Rozenboom to explore what competes with the Bible’s authority in everyday life. This bonus episode of Family Conversations helps parents recognize the voices shaping their children’s beliefs and consider how their own assumptions stand up to Scripture.

Related RENEW.org Resources

Continue the conversation at home with Real Life Theology Conversations, a guide to 52 faith-based conversations for families: https://renew.org/rltc/

Explore Foundations: https://renew.org/foundations-info/

How Is the Bible Our Final Authority? https://renew.org/how-is-the-bible-our-final-authority/

Did the Roman Catholic Church Give Us the Bible? https://renew.org/did-the-roman-catholic-church-give-us-the-bible/

How can you help your kids trust the Bible and develop convictions they understand, embrace, and live out?

Explore why Scripture is our final authority: https://renew.org/how-is-the-bible-our-final-authority/

Get Real Life Theology Conversations, the book this season is built on, at https://renew.org/rltc/

In this episode of Family Conversations, hosts Collin Mathies and Caitlyn Rozenboom sit down with Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold to explore what biblical authority means for everyday parenting. From sexuality and friendships to competing messages at school, they discuss how parents can help their children evaluate what they hear through the lens of Scripture.

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https://renew.org/

Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

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In this bonus episode, hosts Collin and Caitlyn talk with Daniel McCoy about the family discipleship book Real Life Theology Conversations and how families can use it to build a gospel-centered foundation for their kids.

They explain the book’s question-and-answer format, five-part conversations, and offer practical tips—how to start conversations, carve out time, spark engagement with healthy tension, and adapt discussions for different ages.

Daniel encourages parents to be flexible, give themselves grace, and keep returning to these conversations, and the episode closes with a preview of the next topic: why the Bible is our final authority.

Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations

https://renew.org/product/real-life-theology-conversations-a-guide-to-essential-questions-and-answers-for-family-discipleship/

For more information and resources on Christian Parenting and Family check out our Hub of resources on RENEW.org here: https://renew.org/christian-parenting-family-resources-hub/

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Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

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This episode explores how parents can understand and apply the Bible in everyday family life with practical, simple rhythms and intentionality.

Hosts and guests discuss starting points (like the Gospels), short family devotions, using meals and car rides, modeling transparency, memorizing James 1:22, and taking small, consistent steps to disciple children rather than aiming for perfection.

Get Real Life Theology Conversations, the book this season is built on, at https://renew.org/rltc/

Go deeper at RENEW.org:

Why Is the Bible So Hard to Understand? 3 Reasons: https://renew.org/why-is-the-bible-so-hard-to-understand/

A 3-Step Process for Reading the Bible, a Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward: https://renew.org/a-3-step-process-for-reading-the-bible-qa-with-orpheus-j-heyward/

How Do We Know the Bible Is Inspired?: https://renew.org/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-inspired/

The Key to Understanding the Bible: A Story of Two Brave Women: https://renew.org/understanding-the-bible/

Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.

https://renew.org/

Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

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Can we trust that the Bible we have is the Bible God wanted us to have?

Read the related RENEW.org article, "How Did We Get Our Bible?": https://renew.org/how-did-we-get-our-bible/

Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

On this episode of Family Conversations, Collin Mathies and Caitlyn Rozenboom talk with Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold about one of the biggest questions parents and students ask: where did our Bible come from, and can we trust it?

This conversation focuses on canonization, the process by which God's people recognized the writings that carried divine authority. Bobby explains that "canon" means measuring rod, and that Scripture is the measuring rod for truth, doctrine, salvation, and how God calls us to live. Jordan defines canonization as recognizing which books the church, aided by the Holy Spirit, received as "thus saith the Lord."

Bobby traces the historical case from Jesus to the apostles, from Acts 2 to Paul's letters, and through early Christian witnesses like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna. Long before any council met, the apostolic word was already functioning as authority in the church. Bobby also quotes J.I. Packer: church authorities no more gave us the Bible than Isaac Newton gave us gravity. They recognized an authority that already existed.

The conversation also covers the four criteria the early church used to recognize canonical books, why some books were disputed, what Athanasius listed in AD 367, what the Council of Carthage affirmed in 397, and why the Gospel of Thomas and other Gnostic writings were rejected. Jordan closes by reminding families that they can have confidence that the Bible they hold is the Bible God wants them to have.

Family practice for this week: if you have a spare Bible in your home, pray about who to give it to, then give it away.

Download the RENEW.org app: https://renew.org/renew-app/

Join us at the next RENEW.org Gathering: https://renew.org/resources/events/

Key Highlights

0:00 The apostolic word created the church 2:00 Why first and final authority decides everything 4:00 What canonization means and why it matters 8:00 Jesus, the apostles, and the Holy Spirit 12:00 Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp 18:00 The four criteria for recognizing canon 22:30 Athanasius in AD 367 and Carthage in 397 26:40 Why the Gospel of Thomas was rejected 31:30 The Bible God wants you to have 35:30 Family practice: give a Bible away

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Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

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What is the New Testament, who wrote its 27 books, and what does it teach us about Jesus and the new covenant?

Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

The New Testament is more than a collection of Christian writings. It contains the apostles’ teaching about Jesus the Messiah, reveals the new covenant established through his blood, and shows how the earliest Christians lived out their faith.

In this episode of Family Conversations on Real Life Theology, Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold join hosts Caitlyn Rozenboom and Collin Mathies to explain the meaning and importance of the New Testament. They discuss the authority of the apostles’ teaching, the different kinds of books found in the New Testament, and how the Old Testament prepares us for the arrival of Jesus.

The conversation also explores why the new covenant is better than the old covenant. Through Jesus, God’s promises come into clearer focus: the Messiah has arrived, salvation has been accomplished, and Christians can now live under the reign of King Jesus.

Finally, the group offers practical encouragement for family discipleship. Parents and grandparents can help children value Scripture through family conversations, daily devotionals, Bible memorization, personal example, and consistent spiritual leadership. Even if you have not established these habits before, you can begin today.

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Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

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Why should Christians read the Old Testament—and which Old Testament laws still apply to followers of Jesus today?

Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

The Old Testament makes up most of the Bible, but many Christians struggle to understand why it still matters. Is it simply the history of ancient Israel? Are Christians still required to obey its commandments? How does it help us understand Jesus?

In this episode of Family Conversations on Real Life Theology, Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold join hosts Caitlyn Rozenboom and Collin Mathies to explain what the Old Testament is and why it remains essential for Christians.

They discuss how the Old Testament records God’s faithfulness, reveals our need for a Messiah, and provides the foundation for understanding the gospel. They also explore how books such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes help Christians recognize God’s work, face discouragement, develop wisdom, and live faithfully.

The conversation then addresses whether Christians are still bound by Old Testament law. Examining Ephesians 2:14–18, Matthew 5:17, Galatians 3, and other passages, Bobby and Jordan explain how Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets—and how Christians can read the Old Testament faithfully through the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.

https://renew.org/

Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/

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