“Mothers are a sleeping giant and when the giant awakens, take cover–things are going to change! I believe the giant is slowly stirring and beginning to wipe the sleep from its eyes.” – excerpt from Your Girl by Vicki Courtney
Over 15 years ago this quote stirred my soul to the point where I decided I wanted to be one of those mothers who stood up to make a difference and began a ministry for youth girls titled You-Nique Girls. God lit my soul on fire for those girls and I prayed for them and desired they know God in a real and personal way. It’s still one of the reasons I do this podcast. Moms (and dads) can influence kids in such monumental ways, but we can’t be afraid to take on the giant of cultural lies that invade almost every aspect of our children’s lives.
My guest today, Julie Loos, shares why she and Mama Bear Apologetics founder, Hillary Morgan Ferrar, share a passion for teaching moms how to equip their children to learn how to defend their faith. They saw the alarming statistics of the number of kids leaving their beliefs and wanted to take action. As Julie says in this interview, “There’s a lot we can do as parents to help our kids be solid in their faith.”
In this episode Julie shares a wealth of information, starting with a simple definition of apologetics, weaving in her story of mistakes she made as a mom, defining the “chew and spit” method to help your kids discern what’s right and wrong and ending with a plethora of resources to equip moms to learn how to teach their children how to stand up for their beliefs, including Julie and Hillary’s newest book, Honest Prayers for Mama Bears. She even reads one of the powerful prayers in the book titled, Raising Dragon Slayers in an Era of Dragons that will inspire you to persevere in our post-Christian culture.
This interview will give you so many practical tools to lead your kids, from preschool through college, to a stronger faith in our upside-down world.
Scriptures
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. -Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
Resources
Check out the Mama Bear Apologetics website to find out more about their podcast, books, blog and other resources, including their newest book Honest Prayers for Mama Bears.
Every Student Sent helps students find Christian organizations to plug into on college campuses
Summit Ministries shares free resources and student conferences for those in the last two years of high school
Engage 360 trains disciples for evangelism and also has homeschooling courses
Stand to Reason offers articles, podcasts, videos and training
Brett Kunkle is the founder and president of MAVEN, a movement to equip the next generation to know truth, pursue goodness and create beauty
Collegiate Day of Prayer website
Moms in Prayer ministry offers articles, podcasts and other resources
Nancy Pearcy is a former agnostic and now a prominent evangelical protestant intellectual, speaker and author of several books such as The Toxic War on Masculinity and Finding Truth
You version 14 Honest Prayers for Mama Bears
Podcasts
Cold-Case Christianity with J. Warner and Jimmy Wallace
Cross Examined Instructors Academy
Listen to Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies with Julie Loos
Watch on YouTube Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies with Julie Loos