In this episode, Tracy unpacks practical ways to help your kids tell the truth—showing how honesty builds trust, honors God, and shapes godly character.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

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Lying is making an untrue statement with the intent to deceive and gain some advantage. As parents, it’s crucial to address this issue from a spiritual perspective because lying is part of our sin nature (Romans 3:23). The Bible mentions lying between 155-180 times, depending on the translation, highlighting its significance in God’s eyes.

Children lie for various reasons, including:

• To meet a need – They want something, like a cookie on the counter, and lying seems like an easy way to get it.
• To avoid trouble – They fear consequences, like breaking something and blaming a sibling.
• For attention – They exaggerate or fabricate stories to impress others.

Lying started at the beginning of time. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve tried to deceive God by hiding after they sinned. This shows that dishonesty is deeply ingrained in human nature.

God takes lying seriously, and so should we as parents. The Bible explicitly warns against it:

• Leviticus 19:11 – "Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another."
• Proverbs 6:16-19 – "There are six things that the Lord hates… a lying tongue, a false witness who breathes out lies..."
• One of the 10 commandments “not to bear false witness”

Lying damages relationships, erodes trust, and goes against God’s nature. As parents, our goal is to train our children to value truthfulness and recognize the long-term consequences of dishonesty.

1. Model Truthfulness

Children learn by example. If they see parents lying—whether about small things like “I’m not home” when avoiding a call or exaggerating stories—they will assume dishonesty is acceptable.

2. Create a Safe Environment for Honesty

Encourage open conversations where your child feels safe to tell the truth without immediate harsh consequences. Family discussions and Bible-based resources help cultivate this environment.

3. Explain How Lying Hurts Others

Help children understand that lying damages relationships:

• Breaks trust – When someone lies, others find it difficult to rely on them.
• Hurts feelings – Lies can cause emotional pain to family and friends.
• Makes life uncertain – Example: If parents didn’t follow through on picking up their child from school, it would create insecurity.

4. Be Gracious But Clear

• Don’t overreact when a child confesses. Instead, affirm their honesty while addressing the wrongdoing.
• Deliver appropriate consequences without anger, explaining that lost trust leads to fewer...

Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it’s a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

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Eternity is not a vague hope—it’s a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let’s walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.

1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the Dead

In the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham’s bosom.”

This story reveals three key features of Sheol:

• A place of torment for the unrighteous
• A place of comfort for the righteous
• A great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)

Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.

2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty Tomb

After His death, Jesus didn’t just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God’s presence.

Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.

3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of Judgment

The term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with...

Welcome back, men! This episode kicks off a two-part series, starting with daughters and followed by a focus on sons. If you’re a dad of girls, whether young or grown, these principles will help you reflect God’s heart and guide your daughter with wisdom.

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The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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Raising Daughters: A Father’s Role in Shaping Her Identity and Faith

Being a father to a daughter is both a gift and a calling. In a culture that often blurs gender roles and redefines family dynamics, dads have the opportunity—and responsibility—to model biblical love, identity, and leadership.

One of the most important ways a father can influence his daughter is through the way he loves her mother. Whether you're married to her mom or co-parenting after divorce, your behavior sets a powerful tone in her life.

The Bible calls men to love their wives sacrificially, the way Christ loves the Church:

Ephesians 5:25-29 (NLT)

“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her… Husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.”

This kind of love is not based on feelings—it’s based on commitment, humility, and servant leadership. When your daughter sees you lay down your preferences to honor and serve her mom, she internalizes what to expect from a future husband. She learns to value healthy love and recognize unhealthy behavior.

Even if you’re a single dad, you can still live out this principle. Show respect for your daughter’s mother. Avoid speaking negatively about her, especially in front of your daughter. Be honest when appropriate, but always take the high road. God can redeem even the most broken family dynamics when you commit to modeling grace and truth.

1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) adds another layer:

“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding… She is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life.”

Treating your wife—or your daughter’s mom—with honor is one of the greatest gifts you can give your daughter.

Every child is wired to receive love differently, and girls especially need consistent, heartfelt affirmation from their fathers. Author Gary Chapman outlines five “love languages” that help decode how people give and receive love: words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, gifts, and physical touch.

Your daughter likely leans into one or two of these. Your job is to learn what speaks most clearly to her heart and make it a regular part of your relationship.

• Words of Affirmation – Tell her what you love about who she is, not just what she does. Be mindful of criticism—it cuts deeper in daughters who thrive on verbal encouragement.
• Quality Time – Let her choose the activity. The goal is not what you do together, but that you're fully present.
• Acts of

Tune into the podcast today for a special Mother's Day edition of our How Stuff Works series, as we explore how exactly a healthy family works!

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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How Healthy Families Work (Mother’s Day Message)

Series: How Stuff Works | Message Theme: Biblical Family Health

Overview:

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate, honor, and reflect. But it also surfaces a truth we all need to acknowledge: there are no perfect families. The Bible is full of flawed family dynamics—jealousy, rivalry, favoritism, rebellion—and yet, God still worked through those families to accomplish His purposes. This message explores how even in our mess, God calls us toward something better: the pursuit of a healthy family. Not perfect—healthy.

This Mother’s Day message outlines three biblical traits that characterize healthy families. These traits are not reserved for "ideal" households but are accessible to any family that’s willing to trust God, lean into His Word, and do the work.

Before we dive into healthy family traits, it’s important to recognize that dysfunction is nothing new. The Bible gives us raw and honest pictures of broken family systems:

• Adam & Eve’s family: Jealousy led to murder (Genesis 4). Cain couldn’t handle being overshadowed by his brother Abel.
• Isaac & Rebekah’s family: Favoritism and deception led to betrayal (Genesis 27). Jacob and Esau’s rivalry split their household.
• David & Bathsheba’s family: Lust and abuse of power caused trauma, loss, and rebellion (2 Samuel 11-15).
• Zebedee’s family (James & John): Even Jesus' disciples struggled with ambition and pride (Mark 10:35-37; Luke 9:54).

These examples remind us that family pain is part of the human experience. But they also reveal that God works with broken people to tell a story of redemption.

Healthy families don’t center around trends—they center around truth. That truth is Jesus.

Why it matters:

• Every family is centered on something—money, sports, school, success, or even the family itself.
• When Jesus is the center, God’s Word becomes the foundation, and the Holy Spirit empowers the people in the family to grow and serve.

What it looks like:

• Time: Prioritizing church, small groups, and faith-based community.
• Finances: Giving generously, and including kids in those conversations.
• Atmosphere: Creating a culture of worship, spiritual conversation, and daily discipleship at home.

Key Scripture:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9...

In this episode, Tracy discusses how to recognize toxic people, protect your peace, and set healthy boundaries—just like Jesus did. You'll learn when it's time to speak truth in love, when to step back, and how to navigate difficult relationships with wisdom and grace. This episode is based on the based on the book by Gary Chapman When to Walk Away.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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A toxic person is someone who consistently exhibits harmful behaviors, whether through manipulation, control, emotional damage, or fostering negativity. They create unhealthy environments, draining the energy and peace of those around them. As Christians, we are called to navigate relationships with wisdom and discernment, ensuring that we guard our hearts while maintaining a Christ-like attitude.

Recognizing toxic behavior is the first step to protecting yourself from its effects. Here are some common traits of a toxic person:

• They thrive on conflict (Manipulator). Rather than seeking peace, they enjoy stirring division and fueling drama.
• They scapegoat and blame others. As Dr. M. Scott Peck explains, toxic individuals refuse to acknowledge fault, instead attacking others to preserve their self-image.
• They manipulate for attention. Toxic people use neediness, guilt, and even aggression to monopolize your time, energy, and emotions.

If you suspect someone in your life may be toxic, ask yourself these questions:

• Do my interactions with them leave me drained and emotionally exhausted?
• Does my relationship with them steal my peace, joy, and hope?
• Are they interfering with my ability to cultivate other healthy relationships?
• Do I feel manipulated, minimized, or controlled by them?
• Do they seem to thrive in anger, malice, slander, or deceit?

Navigating relationships with toxic individuals requires wisdom, boundaries, and a commitment to biblical truth. Here’s how you can respond:

1. Label the bad behavior. Recognizing toxicity allows you to set new boundaries. Honoring someone doesn’t mean pretending they are something they are not.
2. Speak the truth. Be honest, but if they refuse to receive it, stop trying. Jesus modeled this when he let people walk away (Matthew 19:16-26).
3. Avoid gossip and unnecessary defense. If someone misrepresents you, respond calmly: “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
4. Guard your heart by setting boundaries. Proverbs 26:4-5 reminds us to handle fools wisely—sometimes by not engaging.
5. Limit your time with them. Say no to unreasonable requests and unnecessary interactions.
6. Pray for them. Even toxic people need God’s grace, but that doesn’t mean...

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we're getting a little more personal in our "How Stuff Works" series. Tune in!

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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Today’s topic hits close to home for many people. Toxic people aren’t just “difficult personalities.” According to the Bible, their behavior often stems from deep spiritual dysfunction. In this installment of our “How Stuff Works” series, we examine what really drives toxic people and how we can respond biblically and wisely.

We’re looking at the tragic life of King Saul, Israel’s first king. At first, Saul appeared to be a promising leader—anointed by God, popular with the people, and empowered to lead. But his story quickly derailed due to unchecked insecurity, spiritual rebellion, and destructive behaviors that poisoned his relationships and led to his downfall.

Through Saul’s life, we uncover four key truths about how toxic people work. This study will help you understand toxic patterns, identify red flags, and—most importantly—learn how to respond like David did: with grace, boundaries, and wisdom.

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 18:6-9 (NLT)

When David rose to fame after defeating Goliath, Saul’s jealousy ignited. Rather than celebrating David’s success, Saul saw him as a threat.

This response reveals a deep insecurity—a fear of being replaced, overshadowed, or exposed. Toxic people often present as confident or successful, but beneath the surface is a fragile identity rooted in comparison and fear.

Spiritual Insight:

True security comes from knowing you are made in the image of God. Without that, people seek worth through achievements, control, or praise. Saul had no mentor to guide him toward that deeper security—and it cost him everything.

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 19:9-10 (NLT), Romans 1:28, 1 Timothy 1:19-20

After rejecting God's authority, Saul became vulnerable to spiritual torment. The Bible says “a tormenting spirit from the LORD” came upon him—a judgment, not cruelty. God gave Saul over to his rebellion, just as Romans 1 warns.

Toxic behavior can be a form of spiritual warfare. Satan works through envy, rage, deceit, and division—the very qualities that defined Saul’s descent. He went from throwing spears to throwing accusations and lies.

Common toxic traits tied to this:

• Manipulative
• Controlling
• Judgmental
• Blaming others

Contrast this with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In this episode, Brigham shares how God broke through and led him to real faith in Jesus — even before he knew all the problems with Mormonism. His story shows how God meets us right where we are and keeps pulling us closer.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

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Notes

How can God be three and one at the same time?

In this episode of our How Stuff Works series, we explore the mystery of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Using real-world discoveries like Copernicus’ heliocentric model and the outdated belief in bloodletting, we show how truth isn’t something we invent—it’s something we uncover.

Just like scientists observed the universe and aligned their beliefs with reality, we can observe Scripture and align our faith with how God has revealed Himself.

The Trinity isn’t a contradiction—it’s a deep truth waiting to be understood.

🔍 Join us as we explore how the Trinity works—and why it matters for your faith today.

📺 Watch the full How Stuff Works series for more!

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

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