The Family Huddle

Travis & Stephanie take time to celebrate what they've seen God do over the past rounds of re|engage through stories they've heard, couples they were in small group with, and in their own relationship.

Travis & Stephanie spend some time talking through what the Bible has to say about cohabitation. They also share some interesting stats from a recent secular study as well as personal stories of couples they've mentored as it pertains to this topic.

Travis & Stephanie take time to walk through some biblical truths about gender - taking us back to God's original design in Genesis. From there, looking into practical application of how should be think and respond as things come up, and how does God's design inform our identity? This is not an exhaustive episode on such a weighty topic, but it does provide some thoughts and a great place to start when making sure our thinking is oriented around gospel truth.

While Travis and Stephanie are gone on Spring Break, Raschelle has the opportunity to introduce our new Family Ministries Intern, Luke Ludvigson, and chat about some practical ways they work to hang onto truth and find their footing in today's shaky culture. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Travis and Stephanie wrap up their two-episode chat about technology and screens. This episode includes some great information about data that has been gathered showing the effects of screens on the brains of children as well as some practical ideas about what are alternatives to screen time and what are some reasonable ways to think about this in your own home.

Travis & Stephanie tackle the topic of technology in this episode and offer a biblical lens to look through as you assess time spent, content watched or listened to, and what kind of environment you are creating in your home - be it intentionally or unintentionally.

Travis & Stephanie spend this week chatting about a biblical example of some young men who DIDN'T get caught up in "the drift" - and what are some practical things we can learn from their examples and put into practice in our own lives.

Continuing with the theme for this season: Finding Your Footing in an Ever-Changing Culture - Travis and Stephanie tackle the idea of "the drift." What are the things that can take our eyes, hearts, and trust away from Jesus? How can we practically help or come alongside others we see this happening to? What light, if any, does the Bible shed on this?

Travis and Stephanie are back for another season of The Family Huddle! In this episode they share a bit of what the past 6 months have looked like for their family, what they're hoping to share in upcoming episodes, and where they go to find hope and security no matter what things look like around them.

Today on the podcast we are talking about the idea of completion. Part of God's design for marriage is that our spouse will be a tool He uses in our spiritual transformation as we are conformed more and more to the image of God. If we are willing to encourage one another, admonish when needed, help in weaknesses and patiently wait on God to change our spouse, those choices will build your marriage and take you from a surface level relationship to one of depth and intimacy. But in order to do this, vulnerability, humility and truth spoken in love are required. If we choose not to give up on our marriage and our spouse, we have the potential to see God do a great work over time. Growing in spiritual oneness is something he values and empowers us to achieve by the Holy Spirit's work in us! 

This week we dive into a double episode on two closely related topics: emotional intimacy and sexual intimacy. Travis and Stephanie spend some time discussing the importance of emotional intimacy, stemming first from the invitation for intimacy between God and each of us, and then extended to our spouse. In many ways, emotional intimacy helps pave the way for sexual intimacy within a marriage and this week's episode explains why. In addition, we look at the messaging often given around sexual intimacy from both secular culture and within church culture as half-truths at best, often falling short of the full Biblical picture that God paints for us regarding his gift of sex in marriage. We hope to encourage you no matter where you find yourself, single, married or raising the next generation. It's important that we seek a healthy, biblical sexual ethic that is rooted in Scripture and that we live that out in a Godly, Christ-honoring way. 

This week, Travis and Stephanie explore the world of differences within marriage and God's call for us to learn to live with one another in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7). There are many ways in which men and women are different and yet, God uses those differences to sanctify us and grow us in our relationship with Him and with each other. One way to understand our spouse better, is by choosing empathy as we relate to them. In this episode we explore Mark chapter 7, where Jesus shows tender empathy toward a deaf man who was brought to him for healing. As we seek to imitate Christ in our own relationships, we take on the challenge to celebrate the differences in our spouse rather than despise or criticize them. We hope this podcast inspires you to choose understanding in whatever close relationships you find yourself in! 

This week Travis and Stephanie talk through the topic of expectations. Most of us carry a set of expectations into every relationship, whether we intend to or not, and often when those expectations go unmet we experience conflict. Generally our expectations are not right or wrong, but the way we deal with them can have a lot to do with the peace and oneness we experience in marriage, as well as the unity in our other relationships. We take a close look at how to handle expectations and we consider one person in the Bible who did not handle his unmet expectations well. We also issue a challenge this week, to spend some time thinking about the ways that your spouse exceeds your expectations, then tell them! Rather than focusing on what your spouse did or did not do, we have the opportunity to honor God in the midst of our unmet expectations, while also encouraging one another in the things we appreciate about each other! 

This week, Travis and Stephanie spend time walking through conflict. What can it look like in your home and relationships if you allow God to use conflict as a place to refine you? Are you willing to truly listen, make space for the other person, take the time needed to speak well when it's your turn, and work to find common ground and mutual understanding? This episode has some great practical tips, notes from Scripture (perhaps a story you weren't expecting), and overall encouragement that conflict can be time well spent if you're willing to be grown by it.

During this episode, Travis and Stephanie dive into communication. What is the real purpose of communication? Am I someone who is easy to talk to? Have I developed poor communication patterns in any of my relationships? And, ultimately, what does God have to say about talking, listening, and caring for others?

During this episode, Travis and Stephanie kick off with a hilarious list of "Lies Hallmark Sells You" as they then turn to the topic of truth. Cultivating a pattern and habit of going back to God's Word as our ultimate source of truth is worth the time and effort but feels wearisome at times. Travis and Stephanie offer some practical ideas and ways to work a pursuit of truth into our lives and relationships.

During this episode, Travis and Stephanie take a deeper look at what commitment looks like and doesn't look like. They offer great examples from Scripture as well as some practical steps that can be taken to review and ramp up what commitment can look like in your home and relationships.

Travis and Stephanie are again joined by Stephanie's mom, Debbie. Debbie walks us through part 2 of 2 in her story about forgiveness towards her father as well as the redemptive work of forgiveness in both of their lives.

Travis and Stephanie are joined by Stephanie's mom, Debbie. Debbie walks us through part 1 of 2 in her story about forgiveness towards her father as well as the redemptive work of forgiveness in both of their lives.

Travis and Stephanie take us through the idea of humility and how the Gospel showcases our great need for a Savior, and how as we grow in our humility we're able to serve those around us and put Jesus on display (not ourselves or our agendas).

Travis and Stephanie walk through the concept of Grace - how the Gospel puts on display God's grace to us and how we're called to extend grace in our relationships (and what that looks like on a practical level)!

Travis and Stephanie take us on another deep dive into brokenness this week. They explore the story of Naaman as well as what it looks like to live a life dependent on God in our everyday relationships.

We're back and kicking off a new series! For the duration of this series, Swimming in the Deep End, Travis and Stephanie will be doing a deep dive on a particular topic - in conjunction with the lesson we're currently on in our class, re|engage. This week they take a look at Love and what it means for us to recognize we do not have the ability to truly love on our own.

Travis and Stephanie share a short devotional as we prepare for Christmas - something you can listen through yourself or easily share with a spouse, friend, or your children. Merry Christmas from Family Ministries!

Travis and Stephanie are joined by Jim and Christine Erickson as they talk through our final topic, Division. What are the impacts of division in the home, as well as the benefits of unity, and how, as a parent, can you work to cultivate it with your spouse, your children, and how can your help your children cultivate it with each other?

Travis and Stephanie share about what expectations can look like going into marriage (reasonable and unreasonable) - as well as an opportunity to get involved at Grace with re|engage, a class kicking off in January 2021 for married couples.

Travis and Stephanie spend a little time talking through what Advent is, what it isn't, and what it looks like for their family right now (with some ideas for you as well!)

Travis is joined this week by Danny Freed and Matt Velasco and they unpack the concept of deception in our home. What deception is and what are ways we see it creeping into the lives of our children, students, and families. Great conversation during the episode, which we hope spurs on great conversations for those that are listening.

Travis and Stephanie are kicking off a 3 weeks series on Ways the Enemy Attacks the Family - and this week they dig into distractions. Get ready for some insightful questions based on scripture, as well as practical ways this can touch down in your family and marriage.

This week, Travis and Stephanie are joined by Zane and Rachel Black. As a family that's supported by Grace Church, the Blacks give us a glimpse into their lives and how they're working to not only minister outside their home, but also intentionally invest in their children and equip them to share their faith. Whether you're being sent or on the home team - we know you'll be encouraged!

Travis and Stephanie take this week to walk through how relationships and community can be the key to getting your kids to not only enjoy going to church, but making lasting connections that will impact their faith and whether they stick with it or not.

We're taking a week break from our normal episodes and current series to highlight some of the current and upcoming ways you can get plugged in and connected with Family Ministries. You're invited! We would love to see you or connect digitally and this episode lays out ways to do just that.

Travis and Stephanie are joined by Dr. Dave and Jan Carlson and hear the legacy of faithfulness in the Carlson family, starting with how Dave and Jan grew up, and continuing through their own lives, the lives of their children, and now their grandchildren. A common theme in this legacy? The value and importance of the local church and how God uses it to work out his purposes.

This week Travis and Stephanie are joined by special guests Brian and Rhonda Dahl. The Dahls share the value of intentionally spending time in the Bible with your children, whether that's through time set aside each day or week, or as opportunities present themselves in living daily life.

New series kicking off! Travis and Stephanie chat through what to expect from this upcoming series as well as share a bit from their own stories and how God used their families and key people from their churches to invest in them and how they benefited. In the Bible we're called to tell of God's goodness to the next generation, and this series will dig into how to do that, and how we also can create obstacles to faith if we're not careful.

Travis and Stephanie are joined by Tom and JoAnn Becklund. The Becklunds share their shocking story of a grim diagnosis for Tom early in their marriage, the immediate effects of it, and how God has shown himself faithful in the midst of inexplicable circumstances.

Travis and Stephanie interview Jim and Julie McEliece and walk through their story and showcase God's kindness, faithfulness, and provision for them, even as they lived life their own way.

Travis and Stephanie interview Dan and Kelly Haugland about the defining moments they have walked through in their lives, their marriage, and with their children. God has shown up in big ways and we were SO encouraged to hear their story and hope you are too.

Join Travis and Stephanie Armstrong as they share Defining Moments from their own lives and relationship with God - as well as examples from the Bible.

Join Travis and Stephanie Armstrong as they explain who they are, the ‘why' behind The Family Huddle, and fill you in on what you can expect in the coming weeks.