Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Biblical Parenting

Parenting is a privilege . . . and yet, it sometimes feels like a struggle. Whether persevering through an infant's late-night cries or grappling with a teenager's bad attitude, all parents need help. This series will throw a lifeline to moms and dads as Chuck Swindoll teaches biblical and practical principles for godly parenting.

In this practical and heart-to-heart series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the high calling of raising children. Moving beyond rigid rules, Chuck focuses on the “spirit” of the home, emphasizing the importance of understanding each child’s unique, God-given “bent,” breaking generational cycles of unhealthy behavior, and fostering an environment of grace and delight.

Message 1: Discovering Your Child and Yourself

  • Overview: Parenting begins with self-awareness. This message explores how a parent’s own temperament and history impact their children, and the importance of “studying” each child to understand their unique personality.
  • Key Fact: Effective parenting requires a “discovery” mindset—treating each child as a unique puzzle to be solved rather than a project to be managed.
  • Scripture Reference: Psalm 139:13–16

Message 2: The Bents in Your Baby

  • Overview: A deep dive into the most famous parenting verse in the Bible. Chuck explains that “the way he should go” refers to a child’s natural inclinations and God-given design.
  • Key Fact: Training a child according to their “bent” means aligning our discipline and encouragement with their natural strengths rather than trying to force them into a mold.
  • Scripture Reference: Proverbs 22:6

Message 3: Straightening Granddad’s Bent

  • Overview: This message addresses the reality of generational patterns. Chuck discusses how to identify and “straighten” the negative habits or sins that have been passed down through family lines.
  • Key Fact: Breaking a family cycle requires an intentional, biblical intervention to prevent the “sins of the fathers” from affecting the next generation.
  • Scripture Reference: Exodus 34:6–7

Message 4: Unpacking Our ”Ancestral Baggage”

  • Overview: Every parent brings “luggage” from their own upbringing into their new home. Chuck provides a roadmap for unpacking and discarding the emotional and spiritual baggage that hinders healthy parenting.
  • Key Fact: The first step toward parenting freedom is identifying which of your reactions are rooted in your past rather than your child’s current behavior.
  • Scripture Reference: Ezekiel 18:14–17

Message 5: Shaping the Will with Wisdom

  • Overview: Chuck explores the delicate balance between discipline and spirit. This message focuses on how to shape a child’s will through consistent, wise discipline without crushing their spirit.
  • Key Fact: Biblical discipline is a proactive investment in a child’s future character, not a reactive vent for a parent’s frustration.
  • Scripture Reference: Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 13:24

Message 6: Delighting in Your Children

  • Overview: Parenting should not be a drudgery. Chuck encourages parents to recapture the joy of family life by learning to truly “delight” in the gift of their children.
  • Key Fact: A child’s sense of security is deeply tied to the visible delight and approval they see in their parents’ eyes.
  • Scripture Reference: Psalm 127:3–5

Message 7: Delightful Memories Your Children Won’t Forget

  • Overview: This message emphasizes the importance of legacy. Chuck discusses how to intentionally build “memorials of delight” through traditions, laughter, and shared experiences.
  • Key Fact: Traditions and positive memories serve as emotional “anchors” that keep children grounded in their faith and family identity as they grow.
  • Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 6:6–9

Message 8: When the Fun Stops for Parents

  • Overview: An encouraging word for parents facing the “tough stuff”—seasons of rebellion, exhaustion, or disappointment where the joy of parenting seems to have vanished.
  • Key Fact: Perseverance in parenting is a spiritual discipline; God provides special grace for the seasons when parenting feels more like a battle than a blessing.
  • Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:9; Lamentations 3:22–23

Message 9: Resolving Those Parent-Child Conflicts

  • Overview: Conflict is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Chuck outlines a biblical process for resolving tension and restoring harmony between parents and children.
  • Key Fact: Reconciliation is more important than “winning” an argument; humble parents who can admit they are wrong model the Gospel for their children.
  • Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1–4

Message 10: Accepting Reproof from Those Who Love Us

  • Overview: A message on the humility of a parent. Chuck discusses the value of being open to correction and feedback from spouses, mentors, and even our own children.
  • Key Fact: A teachable parent is much more likely to raise a teachable child; modeling humility is the most effective way to teach it.
  • Scripture Reference: Proverbs 15:31–32

Message 11: Suggestions for Parenting Grown-Up Kids

  • Overview: As children reach adulthood, the parenting role must shift from “coach” to “consultant.” Chuck provides wisdom for navigating this complex and often difficult transition.
  • Key Fact: Influence with adult children is based on relationship and respect, not on the authority or control that characterized the childhood years.
  • Scripture Reference: Proverbs 17:6

Message 12: What to Do When You’ve Blown It

  • Overview: The series concludes with a message of hope for parents who feel they have failed. Chuck explains that it is never too late to seek forgiveness and begin a process of restoration.
  • Key Fact: God is the God of the “second chance,” and His grace is sufficient to cover our parenting mistakes and heal family rifts.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 1:9; Joel 2:25–26

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Holiday Message 2012

How to Enjoy Unhurried Holidays for a Change

Stress often characterizes the Christmas season. We race from work to the mall to a holiday party and finally collapse in bed from exhaustion. But it need not be that way!

In this Insight for Living audio series, From Heaven to Earth: The Story of Christ’s Coming, Chuck Swindoll reminds us that before the dawn of time, our triune God set in motion the unhurried plan of redemption that included Jesus’s arrival on Christmas Day.

So, slow down and remember that God gave His Son especially for you!


Stress and exhaustion often define the Christmas season as we race through a blur of work, shopping, and social obligations. However, the story of the first Christmas was anything but rushed. In this series, Chuck Swindoll reminds us that before the dawn of time, God sovereignly set in motion a meticulous and unhurried plan of redemption. By slowing down to reflect on the unfolding of Jesus’ arrival, we can trade our holiday franticness for the peace of knowing that God gave His Son especially for us.

Message 1: Learning the Background

Sermon Summary God does not rush. Just as the morning sunrise slowly spreads its rays across the earth, God worked sovereignly through centuries of history to reveal His glory. In this message, Chuck explores the prophetic background of the Christmas story. We look at the promises made in the Old Testament and how, in the “fullness of time,” God sent His Son to redeem those under the law. Understanding this historical and spiritual backdrop helps us appreciate the deliberate pace of God’s grace.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: Recognizing that God is never in a hurry and always in control.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: How the arrival of Christ was the climax of centuries of specific promises.
  • The Fullness of Time: Understanding God’s perfect timing in the plan of redemption.

Primary Scripture References

  • Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7: Ancient prophecies of the virgin birth and the coming King.
  • Galatians 4:4–5: The declaration of God’s perfect timing in sending His Son.

Message 2: Hearing the Message

Sermon Summary The arrival of the Messiah was accompanied by specific messages delivered to ordinary people. This message focuses on the announcements made to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. Chuck discusses the importance of listening for God’s voice in the midst of life’s noise. We see that when God speaks, His message is one of comfort, direction, and “good news of great joy,” calling us to respond with faith and obedience.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Clarity of God’s Word: How the Lord communicates His plan to those who are listening.
  • Responding in Faith: The examples of Mary and Joseph in accepting God’s call.

Message 3: Birthing the Baby

Sermon Summary The “Word made flesh” arrived in the most humble of circumstances. This message explores the reality of the Incarnation—the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Chuck helps us stand in awe of the humility of the Son of God, who traded the glories of heaven for a manger. This pivotal moment in history proves that God is not distant; He has come to dwell among us in our brokenness.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Humility of the Incarnation: Reflecting on the lowliness of Christ’s birth.
  • God with Us: The significance of “Immanuel” and God’s physical presence on earth.

Message 4: Unwrapping the Gift

Sermon Summary A gift is only beneficial if it is received and unwrapped. In the series finale, Chuck challenges us to move beyond the traditions of the season to personally unwrap the gift of Jesus Christ. We explore what it means to accept the salvation, peace, and joy that Christ offers. This message is an invitation to start the New Year not just with a new calendar, but with a new life found in the Savior.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Personal Reception: The necessity of accepting God’s gift for ourselves.
  • The Benefits of the Gospel: Understanding the lasting peace and hope that come through Christ.

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Resolving Family Conflicts

Conflicts are inevitable in every family. Sometimes busy and preoccupied parents create conflict. At other times, children act selfishly, respond angrily, or flat-out rebel against their parents. When conflicts remain unresolved, there can be a permanent breakdown in relationships that time alone will not heal.

This two-part series by Chuck Swindoll gives down-to-earth advice from the Bible on how to resolve family conflicts. Urging us to combine tough love with tender hearts, these messages offer a realistic road to that reconciliation we long for.


Conflict is an inevitable part of every family. Whether it stems from preoccupied parents or rebellious children, unresolved tension can lead to a permanent breakdown in relationships. In this two-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll offers realistic, biblically-based advice on how to bridge the gap. By combining “tough love” with “tender hearts,” these messages provide a roadmap to reconciliation, reminding us that no family is beyond the reach of God’s restorative grace.

Message 1. When the Fun Stops for Parents (1 Samuel 15:22–23; Luke 15:11–24)

  • Overview: Addresses the painful reality of parenting children who have moved from infancy to independence and have chosen a path of rebellion. Chuck uses the story of the Prodigal Son to illustrate the balance of discipline and waiting.
  • Key Fact: Parenting through rebellion requires a “straight-talk” approach that doesn’t compromise on truth, but maintains an open door for repentance.
  • Scripture: Luke 15:20 – “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him…”

Message 2. Resolving Those Parent/Child Conflicts (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Provides down-to-earth advice for the everyday friction between parents and children. Chuck encourages parents to examine their own role in the conflict—such as being overly preoccupied—and offers steps for humble reconciliation.
  • Key Fact: Time alone does not heal family wounds; it requires intentional, humble actions from both sides to restore harmony.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

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Holiday Message 2010

It’s sad but true—the retelling of the story of the first Christmas is often dull and dusty in its familiarity. Yet the truth in this historical account has the power to ignite your faith and imagination.

Hear the real-life drama behind the well-known narrative unfold in this special four-part series from Chuck Swindoll. You won’t just hear about the first Christmas; you’ll be inspired to jump into the story yourself and stand beside Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and a temple rabbi.

Let your imagination be stirred as you experience the old, old story in all its excitement and wonder. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?


The story of the first Christmas is often tucked away in a corner of our minds, covered in the dust of over-familiarity. However, the historical truth of Christ’s arrival has the power to ignite our faith when we engage our imaginations. In this special four-part series, Chuck Swindoll invites us to step out of the audience and into the real-life drama of the Nativity. By standing beside those who witnessed these events firsthand, we can experience the old, old story with a fresh sense of excitement, wonder, and profound spiritual impact.

What If You Had Been Mary?

Sermon Summary Listening to the Word without imagination can be a dry and pointless exercise. Imagination brings life and color to truth. This message invites us to place ourselves in the position of a young girl in Nazareth named Mary. Chuck explores the shock, the fear, and the ultimate surrender Mary experienced when the angel Gabriel announced she would bear the Son of God. We learn that following God’s call often involves a mix of great mystery and personal sacrifice, requiring a heart that is fully yielded to His sovereign plan.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Imagination: Using our minds to bring “life and color” to the biblical narrative.
  • Yielded Obedience: Recognizing the incredible faith required for Mary to say “Yes” to God.
  • Divine Mystery: Understanding that God’s plans often surpass our human logic.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Luke 1:26–38

Consider How Joseph Must Have Felt

Sermon Summary Joseph is often the “forgotten man” of the Christmas story, yet his role was critical. This message explores the internal conflict Joseph faced when he discovered Mary was pregnant. By imagining Joseph’s thoughts—his initial heartbreak, his sense of betrayal, and his quiet integrity—we gain a deeper appreciation for the man God chose to be the earthly father of Jesus. We learn the importance of listening for God’s guidance in our dreams and our crises, choosing to obey even when it costs us our reputation.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Integrity Under Pressure: How Joseph’s character was revealed in his response to Mary’s situation.
  • Quiet Obedience: The significance of Joseph’s willingness to follow God’s lead without a word recorded in Scripture.
  • The Faith of a Father: Recognizing the sacrifices made to protect the Savior.

Imagine Being One of the Shepherds

Sermon Summary On a quiet night outside Bethlehem, the heavens literally opened for a group of outcasts. This message invites us to sit by the fire with the shepherds and experience the overwhelming glory of the angelic announcement. Chuck discusses the significance of God choosing the “lowly” to receive the highest message. We see the shepherds’ immediate response of faith—hurrying to find the Baby—and their subsequent joy as they told everyone what they had seen and heard.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Grace for the Lowly: Why God chose simple shepherds as the first recipients of the Good News.
  • The Glory of God: Picturing the contrast between the darkness of the fields and the light of the heavenly host.
  • Urgent Faith: The shepherds’ example of acting immediately on the message they received.

Think of Yourself as a Temple Rabbi

Sermon Summary The series concludes by imagining the perspective of a religious insider—a temple rabbi. While the “outsiders” like shepherds were celebrating, the religious leaders were often blinded by their own traditions and expectations. This message serves as a warning against the spiritual blindness that can come from religious familiarity. We are challenged to look past our systems and rituals to see the Person of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness: The danger of missing the Messiah while holding the Scriptures.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: How Jesus’ arrival completed the story the rabbis had taught for centuries.
  • Personal Recognition: The necessity of moving beyond religious academic knowledge to a personal recognition of the Savior.

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The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal

The church belongs to Jesus and to no one else. She is His bride. But if a local church strays from its holy calling, that church risks losing its very identity.

What can a church do, then, to remain pure and deep? God’s Word has the answer.

In this important series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll casts a clear, biblical vision of what comprises a healthy church. Learn these essential truths and timely applications in this nine-part series that will inspire church leaders and congregants alike!


In a culture that is increasingly secular and a church that is often drifting toward entertainment or legalism, there is an urgent need for a “wake-up call.” In this 9-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll returns to the foundational blueprint of the New Testament church. By emphasizing the Lordship of Christ and the essential marks of a healthy community, Chuck provides a roadmap for local churches to move away from “the long drift” and toward a vibrant, contagious, and deep spiritual life.

Message 1. The Church: Let’s Start Here (Matthew 16:13–19)

  • Overview: Sets the foundation by declaring that the Church belongs to Jesus and no one else. The Church is built on the confession of Christ as Lord, not on human personalities or clever marketing.
  • Key Fact: The existence and purpose of the church rest entirely on the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Matthew 16:18 – “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the symbols of Hades will not overpower it.”

Message 2. Challenges, Struggles, Solutions, Priorities (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the modern “identity crisis” of the church. Chuck identifies the specific cultural challenges that cause churches to lose their way and points back to the priorities of the early church in Acts.
  • Key Fact: When a church confuses its mission with cultural trends, it risks losing its power to transform lives.
  • Scripture: Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Message 3. Distinctives of a Contagious Church (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: What makes a church “contagious”? It is not high-production value, but the presence of genuine love, uncompromised truth, and a spirit of joyful resilience.
  • Key Fact: A contagious church doesn’t just attract a crowd; it impacts a community through the visible transformation of its members.

Message 4. Worship: A Commitment . . . Not a War (Part One)

  • Overview: Tackles the “worship wars” that have divided many congregations. Chuck argues that worship is a heart-commitment to God, not a matter of musical style or personal preference.
  • Key Fact: True worship is vertical (directed at God) and should never be sidelined by horizontal arguments over tradition versus contemporary trends.
  • Scripture: Psalm 95:6 – “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

5. Worship: A Commitment . . . Not a War (Part Two)

  • Overview: Continues the study on worship, focusing on the “spirit and truth” required for genuine encounter with God.
  • Key Fact: Worship is an active response of the soul to the greatness of God, which transcends the “performance” aspect of a service.
  • Scripture: John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Message 6. What Must the Church Realize? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A sobering look at the spiritual reality of the Church’s position in the world. Chuck encourages churches to realize their role as a “lighthouse” in a dark culture.
  • Key Fact: The church must realize that its primary influence comes from being different from the world, not similar to it.

Message 7. How Should the Church React? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Provides a strategic response to cultural hostility and internal apathy. The church is called to react with grace, boldness, and a renewed commitment to its first love.
  • Key Fact: The church’s reaction to a wrong world should be “right living” and a fearless proclamation of the Gospel.

Message 8. The Church on a Long Drift (Revelation 2–3)

  • Overview: Uses the letters to the seven churches in Revelation to illustrate how a healthy church can slowly “drift” into lukewarmness, legalism, or compromise.
  • Key Fact: The “long drift” is usually subtle and occurs when we stop being vigilant about our spiritual health and doctrine.
  • Scripture: Revelation 2:4 – “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Message 9. It’s Time to “Restore the Years” (Joel 2:25)

  • Overview: The series concludes with a message of hope and restoration. No matter how far a church has drifted, God is able to restore what has been lost through genuine repentance and renewal.
  • Key Fact: Renewal is always possible because the Potter is still at work on His human clay, and He delights in “restoring the years that the locust has eaten.”
  • Scripture: Joel 2:25 – “Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”

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Passion for the Gospel

“I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” “I’m not a preacher.” “I don’t have enough time.”

Let the passion of teachers Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie ignite a fire in your church—and your own life—to get out of the pews and into the streets to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ. No more excuses!


“I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” “I’m not a preacher.” We’ve all used these excuses to avoid sharing our faith. In this powerful series, Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie challenge us to move beyond our comfort zones and into our communities. Passion for the Gospel is a call to action, reminding us that the mission of reaching the lost belongs to every follower of Christ. Through biblical instruction and practical insights, you’ll discover how to trade your excuses for a burning compassion for those who do not yet know the Savior.

Message 1: “Mr. Smith, Meet Your Substitute”

Sermon Summary At the heart of the Gospel is the concept of substitution. Just as a substitute teacher or athlete stands in for another, Jesus Christ stood in for us on the Cross. This message dives into Romans 3 to explain the mechanics of salvation: how a holy God can justify sinful people through the sacrificial work of His Son. Understanding the depth of this “great exchange” is the first step in developing a passion to tell others about it.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Necessity of a Substitute: Exploring why our own efforts can never satisfy the requirements of a holy God.
  • Justification by Grace: Understanding that our right standing with God is a gift received through faith, not earned through works.
  • The Reality of Sin: Facing the truth of our condition to fully appreciate the magnitude of the Cure.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Romans 3: A deep look at God’s righteousness and the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Message 2: Interview: Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie

Sermon Summary In this unique conversation, Pastor Chuck Swindoll sits down with evangelist Greg Laurie to discuss the “why” and “how” of modern evangelism. They share personal stories and pastoral insights on what it takes to maintain a heart for the lost in a culture that is increasingly indifferent or hostile to the message of Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Overcoming Fear: Practical advice on moving past the anxiety of being rejected.
  • Cultural Relevance: How to present timeless truths in a way that resonates with a modern audience.
  • The Role of the Local Church: Why every congregation should be a “sending” station for the Gospel.

Message 3: How Can I Become a Christian?

Sermon Summary Before we can share the Gospel, we must be certain of it ourselves. This message strips away religious jargon and complicated rituals to explain the simple, biblical steps to salvation. Chuck outlines the path of recognizing one’s need, turning from self-sufficiency, and placing total trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The ABCs of Salvation: A clear, step-by-step explanation of the conversion process.
  • Repentance vs. Regret: Distinguishing between feeling sorry for sin and turning away from it toward God.
  • Assurance of Salvation: How to know for sure that you belong to Christ.

Message 4: How Can I Begin the Christian Life?

Sermon Summary Answering the call to follow Christ is the beginning of a journey, not the end. This message focuses on the crucial first steps of the Christian life. From the importance of God’s Word to the necessity of Christian fellowship, Chuck provides a roadmap for the new believer to grow deep roots and build a life that reflects the glory of God.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Nourishment: The role of the Bible in the growth of a new believer.
  • Foundational Habits: Establishing prayer and worship as central pillars of life.
  • Identity in Christ: Understanding who you are now that you have been born again.

Message 5: No Compassion—No Harvest

Sermon Summary Why is the “harvest” so small in many of our lives? Often, it’s because we lack the compassion that Jesus felt for the crowds. In this final message, we look at the heart of the Savior—who saw people as “sheep without a shepherd.” Chuck reminds us that without genuine love and empathy for the lost, our evangelism will be hollow and ineffective.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Seeing as Jesus Sees: Training our eyes to see the spiritual needs beneath the surface of people’s lives.
  • The Cost of Compassion: Why reaching out requires us to be “interrupted” and inconvenienced.
  • The Urgency of the Mission: Recognizing that the time to share the Gospel is now.

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Easter 2010

John 20:6–8

Did Jesus really die? Could He, in fact, just have been in a coma? Before you can celebrate a resurrection, you must first establish that Jesus really died. Sceptics will argue different theories that deny the miracle, but a look at the facts and the testimonies will prove that Jesus Christ, Son of God, rose from the dead. After hope itself had died, God had the final say.


Before the celebration of the resurrection can truly begin, the reality of Christ’s death must be firmly established. Skeptics often propose theories to deny the miracle, suggesting Jesus was merely in a coma or never truly died. However, a close examination of the facts and the firsthand testimonies proves that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, truly rose from the dead. In this series, Chuck Swindoll explores the dramatic events from Palm Sunday to the empty tomb, showing how God had the final say even after hope itself seemed to have died.

Don’t Miss the Obvious

Sermon Summary In the rush to reach Easter Sunday, it is easy to overlook the significance of the events that took place just one week earlier. This message focuses on “Palm Sunday”—the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Chuck explores the “obvious” signs of Jesus’ identity that were displayed that day and challenges us to slow down and recognize the King who comes in humility. By understanding the intentionality of Jesus’ actions in Matthew 21, we gain a clearer perspective on the sacrifice that was soon to follow.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Triumphal Entry: Recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.
  • Intentional Humility: Why the King of Kings chose a path of lowliness rather than earthly military power.
  • The Crowd’s Expectations: Contrasting the people’s desire for a political liberator with Jesus’ mission as a spiritual Savior.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Matthew 21:1–11

Triumph Shouts from a Tomb

Sermon Summary The empty tomb is not just a symbol; it is a shout of triumph that echoes through history. This message addresses the skeptical arguments surrounding the resurrection and presents the evidence for Christ’s victory over death. We look at the details of the burial, the stone, and the discarded grave clothes as silent but powerful witnesses. Chuck emphasizes that the resurrection is the foundation of our hope, proving that no situation is so dead that God cannot bring forth life.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Establishing the Death of Christ: Why the “swoon theory” and other skeptical explanations fail to fit the facts.
  • The Evidence of the Grave Clothes: The significance of the undisturbed linen as a proof of the miracle.
  • The Power of the Resurrection: How the victory of Christ provides a sure foundation for the believer’s faith.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • John 20:6–8

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Family Matters: Investing in the Things That Last

Family—the source of our highest joys and our deepest disappointments. From getting along with parents to raising children, family causes some of the greatest frustrations and irritations . . . and warmest moments of happiness and love.

What are you to do with an institution that brings such sorrow and joy? You invest in it. In this unique series, Chuck Swindoll delivers five powerful messages that will challenge you to invest heavily in your family’s stock. If you do, the dividends will last a lifetime and just might be eternal.


Family life is the source of our highest joys and, at times, our deepest disappointments. In this five-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the essential values that anchor a home in a shifting culture. Moving from a reflective look at the past to a strategic plan for the future, these messages challenge families to untie the “knots” of conflict and invest in relationships that yield eternal dividends.

1. Looking Back on Things That Matter

  • Overview: A reflective, informal message where Chuck looks back on the foundational values that have anchored his own life and family. It encourages listeners to identify and preserve the core principles that define a healthy home.
  • Key Fact: Reflection is not about living in the past, but about learning from it to ensure the “legacy” we leave is one of spiritual substance.
  • Scripture: Psalm 127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

2. Untying the Knots in Your Family’s Air Hose

  • Overview: Addresses the “strangling” effect of unresolved conflict and poor communication within the home. Chuck provides practical steps for identifying the “knots” and restoring the flow of grace and love.
  • Key Fact: Unresolved anger and bitterness act like a kink in an air hose—they slowly suffocate the life out of a relationship.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

3. Surviving Those Challenging Years

  • Overview: Offers encouragement and strategy for the seasons of parenting that feel most overwhelming—specifically the teenage and young adult years.
  • Key Fact: Persistence and prayer are the two most powerful tools a parent has during a child’s “wilderness” season.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

4. Getting Past the Guilt of Your Past

  • Overview: Many parents and spouses are paralyzed by the “if onlys” of their history. This message explores how to accept God’s grace and move forward with freedom and a clear conscience.
  • Key Fact: God’s grace is bigger than your parenting failures; forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of regret.
  • Scripture: Philippians 3:13 – “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.”

5. Looking Ahead to Things That Last

  • Overview: The series concludes with a forward-looking perspective, urging families to prioritize eternal investments—like character and faith—over the temporary gains of a secular world.
  • Key Fact: The greatest “inheritance” a family can leave is not financial, but spiritual.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:20 – “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys.”

Common Questions: Family Matters

1. How do I start “untying the knots” if my family hasn’t spoken for years? As Pastor Chuck explains in “Untying the Knots,” it begins with one person willing to humble themselves and apologize. You can’t control their response, but you can “un-kink” your end of the hose by offering forgiveness and seeking peace.

2. What can I do if I feel like I’ve already “failed” as a parent? The message “Getting Past the Guilt of Your Past” is specifically for you. Chuck teaches that living in a state of constant regret actually hinders your ability to love your family today. Once you confess your failure to God, you must accept His forgiveness and start “investing” in the present.

3. Why is parenting so much harder today than in previous generations? While the culture has changed, the core human needs have not. The series emphasizes that even in a digital, fast-paced world, the “things that matter”—unconditional love, firm boundaries, and shared time—remain the same.

4. How do we keep our “spiritual air hose” clear? A clear air hose requires constant maintenance through honest communication and the “ventilation” of grace. It means not allowing issues to fester and choosing to believe the best about one another.

5. What does an “eternal investment” in a child look like? According to the final message, it looks like modeling a sincere walk with God. You invest in “things that last” by teaching your children how to handle failure, how to pray, and how to value people more than possessions.

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Getting Through the Tough Stuff

Wouldn’t it be great if our days came with a “Do Over” button?

Ever had one of those days when nothing, absolutely nothing, goes according to plan? Well, Chuck Swindoll has had his share of days he’d like to do over. But since life doesn’t come with a “Do Over” button, Chuck shares how we can make the best of our days—even if it always seems that it’s one thing or another.

In this practical series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the reality that life doesn’t come with a “do-over” button. By looking at how Jesus and biblical figures handled crises, Chuck provides a roadmap for finding hope and resilience.

Message 1. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Temptation

  • Overview: No one is immune to the pull of temptation. By examining Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the wilderness, Chuck demonstrates that temptation is not a sin, but a test of our allegiances.
  • Key Fact: Temptation often strikes at our points of greatest physical or emotional weakness (the “chink in the armor”); the primary defense is a pre-determined reliance on Scripture.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1–11; Hebrews 4:15

Message 2. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Misunderstanding

  • Overview: Jesus was misunderstood by the religious elite, his townsfolk, and even his own family. This message offers comfort for those who feel isolated or wrongly judged.
  • Key Fact: Being misunderstood is often the price of following God’s unique call on your life. Acceptance from God is more foundational than approval from people.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 3:21; Mark 3:1–35

Message 3. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Anxiety

  • Overview: Anxiety “strangles” our perspective. Using the story of Mary and Martha, Chuck shows how to slow down, simplify, and prioritize our relationship with Christ over “much serving.”
  • Key Fact: The “Mathematics of Worry” involves adding expectations, subtracting God’s presence, multiplying problems through imagination, and dividing life into sacred and secular.
  • Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:6–7; Luke 10:38–42

Message 4. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Shame

  • Overview: Shame is “naked guilt”—a public exposure that whispers “you are worthless.” Chuck looks at the woman caught in adultery to show how Jesus offers grace over condemnation.
  • Key Fact: Jesus was the only person qualified to condemn the woman, yet He chose to defend her, becoming our “shame-bearer” on the cross.
  • Scripture Reference: John 8:1–11; Hebrews 12:2

Message 5. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Doubt

  • Overview: A look at “Doubting Thomas.” Chuck explains that faith does not always come easily and that God is patient with our sincere struggles to believe.
  • Key Fact: Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but an invitation to a deeper, more personal encounter with the risen Christ.
  • Scripture Reference: John 20:24–29

Message 6. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Divorce

  • Overview: Chuck provides a careful biblical analysis of marriage permanence while addressing the painful reality and grace available when a marriage breaks.
  • Key Fact: While divorce was never God’s ideal, Jesus addressed the reality of its occurrence with truth and a call to a necessary acceptance.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:3–12; Mark 10:1–12

Message 7. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Remarriage

  • Overview: This message focuses on the grace-filled possibility of a fresh start. Chuck explores the biblical parameters and the “new creature” reality for those seeking to move forward.
  • Key Fact: It is theologically inconsistent to believe Christ’s death atones for all sins except a failed marriage; God is the God of new beginnings.
  • Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 7:12–15

Message 8. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Confrontation

  • Overview: Conflict is inevitable in a fallen world. This message explores the “Jesus way” of responding to injustice and the importance of healthy, biblical confrontation.
  • Key Fact: A non-retaliatory spirit can lead to personal freedom and a more powerful witness than returning blow for blow.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 2:11–14

Message 9. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Pain

  • Overview: Explores Jesus as the “Man of Sorrows.” When we are in the crucible of physical or emotional pain, we find a Savior who is intimately acquainted with grief.
  • Key Fact: Pain signals unseen trouble and, spiritually, helps us grow into mature people of faith by teaching us daily dependence on God.
  • Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 5:7–8

Message 10. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Prejudice

  • Overview: Prejudice is a deep-seated sin problem rooted in the human heart. Chuck identifies the antidote in Christ’s interaction with the Samaritan woman.
  • Key Fact: Prejudice is a learned trait that keeps people in spiritual darkness and binds them to the past, preventing them from seeing others as God does.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 7:18–23; Matthew 27:27–44

Message 11. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Hypocrisy

  • Overview: Chuck confronts the “disease of the soul” where religious activity becomes a theatrical performance for public applause.
  • Key Fact: A hypocrite is literally “one who speaks from behind a mask.” The remedy is an authentic life characterized by private worship rather than public display.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:1–18; Matthew 23:13–33

Message 12. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Inadequacy

  • Overview: The Great Commission was given to “frightened and incompetent” men. This message shows how God uses our weaknesses to achieve the impossible.
  • Key Fact: Our inadequacy is the “stage” upon which God displays His power through the Holy Spirit.
  • Scripture Reference: Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16–20

Message 13. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Disqualification

  • Overview: For those who feel they have “blown it” beyond repair, Chuck shares how God’s grace is larger than our greatest failures.
  • Key Fact: Restoration is the heartbeat of the Gospel. Failure does not mean the end of one’s usefulness in the Kingdom of God.
  • Scripture Reference: John 21:15–19; Psalm 51

Message 14. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Death

  • Overview: Addressing the final “tough stuff,” Chuck provides hope for those facing the loss of a loved one or their own mortality.
  • Key Fact: Because Christ conquered the grave, death for the believer is not an end but a transition to the presence of God.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; John 11:25–26

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Strike the Original Match

Of all the hot-button issues of our day, marriage sits near the top of the list. With a gaggle of voices clamoring for an audience, the masses have grown increasingly confused about the most fundamental understanding of marriage. As Christians place a high value on God’s Word, we look to it for clarity on the most significant questions. How does God define marriage? What direction does the Bible offer on making marriage last? What is the nature of commitment, and what does it look like in this day and age? This series from Chuck Swindoll will bring clarity and offer direction as you navigate the views and vices that threaten this most sacred union.


In an era of confusion regarding the definition and purpose of marriage, this series returns to the biblical blueprints. Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the threats to the sacred union and provides direction on how to maintain a vibrant, lifelong commitment. By “striking the original match,” couples can reignite the passion and purpose God intended for marriage from the beginning.

Message 1: Let’s Consult the Architect

  • Overview: Before we can fix a marriage, we must understand its design. This message takes us back to the original “Architect” of marriage to see His definition and purpose for the union between a man and a woman.
  • Key Fact: Marriage is a divine institution, not a social contract; therefore, its rules and definitions are set by God rather than cultural trends.
  • Scripture: Genesis 2:18–25 – “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

Message 2: The Project: Let’s Consider the Cost

  • Overview: Building a lasting marriage requires a realistic assessment of the investment involved. Chuck discusses the emotional, spiritual, and physical “costs” of maintaining a healthy, growing relationship.
  • Key Fact: A successful marriage is a lifelong “project” that demands consistent effort, sacrifice, and the counting of the cost before and during the journey.
  • Scripture: Luke 14:28–30 – “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost…?”

Message 3: Let’s Repair the Foundation

  • Overview: When a marriage begins to lean or crack, the issue is often at the foundation. This message focuses on identifying and repairing spiritual and relational cracks before they lead to structural failure.
  • Key Fact: Repairing a marriage starts with a return to the foundational principles of honesty, mutual respect, and a shared spiritual life.
  • Scripture: Psalm 11:3 – “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Message 4: In Defense of Monogamy

  • Overview: In a culture that often devalues exclusivity, Chuck offers a biblical defense of monogamy. This message explores why total faithfulness is essential for the depth and security of the marital bond.
  • Key Fact: Biblical monogamy is the only context in which the “one flesh” union can truly flourish and provide lasting emotional security.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 5:15–23 – “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well.”

Message 5: Bricks that Build a Marriage

  • Overview: This message identifies the specific “bricks” of character and habit that build a strong home, such as unselfishness, patience, and a sense of humor.
  • Key Fact: A strong marriage is built one small act of service and one kind word at a time, rather than through occasional grand gestures.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant…”

Message 6: Watch Out for Cheap Substitutes!

  • Overview: Couples often look to career, children, or hobbies to provide the fulfillment that only a healthy marriage and relationship with God can give. Chuck warns against these “cheap substitutes.”
  • Key Fact: Substituting secondary activities for primary intimacy leads to a hollow marriage that lacks the resilience to face trials.
  • Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13 – “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me… to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Message 7: Who Says the Honeymoon Must End?

  • Overview: Romance and passion are not just for the early days. This message encourages couples to intentionally keep the “spark” alive throughout every season of life.
  • Key Fact: Sustaining romance in marriage is an act of the will and a matter of priority, not just a spontaneous feeling.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 4:1–10 – “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are!”

Message 8: Termites in Your Troth

  • Overview: Termites are small, hidden pests that cause massive damage. Chuck identifies the “hidden” sins and habits—like resentment or neglect—that eat away at the strength of a marriage.
  • Key Fact: The greatest threats to a marriage are often not the “big” crises, but the small, unaddressed issues that accumulate over time.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:15 – “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards…”

Message 9: How to Have a Good Fight

  • Overview: Conflict is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. This message provides biblical “rules of engagement” for resolving disagreements with grace and respect.
  • Key Fact: The goal of marital conflict should be resolution and growth, not winning an argument or hurting the other person.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 4:26–27 – “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

Message 10: Til Debt Do Us Part

  • Overview: Financial pressure is a leading cause of marital stress. Chuck offers practical biblical wisdom for managing money and avoiding the trap of debt that threatens family peace.
  • Key Fact: Financial unity requires shared goals, honest communication, and a commitment to living within God’s provided means.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Message 11: Commitment Is the Key (Part One)

  • Overview: In the first part of this look at commitment, Chuck explores why a solid “covenant” is the essential ingredient that holds a marriage together when feelings fade.
  • Key Fact: Biblical commitment is a promise kept regardless of the circumstances, modeled after God’s covenant with His people.
  • Scripture: Malachi 2:14–16 – “She is your companion and your wife by covenant.”

Message 12: Commitment Is the Key (Part Two)

  • Overview: This message continues the study of commitment, focusing on the practical “how-to” of staying faithful and devoted through the long haul of a lifelong union.
  • Key Fact: Staying committed requires a daily decision to choose your spouse and protect your relationship from outside interference.
  • Scripture: Matthew 19:6 – “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Message 13: Don’t Just Get Older, Get Better!

  • Overview: Addressing the later years of marriage, Chuck encourages couples to view aging as an opportunity to deepen their love and refine their character together.
  • Key Fact: A “seasoned” marriage can be the most beautiful phase of the relationship as couples reap the harvest of years of faithfulness.
  • Scripture: Psalm 92:14 – “They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green.”

Message 14: What to Do with an Empty Nest

  • Overview: The series concludes with advice for the transition after children leave the home. Chuck discusses how to rediscover your spouse and find new purpose in this significant life stage.
  • Key Fact: The empty nest is not an end, but a new beginning—a chance to focus on the “original match” that started the family.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:9 – “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life…”

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