Welcome to “On the Christian Life.” I’m Tim Stephens, pastor at Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary. The word of God provides us with absolute, unchanging truths. But applying those truths to the complexity of everyday life requires wisdom, discernment, and pastoral counsel. In each episode, we’re going to consider practical issues, open the Scriptures to discover God’s timeless principles, and then consider how to navigate the complex issues of our day, whether that’s in our homes, church, work, or world.
In this episode, Pastor Tim speaks about men's and women's ministries in the church.
***** Recommended Resources ******
Pastor Tim's Articles and Sermon Series on Ministry:https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/what-mens-ministry-looks-like/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/what-womens-ministry-looks-like/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/christian-ministry-at-church/http://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/christian-ministry-at-work/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermon-series/christian-ministry/
*****Watch on Youtube*****
https://youtu.be/cfO0q5JsuU4
7 Oct 2026
Worshipping with Kids (How To)
In this episode, Pastor Tim gives practical advice to parents on how to train their kids for worship and what to do during worship at a family-integrated church.
***** Recommended Resources ******
Voddie Baucham, Family Driven Faith
https://reformedbookservices.com/products/9781433528125_-family-driven-faith?_pos=2&_sid=ba98a2590&_ss=r
Scott Brown, A Weed in the Church
https://www.amazon.ca/A-Weed-in-the-Church/dp/0982056745
*****Videos in this series*****
Why We Don't Do Children's Church
https://youtu.be/ooUzLytWJn8
Worshipping With Kids (How To)
https://youtu.be/HrjZVVBdQfY
7 Oct 2026
Why We Don't Do Children's Church
In this episode, Pastor Tim makes a case for "family-integrated" or "age-integrated" worship; the idea that we should have all ages together in worship, not dividing into age-segregated programs like "Children's Church."
***** Recommended Resources ******
Voddie Baucham, Family Driven Faith
https://reformedbookservices.com/products/9781433528125_-family-driven-faith?_pos=2&_sid=ba98a2590&_ss=r
Scott Brown, A Weed in the Church
https://www.amazon.ca/A-Weed-in-the-Church/dp/0982056745
*****Watch On YouTube*****
Why We Don't Do Children's Church
https://youtu.be/ooUzLytWJn8
Worshipping With Kids (How To)
https://youtu.be/HrjZVVBdQfY
1 Oct 2026
Baptizing Kids - What Age?
In this episode, Pastor Tim argues that churches should not baptize young children, but should wait until they are more mature.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:15 The Question
00:33 The Answer Begins
01:37 The Biblical Pattern: Believe and Be Baptized
03:05 Infants and Children Can Be Saved
03:54 Baptism Is Not Salvific
04:30 Baptism Requires Maturity
06:23 Objection: The Immediacy of Baptism in the NT
09:48 Recommended Resources
***** Recommended Resources ******
https://www.9marks.org/article/too-young-to-dunk-an-examination-of-baptists-and-baptismal-ages-1700-1840/
https://www.9marks.org/article/give-them-time-how-to-protect-the-assuring-nature-of-a-childs-baptism/
Other Episodes in This Series:
Should We Baptize Babies? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DcSZIqCnUXEZaQOut8Q4t?si=1YvWO7LgQqSpu0BMVyJVmw
Watch on YouTube:
Should We Baptize Babies?https://youtu.be/Z2ZRGg44OMY
Baptizing Kids - What Age?https://youtu.be/_ZYHbPV4Drc
1 Oct 2026
Should We Baptize Babies?
In this episode, Pastor Tim argues that churches should not baptize babies, but should practice credobaptism, and outlines a biblical argument for that position.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:15 The Question
00:40 Answer Begins
00:56 Baptism Is a Covenant Sign
01:23 Who Are the Members of the New Covenant?
04:00 The Nature of the New Covenant
07:00 The Practice of Baptism in the New Testament
08:36 Objection: Household Baptisms
11:50 How Baptists Relate to Pedobaptists
12:55 Recommended Resources
***** Recommended Resources ******
https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/proper-recipients-baptism/
https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/why-i-am-still-a-baptist/
Reformed Systematic Theology Volume 4: Church and Last Things by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley
https://reformedbookservices.com/products/9781433559952_reformed-systematic-theology-volume-4-church-and-last-things?_pos=1&_sid=26369f688&_ss=r
Other Episodes in This Series:
Baptizing Kids - What Age? https://open.spotify.com/episode/6v6wf4zxRd6qCApxQoucwe?si=4lh54QJRRBauHwGLANck2Q
Watch on Youtube:
Should We Baptize Babies?https://youtu.be/Z2ZRGg44OMY
Baptizing Kids - What Age?https://youtu.be/_ZYHbPV4Drc
23 Sept 2026
The Lord's Supper: Should Children Partake?
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why children should wait until they are baptized before they participate in the Lord's Supper.
23 Sept 2026
The Lord's Supper: Get Baptized First
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why it is normative to be baptized before participating in the Lord's Supper.
***** Recommended Resources ******https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/lords-supper-who-can-participate/
23 Sept 2026
The Lord's Supper: Who's Welcome? Open or Close Communion?
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why the Lord's Supper should be open to all disciples of Christ and be a sign of our unity rather than a wall of division.
***** Recommended Resources ******
https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/lords-supper-who-can-participate/
23 Sept 2026
The Lord's Supper: How Often?
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why the Lord's Supper should be celebrated weekly when the church gathers together for worship.
***** Recommended Resources ******
Calvin’s Institutes (Book IV, Chapter 17, Sections 43–46) has a discussion on the matter.
Article: https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/weekly-lords-supper/
Sermon: https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/lords-supper-revisited/
18 Sept 2026
Difficult Questions: Burial or Cremation
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why cremation is not faithful to Scripture and why Christians have always buried their dead. This can be a controversial subject so clear, biblical principles must be used to come to our conclusions.
Recommended Resources
Burial or Cremation: Does it Matter? By Daniel Howard (https://reformedbookservices.com/products/9780851518039_-burial-or-cremation-does-it-matter)https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/preparing-for-a-funeral-service/ (https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/preparing-for-a-funeral-service/ )https://christoverall.com/article/concise/christ-is-lord-over-death-a-case-for-burial-over-cremation/ (https://christoverall.com/article/concise/christ-is-lord-over-death-a-case-for-burial-over-cremation/)
10 Sept 2026
What Is Family Worship? How Do I Do It?
In this video, Pastor Tim explains why Christian families should prioritize family worship. After explaining what it is, he gives advice on what it looks like and how you can get started today (or get back to it).
***** Recommended Resources *****
https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/family-religion/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/preparing-children-for-worship/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/the-blessed-family-passing-the-faith-to-the-next-generation/Visit https://www.reformedbookservices.com.
Joel Beeke, Family Worship
Voddie Baucham, Family Shepherds
10 Sept 2026
Advice for Homeschool Dads
Fathers, you have an important role in the home education of your children. Pastor Tim gives six pieces of advice to encourage and instruct homeschool Dads.
Watch full episode here: https://youtu.be/sC2uv-RsYOk
10 Sept 2026
Advice for Homeschooling Moms
Pastor Tim gives six pieces of advice to encourage and instruct mothers who are home educating their children.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/sC2uv-RsYOk
10 Sept 2026
Help! My Children Won't Pay Attention in Family Worship
Pastor Tim gives practical advice for children who have difficulty paying attention during Family Worship. He speaks to parents of young children who squirm and lose interest. He also speaks to parents of older children who tune out and show no receptivity.
For the video detailing Family Worship, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKC6hhq2CmU
10 Sept 2026
Home, Private, or Public Education? Three principles to remember!
In this episode, Pastor Tim explains why Christian families should seriously consider home education, comparing homeschooling with public schools and private Christians schools. He also answers an important question: if Christian families leave public schools, who will be there to share the gospel?
Recommended Resources:
https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/biblical-reflections-public-education/https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/the-blessed-family-passing-the-faith-to-the-next-generation/
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham
Upgrade: 10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child by Kevin Swanson
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