Student Ministry For Parents

On this episode we discuss David Yeager's book, "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.  How are we helping our teenagers gain status and respect? 

Jonathan Haidt's, "Anxious Generation" is a great synopsis of years of work on the developing child, technology, and the growth of emotional unhealth.  How does this influence how we do ministry and how we parent?    Music: Austin Haga - "Waterfalls" and "Mind (Interlude)"

We take a look at Andy Crouch's book, "The Life We're Looking For" He takes a hard stance on making sure that our life investments are not in technology and instead on relationships.  How are we pursuing each other in the way God intended? How do tend to relate to one another? How can we recapture the fullness of relationship?   Interlude music by Austin Haga

The Age of Opportunity is what Paul David Tripp calls the teenage years.  We talk about why that is, what we can do to get the most out of this time, and practical tips during tough times with your teen.      

On this episode we discuss Jean Twenge's book, "IGen" She talks about everything you need to know about this current generation of adolescents.  If you want to know who your teen is or why they are the way that they are, we recommend this book.  We discuss the importance of preparing the way for the next generation and how to help this generation grasp the Gospel in their own unique way.    Book Recommendation: "IGen" - Jean Twenge Filler Music: Austin Haga

Do you coddle your teen? If you do, what can you do about it? How does this change the way they follow Jesus? All this and more. Come and listen to our newly formatted podcast with all same the helpful resources to become or grow as a discipler of teens.     Resources mentioned "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGH97DQzA4   Filler Music by Austin Haga (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1EW4egEHrOzzQQET1ncFFh?si=VN16EjUpRCSm3xRLGKZDUQ)

This is an episode about sexuality and the teenage years.  Obviously, there is a lot going on during the teens years and sexuality has always been a part of that.  Susan and John talk about what is the same and what is different while ministering and loving teens as they wrestle with their sexuality in today's culture.     This is a two parter.  In the process of planning this episode, we decided to make it into two episodes.  Part 1 is all about foundational understanding.  Part 2 is about what we do with that information.  

We will look into the stressful life of a teenager and how it leads to the epidemic of an anxiety consuming culture among teenagers today.   Book Referenced: "Good Anxiety" by Dr. Wendy Suzuki   Song Referenced/Closing Song:  "Felix Culpa" by Kings Kaleidoscope   Scripture Referenced:  2 Peter 3:17-18

This is the second episode in a 7 part series on how to better live out the Gospel in our own homes.  We tackle the importance of discipleship, not just on your kid, but the importance of you being discipled as a parent.     Scripture Referenced: Luke 13:34 Acts 2:22-23 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 1 Timothy 4:6-8

In this episode, we kick off a new series, "Love the Hell Out of Teens." We take our Youth Leader Manual and transpose it for in-home use.  How can we better live out the Gospel in our own homes and better influence our teens toward Jesus?    Step 1 - Fall in Love with Jesus   Scripture Referenced:  Genesis 39:20-23 Exodus 1:8-14 Daniel 1:1 Matthew 27:59-60 2 Timothy 1:8 Revelation 1:9 Romans 12:1-2

We are wrapping up our series on distraction.  This last episode focuses on the last two application points on what we should do when we become distracted.    Books Referenced:  "How Attention Works: Finding Your Way in a World Full of Distraction" - Stefan Van Der Stigchel "Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain" - Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.   Scripture Referenced: Hebrews 12:1-2

On this episode we look at the first two application points of what we should do with our distraction.     Books Referenced:  "How Attention Works: Finding Your Way in a World Full of Distraction" - Stefan Van Der Stigchel "Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain" - Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.   Scripture Referenced: 1 Samuel 8:4-9    

"We are incapable of distinguishing between what is relevant and irrelevant"   In this episode, we dive deep into statistics and scientific research on what we have learned about distraction and how we have become the most distracted humans in history.  We also hold that information up to what it means to be a teenager in this life of distraction.    Scripture Referenced: Genesis 3   Books Referenced: "The Distracted Mind" - Adam Gazzaley & Larry D. Rosen "How Attention Works" - Stefan Van Der Stigchel "Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment" - Richard Winter "Brainstorm" - Daniel Siegel, MD "Free to Focus" - Michael Hyatt "Far as the Curse is Found" - Michael D. Williams

Distraction is a part of the human condition.  Teenagers are especially susceptible to becoming distracting by the wrong things.  In this episode, we talk about what those things are (what does the science say) and how do we prevent or prepare our teens to navigate distraction (what does Scripture say).   Scripture Referenced: Luke 22:54-62 1 Kings 23-25, 11:3-6, 11-13 Genesis 3 Genesis 11:1-9   Books Referenced: "The Distracted Mind" - Adam Gazzaley & Larry D. Rosen "How Attention Works" - Stefan Van Der Stigchel "Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment" - Richard Winter "Brainstorm" - Daniel Siegel, MD "Free to Focus" - Michael Hyatt "Far as the Curse is Found" - Michael D. Williams  

This episode is all about the power of showing up.  We cannot wait to talk about the brain science and Scriptural insights behind what it does to your child when you are fully present with them.    Book Referenced: "The Power of Showing Up" by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D   Scripture Referenced: Hebrews 11:1-12:2

We know that this time has been a huge adjustment for us all, but this is what we are experiencing and seeing with your teenagers.     1. What is our experience with teenagers during this time? 2. What can we learn from teenagers during this time? 3. How can we prepare for reentry into normal life with teenagers?   We talk about all of these questions and interact with you all during this live podcast experience.   Article Referenced: "The Reason Zoom Calls Drain Your Energy" - BBC

This episode is all about stress.  It is an inevitable human experience and for the teenager, it can be all too consuming for them.  Take a listen and find out how stress can actually be helpful when our response to it is healthy.     Scripture Referenced: Luke 22 Resources Referenced:  "Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls" - Lisa Damour, Ph.D. tps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4274618/

On this episode, we get real with y'all.  Between the brain of a teenager, the internet, and general relational dynamics, teenagers crave authenticity above most things in their life.   We explore Scripture that points us to our need for authenticity while examining interactions and experiences we have personally had with teenagers that make this true.   Scripture Referenced: Matthew 5 & 23   Music by: Philanthrope & Sleep Fish - "Space Cadet"

All parents are confronted with issues of conflict with their teen.  It is inevitable.  What do we do when we are confronted with a point of conflict with our teen?  Is this forever? When do I give in and when do I stand my ground?   All of these questions and more are answered on this episode of Biblical Application into Adolescent Drama series.     Scripture Referenced:  Luke 2:41-52   Resource Referenced: "The Teenage Brain" by Frances E. Jensen, MD

We will go above and beyond to deceive others and ourselves in order to put off some sort of personality.  This is what we would call, identity preservation or 'saving face.' This habit begins in childhood but roots itself during the teenage years.  From social media to different friend groups, we choose to portray an image of ourselves that we think others should know about us while avoiding our true selves.  Why do we do this?  Why is this such a big issue for teenagers? How can Scripture shed light on the issue?   Scripture Referenced: The Gospel according to Luke 1 Kings 3 & 11 Ephesians 4:22-24   Book Referenced:  "The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.  

Jumping off the Bridge (Why do teenagers have to do what their friends are doing?)Everyone tends to follow the crowd, but teenagers are more susceptible to influence.  We will focus on the question, "if your friend jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" What does the Bible teach us about influence and how to enter into our teenager's life regarding this issue?   Scripture Referenced:  Genesis 3:1-6 Proverbs 13:20 Romans 12:2   Book Referenced: Dr. Dan Siegel - "Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain"

We are rolling out a new series entitled, "Biblical Application into Adolescent Drama" This series is all about picking out things, items, or moments in the life of an adolescent (ages 12-24) and using the Bible as a guide for instructing us on how to handle or anticipate these moments. This episode, "Two Realities, One Life" is all about the internet.  We are simultaneously living in two worlds, the real world and the virtual world of the internet.  What is the internet doing to us and our teenagers?  How is it creating drama in our lives?  Why does this awesome resource create so much difficulty in our teenager's life?   Scripture Referenced:  1 & 2 Peter Luke 18:18-30 Matthew 6:19-24 2 Timothy 3:1-7   Music: Beats By Con

Find out all you need to know as a parent of the Kirk Student Ministry from 2019-2020 calendar year right here.  For the visual format of this podcast, go to thekirk.org/event-info

We often confuse the role of the church with the role of culture and the role of school.  There are definitely ways where they cross over and we will talk about those.  We will also address where the church is called to stand out in the life of a teenager.  This episode we bring in Jonathan Jakes to answer this question.  What is the purpose of the church is a loaded question, but we want to address it specifically with teenagers in mind. 

Fear is such a dominant experience in today’s culture and it seems to be consuming our relationships. We wanted to approach this question because we struggle with it just as much as anyone else. So, we share our own experience with fear while looking to Scripture as a guide to overcoming the consumption of it.

It is something we talk about often as youth workers because it seems to be such a consuming and trending identifier of teenagers today.  Listen in and hear from us what we observe about this trend in youth culture today.  

Susan & John spend some time thinking about their own experience of getting into God's Word when they were teenagers.  They talk about trends they have seen with the youth they minister to and compare it with their own upbringing and experience.  

Get a sneak peek from one of our Keynote Speakers.  She has a heart for youth and works with them on a day to day basis in the schools as a middle school counselor.  She brings her wisdom on the pitfalls of social media.  What is happening with teenagers when they engage in social media?  

Stephen answers a lot of questions for us.  How do we enter into the cultural hot topic of sexual identity as Christians?  How do we engage with with someone who is same sex attracted?  He comes from a very unique perspective and provides insight from his seminary training, professional work, personal experience and struggles.  

We have all been single, but we often forget what it is like or we are trying to move teenagers out of singleness too quickly. Jenilyn sits down with us to talk about how we can affirm our teenagers on being single.  

What are relationships supposed to look like? Where have we gone wrong in relationships? What is the pathway to restoring relationships? Dan joins in on the conversation with his second episode with us and provides insight on all of these questions.  

Listen to this episode to find out about all the things we have to offer during our "Love Month" There are programs for both parents and students.  To find the video that goes along with this audio, follow this link Video To find an interactive version of the guide, follow this link Interactive Guide

We invited Dan Doriani to come and speak to the topic of transgenderism in today's world.  He provides great biblical insight when confronting the topic of transgender within the youth culture.  

What does it mean to navigate the education system as a Christian?  Taylor and Carrie do a great job of approaching this topic and seek to provide a conversation starter for our listeners.    

What does it mean to be a Christian Athlete?  The culture tends to define this in one way, but there is more to that title than people realize.  Join us for our third episode as Andrew Schonhoff and Noah Wiersema share their experience and expertise in light of this topic.  

We talk about what it means to be a parent and raise your child through the Kirk Student Ministry. We sit with Steve and Jennifer Moehrle to hear about their experience raising three children in partnership with the Kirk.