Talking about issues like smartphones, eating disorders, Snapchat, video games, and sexting with teens can be scary and complicated. But it doesn't have to be! We created these PDFs to help you understand the things your teens face, how to have conversations about them, and how to biblically disciple your teens into lifelong faith through it all.
Talking about issues like smartphones, eating disorders, Snapchat, video games, and sexting with teens can be scary and complicated. But it doesn't have to be! We created these guides to help you understand the things your teens face, how to have conversations about them, and how to biblically disciple your teens into lifelong faith through it all.
Can't find the topic you're looking for? Let us know what topic you'd like us write about next. If/when we make it, we'll email you to let you know it's available!
Is it real? Is it a hoax? How do I know for sure? Should I ban the internet altogether? How do I keep my kids safe from it? How do I combat the fear I feel from it? This upcoming Guide will address all that and more. Keep checking back!
"I'll sleep when I'm dead!" said almost every teenager ever. As good of a gift as sleep is, most teenagers in the US are actually sleep deprived. Why? And how do we help them get more of it? How will it help them to gain a better perspective of rest? All that and more in this Guide.
Is it real? Is it a hoax? How do I know for sure? Should I ban the internet altogether? How do I keep my kids safe from it? How do I combat the fear I feel from it? This upcoming Guide will address all that and more. Keep checking back!
New! Sleep
"I'll sleep when I'm dead!" said almost every teenager ever. As good of a gift as sleep is, most teenagers in the US are actually sleep deprived. Why? And how do we help them get more of it? How will it help them to gain a better perspective of rest? All that and more in this Guide.
If you keep hearing all about the Enneagram but don't know where to start diving in, get this Guide! It will help you understand the basics of the typology and how it can help you and your family become who you were each meant to be through self-knowledge and growth.
Frustrated by your teen's use of bad words? Or hoping to keep them from using profanity? This Guide looks at the history of words, how they come to regarded as "bad," how Christians should approach them, and more.
Ever felt like it's hard to disciple teens because their world is so disconnected and separate from God's? We feel you! This Guide walks you through the process we use each and every day as we seek to apply Scripture to every part of teenagers' lives, even the ones that seem to be at odds with it.
What does it mean to have a refuge and a safe haven? How do we create that for others, especially our kids? This Guide helps you better understand not only how God designed us to live in a balance between safety and risk, but also how to create that balance within your home for your kids and your community.
How well do you know your teens? What influences them? How are they different from Millennials or other generations? If the generations have ever confused you, this Guide will walk you through them and what you need to know about Gen Z.
Despite its shortcomings, it seems that social media is here to stay. So rather than being afraid of it, how can we train our children to approach it with wisdom, moderation, and a desire to honor God through it? This big-picture approach to social media will help you start "Social Media Ed" with your kids.
LGBTQQIAAP? What does all that mean? How is it all affecting my kids? How can I talk to them about it? What does the Bible say about it all? How can I love others while sticking firmly to the Truth of God's Word? Is that even possible? Do my Gen Z kids think it is? Check out this Guide for help with all of these questions!
Talking about taboo, awkward, or uncomfortable topics can be so anxiety-inducing that we put it off so long, we lose our chance. This Guide helps us see these conversations as a chance to love and disciple our kids, as well as offers practical ideas for how to start them.
Why won't my kids talk about their faith?! Evangelism and proselytizing are immensely important, but it seems that younger generations couldn't care less. This Guide offers a modern perspective of evangelism that will get Gen Z interested in sharing the most important aspect of their lives with others.
As one of the most prolific and influential music artists in the world, Kendrick Lamar is an enigma. Simultaneously beloved and highly controversial, his art and life continue to influence us, whether we realize it or not. How can and should we approach his work? And how do use it cultivate a biblical theology of music for our families?
Possibly one of the most debilitating and demotivating feelings we experience, shame is a powerful influence in all of our lives. Yet most of us were never taught how to deal with it well, if at all. This Guide aims to help you break free from your own shame while creating a shame-free atmosphere for your kids.
"The talk." Most parents dread this awkward conversation, hoping to avoid it as long as possible. But in our sexualized culture, we can't afford to let others educate our kids in this area. This Guide offers a framework for talking about sex in appropriate ways so that we can shape our kids' imaginations about God's good plan for sex.
Good news! It is possible to use smartphones well and to keep them from becoming our kids' entire world, even if they've already had phones for awhile. This guide offers a theology of technology, tips for preparing kids for the first phone, and much more.
Updated September 2018. Wondering how to use iOS 12's new Screen Time feature on your or your kids' devices? Or what to do if your teen keeps finding ways around your limits? This guide is for you! With tons of helpful images, you will better understand these devices that are like second nature to teens.
For many teens, privacy = autonomy, so they can tend to fight tooth and nail for it. But what's a biblical view of privacy? Very few people are writing about it, especially not in terms of teens' privacy, so this Guide seeks to understand it better and help you apply it in a way that allows teens to gain true freedom as they become responsible adults.
As Billboard's Artist of the Year and Spotify's most-streamed artist, Drake is arguably the most influential hip hop artist on the planet. His music is everywhere, and it's important to know how to talk to our teens about who he is, what he stands for, and how he's impacting them.
If you've ever wondered how teens can spend hours upon hours watching random videos on YouTube, you're not alone! YouTube is a phenomenon that has bypassed many of us adults to win over Gen Z. As the social network they "can't live without," we need to know all about it so we can help them think about it biblically.
Logan Paul? PewDiePie? HolaSoyGerman? Jenna Marbles? As the preferred video platform of Gen Z, YouTube's stars have tremendous influence on today's teens. So who are they? How do we keep track of them? What if our kids wants to be YT stars, too? This guide will help you navigate the new age of influencers.
Our world seems to be filled with vitriol, division, and echo chambers. But God calls us to kindness, compassion, understanding, and grace. So how can we learn to disagree kindly and be civil in all we do? And how can we teach our kids to do the same, especially online?
New stats show that teens are starting to vape (i.e. use e-cigarettes) at a high rate, despite the lack of research into its risks and harms. This Guide looks into what vaping is, what can be vaped, how it can be concealed, how risky it is, how easily minors can access it, and more.
If you haven't heard of Fortnite yet, you will. The game took the gaming world by storm. So why do teens like it so much? Should you be worried if they're playing it all the time? Are there parental controls? How can you talk to them about it? And most importantly, how is a free game costing you so much money?! All this and much more in this guide.
Even if your kids are young, you have the opportunity to shape how they view singleness and marriage now. But even more importantly, you have the chance to help them love God more than they love love itself, to the point that they're willing to follow Him wherever He leads--including even a life of singleness. Doomed to be alone? This Guide helps you & teens rethink that!
The difference between how culture views dating and romance and how the Church views it can be so vastly different, one can't help but wonder if there's a happy middle ground. This Guide will help you prepare your kids for dating (or not) in the 21st century in a way that glorifies God and the people around them.
Bullying and cyberbullying are huge threats to our kids, and we need to not only teach our kids how to confront bullying in all its forms, but also how to recognize the signs of it so we can confront it appropriately. The Guide helps you understand the different types of bullying and how to teach our kids to love others, not bully them (or watch them be bullied).
League of Legends is possibly the biggest video game on the planet, so it's likely that your gamers will want to play. What's good about it? What's concerning? How do protect our kids? And how can have good conversations that lead to healthy gaming habits?
With unprecedented access to unlimited music, new generations are often being raised by music and artists as much as they are by their parents. But that doesn't have to be a negative thing, nor does music have to be a source of tension in families. This guide offers lots of practical helps for how to enjoy this God-given gift!
In our age of being on the go and never stopping to even think (thanks, smartphones!), it's hard to slow down, to breathe, to reflect. But it's the best thing we can do for our souls. Written by Dr. Julie Canlis, this Guide makes the case for Sabbath in our modern day and offers easy ways to implement today.
As a must-have in every teen's arsenal of social media profiles, we need to understand Instagram's pros, cons, risks, and impacts. More importantly, we must converse with our teens about these topics in order to help them be healthy, loving followers of Christ, even in the digital world.
Depression and anxiety are all too common, yet Christians have very little guidance as to how best to combine spiritual and medical treatment. This Guide offers that guidance so you can help your suffering teen.
With rates of both on the rise, we can't afford to not talk with our children about these difficult topics. Learn what God says about both, how to initiate conversations, and how to get help.
There's a lot of controversy around ADHD meds like Adderall and Ritalin, yet they continue to be used recreationally by millions in the U.S. Are they really the wonder drug they're touted to be? What are the risks of taking them? How do teens get them without a prescription? If you're wondering any of these questions, this Guide will help.
Reading and interpreting God's Word are difficult tasks for anyone, but add in the controversies surrounding different methods and viewpoints and you've got enough to make any teen want to give up. This Guide will help you and your family gain new perspective on the Bible so that your love of God's story will be renewed.
Why are teens so obsessed with Snapchat?! And what do they even do on it? This guide will help you better understand the app itself, why it's appealing, and how to have conversations about it with your teens.
Despite what generations past felt, tattoos are becoming more and more mainstream, meaning it's highly possible our kids might ask if they can get one (or many). This Guide looks at the arguments for and against tattoos, offering constructive ways to talk to your teens about the controversial body art.
Delving into the world of Internet filters & monitors can be overwhelming, which is why we've got your back! We looked at 23 different options, weighing their pros and cons to offer some recommendations. No matter the age of your kids, you'll want to check out this guide before making any final decisions!
Doubts can be alarming, but they don't have to be! Packed full of resources, this Guide encourages you to let the conversations flow as you join your teens in their search for truth in the midst of a culture that preaches "tolerance" as king.
Eating disorders are on the rise. We not only need to understand the culture around them, but also how to have conversations about them and where to go when our teens need help. This is a great starting point.
Netflix is here to stay, so how can we approach it with wisdom and discernment and teach our kids to do the same? This Guide offers practical advice and tips for enjoying the service without letting it take over.
Partying and drinking can be huge temptations for teens, especially if their friends, shows, songs, influencers, celebs, and video games all portray it as a desirable and fulfilling. So how can we impart a biblical understanding of and relationship to alcohol to our kids? And what do we do if we find out they're addicted?
Ever been afraid your friends and family are doing fun, exciting things without you? Ever felt like your life is so boring compared to others'? If so, you've experienced Fear Of Missing Out. But teens today face FOMO on steroids, thanks to social media. This Guide gets to the heart of the issue, offering lots of ways to point teens back to true Joy.
How many teens are actually sexting? Why are they sexting? What will happen if my teen sexts? Is it illegal? How do I have an open and loving conversation with my teen about sexting and its dangers? All these questions and more are discussed in this guide.
Wondering how to implement parental controls on an Android device? Or what to do if your teen keeps finding ways around them? This guide is for you! With tons of helpful images, you will better understand these devices that are like second nature to teens.
If you're struggling to keep up with what your teens are saying, this is a great resource to have! Understand what different words mean and how they're typically used.
It's rare to meet someone who likes what they look like, flaws and all. We're all struggling with body image, especially teens, and the Body Positivity movement seems to have the answers. What is it? Is it what we're looking for? How can we help our teens see themselves as God sees them? This Guide offers insight for your discipleship journey.
Opioids and prescription drugs, though legal, are not always safe. And while teen opioid use is declining (yay!), teen overdose-related deaths are increasing. This guide will help you understand opioids, their risks, conversations to have, and preventative steps to take within your home.
Is marijuana really all that bad? It can't be if so many states are legalizing it, right? This Guide takes a biblical approach to what we currently know scientifically about cannabis to help you guide your teens into a better understanding of God's best for their lives.
Having enough time to get everyone together in the same room often sounds like wishful thinking. And actually enjoying that time with no fights or feelings hurt? Impossible! But it doesn't have to be. This Guide offers perspective, ideas, and encouragement as you strive to prioritize family.
(Updated November 2018) What in the world is TikTok? Why are teens and tweens obsessed with it? What should concern me about it? Should I let my kids use it? If you've ever had any of these questions, this Guide is for you. Get a crash course in the app and how to disciple your kids around it.
Twitch has taken the gaming world by storm, making something known for its ability to isolate players into a more communal experience. But as with all social interactions, teens need to be discipled in how to use it with wisdom, discernment, kindness, and moderation
Minecraft has been a huge hit with younger kids ever since its release in 2009. The Guide helps you know what's good about it, what to look out for, how to set healthy limits, and, most importantly, how to have good conversations about the game so that your kids have a healthy perspective before they ever start playing.
Possibly the most popular animated show on Netflix right now, and you can be sure it is educating your teens and their friends on puberty, sexuality, and what it means to become a teenager.
Thanks to Stranger Things and the rise of "liveplay," D&D has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. But is it safe for kids to play? Or was the "Satanic Panic" of the 1970s and '80s fair? This Guide looks into the game and its history, offering insight for parents as to whether this roleplaying game is worth delving into.
It's easy to take the event that's so central to our faith for granted if that's all we've ever heard. But did it actually happen? Do we have evidence? This event changes history whether true or not, so this Guide is a crash course in the evidence we have!
Modern films, shows, video games, & books are filled with bad guys gone good, "heroes" who fight for justice in unconventional ways. As entertaining as they are, without wise adults to point teens toward true justice and heroism, an entire generation could grow up believing men in masks are our hope.
Why is my gamer (or TikTok-er) asking to use Discord? What does it do? How do I set up parental controls? This Guide explains the ins and outs, pros and cons of the Discord platform, as well as helpful screenshots. If this is your teen's preferred communication app, this will help you know all about it!
Teens love video games, and their love for them only increases each year. In fact, many parents have asked us how they can keep them from playing all day every day. If you don't understand games at all or just want to take a bird's eye view of the modern world of gaming, check out this guide.
Lent, when done well, can be a beautiful time of preparing our hearts to celebrate Christ's resurrection. But it's easy to get bogged down in our preconceptions of it. This guide will help you rewrite your family's story and habits this Lent season.
Get ready for Season 3 of the hit teen show, Riverdale. If you're not sure whether to allow your kids to watch or just want to know how to disciple them as they watch, this Guide's for you. It gives a glimpse into the complicated world of Archie and his friends, offering discussion questions throughout.
Stranger Things has undoubtedly made its mark on our culture! This Guide will help you understand the show's themes and, more importantly, how to start meaningful conversations with teens about its messages.
This best-selling novel and film appeals to gamers, sci-fi enthusiasts, and '80s kids alike, giving families a chance for common enjoyment and deep conversations. If your teens love RPO, this guide can help make sense of the good and the bad and offers lots of discussion questions.
Sometimes we forget to take time to reflect on how meaningful and beautiful the Christmas season is. This Guide offers a look into what Advent is, how to start new Advent traditions, and why it's so important for our understanding of all God has done for us.
4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2--Wait! That's not what the 12 days are at all. Use this Guide to learn about the real 12 days of Christmas, why they matter, and how to begin more meaningful Christmas traditions.
Sometimes we do things so much, it can be easy to forget their significance. For us Christians, Holy Week & Easter can become one of those things. This year, allow this Guide to help you regain an appreciation and deep grasp of just how significant this time is, as well as help you communicate that in meaningful ways to your kids.
How did Spring Break become what it is today? What pressure do teens and college students feel to join in? How do we talk to them about it? What's the correct response to the "Spring Break phenomenon"? What does it mean to actually take a break? All these questions and more are answered in this insightful guide.
The day in and day out of our lives can be wasted if we're only looking at it as the moments between what actually matters. So how can we use this part of the Liturgical Year well? How can we teach our kids that the flashy and exciting have their place, but so does the ordinary, and that all is imbued with the glory of God?
Amino, though not well known in the adult world, is highly popular with teens and pre-teens. How does it work? Is it safe? What are its dangers? Why are teens drawn to it? Should we let our kids use it? Packed with screenshots, this Guide will help you understand Amino in order to have good conversations with your kids about it.
"A new year, a new you!" shout all the ads. But we're all familiar with the reality: only 10% of people actually keep resolutions! So why should we even try? This Guide makes a case for using resolutions to teach teens about much more than success.
The romance holiday can be a lot less exciting than movies and our daydreams make it out to be. But with our guidance on romance, relationships, sex, and true love, teens don't have to fall prey to the disappointment, pressure, or sadness.
Heading back to school brings a confusing mix of emotions for everyone involved, including mom and dad. This Guide will help you understand what today's students face as they get older, how to help, and how to use the time to create new family habits and routines!
Is participating in anything having to do with Halloween sinful? Is it really Satan's birthday? Or is it possible to redeem the day? This Guide looks into the history of Halloween and how to have a biblical perspective so you can decide what's best for you and your family.
As joyous as the holiday is supposed to be, it can also be stressful, painful, or pressure-filled. This Guide looks at the Thanksgiving heritage to help families experience true gratitude this year.
Can't find the topic you're looking for? Let us know what topic you'd like us write about next. If/when we make it, we'll email you to let you know it's available!
Can't find the topic you're looking for? Let us know what topic you'd like us write about next. If/when we make it, we'll email you to let you know it's available!
