How do we know when our child is ready to make a public faith commitment - whether that’s baptism, confirmation or profession of faith? What are the smaller steps along the faith journey that we should be looking out for? How can ‘sacred pathways’ help us nurture our child’s faith in helpful ways? And what can we do if our child is showing no interest in Jesus?

Our guest today is Christie Thomas, Western Canadian homeschool mum of three boys, former Children’s Ministry director, and founder of Little Shoots Deep Roots. Christie shares stories from her own parenting journey, as well as ideas for how we approach this area with our own children. 

We think you’re going to LOVE learning from Christie about the nine ‘sacred pathways’, or different ways of connecting with God, that Christie shares in this episode. This is an incredibly effective tool which can help us discover our child’s pathway, making it much easier for us to journey with them as they pursue Jesus.

Christie is also the author of several books for Christian families.

Links:
Christie’s website: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/
Follow Christie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshootsdeeproots/
Browse Christie’s books: https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/search.php?products%5Bquery%5D=christie%20thomas
Sacred Pathways quiz: https://christiethomas.ck.page/a79d922d0e
Christie’s e-book: ‘Sacred Pathways for Kids’: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/sacred-pathways-for-kids/
‘Wow’ (Dandi Daley Mackall): https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-books-for-children/bible-stories-for-children/age-4-to-7-bible-stories/wow-9781496436429/
- Original Parenting for Faith course online: https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/parenting-for-faith-course-online-2023/
- Pop-up small group with Joanna Adeyinka-Burford: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=602874592057833&set=pb.100070058915946.-2207520000&type=3
- Being God's Child book launch "3 Ways to Connect with God as a Busy Parent" https://www.facebook.com/events/1092804861697964

We loved hearing from Christie today and hope you did too! To be a part of sustaining this podcast so that it can reach hundreds of families, children’s leaders, youth leaders and churches, would you consider partnering with us financially?

Even a small one-off gift makes a big difference! Go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

The Parenting for Faith podcast

S7E1: The one with the faith commitment - with Christie Thomas

As Christian parents, how can we help our children form healthy friendships at school, or in other situations when they are away from us? What happens when there’s been a fall-out or break-up? How can we navigate our children through the loneliness of having no friends? And what about when it’s our child who’s the source of the friendship difficulties?

Today’s guest is Clare Luther, former occupational therapist and current author of a set of books designed to help children navigate different emotions. Clare lives with her husband and teenage daughters in a faith-filled home in London. She loves Jesus, and is convinced that the Bible tells us of a God who gives us our ultimate identity, sits with us in our mess, comforts us when we are sad, and is powerful to turn situations around for the better.

Links:
- Clare’s website and books: www.head2heartbooks.com
- Buy Clare’s latest book ‘Say what?’ from 10ofthose: https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781915705068/say-what

Wow, what a rich episode today! We hope you found Clare’s words encouraging, equipping and comforting. If you’d like us to keep producing helpful faith-filled content like this, we need your help.

Financial donations, even small ones, make a massive difference to what we can produce. You can click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E2: The one with the friendship drama - with Clare Luther

Giving our child their first phone can be a daunting prospect, filled with trepidation at the risk we might have exposed them to. Have we set up the right filters and limits? Are we having the right conversations? Will they act responsibly and safely online?

Today’s guest is Andy Robertson, founder of Taming Gaming and theology-trained video game journalist. 

Andy shares helpful tips and boundaries we can use, not only to keep our kids safe with their phones, but to allow them to unleash creativity through the positive benefits of having a phone. He also answers a question about how to respond if we discover our child has been engaging in, or the victim of, untoward behaviour on their phone.

Links:
Andy’s Taming Game website: https://www.taminggaming.com/
Follow Andy on Twitter https://twitter.com/GeekDadGamer
Follow Taming Gaming on Twitter https://twitter.com/FamilyGamingDB
Setting up an iPhone for a child: https://www.askaboutgames.com/news/set-up-iphone-and-ipad-for-your-family
Setting up an android phone for a child: https://www.askaboutgames.com/news/set-up-android-devices-for-your-family
Buy Andy’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taming-Gaming-Guide-healthy-habits/dp/1783528923

Wow, what a helpful and practical episode for all of us! We’re so grateful for those who enable us to continue this podcast ministry by financially giving to BRF. Will you join us?

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E3: The one with the first phone - with Andy Robertson

How do we talk to our younger children about growing up, puberty and sex? As Christian parents, we want to make sure our children get excellent, Biblical, healthy sex education, but it’s not always easy to have those conversations.

Helping us navigate this issue today is Emma Waring. Emma is a psychosexual nurse therapist with over 20 years of experience. Many of the patients and clients she has helped can relate sexual problems back to childhood experiences of sex being taboo, so Emma is passionate about helping parents have better conversations with their children. 

Emma is the author of ‘Seasons of Sex and Intimacy’.

Links:
- Check out Emma’s website: https://www.emmawaring.com/
- Buy Emma’s book ‘Seasons of Sex and Intimacy’: https://www.emmawaring.com/the-book
- NSPCC - Pantosaurus and Talk Pants https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/
- The Girls’ Guide to Growing Up https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girls-Guide-Growing-Up/dp/1526360187
- How to grow up and feel amazing: the no worries guide for boy https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Grow-Feel-Amazing-No-Worries/dp/1526362953

Ian Henderson from The Naked Truth Project will be with us for episode 10 equipping us to talk to our children and young people about pornography. Make sure to hit ‘follow’ or ‘subscribe’ so that you can access that episode.

If you found this episode helpful, would you consider giving a financial gift towards the ministry of Parenting for Faith? We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. 

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E4: The one with the birds and the bees - with Emma Waring

How do we talk to our older children and teens about puberty, sex and relationships? As Christian parents, we want to make sure our children get excellent, Biblical, healthy sex education, but it’s not always easy to have those conversations.

In this episode, we’re focusing on how we navigate this area specifically with our 11-18 year olds. We are delighted to welcome as our guest for this topic Sheila Wray Gregoire. Sheila is an international speaker and bestselling author of nine books, the founder of BareMarriage.com, and host of the Bare Marriage podcast. She has a lot of wisdom for us today!

Links:
- Check out the Bare Marriage website: https://baremarriage.com
- Listen to the Bare Marriage podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/bare-marriage/id1448888894
- Follow Sheila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilagregoire/
- Buy 'She Deserves Better', Sheila's latest book on raising girls with a healthy sexuality: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/personal-life/christian-books-for-women/she-deserves-better-raising-girls-to-resist-toxic-teachings-on-sex-self-and-speaking-up/
- Buy 'The Great Sex Rescue' https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/personal-life/the-great-sex-rescue-9781540900821/
- Explore The Whole Story, Sheila's video series on puberty and sex for 9-16 year olds: https://baremarriage.com/the-whole-story/

If you found this episode helpful, would you consider giving a financial gift towards the ministry of Parenting for Faith? We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. 

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E5: The one about puberty and sex - with Sheila Wray Gregoire

At some point in their lives, our children will encounter racism - whether directed to them, or a friend, classmate or partner. How do we raise our children to be allies in the fight against racist discrimination? And as Christian parents, how can we ground our attitudes and words in Scripture?

Our guide for today’s topic is Rev Azariah France-Williams. Azariah is the author of Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England, as well as rector of Ascension Church Hulme, husband and dad.

Azariah is a thinker on issues of peace and justice, race and reconciliation, and believes in the power of the church within the community to sow the seeds of radical change.

Links:
- Follow Azariah on X: https://twitter.com/AzariahAnglican
- Buy Azariah’s book ‘Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England’ https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/personal-life/social-issues-and-responsibility/ghost-ship/
- Check out Ascension Church Hulme: https://ascensionchurchhulme.co.uk/

What a deeply educational, heartbreaking yet inspiring interview. We hope you appreciated Azariah’s words and experience as much as we did.

If you’d love to help us keep producing top-quality episodes, why not consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift? You can do that here: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E7: The one about racial equality - with Azariah France-Williams

What happens when a child or teenager is let down by the church? When they suffer church hurt? Will they walk away from God forever - or is it possible to parent them for faith through this painful season?

Our guest today is Natalie Thomas Runion, author of Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry when you have a Million Reasons to Walk Away. 

Natalie was a pastor's daughter, then later a pastor herself. She has experienced first-hand how the church can be a hurtful place, but brings a message of hope and healing that, in Christ, forgiveness and spiritual growth are possible.

Besides authoring her book, Natalie writes the Raised to Stay Instagram account, hosts the Raised to Stay podcast and is a worship leader and songwriter. She and her husband live with their two daughters in Kentucky.

Links from the episode:
- Natalie’s website https://natalierunion.com/
- Follow Natalie/Raised to Stay on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/raisedtostay/ 
- Check out ‘Raised to Stay’ book: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/the-church/pastoral/raised-to-stay/

We’re so grateful for Natalie’s wisdom in this episode. In order to keep inviting excellent guests onto this podcast, we rely on donations from those who listen.

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E8: The one where your kid is let down by church - with Natalie Thomas Runion

When we have prayed for our children to come to know Jesus for themselves, when we've nurtured their faith and created opportunities for them to grow, it can feel devastating when they make the decision to turn away from Jesus. But there is always hope.

Today Lucy speaks to mother-and-daughter duo Linda Green and Sarah Walton.

Both Linda and Sarah are now Christian authors and speakers - but this wasn't always the case. In her teens, Sarah went through a very tough season. Unable to cope with the shame of things that were happening to her, she turned in on herself, suffered from depression, took an overdose and ended up on a paediatric psychiatric ward. But her parents never gave up praying for her and ministering to her, and by the grace of God Sarah returned to Jesus.

Today both Linda and Sarah live in Colorado. Linda lives with her husband of 45 years, Ray; together they have three children and ten grandchildren. Sarah lives with her husband Jeff and their four children.

In this podcast episode, Linda and Sarah share their story of walking through this difficult season together.

Links from the episode:
- Browse Sarah's books on the theme of suffering, grace and hope
- Pre-order He Gives more Grace, 30 Reflections for the Ups and Downs of Motherhood, the book Linda and Sarah have written together
- Linda’s blog: Chosen and Called https://chosenandcalled.com/
Sarah’s blog: Set Apart https://setapart.net/
- The verse Linda mentions near the start is Genesis 50:20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+50%3A20&version=NIV

We hope Linda and Sarah’s story has encouraged you today. If you’d like to be a part of ensuring that this podcast continues to reach and bless families around the world, why not consider making a financial contribution towards our work?

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E9: The one where they walk away from faith - with Sarah Walton and Linda Green

Many of us are aware of the rise of accessibility of pornography, and the damage it causes individuals and families, not to mention those involved in the industry. But talking to our kids about pornography - why to avoid it, how to avoid it and what to do if you encounter it - is another matter.

To help us have those conversations, Anna was thrilled to chat to Ian Henderson, founder and CEO of Visible Ministries, including their flagship initiative the Naked Truth Project, which works to educate and inform young people about the destructive nature of porn.

Ian and his wife moved to Manchester in 2001 to live and work in one of the most deprived areas for the Message Trust. Later he became Executive Director of Mission, before leaving to set up the Naked Truth Project in 2013. Ian still lives in Manchester; he and his wife have two teenage daughters.

Links:
- https://nakedtruthproject.com/
- read Ian’s story here: https://nakedtruthproject.com/about/ians-story/
- Chicken Clicking book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chicken-Clicking-Online-Safety-Picture/dp/178344052X
- Good Pictures Bad Pictures book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Pictures-Bad-Jr-Protect-ebook/dp/B07FK96K6Z
- https://www.internetmatters.org/

We hope you found today as informative and useful as we did. Would you consider partnering with us to ensure that this podcast can continue to equip and resource Christian parents, carers and leaders?

You can give a one-off or regular financial gift here: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E10: The one about p0rn - with Ian Henderson

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, new babies/family members

Adding to our family, whether by birth or adoption, is a joyful occasion, but it doesn’t come without challenges for the children we already have.

On today’s episode, Anna Hawken and Lucy Rycroft have an open discussion about preparing for a new sibling. Anna shares how she has prepared her children for new baby siblings, and how the key tools help us as we adjust in that transition. Lucy shares her experience as an adopter, including how she prepared her birth children and the wider community for her boys’ arrival.

Links:
- Bedtime routine article: https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/the-bedtime-routine-what-is-important/
- Related by Adoption https://www.amazon.co.uk/Related-Adoption-handbook-grandparents-relatives-ebook/dp/B09CTRGXJK/
- Lucy’s Adoption Cheerleaders course https://thehopefilledfamily.newzenler.com/courses/adoption-cheerleaders
- Take them a meal https://takethemameal.com/

Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you found it useful, would you consider donating to BRF Ministries to enable others to be encouraged by it too?

To give a one-off or regular gift, go to https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E11: The one with the new sibling - with Anna Hawken and Lucy Rycroft

Divorce or separation can feel like a taboo subject amongst Christians, with great feelings of guilt and shame when our marriages/relationships don’t work out.

But the truth is that no relationship is perfect, every relationship takes work, and when marriages or long-term partnerships end, many churches want to support those affected - they just don’t always know how.

So this content-packed episode with guest Erik Castenkiold, who leads Restored Lives, will help us all become more informed about divorce, marriage, relationships, and supporting those in them. Erik shares honestly about the impact of divorce on children and teenagers, how we can navigate them through tricky times in our relationships, but also the hope and encouragement of how we can point our kids to Jesus, even in dark times.

Erik has personal experience of divorce, and is now happily married with three young adult children, based in London. He worships at Holy Trinity Brompton where he is on the PCC. Erik is a Chartered Accountant by profession, having worked for several big-name companies including Deloitte, but has also been running Restored Lives since 2021, a charity that has helped thousands of people find hope after divorce.

Links:
- Restored Lives https://www.restoredlives.org/
- Your Direction (workshops for 12-30 year olds) https://www.restoredlives.org/yourdirection
- Restored Lives course for adults who have separated/divorced https://www.restoredlives.org/go-on-a-course
- Romans 8:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A1&version=NIV
- Galatians 5:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205%3A1&version=NIV
- My marriage has broken down - how can I help my kids stay in the faith? (article by Lucy Rycroft for Premier NexGen) https://www.premiernexgen.com/family-and-parenting/my-marriage-has-broken-down-how-can-i-help-my-kids-stay-in-the-faith/15555.article

We found this a hugely helpful, encouraging episode - despite the difficult subject matter - and hope you did too.

If you’d love to help us get this podcast out to more people who would be blessed by its content, why not consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift? You can do that here: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

The Parenting for Faith Podcast

S7E12: The one with the divorce - with Erik Castenskiold

We long for our children to grow up knowing that they are loved by and valuable to God as well as to us. But with the rise of eating disorders, self-harm and other destructive behaviours in children and teenagers, parents and children’s/youth leaders can feel powerless to share these messages.

So to help us think about how we can best nurture our children’s faith in the midst of these issues, we asked Dr Oluseye Arikawe to join us for today’s episode. 

Oluseye is a Christian GP with nearly 30 years professional practice behind her. She’s also a wife and a mum of an adult daughter. 

Speaking with expert insights into the medical side of eating disorders and self-harm, as well as a strong belief in the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to change lives, Seye talks about the medical help available, what early signs we might be looking for and how to navigate these issues if they’ve arisen.

Links:
Seye’s website A Word for Her: https://wordforher.com/
Follow Seye @ A Word for Her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/a_word_for_her/
Seye’s e-book “How to make Menopause a Positive Experience” https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Make-Menopause-Positive-Experience-ebook/dp/B09HLBSD21
Grab the free printable resources Seye mentioned in the episode: https://wordforher.com/resources/
The seven declarations Seye talked us through at the end can be found on the Parenting for Faith website here: https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/navigating-self-harm-and-eating-disorders-in-our-children-and-teens

It’s a privilege to welcome such expert guests onto the podcast to give us spiritual wisdom on parenting our children for faith through all sorts of different circumstances.

If you appreciate these nuggets, why not consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift so that future generations can continue to enjoy them too? You can do that here: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E13: The one about self harm and eating disorders - with Dr Oluseye Arikawe

That we will, at some point, disagree with our children is news to no-one. But how can we argue WELL with them, in a way that deepens our relationship and points them to Jesus?

At every stage, from toddler to child to teen to adult, can our disagreements teach our child positive lessons about life and faith?

Parenting for Faith founder Rachel Turner joins us for today’s episode. Rachel is an experienced children's, youth and families' minister, as well as a mum, and she shared valuable wisdom as to how to deal well with the inevitable disagreements and arguments that will crop up in family life.

Links:
- https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/sandpits-and-sin/
- ‘I’m not finished yet’ additional session on parenting children for a life of confidence https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/course/the-course-follow-on-sessions/
- Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence is one of three books included in the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith Omnibus edition 
https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/resource/parenting-children-life-faith-omnibus-edition/

It’s a privilege to welcome such expert guests onto the podcast to give us spiritual wisdom on parenting our children for faith through all sorts of different circumstances.

If you appreciate these nuggets, why not consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift so that future generations can continue to enjoy them too? You can do that here: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E14: The one about arguing well - with Rachel Turner

Today on the podcast, we spoke to Abigail Richardson all about what we can do when our children or teens loose someone in their life that they love. 

How can we explain death to our children? How can we journey with them through grieving? What resources could help me explain loss to my child? These are all questions that we asked Abigail and she gave us some incredibly helpful suggestions and thoughts.

Abigail is a qualified counsellor who has worked over several years with both adults and children. In more recent years she has increasingly seen how the Bible speaks to all of life and has completed the Dynamics of Biblical Counselling module with BCUK. Abigail now serves alongside her husband who is the pastor of their small local church in London. She continues to use her counselling skills to support individuals within her local church and provides counselling to the wider body of Christ.

Links:

Cherish Counselling Practice - https://cherishcounsellingpractice.org/ 

Big picture story bible – https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-big-picture-story-bible-hardback 
The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party Storybook - https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-books-for-children/life-issues-for-children/childrens-difficult-issues/the-awesome-super-fantastic-forever-party-storybook/

Goodbye to Goodbyes Storybook - https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-books-for-children/easter-books-for-children/age-4-to-7-easter-and-lent-books/goodbye-to-goodbyes-storybook/ 

Grief and Your Child: Sharing God's Comfort in Loss - https://newgrowthpress.com/minibooks/parenting-guide-books/grief-and-your-child-sharing-gods-comfort-in-loss/ 

It’s a privilege to welcome such expert guests onto the podcast to give us spiritual wisdom on parenting our children for faith through all sorts of different circumstances.

If you appreciate these nuggets, why not consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift so that future generations can continue to enjoy them too? You can do that here: www.brf.org.uk/donate/
Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S7E15: The one where they lose someone they love - with Abigail Richardson

How do we nurture our children’s love of music in a way that glorifies God? How do we frame the difference between performance and worship - or is there a difference? And what about our kids who don’t identify as musicians, who feel self-conscious of their voices - how can we help them into a spirit of worship too?

Our guest today is the fabulous Samuel Nwachukwu (Called Out Music), a British-Nigerian music producer, singer-songwriter and worship pastor based in Basingstoke. 

As a committed Christian, Samuel’s diverse music strongly reflects his belief in Jesus, addressing the issues people face while sharing the good news of the gospel. He is an ambassador for Compassion UK and has a strong desire to see lives transformed and to spread the love of Christ both inside and outside of the church.

Links:

Listen to Called Out Music https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VY7IlU2547DIC1ca88lRH

Check out Called Out Music on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/calledoutmusic/, Twitter https://twitter.com/calledoutmusic and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CalledOutMusic

We the Triibe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@WeTheTriibe

HFP on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HFPmusic

Triibe podcast https://triibepodcast.podbean.com/

We are so grateful for all Samuel shared with us today. We loved hearing his story and his wisdom for parents/carers, and hope you did too! If so, would you consider partnering with us financially to enable this podcast to continue?

Click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E1: Connecting with God through music with Samuel Nwachukwu

Our next podcast episode is now available! 

This week we chatted to Liz Cole all about how our kids can connect with God through Science.

How do faith and science interact with each other and how can we help our kids and teens see that they go together rather than separately? We chatted to Liz all about this and more.

Christians in science - https://www.cis.org.uk/
Faraday Institute - https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk
God’s Cosmic Cookbook - https://www.johnmurraypress.co.uk/titles/elizabeth-cole/god%e2%80%99s-cosmic-cookbook/9781399806480/
Answering questions - https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/questions/
Intellectual wrestlers - https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/intellectual-wrestlers-equipping-kids-who-need-to-know/

We are so grateful for all Liz shared with us today. We loved hearing her wisdom for parents/carers, and hope you did too! If so, would you consider partnering with us financially to enable this podcast to continue?

Click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E2: Connecting with God through science with Liz Cole

How can a love of performing be directed in a way that glorifies God? Are there points of conflict between our faith and the TV/theatre industries? And how should we nurture the faith of our stage-loving kids?

Joanna Adeyinka-Burford is with us today to answer these questions and more. Joanna is a cbeebies presenter, stage and screen actress and voiceover artist. She’s also a Christian, a wife and a mum of two.

Links:
Joanna’s website: https://www.itsjoanna.co.uk/
Follow Joanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_adeyinkaburford.tv/
Buy ‘What’s Up?’, Joanna’s new devotional book for 7-11s: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whats-Up-encouragements-fuel-faith-ebook/dp/B0C6QJRG37
Grandparenting for Faith training morning - https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/parenting-for-faith-events/products/grandparenting-for-faith-launch-and-training-morning

Isn’t it encouraging to hear from Christian role models in the media? We loved hearing Joanna’s story as well as her tips and ideas that can equip us as parents, carers and leaders to nurture our children’s faith.

If you enjoyed this episode, please would you consider giving a one-off or regular financial gift to support the ongoing ministry of Parenting for Faith? www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E3: Connecting with God through theatre with Joanna Adeyinka-Burford

If our kids really enjoy cooking and baking and preparing food, how can we leverage that into something which draws them closer to Jesus? How can food and hospitality impact your faith journey?

Jo Swinney joined us to discuss hospitality and these questions today. Jo works for A Rocha International and is the author of eight books, most recently “A Place at the Table: faith, hope & hospitality”, co written with her mother Miranda. 

She lives with her husband and their two daughters in Bath, UK and loves nothing more than cooking up a storm for people who enjoy eating and chatting with her while she chops and stirs.

Links:
A Rocha International - https://arocha.org/en/
A Place at the Table - https://arocha.org/product/a-place-at-the-table-faith-hope-and-hospitality/
Grandparenting for Faith training morning - https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/parenting-for-faith-events/products/grandparenting-for-faith-launch-and-training-morning

Thank you for listening to our podcast, it was great to hear Jo’s wisdom and ideas about hospitality.

If you enjoy these podcasts, it would be amazing if you could consider donating to Parenting for Faith. You can click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E4: Connecting with God through hospitality with Jo Swinney

In this episode of the Parenting for Faith podcast we chatted to Bob Hartman all about connecting with God through writing. 

He shared some amazing thoughts and suggestions on how we can encourage our kids and teens with writing as well as helping them to develop their skills and use them in a way to connect with God.

Bob has travelled the world, telling Bible stories, for over 30 years. He has written over 100 books, mostly for children, including The Clever Cub Series, and YouVersion’s Bible App for Kids. Originally from Pittsburgh, Bob lives in England, is married to Sue and has two children and five grandchildren.

Links:
Team training video - https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/helping-children-and-young-people-connect-with-god-in-church-groups/

Thank you for listening to our podcast, it was great to hear Bob's wisdom and ideas about writing.

If you enjoy these podcasts, it would be amazing if you could consider donating to Parenting for Faith. You can click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E5: Connecting with God through writing with Bob Hartman

In this episode of the Parenting for Faith podcast we are joined by Ben Jones from Missional Generation.

We asked Ben all about connecting with God through gaming and how we can talk to our kids and teens about God through the games that they are playing. We also touched on AI and Ben shared some really helpful ideas on how we can have helpful and important conversations with our children about it.

Ben Jones is the CEO and founder of Missional Generation. Ben is married to Hannah and they have two primary aged children. The family have lived in Leeds for many years and enjoy being part of the local Church and community.

Ben runs, Missional Generation, a Christian charity based in the North of England that seeks to equip young people to live influential lives for God in all areas of life. MG employees full-time youth and children leaders and deployed them into the local churches for 6, 8, 12 hours to help weekly youth and children provision in the local churches. 

In recent years, Missional Generation has developed immersive digital technology resources using artificial intelligence, virtual reality, Augmented Reality, animation, and apps to create Bible devotionals and teachings as tools to engage children and youth in discussions that explore faith, mission, and evangelism all year round. MG is passionate about helping the church grow and become at the cutting edge of Society again and helping the church grow and find new ways to share the Christian faith and disciple the emerging generation.

Links:

Missional Generation - http://Missionalgen.co.uk/
Missional Generation Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MissionalGeneration
Missional Generation Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/missionalgeneration/
Journeying with Jesus Lent resource - https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/lent-journeying-jesus/

Thank you for listening to our podcast, it was great to hear Ben's wisdom and ideas about gaming.

If you enjoy these podcasts, it would be amazing if you could consider donating to Parenting for Faith. You can click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E6: Connecting with God through gaming with Ben Jones

Sport is a large part of life for many of our children and young people, and there is a bigger range than ever for them to get involved in. Even our children who don’t enjoy sport will usually be taking part in school PE lessons or active extra-curricular clubs. 

So what are the lessons we can learn from sport to help us as we draw closer to Jesus? How can we enjoy the bodies and opportunities God has given us, without them becoming an idol? And what are the sorts of windows we can create, through sport, into what a life lived with God looks like?

Today’s guest is Richard Shorter, Baptist minister and founder of Non-Perfect Dad, an organisation working in elite sport, aiding conversations between coaches, parents and young people so that children can thrive in and off the sports field.

Links:
Non-Perfect Dad https://non-perfectdad.co.uk/
Take Richard’s quiz for sports parents: https://conversations2succeed.scoreapp.com/
Teens course training event https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/parenting-for-faith-events/products/parenting-for-faith-teens-training-online

Richard gave such helpful wisdom today to all parents, carers and leaders whose children are involved with sport.

These podcasts cost money to produce, so if you’d like to see them continue, please consider giving a one-off donation or setting up a regular gift to Parenting for Faith at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S8E7: Connecting with God through Sport with Richard Shorter

Many of our children and teens will ask big questions about God, faith and the church at some point in their childhood. Some of our kids ask 100 questions a day, every day! How should we answer these questions? How can we help our kids seek Jesus through their questions?

Here to help us think through how we approach these questions is none other than Canon J.John: an experienced evangelist, minister, speaker, broadcaster and writer of over four decades. In particular, J.John’s book ‘That’s a Good Question!’ helps children think through some of the most common questions about faith.

Canon J.John lives near London with his wife Killy, and is a dad and a grandad.

Links:
Check out J.John’s books for children and adults here: https://canonjjohn.com/books/
Parenting for Faith Jumpstart Training: https://www.brfonline.org.uk/products/parenting-for-faith-courses-jumpstart-training

Wow, what wise words from Canon J.John! We loved learning from his experience in ministry and family life. If you did too, please consider giving a one-off or regular gift to support this podcast going forward. We are a charity, reliant on fundraising to continue doing what we do. Your donations, big or small, make a real difference and are very much appreciated.

Give here: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

S8E8: Connecting with God through big questions with Canon J.John

Fashion is something all of our children experience in various ways. At the very least, all our kids have to choose something to wear each day! But for many of our children and young people, fashion is a hobby, a way they can express themselves, and a mark of their God-given creativity.

So how can we help our kids to connect with God through fashion? How do we help them navigate body image and confidence? And what about the ethics of fast fashion?

Tola-Doll Fisher is our guest today. Tola is a model, as well as editor and creative director at Premier Woman Alive. She co-hosts the YouTube show Sisterhood with TBN and is the author of 'Still Standing:100 Lessons From An 'Unsuccessful' Life'. Tola writes weekly for her Substack subscribers.

Links:
Read Tola’s weekly essays https://stillstanding.substack.com/
Watch Sisterhood on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrokxQDREPA&list=PLl49n61XUvugndzrqt8tCWOsfOhfvsFHX
Buy Tola’s book ‘Still Standing’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Standing-Lessons-Unsuccessful-Life/dp/0281083258/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=tola+fisher&qid=1575994020&sr=8-1
Listen to Tola’s TedX talk - Debunking the Myth of Success: https://www.ted.com/talks/tola_fisher_debunking_the_myth_of_success
Premier Woman Alive magazine: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/
General info on Tola: https://linktr.ee/christcouturegirl

Join our Teens course launch on 13 March! https://www.brfonline.org.uk/products/parenting-for-faith-teens-training-online

We can only continue to produce this podcast if we have the financial means to do so. If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode and would like us to keep making fun episodes like this one, please would you consider supporting us? You can become a Friend of Parenting for Faith for as little as £2 a month - less than the price of a coffee! We are a charity, reliant on fundraising to continue doing what we do. Your donations, big or small, make a real difference and are very much appreciated.

Give here: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

S8E9: Connecting with God through fashion with Tola-Doll Fisher

Many of our children enjoy dance, formally or informally, and today’s episode is all about how we can connect with God through the bodies he’s given us, whether that’s in dance, exercise or any kind of movement.

To guide us through, we’re delighted to be joined by Ruth Carpenter, founder of Psalms and Stretches. Ruth is a professionally-trained contemporary dancer, Pilates teacher and mum of two little ones.

Links:
Psalms and Stretches: https://www.psalmsandstretches.com/
Follow Psalms and Stretches on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psalmsandstretches/
Follow Psalms and Stretches on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psalmsandstretches
Pop-up small group, 19 March, 8.00 pm on our Facebook page: Different ways to engage kids and teens with worship (with guest Becky Drake, Worship for Everyone) https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/different-ways-to-engage-kids-and-teens-with-worship/

We are so grateful to all of you who partner with us by being a Friend of Parenting for Faith so that we can continue to produce this podcast. You can start from as little as £2 a month and we are so grateful for each and every Friend. Could you partner with us in this way? www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

S8E10: Connecting with God through dance with Ruth Carpenter

What does it mean to be creative? Whether our kids enjoy visual art like painting or drawing, or whether their creativity can be seen in music, cooking or problem-solving, today’s episode is all about how we can connect with God through art. We look at how to encourage our kids to be creative, whether or not they consider themselves ‘arty’ - and also how looking at, interpreting and responding to visual art around us can turn our eyes towards our Creator.

Sharing her expertise and wisdom in today’s episode is Sophie Killingley of Perish and Fade. Sophie is an artist and author, and lives in Surrey with her husband and two teenage children.

Links:
Perish and Fade https://www.perishandfade.com/
Follow Sophie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perishandfade/
Buy Sophie’s creative spiritual journal Draw Near: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/draw-near
Curious Questions: https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/curious-questions/
Book onto the Forge: https://www.brfonline.org.uk/products/the-forge-west-2024


If you enjoy this podcast, did you know that you can help ensure its future by partnering with us as a Friend of Parenting for Faith? You can become a Friend from as little as £2 a month and we are so grateful for each and every one of you! Click here to get involved: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

S8E11: Connecting with God through art with Sophie Killingley

As we head towards Easter, today’s episode - the Season 8 finale - looks at how we can help our families connect with God through the major (and minor) festivals throughout the year. Do we have to set up multiple exhausting family traditions? What about secular festivities? Where do they fit in? And how do we talk about the tricky bits of Easter?

Joining us to share her wisdom from many years’ experience of children’s, youth and family work is Parenting for Faith founder Rachel Turner. Rachel is the author of many Parenting for Faith titles, presents three of our four courses, and was the original host of this podcast!

Links:
Buy Rachel’s books: https://www.brfonline.org.uk/search?type=product&q=rachel+turner
Watch Rachel in the Parenting for Faith course:
The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross: https://www.eden.co.uk/bibles/childrens-bibles/storybook-bibles/age-4-to-7-childrens-storybook-bibles/the-garden-the-curtain-and-the-cross-storybook/
The Jesus Storybook Bible: https://www.eden.co.uk/the-jesus-storybook-bible-anglicised-edition/

Partner with us as we share in God’s work of discipling children and young people in a faith that matures into adulthood and lasts their whole life: https://www.brf.org.uk/donate (You can become a Friend of Parenting for Faith for as little as £2 a month!)

S8E12: Connecting with God through festivals and celebrations with Rachel Turner

This season, we’re looking at the ‘curveballs’ that enter our parenting journey and threaten to derail family life. 

In today’s episode, we’re thinking about early life trauma. Whether we’re parenting adopted or fostered kids, or whether our birth kids have been through traumatic events, what are the obstacles to discipleship, and what are the practices which help our kids see Jesus?

Sharing her nuggets of truth and wisdom is mum-of-eleven (yes, you read that right) and co-founder of Back2Back Ministries, Beth Guckenberger. Parenting has not been the journey Beth imagined, as God has opened the hearts of her and her husband Todd to more and more children, but wow - what a sanctifying process it has been for them! Beth offers hope within the gutsy reality of life with trauma-experienced children.

Links:
Beth’s website and books: https://recklessfaith.com/
Back2Back Ministries: https://back2back.org/
Follow Beth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bguckenberger
Trauma-Free World: https://traumafreeworld.org/
Parenting for Faith mailing list: https://brf.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=399acccd02338888d8b7cb202&id=0309f54a6d

We are so grateful for all Beth shared with us today. If you’d like to see this podcast continue, with guests like Beth who give so much of their wisdom and experience, would you consider partnering with us financially to enable this podcast to continue?

Click here to give a one-off or regular gift at www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S9E1: Early life trauma (Beth Guckenberger)

In this longer episode, we chat to Russ De Vos - husband, father and creator of LIFELINE - about the curveball of addiction. Russ is open about the many challenges he and his family have been through over the past 20 years, and the incredible grace of God in bringing his heart to repentance and healing.

Together with his wife Heather, Russ has equipped hundreds of couples across the United States whose teens are struggling with addiction with the skills and strategies that were so life-changing for them as they parented their own teen.

Links:
Check out Catalyst Coaching: www.catalystcoachinghq.com 
Watch Russ’ YouTube channel: The Wrestling Room: https://bit.ly/3yWnxXtYouTube
Grab Russ’ free resource: LIFELINE Quick Start Guide: https://discovery.catalystcoachinghq.com/free-guide
What Healthy Love Looks Like For Your Child: https://bit.ly/49ELXXV
Parenting Teens course: https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/parenting-teens-course/

In order to continue this podcast, we need your help! Can you commit to giving just £2 a month to support all the free resources - including this podcast - that Parenting for Faith makes available to families, churches and leaders all around the world?

Click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S9E2: Addiction (Russ De Vos)

There’s not a family alive who hasn’t experienced the curveball of big emotions at some point or other - sometimes from the child, sometimes from the grown-up!

Helping us to navigate the emotions that crop up in family life with Biblical wisdom is Lisa Campbell. Lisa is a freelance children, youth and family ministry consultant who specialises in inclusion. She’s a former SENCO (in both primary and secondary schools), and is passionate about enabling churches to create safe, inclusive, trauma-sensitive spaces where every child feels seen, heard and valued and can discover more of the incredible love of Jesus.

Lisa is the founder of Wonderful Me! which offers training and support to churches looking at issues of trauma and inclusion. She also created Living Well which offers discipleship resources for anyone who would like to explore well-being that has Jesus at the centre. Lisa lives in the north west with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Links:
Check out Wonderful Me! https://wonderfulme.org.uk/ 
Follow Wonderful Me! on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550796820336 
Check out Living Well https://living-well.online/
Star of Safety tool https://wonderfulme.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STAR-of-safety.pdf
Emotional literacy book reviews and family time resources https://wonderfulme.org.uk/childrensbookreviews/
The Whole Brain child book by Dan Siegal https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whole-Brain-Child-Strategies-Nurture-Developing-ebook/dp/B0070TRH6O
Unlocking the Adolescent Mind: Insights from Dr Siegel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1u5OEc5eY
The video Lisa made to simply Dr Siegel’s hand-brain model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0TzSn9Y1Q
Join us next Tuesday for our pop-up small group “Different ways to engage kids and teens with mission” with Rachel Turner https://www.facebook.com/parentingforfaithBRF/

If you enjoyed this podcast, would you consider a small, regular financial gift to help us continue to produce it? You can give from as little as £2 a month (less than a decent coffee!), and it makes such a difference to our ministry. Click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They really do make a difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

S9E3: Big Emotions (Lisa Campbell)

We kick off this week's episode by sharing stories of surfing the waves in summer. So many things are different over the summer - how can we make the most of those opportunities?

Our question is about how to get creative with 'chat & catch' so that we're not just getting stuck in a rut of using this tool in the same way.

We hear from Simon Parry, founder of Allstars Kids Club, about HOME. This album was written for kids and families dealing with grief and loss. We hear how it came about and the different ways it might help you or people you know.

The Parenting for Faith Podcast with Rachel Turner

#39 Summer stories, changing up chat and catch and grief

Parenting for Faith exists to equip and encourage parents to raise God-connected children and teens. In the podcast, the Parenting for Faith team offer ideas and tools, answer questions, review books, host interviews and panel discussions. 

Discover our free course for churches and more at https://parentingforfaith.org

Parenting for Faith is part of BRF, a registered charity.

Parenting for Faith

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