Navigating Adolescence

In this episode, Matt addresses some of the most frequent questions he's hearing from teenagers as they try to engage with the Bible. He challenges parents to consider how we are influencing our kids with regards to understanding Scripture. He shares some good news (they're so curious!) and some sobering news (many don't know how to read the Bible). This episode is a recording of a live event Matt did in November, 2017. Be sure to check out our next episode, recorded the same day, a conversation with Gabe Lyons from Q.

This is a conversation with Shannon Scott. As you'll hear in this episode, Shannon has had a long and interesting career working with kids and families both in churches and schools. She also has three adolescents of her own with her husband Jeff. She recently joined the Church of the City staff where she is leading KidCity at COTC Franklin. In this episode, she shares thoughts on topics such as why family worship is important, how parents can talk with their kids about Scripture, and what parents of younger children can do now to prepare for the adolescent years. Toward the end of the episode, she shares about her family's decision to follow God to Nashville and what the transition from Atlanta to Nashville has been like. Enjoy!

It is mid-December which means many students are right in the middle of exams. We asked a handful of college students to look back on when they were stressed out about exams in high school and share what their perspective is now. We hope you find this episode encouraging as you help your son or daughter navigate stress and anxiety around academic performance.

Here is the second part of our conversation on stress and anxiety. We spoke with Alicia Lewis, a licensed marriage and family therapist who is also a mother of two young adult children herself. Alicia is FULL of wisdom, and you may want to get in touch with her after hearing what she has to share. If so, e-mail us at NavigatingAdolescence@gmail.com and we will connect you to Alicia directly.

This episode is a recording of a talk Matt recently gave to a group of parents at Church of the City in Franklin, TN. The second half of that morning, an interview with Alicia Lewis, will be posted next week. Below are resources referenced in the episode. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NavigatingAdolescence. Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton for Oxford University Press, 2005 Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church by Kenda Creasy Dean for Oxford University Press, 2010

This a conversation we recently recorded with Jeff and Lora Helton. Jeff and Lora bring a combined 40+ years of experiencing as pastors and counselors. They also have raised four children who are now adults, and we asked them to share about how we can help our kids navigate the areas of sex and dating. We are so grateful for their wisdom and transparency as they address this critical topic from a number of different angles. You can learn more about what Jeff and Lora are up to by visiting their website www.WellspringTN.com. Follow @NavigatingAdolescence on Facebook and Instagram.

This is a conversation with Jason and Danya Clairmont of Red Bird Social and Be Socially Smart. Check out their work at RedBirdSocial.com and BeSociallySmart.com. If you haven’t listened to the the first part of our Navigating Social Media and Technology conversation, be sure to check that out as well. If you’re enjoying these episodes, be sure to subscribe to the podcast feed and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NavigatingAdolescence.

Enjoy the first full-length episode of the Navigating Adolescence podcast. This episode is a recording of a talk Matt gave on social media and technology to a group of parents Church of the City in Franklin, TN. The second half of that morning, an interview with Jason and Danya Clairmont of Red Bird Social and Be Socially Smart, will post shortly as a separate episode. Below are resources Matt references in the episode. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NavigatingAdolescence “Have Smartphone Destroyed A Generation?” By Jean M. Twenge on The Atlantic. September 2017 issue “Our Minds Can Be Hijacked’: The tech insiders who fear a smartphone dystopia. By Paul Lewis for The Guardian. October 6, 2017 The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch by Baker Books, 2017

Join Matt Vairetta as he hosts conversations for parents on navigating the adolescent years. Episodes will feature interviews with parents and professionals who work with teenagers, as well as Matt’s own observations from his 10+ years as a youth pastor. We hope that these conversations can be a source of both encouragement and education for parents. Whether you’re right in the middle of navigating adolescence with your children, or that phase is still a few years away for you, enjoy the conversation. E-mail us with any questions or comments at navigatingadolescence@gmail.com or follow @navigatingadolescence on Facebook and Instagram.