Brave Parenting

We have another episode in our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series. Today we are talking with a public middle school principal about how kids’ time in front of a screen consuming online media content impacts their education. A lot of times, it isn’t how media and technology are used (or misused) during the school instructional hours but what happens outside of school that has a tremendous impact on a child’s ability and willingness to learn.

Sign Up for Aro!

Today is another episode in our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series, and we are talking with theologian and mom Krista Bontrager. In a way, we are all theologians, Krista explains, and because most Christians spend more time consuming online media than reading God’s word, we have a lot of wrong theology. How can parents correct this and how important is having a right theology as you raise and disciple your kids?

Find Krista and her tons of resources at TheologyMom.com, at the Center for Biblical Unity, and on her YouTube channel.

Articles Referenced

Arizona Christian University Cultural Research Center

Kicking off our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series is a gifted teacher and blessing to the Christian community, Elizabeth Urbanowicz. Today we will discuss with her the importance of a Biblical Worldview: when and how to start teaching it and how online media and entertainment impact it.

Elizabeth holds an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Several years into her teaching experience in a Christian school, Elizabeth realized that despite being raised in Christian homes, attending a Christian school, and being active in church, her students thought more like the culture than like Christ. Elizabeth began searching for curricular materials that would equip her students to think critically, helping them discover that Christianity is the worldview that lines up with reality. After not finding any materials that met this need, she began creating a curriculum for her students.

Today, she offers this curriculum through her organization, Foundation Worldview, which exists to equip Christian adults with the resources they need to train children to soundly interpret Scripture, carefully evaluate every idea they encounter, and understand the truth of the biblical worldview.

____

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter: BRAVE  BULLET POINTS!

Today Kelly introduces the upcoming series of Set Up for School. We have an amazing lineup of interviews to help parents keep them grounded in a Biblical worldview as the new school year begins. Before the episodes kick-off, however, Kelly gives Biblical encouragement to do this brave, hard work of teaching, admonishing, disciplining, and discipling your kids. What good is it to get straight A’s if they deny Jesus along the way? 

Scripture referenced:

Ephesians 6:4

Sign up for the Brave Parenting Bullet Points Newsletter!!

In an effort to share information away from social media, we began a monthly newsletter. We’d love to be email friends!

http://braveparenting.net/newsletter

In this episode, Kelly and Chelsea overview the new Threads app connected to Instagram that aims to be a better option than Twitter. As with all social media apps, there is much to consider when creating an account, and even more so if your child desires a presence on the app. After highlighting 5 FACTS parents need to know about Threads, they look at some popular news outlets’ take on Threads.

Check out the full App Review on Brave Parenting’s website: https://braveparenting.net/brave-parenting-guide-to-threads/

Scripture referenced:

Jeremiah 17:9

Articles referenced:

What we love and hate about Threads, Meta’s new Twitter clone

Today we have a conversation with Reagan Rose, Bible teacher, ministry leader, and author of the book A Student’s Guide to Gaming. Regan has so much wisdom and insight to share with parents about what Scripture says about addictive/obsessive entertainment as well as practical tips for parents to help navigate gaming.

Reagan’s Ministry: Redeeming Productivity

Scripture referenced:

Ephesians 6:4

Artificial Intelligence has enabled the creation of dedicated beauty filtering apps as well as filters built into social media apps. These have given rise to increased demand for plastic surgery as patients desire to look like their filtered selfies. Tragically, there has also been an increase in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.  Kelly & Chelsea take a look at this topic from the Biblical point of view of false witness, idolatry, and covetousness.

Articles referenced:

Picture Perfect – The Hidden Consequences of AI Beauty Filters

Scripture referenced:

Romans 5:12-14

Today we are joined by recent high school graduate Mary Katherine. After her parents restricted her from social media at age 13, she made the radical (and amazingly wise) decision at 16 to abstain from social media altogether. Kelly & Mary Katherine talk about the impact that has had on her life: how she maintains friendships without Snapchat, relevance without Instagram, and news without everything else. This is an inspiring and joyful conversation that will give every parent SO MUCH HOPE!

Books referenced:

Who Are You Following? Pursuing Jesus in a Social Media Obsessed World by Sadie Robertson Huff

Today’s Worldview Wednesday episode discusses the TikTok trend #dopaminedetox. Time magazine has noted the “moment” dopamine detoxing is having on social media platforms. At the core, the idea is to create better, healthier habits. However, this social media trend also provides great lessons for learning discernment with online media. How can we ourselves and our kids critically think about the content promoted: is it true? What is their motivation for sharing the content? And how can we take what is good and leave behind what is wrong?

Articles referenced:

The ‘Dopamine Detox’ is Having a Moment

Scripture referenced:

Ephesians 4:22-24

Today, Kelly and her husband, Ryan, discuss the new mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5, 2023. What is this device exactly? How will it be used? And what are the implications for the future?

Ryan is enamored with advancing technology, while Kelly is cautious about its impact on personal relationships. Their common ground is found only in the Word of God and their hope in Christ.

Articles referenced:

Introducing the Apple Vision Pro (9 min YouTube video)

Scripture referenced:

Hebrews 10:24-25

Sponsor:

Aro: goaro.com/brave and use promo code: BRAVE for first month subscription for free.