Dr. Burns shares three simple, powerful ways parents can lead well in a digital age:

• Protect your tables – creating intentional space for connection and conversation
• Take back bedrooms – prioritizing sleep, safety, and shared spaces
• Steward your clocks – being intentional with the limited time you have with your kids

You’ll also hear encouragement rooted in faith, neuroscience, and real-life parenting, reminding us that this conversation is ultimately about connection—not control.

What You'll Learn

• What it means to raise digital natives (Gen Z and Gen Alpha)
• How technology impacts attention, memory, mental health, and identity formation
• Why boredom is actually good for kids’ brains and creativity
• How family meals and shared time build resilience, trust, and emotional health
• Why removing screens from bedrooms can dramatically improve sleep and emotional regulation
• The Nine-Minute Theory for increasing meaningful parent-child connection
• How faith, balance, and intentionality can guide families toward healthy technology habits

 

Resources Mentioned

• LifeGroup Talk Notes
• Romans 12:2 – Scripture referenced when discussing cultural habits vs. transformation
• Dr. Anne Fishel (Harvard Medical School) – The Benefit of Family Meal Time
• Brian McLaren – Author and theologian; Four Stages of Faith Development
  • Simplicity → Complexity → Perplexity → Harmony
• Axis.org – Life.Church partner focused on lifelong parent-child conversations
• Barna Group – Research on families, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha
• Life.Church Aligning Values – Referenced in closing encouragement
• Screen Time Suggestions:
  • Preschool (2–5):
    • Supervised iPad use OK, up to 1 hour/day.
    • Parent chooses QUALITY content; child doesn’t “drive” device.
    • Keep healthy developmental routines (sleep, outdoor play, undistracted parental connection).
  • Elementary (5–12):
    • Under 2 hours/day, PRIORITIZED AFTER schoolwork/family/chores.
    • Devices should be locked down as much as possible with parental controls.
    • No social media.
    • No devices in bedrooms; shared family spaces only. (Hard with iPads and Gaming)
  • Teens: 
    • Same guidelines for Adults!
    • Focus on Purpose, Benefits, and Balance.
    • Ask: “How much time do I want my kids to remember me on my phone?”
    • Model the same standards: < 2 hours/day, no bedroom screens.

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In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, host Ally Evans sits down with Chris and Cindy Beall to talk about the joys and challenges of raising kids in a Christ-centered home. They share personal stories, parenting wisdom, and faith-based principles that have shaped their family. Whether you’re in the early years of parenting or navigating the teenage phase, this conversation will encourage and equip you to lead your children with intention and faith.Don’t do this alone. Engage in Biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.

• Create Family Values: Need a great place to get started? Looking for a great way to get started? Family-id.com is an excellent tool to help you define your family values. As a LifeGroup, challenge yourselves to set values that are not only meaningful to your own family but also align with the values of other families within the group.
• Resources from Axis: At Axis, we believe you have the biggest influence on your teen. That’s why we’re committed to equipping you with Biblical resources like culture translation and conversation skills to disciple your teen toward a lifelong faith in Jesus. Visit Axis.org for more.

Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode here:

Episode Discussion Guide

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You'll hear insights on balancing being protective while giving your kids independence, and why it's more important than ever for parents to be informed and engaged in the digital world.  Tune in for actionable advice to help set your kids up for success!

Resources:

• The Anxious Generation
• A Parent’s Guide to Smartphones 
• A Parent’s Guide to Social Media
• 5 Ways to Use Technology to Connect with your Teen

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Links and other resources mentioned

• John 5
• Book: Stay Here by Jacob Coyne
• Stay Here | Suicide Prevention Training
• Stay Here | Student Ambassadors
• Stay Here Website: stayhere.live
• The Hope Line - 24 Hour Free Live Chat
• Instagram - @stayhereorg 
• Axis resources:
  • A Parents Guide to Suicide - Self-Harm Prevention
  • How To Talk About Mental Health With Your Teen

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We want to hear from you! Was there a topic on this episode that you were excited to hear more about? Comment below!

Looking for more resources on this topic? We’ve got you covered! Check out these incredible resources below:

• Anxious Generation
• A Parent’s Guide to Teens & Social Media (Axis Resource)
• A Parent’s Guide to Smart Phones
• A Parent’s Guide to Teen Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention
• Kids & Screen Time (Parent Cue)
• Setting and Keeping Technology Boundaries (Parent Cue)
• Screen Sanity

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Parenting the next generation can sometimes feel like we have little aliens living in our homes. Their technology, knowledge, awareness, and sometimes even their questions can be very challenging to navigate. We could go as far as to say we have never, in history, had to navigate what our kids and students are facing today! Statistics show that anxiety in kids and students is at an all-time high. Many factors can contribute to these statistics.

In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guest Vince Parker about all things Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They explore new ways to engage kids and students, how to navigate difficult questions, and how to better bridge the gaps between our generation and theirs.

Want to go deeper? Check out these resources that were mentioned on this podcast and more!

• Family ID
• Axis Resources

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Have you ever wondered as a parent…

Am I discipling my child the right way?

Is what I’m teaching them actually sticking?

Bringing Jesus into our parenting can be challenging. Whether it’s because we feel like what we say isn’t getting through to our kids, we feel overwhelmed with all the parent resources online, or simply because we feel like we lack Biblical knowledge.

In this episode on the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guests Stephen Hershberger, Luke Guevara, and Stephen Cole on the their favorite ways to bring Jesus into every day conversations. We hope this episode brings a new light to the simplicity of every day conversations you can have as a family about Jesus, and helps you find new ways to bring spiritual discipline into your home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Join us as we uncover in-depth conversations about our curriculum, heartwarming stories, and share the inspiring moments that make LifeKids and Switch an integral part of our church family. Together, let's celebrate the journey of faith and family as we navigate the joys and challenges of raising a generation rooted in love, purpose, and a deep connection with their Creator.

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In this podcast, Ally Evans and Dr. Tim Elmore share different stories of young people doing amazing things that have influenced many people even to this day. You can find Dr. Elmore’s new book, I Can’t Wait, on Amazon! 

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Just in time to head back to school, pastors Ally Evans and Will Hutcherson are discussing a topic that is heavy on many hearts right now: anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but sometimes it takes more control over us than we would like. 

In this episode, Will walks us through common lies anxiety tells us and equips us as parents to combat these lies. Will and Dr. Chinwe Williams' brand new book, Beyond the Spiral,  is written both for students and parents. This resource is designed to help students break free of the stronghold of anxiety with Biblical principles and practical action steps. You'll definitely want to tune in for this one!

1. As you listen, be sure to check out the episode discussion guide. These guides are created specifically for parents to go through with other parents, because no one should navigate anxiety alone. Grab a friend or dig into this content with your LifeGroup this week!
2. You might recognize Will's name from LC Parents Episode #14, How to Help your Kids Emotionally Exhale.
3. Invite others in. Will's YouVersion Bible Plan, Seen  is a great way to connect with others and learn how we can support our students together.

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