In this hope-filled conversation, our host Shannon welcomes author and biblical counselor Molly Bertles to address a topic rarely talked about: biblical counsel for women struggling with masturbation. Molly shares her story, explains why this matters deeply in the church, and offers gospel-centered help and encouragement to women who feel isolated by shame—along with specific verses and action steps to fight against this sin.

Listeners will hear about:

• What masturbation is and why women battle it too
• The dangers of secrecy and shame in sexual sin
• Molly’s testimony of struggling with masturbation
• How the gospel brings freedom, forgiveness, and ongoing transformation
• Practical steps for women feeling stuck in this life-dominating sin

Recommended Resources:

You Are Not Alone by Molly Bertles

Harvest USA Transforming Love Free Course

Dig Deeper: Discussion Questions

1. How does defining masturbation as “solo sex” help us understand why it falls outside God’s design?
2. What lies or false beliefs tend to fuel ongoing patterns of sexual sin in women?
3. How would knowing your relationship with God is not based on performance comfort and strengthen you to fight against this sexual sin?
4. How does knowing “You are not alone” change the way you fight masturbation?
5. What specific comforts can you find in Jesus’ death to pursue holiness and purity?
6. What does compassionate, wise accountability look like in situations like these?
7. Why is simply trying to “stop the behavior” ineffective without addressing the heart?
8. Discuss the idea of “broken cisterns” (Jeremiah 2:13) — what promises does sin make that it can’t deliver on?

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo chats with author Matt Collier about his mini-book, 'Help! I Want My Life to Count.' Matt encourages teens to live for eternity, and use their skills and vocation to serve the Lord. He highlights the importance of community in making big life decisions, and the value of being faithful over fruitful. They discuss the difference between worldly success and true purpose, and practical steps for living for God's glory. Collier also shares insights from Psalm 90 and talks about his work with The Wilds and Camps Abroad.

00:52 Introducing to Matt Collier

01:25 Teen Perspectives on Life and Success

05:49 Living for God's Glory: Practical Insights

15:32 Faithfulness vs. Fruitfulness

25:20 The Wilds and Camps Abroad: Impacting Youth Globally

27:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources

Help! I Want My Life to Count by Matt Collier

Check Out Our LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

Check Out Our Lifeline Mini-book Series

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Production Note: Due to technical difficulties, audio quality is lower than usual. Thank you for listening despite the imperfections!

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo discusses the topic of teens and authority with guest Chris Anastos, author of 'Help! How Do I Respond To Authority?'. The discussion emphasizes the significant impact a good response to authority can have on others, including pointing them to Christ. Chris shares insights on the inherent blessing of authority as part of God's good plan, and how even bad authorities can serve God's purpose in His sovereign plan. The conversation highlights how Christians, especially teens, can respond to authority in ways that enhance their testimony and influence others for Christ. He also shares the importance of following Christ's example, as seen in his perfect submission to authority.

00:23 Discussing Teens and Authority with Chris Anastos

02:48 Biblical Perspective on Authority

03:51 Practical Ways Teens Can Influence Others

09:31 Challenges in Communicating Authority to Teens

11:33 Understanding Hierarchies and Responding to Bad Authority

14:20 The Importance of a Heart Attitude and the Local Church

20:24 Chris Anastos' Personal Testimony and Final Thoughts

Resources

Help! How Do I Respond to Authority?

Check Out Our LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

Check Out Our Lifeline Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes Tim Endean to discuss Tim's mini-book, 'Help, I'm Stressed Out'. The conversation delves into the various stressors teens face globally, the distinction between stress and anxiety, and the biblical approach to dealing with these issues. Tim shares insights from his extensive experience working with teens in various capacities, including his current ministry with Camps Abroad. The discussion covers practical steps to manage stress, the importance of recognizing God's control and care. He encourages listeners, specially teens, to lean on the truths of God's character for peace and comfort.

00:26 Introducing Tim Endean

02:41 Distinguishing Stress from Anxiety

04:53 Biblical Solutions to Stress and Anxiety

07:21 Physical and Lifestyle Improvements

11:56 God's Sovereignty and Care

22:30 Camps Abroad: Reaching Teens Worldwide

24:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Further Resources

Help! I'm Stressed Out by Tim Endean

Check Out the LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes guest Justin Daugherty to discuss his mini book, 'Help! I’m in Darkness'. Justin, a certified counselor, offers insights into the struggles faced by teenagers today, particularly focusing on depression. He explores the pressures of social media, school, and home life that contribute to this darkness. They discuss "coping mechanisms" and emphasize the importance of heart transformation through the gospel. The conversation also explains the difference between normal and unexplained sadness and provides practical steps for parents to support their teens. The episode underscores the sufficiency of scripture in addressing depression and aims to give hope and guidance to those dealing with such challenges.

00:26 Introducing Justin Daugherty

01:23 Understanding Teen Depression

02:35 Pressures and Coping Mechanisms for Teens

06:50 Signs of Depression in Teens

07:59 Distinguishing Normal Sadness from Unexplained Sadness

14:20 Four Categories of Sadness

17:27 Hope for Depression Through Christ

22:47 Conclusion

Further Resources

Help! I'm in Darkness by Justin Daugherty

Good Mood, Bad Mood by Charles Hodges

Check Out the LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, author Zach Sparkman discusses the prevalent struggle with pornography, particularly among teens. Drawing from his Lifeline for Teens mini-book, 'Help! I Want to Stay Pure', Sparkman provides both statistical insights and practical advice on combating sexual immorality through a biblical lens. The discussion covers the physiological impact of pornography, helpful principles drawn from King David’s fall into sin, and the acronym ARISE, which offers a structured approach to resisting temptation. The episode concludes with guidance for parents on how to address their teen’s struggle with pornography.

00:23 Pornography and Its Impact on Teens

01:43 The Prevalence and Dangers of Pornography

02:34 Understanding the Temptation and Its Effects

09:26 Differentiating Temptation from Sin

14:21 David and Bathsheba: Lessons on Temptation

16:39 The ARISE Acronym for Fighting Temptation

22:03 Practical Steps and Hope for Teens

24:33 Advice for Parents

26:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book: 'Help! I Want to Stay Pure'

Check Out our LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Leighton Upton about his mini-book, 'Help! I Want to Be a Leader'. They delve into the essence of true leadership as modeled by Jesus Christ, emphasizing that leadership is about influencing people by serving them. Leighton answers questions such as, "What makes a good leader?" and "How do I become one?" He also shares how teenagers, often influenced by contemporary 'influencers', can embody true biblical leadership by listening, receiving, knowing, and abiding in Christ. The discussion is filled with practical advice on how Christians can influence others by prioritizing their needs and serving them humbly.

00:54 Introducing Leighton Upton

01:45 Leighton's Background and Insights on Leadership

04:11 Biblical Leadership vs. Worldly Leadership

08:05 Practical Ways to Lead

12:22 Biblical Stories on Leadership

21:09 Leadership Lessons from Personal Experiences

24:23 Further Resources for Teens

28:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book "Help! I Want to Be a Leader"

Check out our LifeLine for Teens Mini-Book Series

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In this second part of our conversation on assurance of salvation, guest Kelly Collier, author of Help! I’m Doubting, shares the importance of examining one's life for true spiritual fruit. Kelly highlights the common struggle of having a man-centered perspective on salvation and emphasizes the necessity of embracing Jesus Christ as the center of the Gospel. She also underscores the need to go to the Scriptures—the great revealer of the heart—and embrace its teachings.

Additionally, Kelly, as the consulting editor, shares the heart and purpose behind the Lifeline for Teens series and how it’s uniquely crafted to minister to young people.

00:57 – Understanding Salvation and Assurance

02:45 – Overcoming Doubt in Salvation

05:32 – The Role of Progressive Sanctification

11:36 – Further Resources for Teens

22:26 – The Ministry of The Wilds

27:24 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book "Help! I'm Doubting"

Check out our Lifeline for Teens Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo and guest Kelly Collier, an ACBC certified counselor and author, discuss the topic of doubting one's salvation, based on her mini-book "Help! I'm Doubting". Kelly shares her personal experiences and provides biblical insights into how teens and adults alike can navigate these doubts by turning to God's Word and believing His character. The conversation covers the differences between salvation and assurance of salvation, the importance of addressing doubts biblically, and practical ways for parents and youth workers to support teens.

01:35 Understanding Doubt & Means to Overcome It

05:11 Teens and Universal Struggles

16:11 The Role of Parents in Teen Discipleship

21:12 Conclusion and Next Steps

Resources:

Grab a copy of our mini-book "Help! I'm Doubting"

Check out our Lifeline for Teens Mini-book Series

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo continues his conversation with Jim Newcomer about his mini-book on forgiveness. They delve deep into the theology and practical applications of forgiveness, discussing differences between 'lovingly covering' an offense and 'lovingly confronting' it. Jim Newcomer explains the scriptural foundation behind these concepts, pointing to verses from 1 Peter, Proverbs, and Corinthians. The episode also touches on situations involving repeated offenses, the need for wisdom in handling different scenarios of hurt, and the difference between forgiving an individual versus an organization. Towards the end, Newcomer discusses his co-editor role in the Lifeline for Teens mini book series, highlighting its unique focus on relevant issues for teens.

00:28 Foundations of Forgiveness

01:41 Covering in Love vs. Transactional Forgiveness

06:02 Handling Continuous Sin and Serious Offenses

14:23 Forgiveness in Complex Situations

16:37 Expanded materials for Teens | LifeLine for Teens mini-book series

21:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

Grab a copy of our mini-book "Help! I Can't Forgive"

Grab a copy of our mini-book for teens "Help! I Need to Forgive"

Listen to part 1, "Help for Those Struggling to Forgive" with Jim Newcomer

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Check out the Lifeline Mini-book series

Check out the LifeLine for Teens Mini-book series

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