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

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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

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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

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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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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, guest Jim Newcomer talks about his mini-book 'Help! I Can't Forgive'. The discussion centers on the universal struggle with forgiveness, emphasizing its importance in spiritual growth. Jim shares his journey in pastoral ministry and his experiences with teaching forgiveness based on Matthew 18. The conversation explores the concept of a 'posture of forgiveness,' addressing common hesitations, the effects of non-forgiveness, and provides a five-step approach to achieving true forgiveness. The episode underscores the transformative power of understanding and practicing forgiveness, rooted in gospel principles. 

00:50 Introduction to Jim Newcomer 

02:45 The Struggle to Forgive 

06:04 The High Price of Non-Forgiveness 

11:05 The Pathway to Forgiveness 

16:42 The Posture of Forgiveness

 23:12 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

Grab a copy of our mini-book "Help! I Can't Forgive" here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-i-cant-forgive/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, guest Grace Utomo shares her journey of relearning to pray after a traumatic brain injury, based on her upcoming book, "Hello, God." She discusses how the experience drove her to explore the basics of prayer, focusing on building an authentic and personal dialogue with God. She also shares practical advice on how to strengthen one's relationship with God through prayer, even when words fall short.

Grace's book is a 31-day devotional aimed at helping readers nurture their prayer life, especially during times of discouragement and spiritual dryness, by drawing examples from scripture and her recovery journey.

00:24 Meet the Guest: Grace Utomo

01:17 Grace's Traumatic Experience and Recovery

02:47 Rediscovering Prayer After Trauma

04:41 Insights on Prayer and Personal Engagement with God

08:59 Overview of Grace's New Book

15:54 Encouragement for Those Struggling with Prayer

20:25 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More

Grab a copy of Grace's book, "Hello, God" here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/hello-god/

Use our code 'HELLO' for 25% off your pre-order!

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Gracie Nelson, a middle school Bible teacher and biblical counselor, about her mini-book, 'Help! Can I Choose My Own Gender?' The conversation delves into the importance of biblical authority and how teens can find reassurance in God's preordained design for gender. Gracie highlights her goal to help teens and their parents understand and navigate modern gender identity issues through a gospel-centered, heart-focused perspective. The episode emphasizes the value of submission, humility, and obedience in understanding and embracing God's pre-determined gender.

00:36 Introducing the Topic of Gender Identity

03:29 Cultural Messages and Teen Confusion

04:19 Biblical Perspective on Gender

07:00 Authority and Gender Identity

18:32 Christ as the Ultimate Example

23:29 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help! Can I Choose My Own Gender?' here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-can-i-choose-my-own-gender/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Ginger Hubbard joins us to discuss her book 'Don't Make Me Count to Three.' They delve into heart-oriented discipline, the high calling of motherhood, and how to parent from a gospel-centered perspective. Ginger shares practical insights on addressing outward behavior from a biblical viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of understanding and guiding the child's heart. The conversation also touches on the struggles of modern parenting and the significance of scripture in practical child training. Aimed at both moms and dads, the episode offers encouragement and practical tools for implementing biblical principles in parenting.

00:25 Meet Ginger Hubbard

02:29 The High Calling of Motherhood

07:26 Parenting at the Heart Level

19:28 Biblical Reproof and Discipline

31:10 Encouragement for Moms and Dads

Grab a copy of our 'Don't Make Me Count to Three' by Ginger Hubbard here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/dont-make-me-count-to-three/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo is joined by Dr. John Temple to discuss his book, 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt.' The conversation dives into common reasons Christians find themselves in debt such as wrong priorities, idolatry, and lack of self-control. Dr. Temple emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in God to combat materialistic influences. The discussion offers practical advice, including stopping further debt accumulation, increasing income, and eliminating unnecessary expenses. They stress the importance of balancing the sovereignty of God and human responsibility in managing finances. The episode concludes with a call to adopt disciplined budgeting and financial practices, framed within a Christian worldview.

00:34 Understanding Debt and Its Causes

01:36 Spiritual Solutions to Debt

03:14 Practical Steps to Get Out of Debt

04:11 Cutting Out Waste and Unnecessary Expenses

05:31 The Importance of Contentment

09:08 Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes

19:01 Balancing God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

22:26 Resources and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt' here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-im-drowning-in-debt/

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