The Follow Through: Where Sunday Meets Monday

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? How can parents help their teenagers approach the holiday with biblical wisdom, confidence in Christ, and love for their neighbors?

In this episode of The Follow Through, we explore Halloween’s historical connection to All Hallows’ Eve, the reality of spiritual warfare, and Jesus’ victory over the powers of darkness. We discuss how families can reject evil while using this season for hospitality, service, and Gospel conversations.

Through our ministry’s vision—Engage, Equip, and Exist—we’ll consider how to:

• ENGAGE your teenager with the Gospel and the assurance that Christ reigns supreme.
• EQUIP them to evaluate movies, music, books, and activities through Scripture.
• Help them EXIST as followers of Jesus through thoughtful costume choices, modesty, and intentional outreach.

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:
Make a family plan: choose one boundary that honors Christ and one way to welcome or encourage someone this Halloween.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 6:12
1 Thessalonians 5:21–22
Genesis 3:15
Colossians 2:15
Hebrews 2:14–15

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
https://youtu.be/QcgVxVqf3b4
https://youtu.be/3fMrySug7TA

SPOOKY CAR WASH — CAMP FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, October 28 | 6–8 p.m.
Rowland Road Baptist Church
Students: wear your costumes and arrive by 5:45 p.m., ready to serve! Invite friends and neighbors to bring their vehicles by and support our students.

The Follow Through—Where Sunday Meets Monday.
A podcast from Fission Student Ministries at Rowland Road Baptist Church.

Subscribe for new episodes every Monday. Helping you bring Sunday to every day.

What’s weighing on your teenager—and how can you help them bring it to God?

In Episode One of The Follow Through, we explore Matthew 6:25–34 and Jesus’ invitation to seek first His kingdom. Our students shared concerns about body image, how others see them, social status, transportation, grades, and health. They also recognized how easy it is to rely on themselves for every answer.

This week, we help parents:

• ENGAGE through honest questions and patient listening.
• EQUIP by modeling Scripture reading, prayer, and putting God first at home.
• Encourage students to EXIST with their relationship with Jesus and their witness guiding everyday decisions.

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:
Choose one concern your teenager mentions and pray about it together one or more mornings before school. Check in afterward, leaving room for an honest answer—even if the worry remains.

Scripture: Matthew 6:25–34
Research: Barna, “New Research: The Big Questions on Teens’ Minds Today”
https://www.barna.com/research/questions-teens-are-asking/

Spiritual encouragement and professional care can work together. Persistent or overwhelming anxiety deserves support from a qualified mental health professional.

The Follow Through—Where Sunday Meets Monday.
A podcast from Fission Student Ministries at Rowland Road Baptist Church.

Subscribe for new episodes every Monday. Helping you bring Sunday to every day.

The Follow Through: Where Sunday Meets Monday

A podcast from Fission Student Ministries at Rowland Road Baptist Church.

What is your teenager learning at church, and how can you help them carry that truth into the rest of the week? The Follow Through helps parents of students in sixth through twelfth grade connect Sunday night’s teaching with everyday faith at home. Each Monday, we offer a practical, encouraging conversation designed to help you understand what your student is learning and take your next step in discipling them.

In each 10–15 minute episode, we revisit the Bible passage and big idea from Sunday night’s message, highlight themes and questions from small group discussions, and explore how those truths connect with your teenager’s life. You’ll hear conversation starters, biblical encouragement, and manageable applications you can use around the dinner table, during a car ride, or whenever an opportunity to connect presents itself.

We believe parents are called to play the primary role in discipling their children. Deuteronomy 6:7 describes teaching God’s truth throughout the ordinary rhythms of life. Ephesians 6:4 calls fathers to raise their children in the Lord’s instruction with care, and Proverbs 22:6 points toward intentional training and direction. Our desire is to come alongside families in that calling, providing support as parents help their teenagers know Jesus, understand Scripture, and grow in faith.

You don’t need a seminary degree to have a meaningful spiritual conversation. You don’t need to know every answer, deliver another sermon, or turn every family moment into a formal Bible study. Sometimes the next faithful step is asking a thoughtful question, listening without rushing, opening a passage together, praying about a difficult situation, or admitting, “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”

Our weekly applications follow the vision of Fission Student Ministries: Engage, Equip, and Exist.

ENGAGE: Build meaningful connections with your teenager and make room for honest conversations. We want to help families create an environment where students feel welcome to ask questions, express doubts, share struggles, and discover the truth of God’s Word. Connection gives parents opportunities to listen, understand, and speak with love.

EQUIP: Reinforce the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sound foundational doctrine, and the eternal truth of Scripture. We’ll offer practical ways to help your student develop everyday spiritual disciplines, understand what they believe, and connect biblical teaching with the questions they encounter. Our goal is to encourage a growing faith that becomes personally understood and practiced.

EXIST: Encourage your teenager to live in the world as a new creation in Christ. Together, we’ll consider how following Jesus shapes friendships, decisions, integrity, service, and opportunities to share the Gospel. We want students to recognize their everyday surroundings as places to love others, reflect Christ, and participate in the Great Commission.

Along the way, we draw on relevant findings from Lifeway Research and Barna to help parents better understand teenagers, family faith practices, and opportunities for spiritual growth. These insights support our conversations while Scripture remains the foundation of what we teach and encourage.

Whether your student shares every detail of youth group or answers your questions with “It was good,” this podcast gives you a starting point. Whether you feel confident leading at home or are learning alongside your teenager, there is room for you here.

Subscribe and join us each Monday for a connection to Sunday’s message, encouragement for your calling as a parent, and practical ways to bring faith into everyday family life. Listen on your commute, during a walk, or while preparing dinner, then choose one simple step to try together.

The Follow Through—helping you bring Sunday to every day.