Faith in Kids

As our children grow up, we'd love them to be clear on the truth God gives and compassionate about the brokenness we can often experience. This episode helps us talk about marriage.Lizzie Cross shares her story with honesty, beauty and clarity sharing how she experienced the heart ache of marriage break down and yet clung to the faithfulness of God with her children.  You can expect moments of laughter, tears in your eyes and encouragement that we have a good story to share with our children as they are growing up.People: Ed Drew  is the director of Faith in Kids. Amy Smith is a writer for Faith in Kids. Lizzie Cross is an active mum and registered childminder who lives in Chorley with her husband Andy. Together, they form a blended family with four children. Other resources:Parentalk podcast on Blended Families: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZiIqDcMh6sSupport the show

Ian Henderson helps us to navigate the internet, explaining that it is like a city; full of places to take our children, so much to see and do, but there are murky places where we would never leave our children to explore alone.A recent report said that 10% of kids have seen inappropriate online images before the age of 9, rising to 27% by 13. Various studies say the average age for seeing those images for the 1st time is about 11 years old.As parents we want to help them respond wisely when - not if - this situation arises. Ian gives us the 3 T's and helps us think through the bigger picture, giving practical steps to follow.People:Ed Drew  is the director of Faith in Kids.Amy Smith is a writer for Faith in Kids.Ian Henderson established the Naked Truth Project in 2013 in Manchester, UK an initiative of Visible . He set out to open eyes & free lives from the damaging impact of pornography through awareness, education and recovery programmes. Other resources:The Naked Truth project. Plus NT Church App is available for church leaders and youth leaders on the App Store.internetmatters.org - help for parents in navigating internet filters and controls.The Fortify App & website - great secular support for pornography addiction.Fight the New Drug  - a non-religious organisation raising awareness of the harmful effects of pornography using science, facts, and personal accounts.Support the show

Talking through some monsters: Boys, girls, gender, confusion, puberty, worry and frustration. We're in safe hands! Dr John Greenall, a paediatric doctor, with a world of experience takes us carefully through the issues, one by one. Even the little people running around Amy's head calm down. Listen in for beautiful clarity, simple advice and plenty of stories so we all leave feeling ready for the next conversation. We talk through the unchanging nature of our gender and the extraordinary changes that puberty brings to our children's bodies. We often feel like we'd rather the doctor did the talking to our children but Dr John is clear - parents are perfectly placed to speak words of truth, care and encouragement into the confusion.People:Ed Drew  is the director of Faith in Kids.Amy Smith is a writer for Faith in Kids.Dr John Greenall is a Paediatrician in Bedfordshire, a dad to four children and is passionate about the role dads play in children’s lives. He enjoys ‘roughenup tumbles’ with his kids, walking in the woods (the more mud the better) and cheering his kids on to be all God has made them to be. You can check out his mini-podcast series called ‘The Intentional Father’ HERE.Other resources:Faith In Parents #97 | The Transgender Debate and Gender IdentityWhat God Has to say about Our Bodies by Sam Allberry  - great first book for parents on the topic.Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life and Sexuality by Nancy Pearcey - a harder book for parents.My Body is Me by Rachel Rooney  - a picture book for younger children.CMF Quick Guides to gender dysphoria and trans identification are also available for healthcare professionals, pastors, teachers and youth leaders. Find them at: cmf.li/QuickGuidesBayswater Support - for parents and carers of gender questioning children and young peopleFor helpful stats and medical information visit Stats for Gender. Support the show

Who am I? How do I work it out and who do I listen to? As our children grow up they’re working this all out. This episode helps parents navigate the confusion, thoughts, feelings and others opinions, and ask is listening to who God says we are good? Andrew Bunt helps us think through it all, with excellent advice - inspiring quotes that could be sticker art and Amy’s enthusiasm. We’d love you to join us and explore this topic on this next episode in our “Growing Up” series.People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in KidsAmy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Andrew Bunt -  is part of King’s Church Hastings and Bexhill. He is Emerging Generations Director at Living Out and a training and resources consultant for New Ground Churches. Andrew is the author of several books including:Who in Heaven’s Name Do You Think You Are?People Not Pronouns: Reflections on Transgender Experience and Finding Your Best Identity: A Short Christian Introduction to Identity, Sexuality and GenderSupport the ShowSupport the show

We've got a Professor on the Pod! We kick off the new Growing Up series with Glynn Harrison. He helps us to have the hard and awkward convesations with our children. He teaches us to shine the Gospel on smart phones, bodies and the mental health crisis in teenagers. And hear what Glynn's Gran said when he asked her what pregnancy is!People:Ed Drew  is the director of Faith in Kids.Amy Smith is a writer for Faith in Kids.Professor Glynn Harrison was formerly Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Department at Bristol University, where he was also a practising consultant psychiatrist. He now speaks widely on issues of faith, identity and mental health, including the psychological benefits of gratitude and christian optimism. His books include ‘The Big Ego Trip’  and ‘A Better Story’. As our children shoot up, the challenges grow too, who will they listen to as they work these things out? Our brand new “Growing Up” Resources are launching on 2 May for parents and churches to use together as we help our children grow up in today’s world, with God’s word as their guide. Head to faithinkids.org for all the details on this excellent series. They’re growing up fast so come on, let’s share God’s good story.Support the show

Our daughters, in particular, are under pressure to look good, to appear perfect on their socials and to live for the approval of others. That is so far from the better story that their Creator offers them.Join us as we chat to Emma Owen. Her story starts as a 16 year old in the work place being treated as a woman when she was actually just a girl. She now spends her time telling young people in the classroom to make sure they don't repeat her mistake on their social media feeds. As we navigate short skirts, plunging tops, make-up and nails, we hear that there is a better conversation we can have with our children than just rules and rebukes.People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in KidsAmy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Emma Owen - is a former member of Manchester band The Tribe and former God TV presenter. She has been delivering top class school lessons, assemblies and events since 1997. After battling through and overcoming an eating disorder as a teenager Emma has a passion for young people to understand their true worth and value and to reach their full potential in life. www.respectme.co.ukSome links mentioned in the podcast:https://youtu.be/z2T-Rh838GA?si=tqc4TPa3Il5dbEkvhttps://www.dove.com/us/en/stories/campaigns/detoxify.html https://www.message.org.uk/genetik-sessions/Support the show

🗣️ Leaning in to the big questions about faith that “pop” from the little people in our lives - usually when we’re doing something else 🍂 🍂 Josh Cooley inspires us in his new book, “I Can’t  Believe My Eyes”, to welcome the questions and enjoy the journey. 🍂 😊 A heart warming listen and a great episode for dads too!People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in KidsAmy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Josh Cooley - is a New York Times bestselling author and a longtime children’s minister who has authored a variety of books. Joshua lives in Durham, North Carolina. Visit his website.BUY THE BOOK10ofthose is offering our listeners 30% discount if they pre-order the book before 3rd June. Discount code: FAITHINKIDS at www.10ofthose.com/icantbelievemyeyes. 10ofthose is further offering the first 10 listeners to email giveaway@10ofthose.com with the subject: “Faith in Kids giveaway” will receive the book free. Support the show

The last bit of Easter Explained in Jesus’s own words as Jam and Ed are bringing to life 4 statements of Jesus says in the book of John. We’re in a locked room this time. Ed also reveals what superpower he would chose (it’s very disappointing) and they wonder whether any listeners have an evil twin. Music from Dumbrocks. Rob and Nat have another sketch for us. Let’s give our children a bigger view of both who Jesus is and what he has done so they can be ready to trust him as their risen Lord. Click for all kinds of brilliant resources HERE!Support the show

Easter is Explained a bit more in Jesus’s own words as Jam and Ed are bringing to life 4 statements that Jesus says in the book of John. They also ask: If you had to run the London Marathon in fancy dress, what would you chose? And how fast is the faster lobster? And Ed reveals his oldest garment. And Jam reveals a garment that is 5000 years on and definitely NOT machine washable.Music from Awesome Cutlery’s brilliant new album, Word on the Street. And yet another a fast-paced sketch performed by Rob and Nat!Let’s give our children a bigger view of both who Jesus is and what he has done so they can be ready to trust him as their risen Lord. Click for all kinds of brilliant resources HERE!Support the show

👶 Join in the enthusiastic, creative and inspiring conversation as Helen and Anna talk all things toddler group with us!🍇 This episode has it all - big stats, good snacks, great stories and a big vision for what a toddler group looks like with Jesus at the heart.➡️ Share this episode with the hero in you church family who lugs toys, bakes cakes, loves people and keeps going - they are awesome! 🤩People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in KidsAmy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Anna Watkin - is the Women & Children’s Worker for St Giles’ Church Derby and before that worked for Trinity Church Buxton. Overseeing the 0-11s ministry, she thinks that helping children and families get to know Jesus is the best thing in the world! She co-hosts a pretend podcast with one of her nieces, called ‘The A&A Podcast’, that they record together and then make their family listen to. Helen Barnsley - is married to Dave, with three children (two grown up, one in Y7, all still living at home) They live in Buxton, Derbyshire.  Her main ministry involvement is their toddler group, but as a minister's wife, she is busy with all things church. She is currently enjoying doing more comms work with the church's website & social media. Her toddler can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Resources:Faith in Kids resources for toddler groups can be found here.In particular there are three series of stories (God made, God cares & God saves) as well as instructions for running the ‘Junior Jivers’ music group.The 1277 facebook forum is a helpful place to ask questions about your toddler group.Support the show