You Were Made for More
Our hearts yearn for teenagers to know that they are valued, loved, and created for a purpose. Currently, our culture is feeding the younger generations so many lies – telling them that they are defined by what others say about them, how they perform, what they have to offer to others, or how they fit a certain image.
The Truth speaks of a completely different narrative. Our identities are found in one thing, and that one thing, changes everything: Jesus. That’s a POWERFUL, transformative statement. When this idea gets from our heads to our hearts it shifts how we live, what we believe, and how we do relationships with others. Our mission is to consistently speak about the abundant life that is freely offered to us because we have seen + believe that when teenagers know what they are worth AND whose they are, they will be more inclined to live for Jesus – following His commandments and walking in His ways. God says that you are valued, loved, and created for a purpose! That changes everything.
This podcast hosts conversations on tough, relational topics - while connecting relationships, identity, and the Gospel, in profound ways that encourage critical-thinking as we navigate the world around us, always pointing back to the hope that we have because... we were made for more.
Music Credit: Matt Stewart from the band Soldiers and Sons (Waynesburg, PA)Check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialsoldiersandsons/
This podcast is a project of Abundant Life: You Were Made for More and Anglicans for Life.
You Were Made for More
Episode 104: Ready To Talk: A New Resource on Gender and Sexuality (With Amber Garrett Carroll)
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Ready to Talk: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Gender and Sexuality is a new resource written by Amber Garrett Carroll. Sammie sits down with her on today's episode to chat about the book and how it can practically help parents and the Church dive into these topics with confidence and preparedness, taking a proactive approach to issues we know they'll one day face. We talk about the 3 essential parts to her book - (1) the theological foundation, (2) practical conversation starters, and (3) same sex attraction/gender issues - and how parents are able to prepare for conversations with their kids in today's culture.
"In Ready to Talk, Amber Carroll prepares readers to do just that: talk. This book equips parents for the inevitable conversations ahead, offering practical recommendations, suggested wording, and developmentally attuned guidance. Carroll provides a wife randge of thoughtful teaching and sample responses to some of the most challenging topics parents worry they will one day face. The material on vocational singleness is especially inqure and accessibly. I highly recommend this book." -Mark Yarhouse, Psy. D., Author of Emerging Sexual Identities and Gender Identity and Faith
Amber graduated from Union University in 2008 with a degree in English Literature and Secondary Education. After college, she spent six years teaching middle and high school in the public school system, followed by several years at home raising babies while freelancing as an editor for publishers including Lifeway.
In 2019, she joined Equip, where she now serves as Vice President. Her primary focus is equipping Christian parents with the clarity, confidence, and courage they need to begin age-appropriate conversations with their kids about God-honoring sex, sexuality, gender. Her passion for helping parents talk with their kids about sex, sexuality, and gender in ways that build trust, deepen faith, and point them toward Jesus, is something we all can learn from. This work matters deeply to her as she has quite the personal connection to it that you'll hear about through our conversation.
This book is for you if you’re…
– a Christian parent of children ages 2–12 and you realize conversations about sex, relationships, and gender are conversations you can't afford to avoid
– a grandparent, godparent, foster parent, aunt, or uncle
– a children’s ministry leader, Sunday School teacher, or kids’ volunteer
– anyone who cares about equipping kids to understand God’s design for sexuality and gender
Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:
- Amber's Free Resource - Parent Pack
- Amber's Instagram and Equip's Facebook
- Amber's Wesbite
- Book Amber to Speak
- Amber's Email: amber@equipyourcommunity.org
Remember - Amber is assisting churches in hosting FREE events this year regarding these topics. Reach out to her with questions!
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