Article
Looking for the resources mentioned at CDF25?
Day 1
Matt Markins
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – Subtitled, How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness this New York Times Bestseller, is a must-read guide for anyone trying to understand and raise children, delving into the connection between youth mental health and the uprising of smartphones, social media, and the technology revolution.
Jon Tyson
Forming Faith: Discipling the Next Generation in a Post-Christian Culture by Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Sam Luce – What would it look like to form kids with lasting faith in Jesus, no matter the culture or context? It’s getting harder to imagine in our secularized culture. Current approaches to faith formation aren’t working. A combination of leadership experience and pastoral wisdom provide a much needed, timely resource for the church and home.
John Dickson
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us by David E. Campbell and Robert D. Putnam is a secular resource that digs into and shares data and observations on changes and trends in the American religious landscape, as well as what precipitated those changes..
Undeceptions Podcast– John Dickson’s podcast explores weekly topics regarding apologetics and advocating for Christian faith amid skepticism undeceptions.com
Ryan Burge
The Great De-Churching: Who’s Leaving, Why They Are Going, and What Will It Take to Bring them Back? By Jim Davis, Michael Graham and Ryan Burge – The Great Dechurching takes the insights gleaned from the largest and most comprehensive study of dechurching in America to drill down on how exactly people are dechurching with respect to beliefs, behavior and belonging.
The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going by Ryan Burge – The Nones gives a nuanced, accurate and meaningful picture of the growing number of Americans who say that they have no religious affiliation, explaining how the rise happened, who the nones are, and what they mean for the future of American religion.
Graphs About Religion substack – Loads of data analysis about religion and politics, mostly in the United States.
Trudy Cathy White
A Legacy That Lasts: Preserving and Transferring Your Family Values by Trudy Cathy White – How do we reclaim the values that allow our families — and future generations — to flourish? With intentionality and with a plan. This book will equip and inspire you on the journey toward identifying, preserving and transferring your family values for the next generation!
Brook & Elizabeth Mosser
https://www.intentionalparents.org/
Shawn Thornton
Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Eareckson Tada – The award-winning story of a young woman who, after a devastating diving accident, triumphed over the odds to touch countless lives the world over with the healing message of Christ.
All But Normal: Life on Victory Road by Shawn Thornton – Growing up, Shawn Thornton’s life was anything but normal — but then, so was his mother. A heartwarming coming-of-age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the “broken” people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
If you would like prayer or are struggling, Shawn invites you to contact Joni and Friends by emailing response@joniandfriends.org.
Day 2
Natasha Crain
Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain – Learn about 40 of the most common challenges kids face, with clear, easy-to-understand responses you can discuss together.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins is a resource Natasha Crain mentioned as a tool to help see and understand what nonbelievers are saying, to prepare yourself and your children for the questions and challenges often posed to Christians regarding their faith.
The Natasha Crain Podcast – Join Natasha to gain important tools so you can be equipped to think biblically about the world around us.
Greta Eskridge
It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn by Greta Eskridge – Get equipped to have age-appropriate, honest, and hope-filled conversations about pornography with kids of any age so you can help children develop lifelong sexual integrity.
The Greta Eskridge Podcast – Join Greta and her guests as they “explore ways to create connection in our families and chase joy through both the peaks and valleys of parenting and life.”
“Teens and Pornography” a 2022 study by Common Sense Media – As Common Sense Media founder and CEO James P. Steyer said, “The results of this research confirm a very important point: It’s time for us to talk about pornography.”
A Student’s Guide to Culture by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle – This practical resource will help young adults “live differently” in a world that can sometimes be overwhelming. Includes discussion questions and relatable stories to help 18–25 year olds navigate a confusing culture in a God-honoring way.
Christopher Yuan (This highly anticipated speaker was unable to attend due to a medical emergency. We pray for his full recovery)
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan – What is holy sexuality? Dr. Christopher Yuan addresses what this means, provides practical ways to understand questions of identity in view of “God’s grand story,” and shows that holy sexuality is truly “good news” that everyone needs to hear.
Robert and Lori Crosby
Trauma-Informed Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids by Robert and Lori Crosby – Transform your ministry by learning how to understand the trauma children are experiencing and respond in ways that encourage, disciple and show God’s love to hurting kids.
Reach Hurting Kids Institute – At the Reach Hurting Kids Institute, Robert and Lori Crosby and their team of interdisciplinary researchers, mental health experts and children’s ministry professionals provide self-guided training curriculum that ministry leaders can use to train their teams to be trauma-informed.
Sam Luce
How to Teach Kids Theology: Deep Truths for Growing Faith – “A child’s faith is only as strong as the God they believe in.” That is the idea behind this book by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams. In it, you will find tools and lessons that will equip you to teach deep, theological truths to your kids so they can stand firm in the truth of Christ.
The New City Catechism – In the New City Catechism, you fill find a contemporary resource that is aimed at reintroducing the ancient idea of using catechisms, collections of questions and answers designed for memorization and recitation, to teach the core doctrines of faith.
Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting – In Gospel-Powered Parenting, author William P. Farley teaches parents the incredible impact viewing their family with “gospel eyes” can have on their children and marriage.
Derwin L. Gray
