Season: 22 Episode: 309
Summary
Parenting teens in today’s world can feel like navigating a storm without a map. In this episode, Shanda sits down with Dave Rahn, author of Grit and Joy: Help for Bewildered Families of Teens, to talk about how parents can stay grounded in faith while guiding their kids through some of the most challenging years of life.
Dave brings decades of experience in youth ministry and research to the table, offering biblical wisdom and practical help for families who feel discouraged or confused by the teen years. Together, Shanda and Dave unpack how grit—steadfast perseverance—and joy—anchored hope—work hand-in-hand to strengthen both parents and teens.
If you’ve ever wondered how to love your teen well without losing heart, this episode will remind you that God equips you for every season.
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About Dave
Dave Rahn is a youth ministry researcher, author, futurist and missional leadership strategist. After beginning his ministry with Fort Wayne Area YFC in 1972, he joined the faculty of Huntington University in 1985 and served there full-time for 22 years before rejoining the mission of Youth for Christ/USA in 2007.
Question One:
You titled the book Grit and Joy. Why those two words?
They seem like opposite ideas — perseverance and delight. What made you connect them, especially in the context of parenting teens?
Question Two:
You write that many parents today feel “bewildered.”
What’s contributing to that sense of confusion or helplessness in families right now?
Question Three:
How can Christian parents model grit and joy for their teens when they themselves are feeling spiritually or emotionally exhausted?
Question Four:
What are some of the biggest mistakes or misunderstandings you see parents make when trying to connect with their teenagers in today’s culture?
Question Five:
The teen years often expose what’s really happening in the family’s faith life.
How can parents use those difficult moments to grow rather than crumble?
Question Six:
If you could leave parents with one takeaway from Grit and Joy, what would you want them to remember when they’re in the thick of parenting?
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