Family Resources

Every NextGen Family Night, where we aim to equip families to have healthy conversations about various topics. Visit this page after each NextGen Family Night for more articles, links, messages, and advanced resources to continue the conversation at home. We know each family is different in ages, phases, and dynamics.

Please note: we believe that the links below will be broadly helpful to parents in gathering ideas and tools, but please use your own discretion as websites do change continually and not all of these resources are written from a Christian perspective. If you have any questions, please reach out to our NextGen team.

Next NextGen Family Night: SPRING 2023

IDENTITY

WHAT IS TRUE ABOUT ME?

Bottom Line: Our identity is not found in who we are but in whose we are.
Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
Action Steps: Made in the image of God (Gen 1:27), Created to glorify Him (Matt 5:16), Once in darkness but now in light (Eph 5:8), Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20)

Resources:

BOOKS & ARTICLES

Gender Identity, the Bible, and the Christian (article by Josh Klein)
Of Truth and Empathy (article by Josh Klein)
He Made Them Male and Female (Desiring God article)
Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say (book by Preston Sprinkle)
The Beauty of Intolerance (book by Josh & Sean McDowell)
Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing our Daughters (book by Abigail Shrier)
Is God Anti-Gay (book by Sam Allberry)
Messy Grace: How a Pastor With Gay Parents Learned to Love Others without Sacrificing Conviction (book by Caleb Kaltenbach)
What Is Beautiful? (book by Abbie Sprünger for daughters)
Video: Transgender Identities, the Church, and Scripture: A Conversations with Preston Sprinkle (youtube link)
Video: Who Am I in Christ? (by Got Questions Ministries - youtube link)

WEBSITES

Transgender Trend (No Child is Born in the Wrong Body)
Freethinking Ministries (Biblical Worldview for various topics including identity)
Center for Faith (Faith, Sexuality, and Gender)
Not Consumed (Helping Families Grow in Faith)

BREAKOUTS:

PARENTS + STUDENTS

- video of breakout coming soon -

Elementary

MENTAL HEALTH

A CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Bottom Line: Jesus can give you rest.
Verse: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28
3 Action Steps: Bring It to Light, Fight It with Truth, Walk It Out Together

Resources:

BOOKS & ARTICLES

The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine (parenting disconnected kids book)
Before You Split by Toni Nieuwhof (marriage help book)
Generation Z Unfiltered by Tim Elmore & Andrew McPeak (book on anxiety)
Sticky Faith by Kara Powell & Dr. Chap Clark (book on building faith in kids)
Grace for the Afflicted by Matthew Stanford (book on biblical perspective on Mental Illness)
Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson, MD (book on neuroscience and spiritual practices)
The Teen Whisperer by Mike Linderman (book on communication with teens)
Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony (book on parenting behaviors)
Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier (book on impact of transgender movement)
Your Kid Has 27 Different Emotions (Parent Cue resource from Orange)
More Book Recommendations from Kay Warren (website with more book resources)

WEBSITES

Mental Health and the Church
National Association of Mental Illness
American Association of Christian Counselors
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Parenting with Mental Health in Mind (Orange - course and workbook)
Fresh Hope (online group for teens struggling with mental health issues)
To Write Love on Her Arms (help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self injury, suicide)
Pure Desire (resources for porn addiction)
International OCD Foundation
Al-Anon Family Groups (resource for kids/teens who have an alcoholic in the family)
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Women's Center for Advancement (Omaha help with domestic violence, assault support groups)
Meeker Parenting Resources (parenting teens, covering many topics)
Dr. Daniel Siegel (speaker and author covering various psychological topics)

RECOMMENDED COUNSELING AGENCIES

SUPPORT GROUPS

Christ Community Church Renewal Ministry (counseling and support for various issues)
Fresh Hope (for Mental Health)
Celebrate Recovery (for various struggles)
No Shame Ministries (Omaha group to assist individuals battling with mental health issues)

HOTLINES