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Gospel Tech with Nathan Sutherland

Education Podcasts

Gospel Tech is a resource for parents who are feeling outpaced and overwhelmed as they raise children in a tech world. Our goal: Equip parents with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to raise kids who love God and use tech. Gospel Tech’s mission is to equip families to love God and use tech. We want to empower parents to: Introduction to Gospel Tech Three years ago I (Nathan) started Gospel Tech as a ministry to help connect the Gospel to the daily tech lives of families in practical ways. As a middle school teacher I saw a need for intentional, Gospel-focused conversations about tech. Tech was creating more distraction than inspiration in the classroom, and I saw the need for more than just new habits—there was a desperate need for new hearts. Gospel Tech bridges the gap between scary tech conversations and the hope of the Gospel. With engaging stories and practical applications I bring Gospel-centered tech solutions families can apply in everyday life. Gospel Tech Resources Beyond The Podcast The Parent Tech WorkshopsYouth Talks:The Family Tech Framework At the end of the day our children aren't problems to fix, they're people to love. We need to point them to the purpose and hope available in Christ, in the work he's already done to make them new and to call them on to good works, and then use tech from that hope. This is why I love to say that in Christ we use tech on purpose, not for purpose. That's the goal of Gospel Tech. Thanks for letting me be on this journey of parenting with you. -Nathan Sutherland

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United States

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Gospel Tech is a resource for parents who are feeling outpaced and overwhelmed as they raise children in a tech world. Our goal: Equip parents with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to raise kids who love God and use tech. Gospel Tech’s mission is to equip families to love God and use tech. We want to empower parents to: Introduction to Gospel Tech Three years ago I (Nathan) started Gospel Tech as a ministry to help connect the Gospel to the daily tech lives of families in practical ways. As a middle school teacher I saw a need for intentional, Gospel-focused conversations about tech. Tech was creating more distraction than inspiration in the classroom, and I saw the need for more than just new habits—there was a desperate need for new hearts. Gospel Tech bridges the gap between scary tech conversations and the hope of the Gospel. With engaging stories and practical applications I bring Gospel-centered tech solutions families can apply in everyday life. Gospel Tech Resources Beyond The Podcast The Parent Tech WorkshopsYouth Talks:The Family Tech Framework At the end of the day our children aren't problems to fix, they're people to love. We need to point them to the purpose and hope available in Christ, in the work he's already done to make them new and to call them on to good works, and then use tech from that hope. This is why I love to say that in Christ we use tech on purpose, not for purpose. That's the goal of Gospel Tech. Thanks for letting me be on this journey of parenting with you. -Nathan Sutherland

Language:

English

Episodes

193. Take a Tech Sabbath

10/3/2023
Sabbath is a gift. It's not a rule meant to ruin our fun, it's a present we are to open and enjoy. But how do we sabbath in a tech world? Today we talk about the three ways we can practice sabbath with our tech and begin to enjoy the rest and presence of God even in our daily tech lives. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3REUkNh

Duration:00:28:12

192. Taking a Break from Tech

9/26/2023
Sometimes tech is just too much for a child, or for a season, and we need to take a step back. I want you to know two things: If you've given a RESET, found there's an issue, and tried to manage the problematic tech but to no avail--it's time for a tech break. In today's conversation we'll discuss: Finally we'll talk about replacing with Analog Adventures-pace of real life and how to introduce the tech back again after 30 days. Keep in mind, there's always a chance you won't replace it. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3PQgWJk

Duration:00:26:35

191. How To Talk With Our Children About Pornography

9/19/2023
Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present. How do we best protect our children from pornography in a tech world? The answer may surprise you. Yes, we take preventative measures like filtering and building hedges around our tech, but those aren’t enough. What we need to do is talk about pornography with our children. But how?! That’s where Sam Black comes in. Sam has spent the last 16 years as the Director of Recovery Education at Covenant Eyes, a screen accountability software program. He recently published The Healing Church which deals with the tough conversations around pornography and the American church, and he’s with us today to talk about how we can raise porn-resilient children in a tech world. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3PHPuxt

Duration:00:43:06

190. Why Your Child Doesn't Need a Phone at School

9/12/2023
As hope-focused parents who use all the tech that helps our children, and none of the tech that hurts them, our children don't need smartphones at school. In fact, to quote a pro in the field of smartphones and social media, we need to get phones of out schools now (Jonathan Haidt). Today's discussion tackles this conversation in three steps: This conversation is one focused on the strong believe that God has made our children with a purpose, that education is a gift we must steward well, and that smartphones have their uses but the classroom is not one of them. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3PcZ6yJ

Duration:00:29:10

189. Use Tech on Purpose (Prep Tech for School #3)

9/5/2023
There’s LOTS of stuff out there we could be doing. Many of those options are either morally neutral or even good (working out, time with friends, playing sports, serving at church). The question is, what will get your time this week, when push comes to shove, what falls off the table first? Sometimes we’re choosing our tech because it makes us feel important or we simply can’t stand being alone with our thoughts. Sometimes we choose being busy or being still and abiding, and many of us choose our tech as the go-to way to fill the void. Today we’re addressing five ways to use our tech on purpose and ensure our tech use is intentional as we head back to school. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3PltkB6

Duration:00:28:27

188. Build a Hedge (Prep Tech for School #2)

8/29/2023
We're on to part 2 of prepping our tech for school! Now that we've assessed our tech, we need to build a hedge around it. We need to build a hedge around our: .📱 Devices .🎮 Network .🏡 Family This first step provides a next-step for tech conversations and continues the tech wins with our family so that we can fight for our kids, not with them, when it comes to technology. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Pkuo8p

Duration:00:28:12

187. The Gospel Tech Update: 2023

8/22/2023
This past year we have grown faster than we ever dared dream, and I want to take the chance to share what God has done in 2022, our vision for 2023, and how you can join us on this journey to help families love God and use tech. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3E1X6o1

Duration:00:19:55

186. Assess Your Tech (Prep Tech for School #1)

8/15/2023
It’s time to prep our tech for school! We’re going to do this in three parts and spare everyone the 1+ episode this almost became. 🤪 We first need to assess our tech. We need to know: .📺 What tech are we using? .⏱ When and where are we using it? .🏥 Is it healthy? This first step provides a solid base for tech conversations and the beginning of tech wins with our family so that we can fight for our kids, not with them, when it comes to technology. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3YAz7FL

Duration:00:22:33

185. Thriving in a Tech World

8/8/2023
All of us want to thrive, but what does it mean to do so in a tech world from a Biblical standpoint? I recently read a book where the author encouraged readers to “do today, thrive tomorrow”. At it’s core this is a beautiful reminder to "go to the ant, you sluggard" and prepare in times of plenty for times of need. That's both Biblical and wise. But when these ideas extend from the internet's idea of thriving, when it is the lynchpin in a conversation about reaching all God has for us, I take umbrage. This “best life now” language becomes our starting point and then we try to figure out how God fits into it. Let's be clear: Jesus didn’t come so we could become the best version of ourselves. He came that we might die to ourselves and live for Him. Today our conversation looks at what it means to thrive in a tech world, and how we can do so well with the days, and talents, God has gifted us. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/446TdZC

Duration:00:24:01

184. Summer Tech Check-In

8/1/2023
How’s your tech going this summer? Summer comes with less structure, more free time, and different hours — generally we’re not waking our children up at 6am in the summer to get their rears in gear. A tech check-in takes just a couple minutes, and it is a great launchpad for positive tech conversations. Today we'll discuss how you can use three intentional questions to empower you to get those tech wins at home, no matter how healthy or unhealthy your tech is right now: Show Notes: https://bit.ly/45506ve

Duration:00:34:04

183. Creating Games that Share the Gospel (Brent Dusing, TruPlay Games)

7/25/2023
2/3 of Americans game. In fact, there are more gamers over the age of 45 than there are under the age of 18 (ESA, 2022). This is why Brent Dusing created TruPlay games, to be a light on purpose in a space where so many people go for purpose. You don't have to become a gamer to appreciate this. Each of us can think about what God has equipped us to do, what passions he's planted in our hearts, and how He might use our talents to spread the Good News and share the hope of the Gospel — maybe even in video games. Check out TruPlay: https://truplay.games/GospelTech Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3riok6D

Duration:00:25:55

182. Gaining Victory over Pornography (Sam Black, The Healing Church)

7/18/2023
How can the Church help people find victory over lust, pornography, and the lies that go with them? To help us answer this question we talk with Sam Black, Director of Recovery Education at Covenant Eyes and author of The Healing Church, a book designed to help churches and families set free from pornography to serve God as they are called. Sam shares from his personal testimony, his wealth of experience in the field of accountability software, and his personal passion to see churches be the body of Christ for all who seek hope and healing in Jesus. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3D2QRzQ

Duration:00:37:14

181. Living Intentionally with Tech (Heath Wilson, Aro)

7/11/2023
Can we use tech to be more intentional with our tech? Heath Wilson, co-founder of Aro, thinks so. He's co-founder of Aro, a device and app that help your family create healthy habits around the most powerful and pervasive device you own: your smartphone. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3r3WpqR

Duration:00:24:59

180. Make Space for People

7/4/2023
Today we discuss how to make space for people in episode two of our Summer Session series. The question: How can we be intentional this week about including the people God has planted us near? We'll discuss three great listens for the week, an helpful and encouraging book, and root our conversation in Matthew 13:31 and Acts 1:8: God casts us unto gardens to see His Kingdom grow, and he empowers us for this work by his Holy Spirit. We're not saved from the world, we're saved for it. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3JMjo05

Duration:00:20:37

179. Set Our Minds on the Spirit

6/27/2023
Summer is busy, so I'm launching these Summer Session episodes to help get you useful encouragement while you enjoy the new rhythms summer has to offer. Today we discuss how what we listen to can help us focus on the things of the Spirit. I'll address three great podcasts, an audio book I've found incredibly helpful when it comes to focusing on the Spirit, and a reflection to make this week an intentional practice in living out Romans 8:5-8. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/44hqh1t

Duration:00:15:01

178. Take Time Back from Tech

6/20/2023
Stepping away from screens can be tough, and awkward. We don't always know what to do with our time, and sometimes it just feels like punishment — for everyone. So how do we do this well? How do we take time back from tech? In today's conversation we'll cover four steps in this journey we can begin today. We'll discuss how to plan your: Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3qQaFDK

Duration:00:30:52

177. Three Benefits & Cautions of AI

6/13/2023
This past year AI moved from something dabbled in by specialists and researchers to the front lines of education, business, and the creative arts thanks in large part to the break throughs provided by ChatGPT. But how should we think about it as followers of Christ, raising healthy youth in a tech world? Today we'll discuss three benefits, and three concerns, of AI and what we can do to be discerning creators and consumers of this newest tech on the digital frontier. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Cp9UDV

Duration:00:30:00

176. Graduates in a Tech World

6/6/2023
This past week I got a chance to speak with a group of graduating seniors about what it looks like to trust and follow Jesus in a tech world. I want to remind these students, as well as any parents and future graduates who hear this, of three truths: Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3MTyJN6

Duration:00:28:18

175. How Do We Abide in A Tech World?

5/30/2023
How do we abide? Jesus says it’s crucial: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) But what is it, and how do we do in this on-the-go tech world of ours? Today we're going to discuss four ways to make conscious, moment by moment decisions to follow Jesus with our everyday choices. We'll use four great books on the subject to help us discuss how to: Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3BZSjlL

Duration:00:24:42

174. Making Summer Fun

5/22/2023
Let's make this summer amazing. We can do it on a budget, with our families, in town. You don't have to spend a lot of money or brainpower. All it takes to make summer awesome is to be intentional with our tech, build in some fun, and practice rhythms of rest. After that you just add friends, and you've got yourself a party. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/43mjxyV

Duration:00:18:16

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