Gospel Tech with Nathan Sutherland

Today we’re talking about HOW to make a Family Tech Framework. We know it’s something we SHOULD do, but it feels overwhelming. Where do we start? We start by making some basic ground rules, like all tech expectations apply to all family members, and then we build into five other areas that must be covered. The point isn’t the finish the framework, the point is the conversations that will come up w...

The Gospel Tech Handbook is here! As part of the Gospel Tech workshop this tool empowers parents to be the tech resource for their kids, so you don't have to outsource your expertise on your child!  It helps you assess your tech, discuss it in meaningful ways, and create a plan to love God and use tech. In today's podcast we walk through some of the "why" behind this resource (and they're probably...

As we look forward to Christmas we remember what Advent is all about: The coming of the long-promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God's promise to fix the problem of Sin of his own effort, mercy, and grace (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 9:7, Psalm 22:1, John 19:30). Understanding Advent means:  1) We plan our actions in this life in light of the work God has already done 2) We act on those plans 3) We conn...

There are three amazing tidbits David Murrow gives in our interview with him today: we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, not on Facebook. (5:45) We need to be “wolf aware”. (12:00) most of what you read online is true…but that doesn’t mean it isn’t biased. (34:30) In our conversation David mentions a few resources / articles so I've included the links if you'd like the check them out for yourself: (2...

If we don’t talk to our kids early and often about technology, about the allure, benefits and dangers, Big Tech is more than happy to step in. There are four different trillion dollar tech companies (Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft who are vying for the hearts and attention of our children. If we don’t teach our children about tech, these companies will. In today’s episode we’ll discuss how th...

There are lots of reasons to read, but four major reasons to make it a priority when looking for analog adventures are that it: Expands vocabulary.  Improves imagination.  Increases empathy.  Develops academic success.  We will also discuss some excellent reading options to get early wins with your children in this amazing analog adventure! Resources we discuss: Read Aloud Revival Booklists: Prepa...

Board games are amazing at creating adventure and amazement rather than simply consuming other people having such experiences.  If you want to research games on your own I highly recommend Board Game Geek. Check out some of the highest ranked games in lists like: Family Games  Strategy Party Games Best Overall You can also check out the blog post that lists each of the games we discussed in today'...

Today we’re talking about sleep in three facets: Biblical model for rest and rejuvenation The science behind sleep How your (and your children’s tech) disrupts this Sleep is one of those areas we know is important to our overall well-being, we know it’s important for our children, and yet, it often gets pushed to the back burner. For a number of reasons. But a like a lot of facets of tech that we...

Dina Alexander started Educate and Empower Kids (educateempowerkids.org) as a resource to help parents fight for their kids in a  tech world. She especially loves talking with parents about how to establish healthful boundaries in the areas of smart phones and pornography.   In today's conversation we get to hear from Dina on some of the most-asked questions regarding tech for kids: When should my...

Many parents we speak with talk about feeling trapped in the smartphone conversation. They're concerned about problems a smartphone may cause,  or  even see the it causing issues with focus, behavior, and relationships, but they've already given them a smart phone. Now what? We tackle this tough conversation with a focus on the hope we have in Christ, not the fear of what could go wrong with tech....

Today we're continuing our conversation about how to Re-Establish tech boundaries specifically with a discussion focused on the important difference between accountability versus parent control of technology. For Accountability vs. Control we’re going to address: God’s respect for the human will Love as a verb Accountability focuses on redemption / hope. Control focuses on punishments / fear. We’l...

Here are the promised resources for learning more on this subject:  The Techwise Family, Andy Crouch Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport Glow Kids, Nicholas Kardaras The Shallows, Nicholas Carr The Four, Scott Galloway 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, Tony Reinke The Gospel brings us back to hope - so we don't stare at tech and go “Oh man, it’s gonna be bad, better run away.” Instead we say “wow, t...

“Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and where someone else begins. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom.”  -Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, Boundaries (1997) A question we get a lot has to do with managing tech boundaries with those we do life with: friends, family members, neighbors. How do we ma...

Most of us have formed some tech ruts over the last few months. We've got habits that we want to change, but where do we start? Most families live with their bad tech habits because getting rid of them feels overwhelming and unreasonable.  But we can get a fresh start with our tech by re-establishing our tech boundaries and we can do it in five easy steps: 1) Assess your tech. Take a RESET, and ke...

Today we're walking through the nitty gritty of actually creating a tech framework in one of the four areas of Drool Tech. The four primary areas for Drool Tech are: music social media shows / movies gaming Today we're going to tackle the area of music because it's a not been beaten to death by others and families often have the fewest walls pre-built when having this discussion. Music is personal...

A family tech policy, or what we call a Family Tech Framework, is a powerful tool to re-establishing tech norms. It can also be something we agree with in theory, but have a really hard time implementing in our own families. It can simply feel too overwhelming to apply to real life. Where do we start? Today we're going to talk through the process of how to make a family tech policy. There are real...

If you're anything like us you've probably found yourself at the end of seven months of quarantine (thanks Covid) with some tech habits that are less than preferable. Now school is starting up online and we've got to get some things worked out!  In this episode Anna and I address what a tech policy is and three reasons your family needs one. We'll address the benefits of a tech policy that include...

Roger Smith is a 30 year educator in the public schools. He’s also the VP of Northwest Basketball Camps, the largest basketball camp organization in the United States. In today’s interview Roger shares his unique perspective gained from teaching, training, and hiring young people for more than thirty years. His passion to see young people reach their full potential, and his heart to see them find...

Today we’re in the 6th and final episode of the Gospel Filter Series! We’re going to tie it all together in the idea that the Gospel is the reminder that we are empowered to do everything God asks of us. Paul talks in Romans 7:15,18-19 about how we all have flesh that desires things other than what God desires for us. His Solution?! Set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:6).  The Gosp...

The penultimate addition to the Gospel Filter series is here! In episode 5 of 6 we're addressing how the Gospel enables optimism. We’re natural cynics. We look for the flaw, wait for the bad, and expect the worst. But God is the ultimate optimist. He pursues the bad way before they become good. He doesn't just pick the ones who have a head start, or those doing impressively well on their own. He p...

In this episode Anna and I walk through how the Gospel lovingly establishes a basis for truth in our lives, which in turn lets us make intentional decisions regarding our choices, tech, and loving action. The Gospel does this by: Showing us the truth Freeing us in truth Freeing us for the good works God has planned for us. In his teaching Ravi Zaccharius returned repeatedly to what he said was the...

Quick Recap: The Gospel is foundational to our tech because it impacts everything we do. We've discussed previously how the Gospel is a "been done", it's good news of what God's already done for us. It's not a list of to-dos so God will love us or take pity on us. He already loves you and me, even though we were his enemies (not just lost puppies with good intentions - Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5)...

Arrogance is so common place sometimes we begin to admire it rather than hate it. We consider it confidence, or swagger, or some sort of independent mindedness marking one as exceptional. The crazy part about arrogance is that’s exactly what the arrogant person is thinking too. Let’s be clear: Arrogance is not a trait of the Holy Spirit - God is not arrogant, therefore someone who believes the Gos...

What do the ancient Persians, long-distance running, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ all have in common? Technology! And more specifically the Gospel Filter that we're starting to talk about today.  We talk a lot about Gospel Tech, but what is the Gospel? And if I understand what the Gospel is, why does it impact my tech? In the words of a particularly savvy sophomore I recently spoke with: What do...

The smart phone conversation starts early in families these days, and once it starts it seems to go on forever. My six year old son came home from kindergarten earlier this year and asked when he'd get a smart phone like his buddy in class. Anna and I also get this question a lot from parents who want to do the right thing, and believe they have the right answer, but want to make sure they're not...