Gospel Tech with Nathan Sutherland

Our children ask us for new tech all the time, and as loving parents we long to give them good gifts. Yet our children aren't all the same, some can handle more digital responsibility than others, so how do we know when the timing is right for new tech? The answer is simple, if not easy: We give them all the tech that is Safe, Ready, and Good. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4ggDblW

In the digital world there are a lot of new ways to do old things: Young people hangout online, play sports via the internet, and get famous for their ideas and influence. So how do we know if this is just the latest phase in life and culture, like the printing press or the bicycle, or if there is something unhealthy in our child's life that needs intervention? This is the beauty of a RESET. We si...

Our kids ask us for all kinds of tech, and as loving parents we love to give them good gifts. So how do we know which tech they should use and which they should avoid? Today we'll walk through the six simple questions that will help us choose great tech AND teach our children how to discern which tech is the best for them. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3BVcV2t

We can ensure our tech is healthy to start the New Year by answering three simple questions: What type of tech are we using? What tech is most concerning right now? What can we do instead? Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4h88y2H

It's tough being a kid. Being raised in a tech world is even worse. In today's conversation I talk directly to the teens in our lives, and give a reminder that yes, our choices matter, and God's call is even bigger than our mistakes. (Originally recorded May 28, 2024: Episode 227) Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3P2kVl9

Prioritizing isn’t one of my gifts. I’ve got great energy, I’m adaptable, and I can do a great job being present. Being prepared is another thing. While I’d love to justify my lack of planning on account of my spiritual superiority (I’m clearly a Mary, not a Martha), I have to acknowledge that we are called to count the cost of following Jesus. That’s not possible when I have no idea what is at st...

This year has seen God provide again and again for the relationships, resources, and opportunities to do the work of both Flint and Iron and Gospel Tech. Thank you, listeners, for being such an active part of helping us reach more families, make top-tier resources, and for doing the hard work of raising healthy youth in a tech world. Today's episode is a quick overview of where God has taken us, w...

Christmas Break is a great excuse to talk about tech with your family. Your family is going to have more free time on your hands, more people to visit(along with their devices), and all of this means it's a great chance to talk about your expectations in time, place, and content, as well as what to do when something goes wrong with tech. This Christmas Break we can be intentional to have conversat...

Christmas is coming, and so are those hangouts with family and friends who aren't in your usual rotation. These are the times when new tech can show up, and intentional conversations and boundaries can help our children and family stay safe with their tech use. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49m3IMU

The holidays are a chance for us to be deliberate with our time. As followers of Christ we have the chance to do more than simply survive this season--we can: Seek out opportunities to be amazed at God's goodness Connect with those God has put into our lives Place our fears and anxieties before the Lord Put the first things first Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3CLb00n

Christmas is an amazing chance to inspire and invest in high quality, high-engagement activities. Today we'll talk about five of our favorite ways to engage the minds and hearts of young people in real-world, tech-free play. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4fTHCmY

The great news of the gospel is that we are saved from sin and set free to live freely. Today we look at how this truth goes further than just being from from making mistakes and dives into the freedom we have to own our mistakes, repent, and lead our families in making new choices because we are free. Our freedom in Christ isn't license to make excuses, but rather a declaration of our need and th...

We can show our children how to use the best tech by bringing it intentionally into our homes. Today we'll talk about how we can think about our tech well, choose intentional tech, and I share a little of what the hottest tech is in the Sutherland house right now. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4fwt9x1

This week I've had the opportunity to practice what I preach. One of my lovely humans struggled with an unhealthy RESET due to tech I allowed. So what now? Today we'll discuss how the Gospel of Jesus helps us address unhealthy tech as a heart issue, and build our relationships with our children as we seek to serve and lead them in the way they should go. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3NJtS20

Should your child play Roblox? Is Minecraft a safe choice for a child? How do we go about handling YouTube? Today, we're putting our tech conversations to work and looking at all three of these to assess: Are they safe? Is my child ready? Is the fruit good? Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3YxGY8Q

Christmas is coming, and your child is going to ask for that new tech. What will you say? Today we'll give you the tools you need to answer in hope, not fear, and ensure that you give your child all the best tech and none of the tech that will harm or distract them for their full potential in Christ. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3BLYs8u

The location of our tech matters. Raising healthy youth is more than simply having good rules, it means having good conversations about how, and where, we use our tech. Today we'll discuss why location matters and what we can do to ensure that our families use best tech in the best ways. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4ey4A2G

Tech has a way of creeping into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Today we begin our series on the three boundaries we all need around our tech, and we start with time. Specifically we address: How much time we should spend on tech What time of day we should use our tech How many times a day we should use our tech Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3BwdM95

The lie of anonymity is one of the great lies tech tells us. We are told we can do what we want, go where we want, and be who we want without real life consequences. This is a lie, and it brings harm and death to many hearts and families. Today we discuss what to do with hidden sins: why they matter, how to address them, and how to apply the gospel of Jesus Christ to the darkest and most hurt area...

Video games are a perennial struggle for time management. If we have decided that games are a great option for our kiddos, how do we balance them with everything else that's important in life? Today we'll walk through the process of making the most of our gaming time, and in building a conversation that supports what is most important with graceful firmness. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/47FIkRX

Jesus says that he came for us to have life, and to have it to the fullest (John 10:10). So what does this "fullest" life look like? And how can we get it in a hectic tech world like ours? Today we discuss three changes we can make, starting today, and three additions Nathan has made to his life recently. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XyNZWh

So your child has made a mistake. On purpose. Potentially repeatedly. Now what? Today we'll discuss the difference between confession and repentance (and why it matters A LOT), what removing and replacing can look like, and what new actions we can take to develop healthy tech choices. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3TffhP8

Today's episode is a celebration of what God has done, with your support, in Flint and Iron and Gospel Tech this past year. We've grown in reach and resources, we've developed amazing relationships, and we have reached more families with hope and help in raising healthy youth in a tech world. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4fYEfvI

Talking about technology can be an amazing win for both parents and children. In today's conversation we break down how we can talk about tech's benefits, potential drawbacks, and it's fit for our family as we tackle even the hardest tech conversations with hope and grace. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dRp1Xo

School is starting and smartphones are at the center of the conversation. Should our schools ban smartphones? Today we'll talk about how parents and schools can take steps to ensure the best possible outcomes for students and staff, while including the best technology possible for health, growth, and learning. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3M4IMiC