Graduation season brings a lot of big questions: Where should I go to college? What career should I pursue? What if I make the wrong decision? For many students, seeking God’s will can feel overwhelming, especially when life suddenly opens up with more options than ever before.

In this episode of the 226 NextGen Podcast, Garrett sits down with Andrea and Pastor Jason to talk about how parents can help their students make major life decisions with wisdom, humility, and trust in the Lord. They discuss why God’s will is not a hidden trapdoor, how to take pressure off students, and how parents can guide conversations without controlling the outcome.

Pastor Jason also shares a simple process for making big decisions: pray, look to Scripture, use wisdom and logic, seek wise counsel, surrender your motives, and trust God with the outcome.

Whether your student is graduating this year or still years away from launching into adulthood, this conversation will help you build a biblical framework for guiding them toward faithfulness, wisdom, and confidence in God’s care.

Key Takeaways:
Parents can help students by being honest about their own uncertainty and past decisions.

God’s will is not a guessing game where one wrong move ruins your life.

Scripture gives clear boundaries for faithfulness, but there is often freedom within those boundaries.

Students need wise, trusted people who can speak truth into their lives.

Parents are called not to control their kids, but to help launch them into adulthood as people who can hear from the Lord and make wise decisions.

Resources Mentioned:
Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something

Discussion Questions for Parents:
How have I talked about God’s will in a way that may create pressure or fear for my student?

Where does my student need freedom to make a wise decision without feeling like they must find the “perfect” path?

Who are the wise voices my student has in their life right now?

Am I helping my student learn to follow the Lord, or am I mainly trying to control the outcome

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

In this episode of the 226 Next Gen Podcast, Garrett, Daniel, and Teresa tackle something almost everyone is feeling right now—anxiety, overthinking, and the constant noise in our heads.

We’re living in what many are calling the anxious age. From kids to students to adults, the weight of information, pressure, and uncertainty is higher than ever. But what if anxiety isn’t always a sign that something is wrong with your faith… but an invitation to bring your heart back to truth?

In this conversation, we unpack:

• What anxiety actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Why following Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never feel anxious
• How culture, distraction, and information overload are shaping our minds
• A simple, practical framework for using Scripture to quiet the noise

If you’ve ever thought, “I know what’s true, but my thoughts feel louder than God’s voice,” this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned

• Brick (distraction-blocking device/app to help limit phone use): https://getbrick.com
  
  

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

Theresa and Garrett sit down with Daniel to unpack a framework Daniel recently taught at MomCo (formerly MOPS): most of us parent like “owners,” when God calls us to parent like “ambassadors.” And that shift changes everything: how you see your kids, how you measure “success,” and what you do when you blow it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The difference between parenting as an owner vs. parenting as an ambassador
• The four places “ownership” shows up most: identity, work, success, and reputation
• Why owner-parenting often feels like pressure… and how it can quietly turn into desperation
• How ambassador-parenting frees you to aim for faithfulness over outcomes
• Why confession, apology, and repentance with your kids can be a powerful discipleship moment
• Practical next steps: pause and pray, reframe discipline as discipleship, and anchor your identity in Christ

Resource mentioned:
Paul David Tripp, Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

This week, we’re joined by Kelly Newcomb—pharmacist, foster/adopt mom of seven, and founder of Brave Parenting—to talk about what’s actually happening in the digital world our kids are growing up in. Kelly shares the real story that launched her ministry (including a terrifying wake-up call involving online grooming and the very real threat of trafficking), and why she shifted her focus from “just data” to discipleship.

We cover:

• Why the best strategy for young kids is delay, delay, delay (especially personal handheld devices)
• The hidden way screens shape kids through isolation, not just “content”
• What’s happening with gaming and why it can function like addiction (and why it often escalates)
• Practical steps for parents who feel like they’ve already opened “Pandora’s box” (what to do if your teen already has a phone)
• The biggest red flags to watch for—TikTok and Roblox—and why they’re uniquely concerning
• Moving from tech “savvy” to tech wisdom: forming kids who can think, discern, and follow Jesus in a noisy world
• A surprisingly helpful tool for young families: the Tin Can kid-safe home phone

Kelly also points parents to resources you can use immediately—including app guides, her parent curriculum, and a new student study coming soon.

Resources mentioned:

• BraveParenting.net
• Brave Parenting Podcast
• Managing Media, Creating Character (Parent Small Group Study Guide)
• Managing Media, Creating Character (Student Study Guide — coming soon)

If you’ve felt overwhelmed, behind, or unsure how to lead your family through technology without fear—or without giving in—this episode is for you.

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

In this episode of the 226 Next-Gen Podcast, the FBC Boerne Next-Gen team kicks off a new season by talking about household rhythms, the ordinary habits and routines that quietly disciple the kids in your home.

Garrett, Daniel, Teresa, Andrea, and Staci share honest stories from their own families (from toddlers to adult kids) and unpack how our daily patterns show what we value, shape who we’re becoming, and, by God’s grace, can be changed at any stage. You’ll hear practical ideas for mealtimes, bedtimes, discipline moments, phones and technology, and simple ways to bring Jesus into what you’re already doing, without adding a huge “to-do” list.

Whether you’re parenting littles, raising teens, fostering, or walking with adult children, this episode will help you think intentionally about the rhythms in your home and how to create space for the Holy Spirit to work in your family over time.

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

In the season finale of the NextGen Roadmap, Garrett, Andrea, and Daniel walk through the final stage of the parenting journey: Launch.

Senior year brings a whirlwind of emotions: joy, grief, pride, and uncertainty as parents prepare to release their students into adulthood. Whether your child is heading to college, joining the workforce, or staying home with new independence, this stage is not just the end of one chapter, it’s the beginning of a whole new one.

🛠️ In this episode, we unpack three key ways to navigate the Launch Stage with wisdom and grace:

✅ 1. Intentionally Transition

• Don’t just “ride it out”—take time to reflect, celebrate, and speak life into your student.
• Have honest conversations: offer apologies, blessings, and encouragement as you transition into a new kind of relationship—from parent to coach to friend.
• Give your student a vision for a life of faith beyond high school.

✅ 2. Celebrate the Achievement

• Mark this moment with joy—not fear.
• Find meaningful ways to commemorate what God has done—graduation parties, letters, shared memories, even trips.
• Celebrate not just the academic or life milestone, but God’s faithfulness through every season.

✅ 3. Lean Into Community

• You weren’t meant to walk this season alone.
• The transition affects everything—your emotions, your marriage, your home rhythms—and you’ll need godly friends and mentors to process it with.
• Community isn’t optional—it’s the context where encouragement, wisdom, and grace flow most freely.

💬 Key Takeaways & Encouragement:

• You can’t go back and rewrite the last 18 years, but you can influence the next 18 by launching well.
• Give your student a sense of belonging, direction, and spiritual vision—even if things didn’t go perfectly.
• Your identity as a parent doesn’t end at graduation—it just changes.
• God’s grace covers your shortcomings and fills the gaps.

📝 “You may have dropped the ball in some areas—but God hasn’t. His grace is what carries both you and your child into what’s next.”

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

In this episode, we walk through the “Coaching Stage” of the NextGen Roadmap—a critical and often emotional season for parents of high school sophomores and juniors.

As your child begins to move toward independence, this stage calls for a shift in your parenting approach—from director to coach. You’re no longer riding the bike for them, but you’re running alongside, offering wisdom, encouragement, and correction as needed.

🛠️ Key Concepts Covered:
✅ Taking Off the Training Wheels – Let your student experience the natural consequences of their choices while staying close enough to guide, support, and help them process.

✅ Calling Them to More – Don’t just prepare them for adult responsibilities—invite them into the joy and purpose of using their gifts for the Kingdom. Serving in church and stepping into meaningful community can make faith “stick.”

✅ Prioritizing Check-Ins – Create intentional rhythms for conversation where you listen first and ask good questions. Learn to respond with grace, not just correction, especially when your child shares something hard.

💬 Big Takeaways:

• Your reaction shapes their perception of God. How you respond to their honesty often speaks louder than your rules.
• Don’t parent for your reputation. Letting your child fail can be a gift—especially when done in a gospel-centered, grace-filled environment.
• Model the Gospel. Your humility, presence, and patience preach far more than your advice.

🔁 Memorable Quote:
“Parenting at this stage is less about control and more about influence. You’re watching and guiding while they begin to ‘do.’”

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/

In this episode of the 226 Podcast, we dive into one of the most critical and challenging seasons of parenting: the Independence Stage—typically starting around 8th or 9th grade. We unpack how to intentionally prepare students for the freedom that’s coming, rather than reacting once they already have it.

🎯 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

✅ Prepare for Independence Before It Happens
Don’t wait until your student is fully independent (or has car keys in hand) to shape their habits and values. Set clear, non-negotiable expectations now—like church attendance or family priorities—and explain the “why” behind the rules.

✅ Help Them Build Their Own Faith
By this stage, kids don’t just need to know what they believe—they need to know why. The goal is to transition from you teaching them truth, to helping them explore and own it themselves. That includes welcoming tough questions and walking with them through doubts in a healthy, Christ-centered way.

✅ Formative Rhythms > Behavior Modification
It’s not just about telling your student what not to do. Help them develop rhythms and practices (like Scripture reading, prayer, and community involvement) that form them into someone who loves and follows Jesus. Focus less on rule-following, and more on identity and spiritual formation.

✅ Widen the Circle of Influence
At this age, students begin to view their parents as the least-informed people in their lives. Instead of fighting it, recruit godly voices—small group leaders, mentors, coaches, and teachers—who can say the same things you are. The message stays the same, even if the messenger changes.

✅ Who They Do Life With Matters
The people surrounding your child in this season will either shape them toward Jesus or pull them away. Help your teen evaluate their friendships by asking, “Who do you want to become—and are your friends helping or hurting that?” Prioritize community that encourages confession, prayer, and growth.

💬 Encouragement for Parents:
➡ You cannot parent from a place of fear. Trust God with your student’s heart and future.
➡ Give yourself grace. This season is fast, messy, and hard—but you are not alone.
➡ Parent in community. You need godly adult friendships just as much as your student does.
➡ Don’t aim to control—aim to coach. Give your teen room to process, fail, and grow under your guidance.

📌 Three Essential Areas to Focus On in This Stage:

1. What They Believe – Build a resilient, gospel-shaped worldview.
2. What They Do – Cultivate habits and rhythms that shape their character.
3. Who They Do Life With – Surround them with Christ-centered community.

Thank you for joining us! Want more information? Check out our website:

Kids: https://www.fbcboerne.org/kids/

Youth: https://www.fbcboerne.org/youth/