Shows
WOW ReadsWOW Reads: TRAP Considers Refugee Experiences in LiteratureJoin the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss the refugee experience in children's literature.Books mentioned in this episode:"We Are Displaced" by Malala Yousafzai"The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees" by Don Brown"Ink Knows No Borders" edited by Patrice Vecchione and Alissa Raymond"Internment" by Samir Ahmed"From the Tops of the Trees" by Kao Kalia Yang and Rachel Wada"To the Other Side" by Erika Meza"Dounia and the Magic Seeds" by Marya Zarif"A Star Shines Through" by Anna...
2025-12-0117 minWOW ReadsWOW Reads: MSRAP Reads Halfway to Somewhere by Jose PimientaJoin the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta.In this episode, we discuss... Jo’s creative process.The places and spaces we feel halfway between.We recommend this book for our parents and teachers (the OG book influencers), our friends and basically everyone!This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate DirectorLit Dis...
2025-11-1314 min
2025-10-1215 min2025-10-0936 min2025-10-0640 min2025-10-0426 min2025-10-0225 min2025-09-3038 min2025-09-2829 min2025-09-2609 min2025-09-0250 min2025-09-0127 min2025-08-3037 min2025-08-2933 min2025-08-2820 min2025-08-2728 min2025-08-1726 min2025-08-1516 min2025-08-1327 minBible TimeGod Will Part My Red Sea? Kinda.Starting in Exodus 13.We want to be careful to not establish the wrong expectations for little ones of the faith. Here we tackle how the story of God parting the Red Sea applies to us today. It isn't that God is always gonna save you from physical danger. It isn't that God is always going to remove your difficulties if you're just still.But rather that God has done and is doing something even greater!
2025-08-0932 min2025-08-0841 min2025-08-0731 min2025-08-0617 min
Theology for TeensIs God a Mother?? - Misgendering GodThough God certainly does things that a mother most commonly does this does not make him a mother any more than it makes me a mother. God is portrayed with male language at a ridiculous level of consistency throughout scripture. Although the triune God is (mostly) immaterial and therefore (mostly) doesn't have a literal gender, he is best portrayed throughout every form of divine revelation with male language.
### Scriptures Cited By Proponents of "God the Mother"
God described as doing something a mother would do [[hos 11.3]] [[deut 32.18]] [[isa 42.14]] [[isa 49.15]] [[isa 66.13]]
...
2024-07-0814 minTheology for TeensHow My Dad Lost His Faith in Atheism.This is simply a phenomenal episode. I hope you enjoy this one. Let me know what you think! You can get in touch at nathanlavalleyministry@gmail.com
2024-07-011h 05Theology for Teens10 Things I've Changed My Mind on as a Christian...Over the last 10 years I've grown in my faith. This has caused me to change my mind on a number of topics. In this video, I tell you ten things that I've changed my mind on regarding faith.
1. I used to view mindfulness meditation differently
2. Heaven and hell had much more to do with the here and now then the future
3. Cussing is ok
4. A Lower View of Scripture
5. Sympathy for Jesus as a Progressive Figure Head
6. Opinion of Bart Ehrman
7. Vast...
2024-05-2031 min2024-05-0915 minTheology for TeensWhy You Can't Just Believe Whatever You Want on Non-essential Issues...We should be lovers of Truth
1. look at scriptures on truth
God did not give arbitrary commands
1. example of a law against smoking (already realize it's important)
2. example of a law against vaping (don't yet realize it's important)
3. [[deut 5.32]] and [[deut 5.33]]
Analogy of a person taking a college class and doing the absolute bare minimum
1. What happens if an accidental slip up is made?
Discipling People to God
1. example of what I...
2024-05-0728 min2024-05-0110 minTheology for TeensShame Is A Misunderstood Word - The Doctrine of SalvationShame is NOT inherently bad. In fact, shame is the proper feeling that follows sin for the non believer. But what about for the believer? That's where Christians in America get off the rails and miss an essential part of Salvation. Take a look.
2024-04-3020 min2024-04-2613 min2024-04-2519 minTheology for TeensChurch NEVER Talked About This... | The Holy SpiritIt was almost like my church wasn't trinitarian but rather bi-arian. We never talked about the Holy Spirit. Let me tell you what I've learned since then. This might shock you.
Outline
Progressive revelation throughout scripture
Hovering over the water
Ex 31.3
Judges
Othniel
Gideon
Jephthah
David
Jesus' bold words about the Holy Spirit John 14:15
The moment at Pentacost
Some big roles of the holy spirit
Conviction
Conversion
2024-04-2324 minTheology for TeensThe Secret To Creating Lasting Spiritual Change - Teaching YouthIn this episode I'll show you a small section of teaching I gave to a group of teenagers in my youth group after a retreat we had. Inside are some key points about creating lasting spiritual change. Check it out!
2024-04-1623 minTheology for Teens4 Essential Relationships of God the Father (And How It Impacts Politics)How does the Doctrine of God the Father affect us in the 2024 political cycle? Is the Father the greatest of the three persons of the trinity? Did the Father create the Son? Is God the father to unbeliever and believers in the same way? What does it mean to be made in the image of God? Are all people made in the image of God? Was Hitler made in the image of God? Is there submission inside the Godhead?
Here are my teaching notes if you want to follow along: https://jsp.ellpeck.de/#19...
2024-04-0835 minTheology for TeensA Command From God I Neglect…Maybe you neglect rest too. If so, take a listen. You might find some encouragement.
2024-04-0605 minTheology for TeensGen Z's Top Ten Objections to Christianity... (Part 2)In this two part mini series we take a look at the 10 biggest objections to Christianity that Gen Z has.
6. Sexism: Some perceive Christianity as promoting traditional gender roles that limit women's rights and opportunities.
7. Anti-Science Beliefs: Certain Christian groups reject scientific consensus on topics like evolution or climate change, which can turn off Gen Z individuals who value scientific understanding.
8. Incompatibility with Modern Values: Some Gen Z may believe that Christianity's moral codes are outdated, particularly when it comes to issues like sex before marriage or use of contraceptives.
9. Lack of Diversity and...
2024-04-0420 minTheology for TeensGen Z's Top Ten Objections to Christianity... (Part 1)1. Lack of Scientific Evidence: Many Gen Z individuals view science as a reliable method for understanding the world and may object to Christianity due to a perceived lack of empirical evidence supporting its claims.
2. Hypocrisy: They may point out instances where religious leaders or followers have acted in ways that contradict Christian teachings, causing them to question the authenticity of the religion.
3. The Problem of Evil: They often question how a loving and omnipotent God could allow so much suffering and evil in the world.
4. Exclusivity: Some Gen Z individuals are uncomfortable with the assertion that Christianity is the...
2024-04-0120 minTheology for TeensYou've Never Heard This About The Trinity... (I was 24 when I heard it)You've Never Heard This About The Trinity... (I was 24 when I heard it)
Do Christians have three Gods? What was it like before anything was created? Is Allah (the God of Islam) loving? Is Jesus by nature less important than the Father? How can Jesus be God and the Father be God? When did Jesus start existing? How can God by nature be loving?
These questions and more will be answered and discussed in this episode of Theology for Teens.
Show Notes: https://jsp...
2024-03-2535 minTheology for TeensAre All Sins the Same? - The Gospel of ChristIn this episode, we discuss the gospel of Christ in a way you may have never heard before. We're going to answer several huge questions: How can God send someone to hell for doing one bad thing? How can God send a good person to hell just because they chose to not believe in him? Why did Jesus have to live a perfect life? Why did Jesus have to die to save us? Couldn't God have just said "everyone is forgiven"? Why did God give the law?
---
Here's...
2024-03-1834 minTheology for TeensThe 4 Most Important Facts About Jesus.In this video, I'm going to cover the 4 most important pillars of truth that we must hold to regarding who Jesus is. Was he God, was he a man, how many natures did he have, and much more. Knowing God is the beginning of a depend relationship with God.
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# Fully God
*each part of the new testament testifies to the divinity of Christ. Even prominent atheistic scholars believe the new testament makes this claim.*
[Mark 14:61] Questioned by the council
[John 10:25-33] Claim...
2024-03-1459 minTheology for TeensThree Issues to Test Your View of Scripture (Unwholesome Talk, Pre-Marital Sex, Abortion) and MormonismTake a look at three major issues facing youth today: Unwholesome speech, pre-marital sex and abortion. Is your view of scripture robust enough that when the pressure rises, you will stand strong in your convictions. Find out in this episode of theology for teens.
rom 12.2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
1 jn 4.11 jn 4.21 jn 4.3
4:1 Beloved, do...
2024-02-1933 minTheology for Teens10 Most Cited Errors in the Bible - Biblical InerencyIn this episode we dive into 10 specific examples of "errors" in the Bible. Some of these are more valid than others. Will this change the way I view the Bible? Find out here on Theology for Teens.
Relevant Scriptures:
heb 4.12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 tim 3.16
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and...
2024-02-151h 00Theology for TeensThe Best Argument for the Bible - The Doctrine of ScriptureWhat should you say when someone asks you "why do you believe in the Bible?" In this episode we take a look at one of the most powerful arguments for the inspiration of Scripture.
Full res graphic on the doctrines of Scripture:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13nD40LFBwviDLYJUKJvBd6maVZ3ErcTk/view?usp=share_link
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# Relevant Scriptures:
[[heb 4.12]]
**12** For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it...
2024-02-0522 minTheology for TeensHow God Speaks - Special RevelationIn today's episode we talk about the seven ways that God has spoken throughout history and is speaking today!
Also, here's three principles for the speech of God
1. God can not lie. tit 1.2 and heb 6.18
2. When God speaks, He has a reason.
3. God does not endlessly repeat Himself in speech.
Which one's seems the least easily misunderstood?
Which one's seems the most easily misunderstood?
Divine Speech
2024-01-3027 minTheology for TeensHas God Revealed Himself to Everyone? - General RevelationWhat is General Revelation?
God set up the world in such a way that every free creature would be able to know that there was a creator that was worthy of worship and greater than themselves. This knowledge does not require special communication from the creator.
Passages that speak to the exclusivity of the gospel to those who believe in Jesus.
John 14:6
Acts 4:12
1 Timothy 2:5
John 3:16-36
Cornelius and Peter
Acts 10
2024-01-2223 minTheology for TeensReading on Homosexuality - Profound TruthsIn today's episode we're reading an article on the topic of homosexuality and whether or not Christians should be passive on this issue. I think this article has alot of great things to glean for Christinas today! Here's a link to a good series that goes into greater depth:
https://biblethinker.org/homosexuality/?cmdf=mike+winger+homosexuality
Here's where you can get this article and further support the author:
https://www.wordmp3.com/details.aspx?id=19197&cmdf=Why+Evangelicals+Should+Ignore+Brian+McLaren%3A+How+the+New+Testament+Requires+Evangelicals+...
2023-11-201h 05Theology for TeensQuestion 2 of 3 That Could Make Christianity Pointless - Can We Know God?Today we're looking at the question "is God unknowable". If he is we're dead in the water. If not we can swim!
LOGICAL ARGUMENT FOR THE KNOWABILITY OF GOD
1. If a person rationally comes to the conclusion that God exists then they would have to have X level of grounding for that belief
2. If a person rationally comes to the conclusion that God does not exists then they would have to have Y level of grounding for that belief
3. Humans are incapable of having X level of grounding...
2023-11-1455 minTheology for TeensQuestion 1 of 3 That Could Make Christianity Pointless - Objective TruthHere we examine one of three truth claims that can completely undermine any pursuit of theology. "Does objective truth exist" is of paramount importance because Jesus claimed to be "the truth" in John 14:6. If objective truth doesn't exist we reduce Jesus to a mere subjective play buddy and sterilize his identity. Join today for the conversation and find out if it even makes sense to pursue theology!
2023-11-0618 minTheology for TeensFour Fallacies You're Using - Logic Pt. 6In this episode we're going to look at 4 common fallacies that Christian youth use and how we can make sure we are using sound and valid arguments.
What is an informal Fallacy? - A wrong way of thinking/arguing that is common. Every informal fallacy is in someway based on formal logic.
What makes an explanation good?
1. Does it explain lots of things?
2. Does it explain things deeply?
3. Where does evidence point?
4. Less "Hail Marry"s
5. Does it agree...
2023-10-3121 minTheology for TeensThe Logic of "or" with C.S. Lewis - Logic Pt. 5The actual names of these laws are Addition, Disjunctive Syllogism and Constructive Dilemma.
Here we introduce the concept "or" symbolized by "v". So the premise "A or B" would read "A v B". With the logical concept "or" we mean that one or the other OR BOTH are true. In essence it requires neither A nor B being true for the statement "A v B" to be false. This can be tricky because often in language "or" statements are exclusive (only one can be true). This we might symbolize by saying "(A & -B) v...
2023-10-2541 minTheology for TeensIntroducing "&" - Logic Pt. 4Actual names of laws
Law 4: Conjunction
Law 5: Simplification
Law 6: Absorption
This week we introduce the concept of "&" in the realm of logic covering what we're calling Laws 4, 5 and 6 (formally called Conjunction, Simplification and Absorption). These one's are easier but none the less, there are some important pieces of information here to grasp. Enjoy.
Here are the examples for you to notate this week:
#### Example 1
1. God is all good and all powerful
2. If God can't make us follow him then he is not all powerful
3. If God doesn't prevent...
2023-10-1741 minTheology for TeensThree Most Important Laws of Logic - Logic Pt. 3Actual names of laws
Law 1: Modus Ponens
Law 2: Modes Tollens
Law 3: Hypothetical Syllogism
Practice Examples:
1. If you like pineapples on pizza then you have an objectively wrong flavor palette
2. If you have an objectively wrong flavor palette then you can't be a taste tester
3. If you like pineapples on pizza then you can't be a taste tester
1. If God is all powerful then he can do anything he wants
2. If God can't sin then he...
2023-09-2551 minTheology for TeensA Powerful Argument for God - Logic Pt. 2Logical Form:
1. If God did not exist, objective moral values would not exist
2. Objective moral values do exist
3. Therefore God exists
Summary of Defensibility:
This argument seems very defensible. In fact, defeating it seems almost impossible. This doesn't get you to the God of Christianity but it does get you to God.
1. Premise one I would give 0.95 but that's being generous.
2. Premise two I would give 0.78 but again being generous.
With the above numbers the conclusion is far more likely then not and should be believed
Key Terms:
Correspondence Theory: "The basic...
2023-09-1821 minTheology for TeensCan Women Speak in Church? - Logic Pt. 1In this episode we dive into our series on logic! Below I've included the logical forms used in this episode.
LOGICAL FORM FOR... "Women should remain completely silent in all church gatherings."
1. If the Bible asserts something then that thing is true
2. The Bible asserts that women should remain completely silent in all church gatherings ([[1 co 14.34]] - [[1 co 14.35]])
3. It is true that women should remain completely silent in all church gatherings.
LOGICAL FORM FOR... "We cannot trust the Bible and should shave off...
2023-09-1134 minTheology for TeensTheology is ALWAYS a System.Theology does not happen in isolation. If you make one decision on one issue it likely takes other decisions for other issues off the table. Today we take a look at three examples of this! Show notes are below.
### Example 1
depending on your timeline of eschatology you likely will have differing views about method of evangelism, the role of the church, the nature of the great commission, government involvement.
#### Premillennial
*After a tribulation the [[+ παρουσία]] will happen and God will reign on earth for a period of 1,000 years*
#### Postmillennial
*The church will bring about a millennium of righteousness on earth before the [[+...
2023-09-0843 minTheology for TeensTeenagers Need Better Theology.The problem is that youth today who profess a belief in Jesus as God don't actually let that belief play out in their lives. It stops somewhere when it should have continued and trickled into every crack. Because of this their Christianity is is in conflict with their worldview. James Sire talks about this in his book "The Universe Next Door". He says there's 8 key questions that when answered honestly display our worldview:
What is prime reality?
What is the nature of external reality?
What is a human being?
What happens to a person at...
2023-09-0649 min