Episode 277: Why Kids Need Scripture in Today's World with Kelly Minter

·41 min·4 clips

A seven-year-old girl stuns her aunt with a heavy theological question about why John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

The episode begins with hosts Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan introducing their guest, Bible teacher and author Kelly Minter. Kelly talks about her passion for scripture and her role as an aunt, sharing an anecdote about her seven-year-old niece Lily, who questioned why John the Baptist baptized Jesus if Jesus had no sins. This leads to a discussion on how children can engage deeply with the Bible. Kelly then delves into her new study on Esther, explaining the historical context of Esther living 900 miles from Jerusalem in the Persian empire and how God worked in that distant, dark situation. She connects this to modern challenges, offering hope that God is active even in hard places. The hosts ask about Kelly's Bible studies for teen girls, and she explains her goal to help them see Christ's relevance amid cultural pressures like social media and devices. Kelly shares her personal experience with anxiety and how scripture brought healing. The conversation shifts to spiritual disciplines, with Kelly recommending resources like John Mark Comer and emphasizing community and practical steps. She discusses her involvement with Justice and Mercy International, sharing a story from the Amazon about a 12-year-old boy who felt seen by God, illustrating the power of presence over material solutions. The episode includes sponsor ads for Jolie showerheads, Shopify, Bull & Branch bedding, and the podcast Everyone Gets a Juice Box. Kelly mentions her other projects, including a cookbook, the Cultivate podcast, and her upcoming completion of an MA at Denver Seminary. The episode concludes with Kelly sharing a recipe for white asparagus soup, a German-inspired dish her nieces and nephews enjoy.

As heard by us

A Scripture-centered conversation about reading faith with children and teens.

Raising Boys and Girls centers Kelly Mentor's love for God's Word and the push to connect Scripture with everyday life. It keeps the focus on reading alongside children, pairing adult and teen versions, and urging parents with teenage or almost-teenage girls to try the studies.

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Why you'd press play

When you want Scripture to connect to everyday life, this keeps the door open.

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