113 - The Story of Us: Helping Teenagers Navigate Gender, Sexuality, and the Gospel’s Goodness with Simon Swadling

The Story of Us: Helping Teenagers Navigate Gender, Sexuality, and the Gospel’s GoodnessAl James interviews Simon Swadling about his new five-week youth video resource, The Story of Us, developed over three years from Moore College research on identity and theological anthropology, to help teenagers think deeply about what it means to be human and how the Bible’s story applies to gender and sexuality. Referencing a quote from Toby Knights, they discuss how teens increasingly evaluate Christianity through the lens of harm and oppression rather than truth, and argue the gospel is both true and good, offering a secure place to wrestle with discomfort compassionately. Swadling explains the resource’s structure (world story, sin’s impact, God’s better story centered on Jesus, then implications) and its five “tent poles”: made by God, made for relationships, made embodied, made to grow over time, and made for Christ. Links: Story of Us Resourcehttps://thestoryofus.org.au, Living Faith https://livingfaith.online, Simon's article that we mention, "The Problem with Finding Your Identity in Christ"https://simonswadling.substack.com/p/the-problem-with-finding-your-identity.And the podcast episode based on the articleTime Stamps:02:00 Podcast Welcome03:17 Why This Resource06:19 Teen Pressures Today09:34 Vibes And Worldviews13:16 Truth And Discomfort16:34 Beyond Right And Wrong21:26 Why Gender And Sexuality24:18 Five Week Framework30:05 How Youth Groups Use It32:55 Hopes For Youth Ministry35:29 Where To Find ItConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]