Why Governments Are Doing What Parents Won’t

Why Governments Are Doing What Parents Won’t

England is considering a ban on social media for children under 16, joining a growing list of countries taking action to address the impact of social media on young people. But before debating whether these laws are right or wrong, Pastor Trent Stewart asks a deeper question: What happened that caused entire governments to consider doing what many parents still aren't willing to do?   In this episode, Trent examines the rise of social media, the growing mental health crisis among children and teenagers, and the biblical responsibility parents have to shape and disciple the next generation. Drawing from research, Scripture, and practical experience, he challenges families to think carefully about who is really influencing their children, and what they can do about it.   In This Episode * Why England, Australia, and other nations are restricting social media access for minors * The connection between smartphones, social media, and rising mental health challenges * How childhood shifted from play-based to phone-based * Why social media is ultimately a discipleship issue * The role algorithms play in shaping beliefs, values, and identity * Practical steps parents can take to protect and disciple their children * Why Christians must prioritize intentional relationships and spiritual formation   Key Takeaway The most important question isn't whether social media is harmful. The most important question is: Who is discipling your children?   What Should We Do? 1. Don't wait for the government to solve the problem. 2. Seriously evaluate smartphone and social media access. 3. Prioritize real-world relationships. 4. Evaluate your own habits. 5. Commit to intentional discipleship. Resources Mentioned The Anxious Generation [https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036/ref=sr_1_3?crid=6NXTEA1PSOO4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WxKfnnns1LHAaF8aPuOdeIl0OeNhLPKWxBXvCwOccWwb95CkIuBj1NpBzy3ZC6ScIefeoyjVlZ5nzIvWyzTqUu8I8ULFdUj2EHLZomgcYXGKsQsQOCpS2_VKvJCGmM81rM70wEVAKba0R2E8PQAMLyrOh3fLmEemWUTqUi5o6fsKNfHUhPYXlXaY94SJoIGvCxE-3KQBAl7_7J_V4bTu42VZC1XjK3mwfHcSTL2zRMI.F0ZE3XWOtrmHUe3uEewjdwk7bNVSeCaQq2alSmTAx7w&dib_tag=se&keywords=THe+anxious+generation+book&qid=1782244142&sprefix=the+anxious+generation+book%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-3] by Jonathan Haidt   Connect If this episodehelped you better understand the times and know what to do, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and follow The Trent Stewart Podcast for future episodes.   “Understand the times and know what to do.”

America at 250: What Made America Flourish?

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, conversations about our nation often swing between pride and cynicism. But what if we're asking the wrong question? Instead of debating whether America is good or bad, Pastor Trent Stewart explores a deeper question: Why has America flourished? Drawing from Scripture, America's founding principles, and the words of leaders like John Adams, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, Trent argues that nations flourish when truth, virtue, responsibility, and faithfulness flourish. This episode isn't merely about America's past—it's about America's future. If we want to understand what's threatening our nation today, we must first understand the values that built it. In This Episode * Why America's success cannot be explained by military power, wealth, or geography alone * The revolutionary idea behind the Declaration of Independence * Why the Founders believed freedom requires moral character * What John Adams, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln warned future generations about * The biblical principle that sustains every nation * Five practical responses Christians should embrace this July 4th * Why our ultimate hope is not found in government, politics, or national prosperity Key Takeaway: Nations flourish when truth, virtue, responsibility, and faithfulness flourish. Five Things Christians Should Do 1. Practice gratitude for God's blessings and freedoms. 2. Pursue truth in a culture increasingly shaped by personal preference. 3. Pursue virtue and godly character. 4. Take responsibility in our homes, churches, communities, and nation. 5. Pursue faith in Christ and place ultimate hope in Him. Resources Mentioned * The Declaration of Independence [https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript] * John Adams' writings on liberty and self-government * George Washington's Farewell Address * Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer [https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-97-appointing-day-national-humiliation-fasting-and-prayer] Connect If this episode helped you better understand the times and know what to do, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and follow The Trent Stewart Podcast for future episodes. "Understand the times and know what to do."

Living on Mission in Everyday Life

Have you ever walked away from a conversation and thought, “That wasn’t random. That was God.” Maybe it started with small talk about work or the weather but somehow, it turned toward hope, healing, or even Jesus. What if those moments weren’t interruptions but invitations from God? Today, we’re diving into how to live on mission in your everyday life, and how to see every conversation as a divine appointment. What is a Divine Appointment? * Any God -ordained moment when he brings two people together to encourage, bless, or share the Gospel. * We usually miss these opportunities because we’re busy and distracted. * God is always at work, before us, around us, through us, and He often speaks through those ordinary moments with extraordinary intention. Phillip the Evangelist (Acts 8): * Philip obeys because he’s not just busy for God, he’s sensitive to God. * You can be doing ministry and still miss the mission if you aren’t listening to His Spirit. * Develop a holy attentiveness to the what the Spirit is doing around you; be on the lookout. “When you’re looking, you’ll start seeing.” Engaging in Spiritual Conversations: * Philip doesn’t lead with a sermon or a theological argument; he simply asks a good question. * You don’t need a seminary degree to engage in spiritual conversation. * You need a heart of compassion, a spirit of curiosity, and a willingness to speak when the Holy Spirit prompts you. * When God prompts you to speak, trust that He is already working in that person's life. “Don’t discount the value of your obedience just because you don’t see immediate results.” The Legacy of Charlie Kirk: * Charlie was committed to engaging the culture with the truth of Scripture, even amidst hostility. * You’re either shaping culture, or being shaped by it. * The Gospel isn’t just something we preach in church; it’s the lens through which we see everything. "Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth." Having a Sense of Urgency * Philip didn’t delay; he acted immediately. * A simple question can lead to a divine encounter that transforms someone’s life. * There are over two billion people in the world who have never heard the gospel. * 82% of people say they would attend church if someone invited them. “We aren’t lacking opportunity. We’re lacking urgency.” How Do I Start Living on Mission? 1. Pray for one divine appointment every day. 2. Be mindful and willing to follow the prompting of the Spirit. 3. Ask questions. 4. Share your story. 5. Lead someone through Christ Killers [https://christkillers.com/] book. 6. Leave the results to God. Bottom Line: When you live on mission, there's no such thing as random. When you obey the Spirit, even small conversations can carry eternal weight. Subscribe & Share If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to: * Subscribe to the podcast * Leave a review on your favorite platform * Share this episode with someone who needs it Visit trentstewart.org [https://www.trentstewart.org/] for more resources. Visit Christkillers.com [https://christkillers.com/] to get your copy of my latest book.

When Tragedy Strikes – Processing the Death of Charlie Kirk

Episode 39: When Tragedy Strikes – Processing the Death of Charlie Kirk This week has been heavy. The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk has left many of us brokenhearted, wrestling with questions of evil, justice, and God’s purposes. But here’s the truth: even in the darkest moments, God is still working. Nothing is wasted in His hands. In today’s episode, we’re processing the heartbreaking death of Charlie Kirk and asking: Where is God when tragedy strikes? We’ll look to Romans 8:28 and see why it’s not just a verse to memorize, but a rock to stand on.   “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) “We know.” This is not a guess or blind faith; this promise is rock solid. ·       The promise is for those who love God. ·       The promise is for those called according to His purpose. ·       The promise stands firm not because of our performance, but because of God’s purpose. ·       It’s God’s love and God’s work, not ours, that keeps this promise true for us. “Your love for God may be shaky, but His call on your life is unshakable.” Three ways God uses ALL THINGS, even suffering, for our good: 1.     To Deepen Our Devotion “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…” (James 1:2-4) ·       Evaluate trials through the lens of eternity ·       Joy is delight in God in the middle of pain ·       Steadfastness is remaining under the pressure  2.     To Advance the Gospel “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard…” (Philippians 1:12-13) ·       Paul’s pain had a purpose. ·       We don’t know the why, but we can know and trust God is at work. 3.     To Bring Us Back to Him “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” (2 Corinthians 7:10) ·       Suffering wakes us up ·       The Holy Spirit is working, drawing us to do more, to bring us back to our purpose in Christ. Examples from Scripture: ·       Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20) ·       Job lost everything and still declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) ·       Esther was placed in a pagan king’s court “for such a time as this” to save her people. ·       The Cross was God’s plan to save the world. “Romans 8:28 isn’t a vague encouragement. It’s a battle cry.”   Bottom Line: The trial might bend you, but it will not break you, because if you love God and you're called according to His purpose, nothing is wasted. Subscribe & share. If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to: * Subscribe to the podcast * Leave a review on your favorite platform * Share this episode with someone who needs it

Real Friends: Why You Can't Follow Jesus Alone

Episode 38: Real Friends: Why You Can’t Follow Jesus Alone Have you ever felt completely alone, even in a crowded room? Maybe you're surrounded by classmates, coworkers, or followers online, yet deep down, you're starving for something real. What if I told you that your loneliness isn't a flaw? It's a signal. It's a holy ache, pointing you to the kind of friendship your soul was made for.   Today’s episode is not just about friendship. It’s about spiritual growth. It’s about how God designed your soul to grow and thrive, and why you’ll never become the leader He’s calling you to be if you’re alone. Real friends don’t just make life better – they make you more like Jesus.   The Most Connected Generation is also the Loneliest: ·       Almost half of Americans say they feel alone  ·       43% believe their relationships aren’t meaningful. “We were created for deep connection, but we’ve become professionals at pretending we’re just fine while we quietly drown in isolation.” What Happens When We Don’t Have Real Friendships?  ·       We lose perspective  ·       We isolate ·       We grow selfish ·       Our health suffers “Loneliness isn’t just about the absence of people. It’s about the absence of meaningful connection.” A Real Friend Helps You Grow Closer to Jesus: ·       Proverbs 13:20 ·       The people closest to you either pull you toward Jesus or away from Jesus ·       All friendships share a common bond. When the common bond of a friendship is Jesus, it changes everything.  ·       Proverbs 18:24 “If you want a real friend, you’ve got to start being a real friend.” Why Small Groups are so Important: ·       A small group is not just another church activity. It’s a place where you can be real, ask honest questions, be with people who will point you to Jesus, help you study the Bible, celebrate your wins, and pray with you. ·       The theological anchor of why real friendship is so important goes back to Genesis. ·       Gensis 1:26: “Let us make man in our image.” - Community is seen in the Godhead ·       Genesis 2:8: “It is not good for man to be alone.” – Isolation is a spiritual danger. ·       Because of sin, we run from the relationships and settle for shallow connections. ·       Ephesians 4:1-3: You need to be connected to God’s people through a local church to “walk in a manner worthy of your calling.” Roadblocks to Real Friendships: ·       Busyness - Even good things can become barriers to God’s best for you. ·       Laziness ·       Spiritual Apathy – people don’t care enough about Jesus to care about the people who follow Him How to Prioritize Gospel-Centered Relationships: “If you want real friends, you’ve got to make space for them.” ·       Show up – go to small group. Don’t just attend, engage. ·       Open up – let people see the real you ·       Reach out – don’t just wait for an invitation. Jesus was always the initiator. Bottom Line: You were made for community, and real friends don't just make life more fun, they help you follow Jesus.   Subscribe & Share. If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to: * Subscribe to the podcast * Leave a review on your favorite platform * Share this episode with someone who needs it