Rooted Parent Top Ten July 2026

Welcome to the Rooted Parent Top Ten, a curated list of resources from across the web that we believe will be helpful to parents. Here you’ll find articles, podcasts, and videos to support you in gospel-centered discipleship and interpreting youth culture. While most are gospel-focused, others are included because they share a message of common grace. (Please note: the opinions presented in these articles do not necessarily reflect the position of Rooted Ministry.) At the end, you’ll find Rooted resources compiled from the last month’s new offerings. We hope this resource is helpful!

Gospel-Centered Parenting

When A Mother’s Heart Is Breaking by Julie Lowe (New Growth Press)

“Your child is not a simple equation where perfect parenting guarantees perfect outcomes. Scripture presents a more complex and realistic view of the human heart.”

Scattered by Melissa Edgington (Your Mom Has a Blog)

“While my family shifts and changes around me, Jesus stays right where He’s always been.”

Pray Them Home – Three Prayers for Prodigal Children by Sarah Walton (Set Apart)

“Parents, no matter how far your child seems to be from Jesus or what path they are on, you can fight for their life with the powerful weapon of God’s word.”

Lost Girls: Destroyed by New Age Beliefs and Unable to Find Restoration by Mary Van Weldon (Modern Reformation)

A helpful Christian review of Freya India’s book Girls. “For anyone who is raising girls or who works with them through church ministries, her extremely thorough exposé of how technology, social media, influencers, AI, and online therapy culture posed unique dangers for girls is helpful, especially if you were raised before the rise of such trends and remain largely unaware of them now.”

Raising Kids in the Faith Is Simpler Than You May Think by Joe Carter (The Gospel Coalition)

“We’re fortunate that the God who commands us to teach our children diligently is the same God who promises to be at work in them long after our part is done.”

Parents Might Like ‘Toy Story 5’ More than Kids Do. That’s OK. by Brett McCracken (The Gospel Coalition)

“Toy Story 5 shows parents frequently scrolling phones or in Zoom meetings. Kids pick up on this and wonder, If these devices are so important to everything grown-ups are doing, shouldn’t I see them as important for me too?”

Teen Culture

Gen Z Churchgoers Attend More but Often Lag in Application by Aaron Earls (Lifeway Research)

“My biggest concern for Gen Z is not that they are disconnected from the church; our research shows that Gen Z is deeply involved. The greater concern is that they are not being deeply formed…”

The forgotten success story of America’s teenagers by Bryan Walsh (Vox)

Some interesting statistics here. “… our valid worries about the mental state and uncertain future of today’s teens shouldn’t blind us to just how remarkable the shift from the 1990s is as a whole.”

To Share With Your Teenager

The Magician’s Book in Your Pocket: Breaking the Spell of AI Beauty Tools by Stephen Moss (Harvest USA)

“Unlike AI beauty tools that promise glory they can’t deliver or interventions that destroy the bodies they claim to perfect, Christ alone has the power to make us truly beautiful, to make us truly whole. And he will do it.”

Modesty Matters Because Your Heart Matters by Tanner Kay Swanson (Desiring God)

To read with both sons and daughters. “We want our churches to swim with saints who joyfully, freely dress modestly at the pool and everywhere else. More and better restrictions don’t create such a people. Whole-Bible, Christ-exalting teaching does.”