Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Dr. Dale Michels. In this episode, they address children, grandchildren, and screen time through the lens of Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Drawing from neuroscience, parenting experience, and spiritual formation, the conversation explores how screens shape young minds, why children’s brains are especially vulnerable to digital habits, and how quickly patterns can become ingrained. Practical guidance includes modeling healthy device use, setting and enforcing clear time limits (with timers), knowing what kids are watching, and coordinating boundaries between parents and grandparents. The episode also emphasizes filling the screen-time void with meaningful alternatives—games, Legos, outdoor play, reading, ice cream outings, or kite flying—and closes with a call to intentionally invest in one young person’s life, paired with a prayer for wisdom, protection, and renewal for the next generation.
Action steps using the 4 R words:
Read: Read Romans 12:2 together. For younger children, use a children’s Bible storybook and read a short passage daily.
Reflect: Ask questions such as: What patterns are shaping our minds? How does screen content influence thoughts and behavior? What healthier rhythms can replace excessive screen time?
Respond: Pray briefly with or for a child or teen. Example prayer from the program: “Lord, protect the minds and hearts of the next generation. Give wisdom to parents and grandparents. Help us model lives that follow you and renew our minds daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Reveal: Put truth into action by investing time—take a child or grandchild for ice cream, fly a kite, play a game, read a Bible story together, or teach a new skill—and share how God is shaping your own life through intentional choices.
Need resources or to connect? Email Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.org
Keywords: screen time, grandchildren, Christian parenting, digital habits, Romans 12:2, renewing the mind, faith formation, children’s Bible, family discipleship, neuroscience and faith, Arnie Cole, Dale Michels
Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
Action steps using the 4 R words:
Read: Read Romans 12:2 together. For younger children, use a children’s Bible storybook and read a short passage daily.
Reflect: Ask questions such as: What patterns are shaping our minds? How does screen content influence thoughts and behavior? What healthier rhythms can replace excessive screen time?
Respond: Pray briefly with or for a child or teen. Example prayer from the program: “Lord, protect the minds and hearts of the next generation. Give wisdom to parents and grandparents. Help us model lives that follow you and renew our minds daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Reveal: Put truth into action by investing time—take a child or grandchild for ice cream, fly a kite, play a game, read a Bible story together, or teach a new skill—and share how God is shaping your own life through intentional choices.
Need resources or to connect? Email Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.org
Keywords: screen time, grandchildren, Christian parenting, digital habits, Romans 12:2, renewing the mind, faith formation, children’s Bible, family discipleship, neuroscience and faith, Arnie Cole, Dale Michels
Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
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