Event Date & Time:
Monday, June 2 @ 8:00 AM
Weekly through Monday, August 4
Middle School Summer Family Study
June 2 - August 4, 2025
Summer is a busy time for us all, and even though we won’t see weekly services like usual we can still be intentional! So, we’re gonna try something fun as a family over the summer: a family reading project. I know a summer reading project may not sound fun initially for your student, but I promise this book will deliver!
Recently I came across this really helpful book, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity. It masterfully weaves in and around the big topics that are in the frontlines of the world and our culture. While the book is aimed at teens, it is clearly beneficial for us adults (particularly as we raise up our kiddos!). So I thought it would be fun for families to have the opportunity to walk through it together.
What will this look like?
It’s pretty simple!
1. Register your family using the form on this page.
2. Pick up the book from us or access it in a format that works for your family.
3. Beginning on June 2nd, we’ll cover one chapter per week. You’ll receive a short email with reflection and discussion questions to help guide family conversations.
How to register:
Complete your registration by clicking the blue button under the Registration Information on this page. Only complete only one registration per family - all other family members will be listed on the second page of the registration form.
When and where is it?
That’s up to you! It is entirely on your own time. For example, you can have a family dinner each week, or, stay up an extra 30 minutes on a Tuesday, or, go out to Chilis every time– whatever you want!
How Do I Get My Book?
You’ll want to register through this page first! We have a limited amount of copies at $7 each. They are for sale at New Cov Central on Sundays, or you can buy one through this registration and pick your copy up with a receipt. Either way, you'll find them there!
It’s up to you how many copies you want. If you think you and your family can share, you’d like 2 copies, or a copy for everyone– I’ve got you covered. If you are planning to buy a book on your own or in-person, enter NOBOOK in the Discount Code on your registration. You can also find the book in audio format via Audible and Spotify (if you have premium). Worst case, you can always buy yourself a copy through amazon HERE, just don’t forget to register so you won’t miss out on the discussion questions.
Who Can Participate?
This is primarily designed for middle school families, but we absolutely encourage you to include your high school or college students in as well. If you believe your elementary-age child is ready for these discussions, you may include them at your discretion—but please note that some topics are weighty and best introduced with care and parental guidance.
What Can I Expect From This Book?
This book explores ten big questions that young people are often asking today—questions about truth, morality, suffering, identity, and more. Each chapter takes a biblical and thoughtful approach, aiming to strengthen a young believer’s confidence in the truth of Christianity. They are rather mature, but I think the depth and quality of each chapter is written well for a student.
Here are the 10 questions Mclaughlin covers in the book:
1. How Can I Live My Best Life Now? Mental and Physical Health Benefits of the Christian Life
2. Isn’t Christianity against Diversity? Racism / Slavery / Christianity as the Most Diverse Movement in History
3. Can Jesus Be True for You but Not for Me? Universal Truth / Relativism / Evangelism
4. Can’t We Just Be Good without God? God as the Basis for Morality / 9/11 / Hitler / Stalin / Human Identity / Abortion
5. How Can You Believe the Bible Is True? Evidence for the Gospels / Evidence for the Resurrection / True versus Literal
6. Hasn’t Science Disproved Christianity? Origins of Science / Science and Faith Controversies / Christian Scientists Today
7. Why Can’t We Just Agree That Love Is Love? Marriage / Sex / Singleness / Friendship / Same-Sex Attraction / Pornography / Abuse
8. Who Cares If You’re a Boy or a Girl? Gender / Feminism / Transgender and Non-Binary Identities
9. Does God Care When We Hurt? God’s Sovereignty in Suffering / God’s Care for Us / Prayer / Purpose
10. How Can You Believe in Heaven and Hell? Meaning of Heaven and Hell / Sin and Judgment / Salvation / Invitation
You can read more about the author HERE and a sample of the book HERE.
Why Have Us Do This?
These issues are big, popular to talk about, and aren’t going away. Whether it’s now or later, you, me, and your student all need to be prepared to talk about them– If we’re not already wondering these very questions ourselves. It can seem freaky to confront these topics with our kids, but it’s our job as parents to lead them through the times at hand. Normalizing difficult conversations as a family is such a fruitful process, and it can begin (or continue!) here.
Is It Too Late?
Nope! If you’d like to jump in past June 2nd, just register and you’ll start getting the discussion questions. If there are books available you can still buy them through us, but you can still buy through amazon HERE .