POD 049 | Following Jesus Through Middle School – This Time Tomorrow

Introduction:

Welcome to another episode of theFormed.life podcast! In today’s conversation, host Paul Brandes is joined by Brent, student pastor at the Leawood campus, and Anna, a thoughtful seventh grader from Christ Lutheran School in Kansas City. Together, they explore what it’s really like to live as a middle school student in 2024 while following Jesus. Anna shares candidly about her daily school life, the joys and challenges of adjusting to a new and smaller environment, and the significance of forming deeper connections with classmates.

The conversation dives deep into the realities students face: discovering belonging, navigating brokenness in relationships, and how faith can transform even the most ordinary moments—yes, even homework and lunch tables—into opportunities for growth and praise. With insights from Brent on what today’s students are craving most, and encouragement from Anna on finding purpose by keeping God at the center of daily routines, this episode invites listeners to recognize the redemptive possibilities hidden in the rhythms of school life. 

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or someone curious about the role faith can play in our formative years, you’ll find hope and inspiration in this honest and hope-filled discussion.

Bio

Anna is a thoughtful and curious student who found her seventh grade religion classes especially engaging and relatable. While studying books like Lee Strobel’s The Case for Faith and preparing to read The Case for Christ, Anna has developed a strong interest in exploring deep questions about faith—questions such as why God allows suffering and why church history can be troubled. Through reading and classroom discussions, Anna gained new insights and enjoys pausing to talk through challenging ideas with classmates, eager to find meaningful answers and understanding.

Quotes

• You don't have all the answers. You don't have to know what that looks like every single day. That's part of the process of growing up. And secondly, remembering the fact that Jesus knows what it means to grow up. He was a middle schooler at some point. He was a high schooler. He knows the tensions of what it is to have to go and learn and also work and discover the beauty of how God has wired you. He cares deeply about you. He knows what it's like to grow up. - Brent Bovitz

3 Main Takeaways

1. School as Meaningful Work with God’s Purpose
   The conversation explores how students can view their daily school life, not just as a repetitive routine of homework and classes, but as significant work where they can honor God—even in the “boring times.” Anna shares how keeping God in mind transforms her perspective, motivating her to praise Him through the everyday, echoing the message from 1 Corinthians 15:58 that her work “in the Lord is not in vain.”
2. Relationships and Belonging are Central in the School Experience
   Both Anna and Brent discuss the importance of relationships among students. With a small class size, Anna finds joy and support in her classmates, but also notes the challenges of belonging and exclusion—especially for new students. Their reflections highlight that while school can be a place of brokenness (like cliques or feeling left out), it also offers the chance to extend kindness and create a culture of inclusion, especially by involving younger students during recess.
3. Redemption in Everyday Interactions and Formation Through Service
   A significant focus is on “redemption”—how students like Anna actively seek to bring about positive change. She shares practical ways she tries to include others and support younger grades, inspired by Jesus’ example and teachings. The hosts emphasize that these small acts of kindness and presence carry lifelong impact, helping form both Anna’s character and the broader school culture for future generations. The power of noticing God’s opportunities and serving others—even as a seventh grader—is celebrated as a hopeful and transformative force.

Resources 

• The Case for Faith - Lee Strobel: https://a.co/d/2flhXzD
• The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel: https://a.co/d/3j97uEJ

Timestamps:

00:00 School Life with God's Purpose

04:12 "School as Work: A Student's Perspective"

08:44 Seventh & Eighth Grade Religion Studies

11:15 Navigating School Transitions and Exclusion

13:59 "Striving for Belonging Together"

16:17 Encouraging Young Kids' Belonging

19:32 Encouragement for Young Christians

25:11 Prayer for Anna's New School Journey

25:57 "Alternate Life Paths Question"

29:20 Podcast Appreciation a