As a donor-supported organization, Axis offers a variety of resources: weekly podcasts, video shorts, parent guides, and full toolkit courses. You will find titles like “The ‘Everything Smartphone’ Guided Toolkit,” “How to Talk with Gen Z about Gender and Sexuality,” “A Doubting Teen,” “Neurodivergence,” and “Influencers.” Each one is timely, well-researched, culturally aware, and grounded in biblical truth. I especially appreciate the toolkits, as they offer me invaluable research into prominent, culturally-relevant issues. It helps to have a resource with so much gathered content, both organized and accessible.
I also appreciate how Axis helps me stay culturally aware—not as a passive bystander, but as an engaged participant. Their resources equip me to talk intelligently and faithfully about the very things my students and my children encounter daily. Their content is well researched, and they do not shy away from hard topics. Instead, they approach topics with grace, truth, and a biblically-centered lens. They lead with biblical conviction, tempered by wisdom and clarity, and they give me the tools I need to show up—prepared, faithful, and engaged.
The Cultural Translator: A Weekly Must-Read!
One resource that I return to is The Cultural Translator, a weekly newsletter from Axis. It is the most helpful cultural digest I have found—concise, insightful, and immediately useful.
Each Friday, the newsletter hits your inbox with a quick rundown of the week’s trending topics—music, movies, social media, and more. It begins with a summary of key headlines, then highlights a “Song of the Week,” offering insight into the artist, the songs popularity, and any red flags in the lyrics. The last section, “Three Conversations,” unpacks significant, cultural moments, explaining what they are, why they matter, and providing thought-provoking questions for further reflection.
I have found this resource invaluable as a parent and as a teacher. My wife and I talk about it, and I have had great conversations with my teens because of it. I have shared it with colleagues and friends. I even use it in my high school classroom. My students often ask how I know what’s trending before they do. It feels good to be ahead of the curve, but even better to be equipped to talk about our rapidly moving world with young minds that soak it up by the second.
Just Jump In!
Everyone has their own theory about the best way to get into a cold swimming pool. Me? I say jump in. Axis lets you do just that: dive headfirst into the deep waters of culture—without sinking. Though it is designed for parents, Axis is equally valuable for teachers, coaches, and ministry leaders. It is especially powerful for youth ministry, where cultural fluency is often the key to meaningful engagement. In my opinion, there simply is no better resource like this that allows you to minister to teenagers in this cultural climate.
Christians have long wrestled with how to relate to culture: Do we abstain, assimilate, or stand back and critique? The beauty of Axis is that it offers a fourth way—thoughtful, informed engagement that is both culturally current and biblically grounded. When it comes to reaching the next generation, no resource does a better job of connecting their interests with their hearts. So, what are you waiting for?
Jump in!
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