Podcast Summary: With The Perrys

Episode: Theology for Teens with Alena Franklin
Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Preston Perry & Jackie Hill Perry
Guest: Alena Franklin

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Preston and Jackie Hill Perry sit down with author Alena Franklin to discuss her new devotional for teen girls, God Is: 60 Days of Learning Who God Is to Understand Who We Are. The conversation delves into making theology accessible to teenagers, the impact of suffering and family legacy on faith, engaging with the doctrine of the Trinity, navigating perfectionism and shame, and the practical implications of knowing God’s character. The tone throughout is warm, candid, occasionally humorous, and deeply encouraging—making the topic of theology both approachable and transformative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Alena Franklin & Her New Book

• The Perrys introduce Alena Franklin (née Pitts), highlighting her recent marriage and famous lineage (daughter-in-law to Kirk Franklin, part of the Evans family legacy).
• Alena shares about the experience of changing her name and life milestones with humor and relatability.
• Quote:
  "I think absolutely. It's the legacy that I've walked ahead of or behind or whatever." (Alena, 19:21)

2. Motivation Behind Writing for Teens

• Alena’s devotional is aimed at teen girls, encouraging them to know God deeply—beyond stereotypes or shallow faith.
• Jackie notes: “Anytime you say God is, you're becoming a theologian.” (B, 05:09)
• Alena reflects on her personal journey, explaining that writing about theology felt natural, and only afterwards did the weight of the task hit her.

3. Theological Growth through Grief

• Alena shares about losing her mother at age 14 and how that radically shaped her understanding of God.
• Pain both challenged and refined her view of God:
  Quote:
  "Grief, suffering, it all, I just realized, kind of skewed my view and then at the same time, perfected my view of him." (Alena, 06:45)
• The Perrys affirm that pain either perfects or tests faith for all ages.

4. Discipleship and Spiritual Legacy

• Alena recounts her father’s creative methods in teaching Bible stories, shaping her foundations before hardship struck.
• The influence of a faith-filled home equipped her to hold on to God during suffering.
• Preston and Jackie explore the unique pressures and blessings of being part of families with strong spiritual legacies (Kirk Franklin, Tony Evans, Priscilla Shirer).
• Quote:
  "I think the greatest thing my parents said is, just trust me with him. Like, trust me with God." (Alena, 35:51)

5. Why Theology for Teens?

• Jackie and Alena discuss the need for “depth regardless of what age you are,” challenging the assumption that teens only want fun or superficial church.
• Alena admits she always resisted typical youth group activities:
  Quote:
  "Please don't make me go to youth group. I do not want to eat pizza and talk about boys. Like, I just wasn't like that." (Alena, 13:44)
• The book aims to meet teens where they are with rich concepts like the Trinity, not just “accessible” topics.

6. Engaging Difficult Doctrines: Trinity and God’s Perfection

• Alena bravely introduces the Trinity in her devotional, making it simple yet profound.
• Quote:
  "You can't look at the Bible and not see... all of it." (Alena, 15:12)
• Discussion around God’s perfection becomes personal: navigating perfectionism and shame vs. the relief found in Christ’s completed work.
• Quote:
  "There is some relief in that. All those things about him are absolutely true and always true because he is perfect." (Alena, 24:43)

7. Birth Order & Approaching God

• The group humorously explores how birth order (oldest, youngest, only child) shapes spiritual temperament—perfectionism, freedom, entitlement.
• Real-life anecdotes (e.g., sharing Snickers, learning unselfishness in marriage) illustrate how practical theology intersects daily life and relationships.
• Quote:
  "I've watched his perspective of God and his perfection... I just didn't understand how you could so freely approach the throne of grace because I didn't understand the gospel." (Alena, 27:39)

8. Understanding God’s Goodness in Suffering

• Alena identifies “God is good” as the most misunderstood attribute—especially for those facing suffering or loss.
• She illustrates the importance of presence over preaching:
  Quote:
  "He did such an incredible job at just being there... Now when I think about God in my pain, I see my dad standing outside my door." (Alena, 35:54)
• Preston and Preston affirm that a theology of God’s presence in suffering is foundational.

9. Knowing God as Protector Amid Fear

• The conversation addresses teen anxiety—whether from social concerns or faith.
• Remembering God's faithfulness, even in just a few moments, empowers courage.
• Quote:
  "I have a decent enough track record with God to know that he's gonna show up when he calls me to things." (Alena, 40:40)

10. Prayer in Light of God’s Character

• Alena emphasizes that knowing God’s attributes transforms prayer from rote to relational.
• She offers practical advice:
  • Build "relational equity" with God.
  • Establish a specific place for prayer.
  • Keep things simple; write out conversations with God.
• Quote:
  "Why wouldn't I come to God, who's a truth teller, protector, lover of my soul?... Which makes coming to him kind of my only option." (Alena, 43:11)
• Jackie affirms the importance of accessible, childlike faith in prayer.

11. How Understanding God Changes Relationships

• Knowing God’s grace enables us to extend grace to others, seeing human finitude and dependency.
• Quote:
  "All of a sudden it's like, oh, they're just not God. Like, they can't give me what He can give me." (Alena, 47:13)
• This shapes healthy expectations and maturity in friendships and family.

12. The Simplicity & Accessibility of Theological Faith

• The hosts commend Alena for making deep truths plain—sign of true understanding and essential for beginners.
• Quote:
  "The more I understand something, the more simple I become."
  (Jackie, 52:13)
• The book is recommended not just for teens, but all ages as an entry point to knowing God.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pain and Faith:
  "Pain can reveal if you don't actually believe. And I think I've seen in my life the temptation to move away from the Lord because it hurts so much, but still clinging because the Holy Spirit is at work..." (Jackie, 08:20)

• On God’s Grit:
  "God is kind of gritty...he's just right there...he likes to get in there and do the dirty work. And at the same time, he's not like us...there's no chaos attached to his being in our chaos and our pain.” (Alena, 09:33)

• On Perfectionism & the Gospel:
  "I've written a whole book on the character of God and...if I truly understood the gospel, I would know exactly how to walk in, like, his perfection..." (Alena, 24:43)

• On Childlike Simplicity:
  "There's beauty in, like, understanding theology. And there's also real beauty in the simplicity of God." (Alena, 51:24)

Segment Timestamps

• 03:36 – Introduction of Alena Franklin, family connections, marriage anecdotes
• 05:26 – Discussing the purpose and challenge of writing God Is
• 06:45 – Alena’s story of loss and how grief shaped her faith
• 11:45 – Creative discipleship in her upbringing
• 13:44 – Why teens need depth in their theology, not just fun
• 15:12 – Approaching the Trinity with teens
• 24:43 – God’s perfection vs. personal perfectionism
• 33:00 – The misunderstood goodness of God
• 35:51 – Parenting, presence, and trusting God in a child’s suffering
• 40:05 – Knowing God as protector in the face of fear and anxiety
• 43:00 – How knowledge of God shapes prayer life
• 47:01 – God’s character informing how we relate to people
• 51:00 – Encouragement for simple, accessible theology and faith

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a robust yet relatable exploration of theology for young people, showcasing how theology is not just for adults or the seminary-trained, but is a vital, practical, and accessible pursuit for all. Alena’s vulnerability and clarity, combined with the Perrys’ humor and insight, make deep faith concepts approachable—from the Trinity to God’s goodness and perfection. The call is clear: knowing who God is transforms everything about how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live.

Recommended for:
Parents, youth leaders, teens, or anyone seeking a fresh, accessible entry into understanding God’s character.

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