Cultivating a gospel-inspired life in the home through the practice of family Bible study.

This is an hour-long seminar for parents of maturing youth who are ready to more deeply engage with the scriptures. Discussing the Bible with older children takes on a different flavor, yet it is a privilege and calling of God clearly given to parents, and not just the church. It is important for the body of Christ to help equip and inspire parents to step into this significant and primary role of spiritually educating their youth with greater confidence and ease. This talk will share the biblical call of God given to parents, along with practical tips, methods, inspiration, and resources for how to experience uncomplicated yet meaningful and enjoyable Bible discussions with your family. This seminar is ideal for parents of middle and high school students or those nearing this stage. Depending on the setting and audience, my husband will accompany me in sharing this talk.

Studying Nature: Why and How?

Surrounded by screens and technological advances that continually pull our heads and eyes down and us indoors, parents have begun to work to recapture the lost appreciation of outdoor life. There are so very many reasons to study and explore nature, but in this talk I explore some of the most important reasons why we, as biblical believers, value and study God’s creation, along with a few tips and resources for how to accomplish this. This talk is filled with biblical truth, story, and inspiration, as well as relevant information gained from my experience as a long-time nature study group leader and certified local Master Naturalist.

The Role Of Questions In Education

This talk explores the significant role a curious, questioning mind plays in a lasting education, while delving into some insights on this topic from Christian educational philosopher, Charlotte Mason. Further information is shared on how we as teachers and parents can promote a curious and engaged mindset as we teach and learn with our students. We will also discuss how to grow in our questioning skills - to better facilitate thoughtful engagement and discussions to encourage true, lasting growth in our students and ourselves in this world filled with a feast of ideas.

I did not own a Bible until some time into my college years, so if memorizing scripture is for children only, I would have missed that boat entirely. Thankfully the church where I was first introduced to the ways of Christ valued Bible memory among both youth and adults. In this talk, I share top reasons for memorizing scripture, along with stories and tips for how this has and can become a simple yet valuable, faith-building, life-giving practice - for children, adults, and families.

How do we inspire learning without falling into the traps of manipulation?

Every parent wants to see their child motivated and engaged to learn and grow in positive ways. But how do we rightly encourage this? Can or do we ever pursue this goal in unknowingly unhelpful, even manipulative ways? What are the most successful ways to encourage and inspire our students to develop motivated attitudes toward learning long term? These are the questions this talk addresses.

Have you ever had the desire to spend an evening together with your community studying a familiar but perhaps vaguely understood biblical word or characteristic more in depth? Perhaps you’d like to gather to learn with your church women’s ministry group, maybe your small group, or simply with a gathering of friends or neighbors over a cup of tea around a cozy fire during the long Midwest winters. I offer several interactive biblical word studies for women’s groups to enjoy, including a little poetry and/or art picture study. Topical words include the following: Love, Grace, Glory, Humility, Courage, Hope, Repentance, Peace, and Forbearance. Collect your friends or fellowship and let’s enjoy a little winter hygge with Jesus.