The Family Series

 

The Family That Stays Together Stays Together

 

In this encouraging workshop, Steve relates the positive experiences that he and his wife have experienced raising their four sons. With plenty of humorous illustrations, Steve shares tried and proven suggestions that have enhanced their family life. With God’s help he is convinced there is hope for the family in the 21st century.

 

 

Family Worship in the Home

 

Steve shares his successes and failures of over 20 years of working to develop the habit of incorporating family devotions into the life of his family. He also shares insights into the role of the father as the pastor of the home. With references to the habits of other notable Christians, Steve shares practical tips for teaching God’s word to children of all ages.

 

 

Good News for Parents

 

When we are rooted and grounded in Jesus, we are equipped to lay down our lives for each other and have our heart turned towards our children. God is full of mercy and grace. In this session we will explore the gospel and its impact on our view of God, ourselves, and our children.

 

 

Being a Disciple and Training Disciples in Our Home

 

God calls us to teach and disciple our children while we are still being discipled ourselves. This unique dynamic was designed by God to develop teacher and student alike. Steve shares his successes and failures of 30+ years training his 4 sons from young boys to grown men.

 

 

Understanding One Another and Building Each Other Up

 

Each member of the family is uniquely qualified and designed to understand and support one another. From communication tips and personality insights, we will look at practical ways to love one another and build each other up in the Lord. “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

 

 

Finding Hope and Redemption in the Valleys of Life

 

This workshop is Steve’s testimony of the last twenty-five years as the father of a child with special needs. He shares what his family has learned as a result of Johnny’s disability, and the special, rewarding, and joyful role he has played in their lives. Even in the difficult experiences of life, God proved faithful. His grace sustained them and brought good out of their struggles and disappointments.

 

 

 

Meat For Men Series

 

Journey of a Homeschooling Dad

 

With all of the best intentions, Steve set out to be the best Dad he could be for his four sons who are now adults. This adventure in parenting is a lifelong process and he is still learning how to have his heart restored to his children. As a dad he made many mistakes and had many of his own blind spots revealed. Thankfully God is a Redeemer and does work all things together for good.

 

 

Strategies for Building Up Our Wives

 

Steve relates insights he has gleaned from scripture on how God has designed our wives and ways that we can lay down our lives for our wives and apply biblical principles to build them up and encourage them in the Lord.

 

 

Our Father Who Art in Heaven

 

Steve shares his own experiences as the father of four young men, along with insights into restoring the hearts of fathers to children and vice versa. Fathers have an incredible impact on their children. From Abraham to David, and from Ken Ham to Dean Smith, the influence of fathers extends to many generations.

 

 

Functions God Designed Fathers to Fulfill

 

God made men. He made them in the image of God. He made them different from women. From promises to fathers to characteristics of a Christian man, we will consider our role as men following Christ. God has given us men of God like David and Abraham to inspire and teach us by their lives.

 

 

Heart Motivation for Men

 

The heart, the essence of who we are, is the real us. From our heart we believe. Out of the abundance of the heart we speak. Where our treasure is, there will our be also. David was a man after God’s heart. Christ dwells in our heart through faith. In the last days, God is turning the hearts of fathers to their children. May God turn our hearts to him and our family.

 

 

 

Building Faith Families Series

 

The Really Good News  

 

God is full of mercy and grace. In this session we will explore the gospel and it’s impact on our view of God, ourselves, and our children. We are not only forgiven and justified, but accepted completely in Jesus. For our sake he made him to be sin  who knew no sin, so that in him we might become  the righteousness of God. This is really good news.

 

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

 

I know God loves the world, and I believe He loves me. But God not only loves us, He knows us intimately and likes us. In order to grasp this life transforming truth, we will consult scripture to see ourselves as God, in Christ, see us. God is love, and God never changes.

 

Rooted and Grounded in God’s Love

 

When we are rooted and grounded in Jesus, we are equipped to lay down our lives for each other and have our heart turned towards our children. We are created in His image, bought with a price, and adopted into His family. May God give us strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

Loving One Another as Jesus Has Loved Us

 

The new commandment is to love one another as Jesus has loved us, or “As I have loved you, love one another”. How has Jesus loved us? Focusing on God’s love through Jesus, we are given the pattern for how to love each other in our marriage and family.

 

The Good Holy Spirit

 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, to be with you forever; the Helper, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will teach you all things, and guide you into all the truth. This workshop will explore how wonderful the Spirit of Jesus is, as our Comforter, Helper, Teacher, and Friend.

 

Renewing the Mind Series

 

As a Man Thinks, So He Is

 

The word of God is inspired, authoritative, and “profitable for teaching”. As Christians, we are to be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. With these convictions we will examine what the Bible has to say about education and how scripture impacts every subject area in our curriculum.

 

 

Learning With Jesus

 

According to Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus has a burden which is light and yoke that is easy. He encourages us to learn of Him. In light of this scripture, are our education plans for our families being driven by the well-meaning world which emphasizes external achievements, transcripts, and degrees, or the Son of God; who is meek and lowly of heart?

 

 

Biblical View of Education

 

What does scripture say about teaching our children? Which subjects should we teach? Who is called to teach? Where should instruction take place? What should the makeup of our classroom be? How can we build relationships as we learn?

 

 

Encouraging and Raising Lifelong Learners

 

What skills, tools, and subjects are important in our children’s training? How can we light a fire in our students and encourage them to become lifelong learners? How can parents teach and inspire without burning out in the process? We will think about academics and attitudes in this workshop, recognizing there is no ‘one size fits all’ in education.

 

 

An Overview of the Family from Genesis to Revelation

 

God created the family. It is the ideal institution for husbands, wives, and children. This workshop explores the role of the family in the plan of God, and why it is worth preserving and protecting. In discovering more about God’s ways, we will also learn more about God himself.

 

 

 

For Young Adults and Parents

 

Slaying Lions and Honoring Parents 

 

In examining the life of David, Steve gleans helpful insights into the battles facing young people today. This workshop will clarify the issues, and encourage our youth to stand strong in their faith. All scripture is inspired and profitable for Christians of all ages, and in all ages.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading & Personal Devotions

 

This workshop is applicable for any earnest Christian who desires to develop this habit or needs encouragement to keep at it. How and why to have a daily quiet time, tips for making the time more effective, and reading through the Bible are a few of the topics to be considered. After examining the Scriptures and hearing about Steve’s own experience and that of other Christians, all will be encouraged to continue to grow in their walk with God.

 

 

What About Youth Groups and Sunday Schools

 

Steve examines the history of the Sunday School movement, modern youth ministry, and shares his experience of coming to Christ at a summer youth camp. He then addresses this topic, having served many years as a Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, summer camp counselor, and summer camp director.

 

 

Courtship vs Dating

 

Steve shares his testimony of seeking a wife having practiced a form of courtship over 30 years ago. He also shares his observations of modern dating in the world and the church. Beginning with a short study of marriage in scripture, this is a timely exhortation to know to put God first and be led by the Spirit in finding a life partner.

 

 

 

Pillars of Personal Discipleship Series 

 

The Word

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35 Daily reading God’s word is an essential pillar to the believer. This exhortation is sprinkled with scripture and Steve’s personal experience of reading the word for over 30 years. Jesus is the word made flesh.

 

 

Personal Prayer

 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 Prayer is what makes our relationship with God a living breathing reality. Jesus is only a prayer away. And he is praying for us. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

 

Godly Fellowship

 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 As members of the body of Christ, we need each other. We were designed for community. And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12.