“We have been so blessed to go through your Bible study with our kids! We have had great conversations and we have had the chance to discuss great questions.”
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise”
All the teaching is provided allowing them to confidently teach the Scriptures with ease and consistency, regardless of biblical knowledge.
The teaching uniquely keeps the focus on God’s character throughout the Scripture as it keeps God’s unfolding plan of redemption in His story connected.
They no longer get tangled up in difficult teaching, bogged down by details, or distracted with divisive issues.
They enjoy expressing their opinions, and the opportunity to question “what” they believe as they develop the reasons for “why” they believe, with an adult who actively listens when they talk showing respect for their thoughts.
They can trust the God of the Bible, as they learn His pre-determined plan for the ages, watch Him accomplish His purposes, see Him fulfill His prophecies, and always keep His promises.
They gain hope as they realize their life has purpose and meaning.
A growing love for God as their hearts are being prepared to receive His gift of faith.
“I like the format. It has been very easy to use and has a lot of content in each lesson, without feeling overwhelming.”
— EMILY CUPPS
Striving to prove their independence, yet needing help to understand the Bible.
Wanting to believe the storybook Bible stories, yet needing to form their own opinions.
Feeling impatient with long explanations, yet yearning for more than superficial answers.
Wanting to share their fears and doubts, yet fearing rejection if they are honest.
Refusing to engage in conversations they don’t enjoy, yet longing for an adult who will help them find answers to their tough questions.
Losing hope in today’s secular culture, yet desperately wanting to find meaning and purpose in life.
“The dropout problem is, at its core, a faith-development problem; to use religious language, it’s a disciple-making problem. The church is not adequately preparing the next generation to follow Christ faithfully in a rapidly changing culture.”
Communication is the heart of every relationship. Our ability to help others know and love God is only as good as our communication. There is an art to talking so youth want to listen, and listening so youth will talk. Every art has basic principals and CONVERSATIONS FOR LIFE teaches the principles, then helps adults apply them throughout the lessons.
THE PRINCIPLES INCLUDE:
Having Something Wise to Say
Understanding Before Being Understood
Letting God Use His Truth His Way
Disagreeing Without Arguing
Creating a Bond of Trust
Humbly Admitting What you Don’t Know
Choosing Not to Overreact
Dealing with Doubt
Having an Open Mind while Holding to Truth
Talking to the Heart
Keeping the Conversations Going
Actively Listening
Letting Abstract Thought Develop Slowly
Maintaining a Sense of Humor
“I love the questioning format and the whole basis of “teaching and talking”. It makes so much sense. Your lessons will help train parents how to talk with their kids to encourage more critical thinking.”
CONVERSATIONS FOR LIFE is a through the Bible study in a 4-book set. Each book containing 40 lessons.
EACH LESSON HAS THE SAME FORMAT:
Pre-Lesson: A quick-read section written to adults providing background information, suggested areas to emphasize, and answers to anticipated questions.
Background—Bridging the Gap: This section bridges the gap between Scriptures creating continuity in the unfolding story of God’s Word and ties thoughts together from previous lessons.
Scripture: Scriptures are carefully selected keeping God’s unfolding His-story connected, along with a deep understanding of God’s character as He accomplishes His purposes.
Main Truth: The main true focuses on the character of God in the context of his unfolding redemptive plan for the ages.
More Truth—Older Ages: This short section provides additional truth, in ascending order of difficulty.
Think Together—Talk Together: This section turns biblical teaching into faith-building talking causing youth to think deeply and respond to God personally. The conversation starter questions are broken into three categories: (1) Think; (2) Think Deep; and (3) Think Deeper in ascending order of difficulty. Answers are provided for each question.
The material is taught from a reformed theological perspective—faith alone, in Christ alone, through grace alone. Divisive issues separating Reformed Churches has purposefully been avoided allowing this to have broader appeal to a wider Christian audience. The Scriptures are taken form the ESV Study Bible.
“My 4th grade students looked forward to the lessons during Bible. They were engaged and we had thought-provoking discussions following the teaching.”
