Lori, Erin, and Sarah discuss how to make sense of our experiences through our theology and how to develop solid reasons for hope that can lead to effective gospel conversations.

The foundation of biblical sexuality has all but disappeared from our culture. In its place is a radical rewriting of the meaning of marriage and of what it means to be human—male and female—made in the image of God. In this talk, Ferrer will discuss what is being taught to our kids through the new National Sex Education Standards (NSES). In the NSES, alternate sexual orientations and gender identities are being promoted through Christian-sounding virtues such as love, tolerance, equity, and inclusion. Ferrer will address the influences of repetition, moralization, social justice, intersectionality, and queer theory. The new sex education standards were published at the end of 2020. Are you sex-smarter than a fifth grader? Can you fully describe the difference between cisgender, transgender, gender nonbinary, gender expansive, and how gender differs from biological sex? Because your fifth grader is about to be able to. In this session, you will learn about the ideas presented in the new standards, what worldview is being taught, and how you can empower your kids to see through the agenda while still loving their friends who are confused. Topics will include an introduction to the concepts of social justice, queer theory, and intersectionality.

The modern church has lost a biblical vision of knowledge and how it transforms us. Yet, knowledge is an essential part of the Christian life. What different kinds of knowledge do we need? And if knowledge is so vital, where does faith belong? Kunkle will show how the knowledge of God is necessary for a deeper Christian walk.

It’s easy to forget that this moment in history is just that—a moment. We can only understand this moment in which we find ourselves by zooming out to see God’s big story, which includes the creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration. These overarching truths about the story of the world do two things: They provide context, helping us make sense of this particular moment. And they give us hope that the story doesn’t end here. It’s not an accident that we find ourselves in this time and place. God has invited us to be reconcilers with Christ. What does this look like in each of our lives? We will look at four questions that will help us to determine how to develop eyes to see the world around us in all of its beauty and brokenness. And we will learn to love the world as Christ does, with the gifts that we have been given and in the spheres of influence in which we have been placed.

Our culture’s skepticism and often outright criticism of the Bible is something that can leave many Christians feeling shaken. Because Scripture is the foundation of our faith, we should be confident in its reliability. So, how do we know that the Bible is God’s word and our unchanging standard of truth and doctrine? Are there good reasons to believe that it is historically accurate and dependable and that we can really believe what it says? In this presentation, we will review various evidence, both from within Scripture and outside sources, that point to the trustworthy nature of God’s Word so that you can be confident in your Christian faith!

If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there so much pain and suffering in our lives? This deep struggle is the most common reason for doubt and disbelief in God. In this session, we’ll look logically and practically at navigating this difficult issue with a Christ-centered perspective.

As the apostle Paul wrote, if Christ was not raised, then our faith is futile and we are all still dead in our sins (1 Cor. 15:17). But how do we know the resurrection really happened, and what evidence can we offer to others who may not be convinced the Bible is the inerrant Word of God? In this talk, we will learn to make a case for the resurrection using only the historical facts agreed upon by virtually all scholars about the life and times of Jesus, regardless of worldview.

Picture a world where justice, freedom, and equality are not just ideals but lived realities for all. Have you ever wondered where this deep yearning for a better world comes from? Join me as we uncover the captivating story behind the Christian worldview and its profound influence on our modern values. Understanding our Christian Inheritance can help “crack the code” of what’s going on in our culture. As we delve into this thought-provoking subject, we’ll bring our attention back to the source of this vision and our faith, Jesus Christ. When we get this right, things make sense.

Compromising on God’s design for sex and marriage is all the rage today. Whether it’s turning a blind eye to congregants who are shacking up, shrugging off divorce, re-writing God’s command for one-man-one-woman marriage, or silence on the dangers of reproductive technologies, many churches are prioritizing adult desires over God’s clear commands. Further, some churches do so in the name of “compassion” and “love.” But compromise in any of these areas violates God’s clear command to not cause “one of these little ones to stumble.” Those little ones are children. When adults bend God’s rules on sex and marriage, children are the victims. Both in terms of our bodily design and in the Old Testament laws, God’s prescription for sex and marriage maximizes child protection and thriving. Any deviation from that design forces children to sacrifice their natural rights for the sake of adult desire. “Compassion and love” for adults often means that children are starved of what they need to thrive- their mother and father loving each other and loving them… for life. Understanding God’s design for sex and marriage includes extending empathy and compassion to adults in struggling marriages, to our friends who experience same-sex attraction, to our friends burdened with infertility. But it also means insisting that adults “do hard things” so children’s needs are met. God is right about sex and marriage. Most of us know WHAT God says about it. You are about to find out WHY, when it comes to children, God’s design is so good.

The secular world is speaking more loudly than ever to kids and is ultimately competing with parents for influence over their kids’ worldview. In light of this reality, how should Christian parents transform the nature of their discipleship to be a stronger voice in the midst of so much “noise”? In this session, you’ll learn practical answers to this question and gain takeaways you can begin using immediately.