Lou Priolo
Plenary Sessions:
Character Traits of a successful Marriage
The Scriptures are abounding with revelations about the character of God. As Christians, we are to reflect the character and glory of Christ with our lips and our lives. This can often be most profoundly demonstrated within the covenant of marriage, a picture of Christ and the Church; the Bridegroom and his Bride. Learn how to develop and nourish four of the most essential qualities that will ensure a marriage that is both satisfying to each partner and pleasing to the Lord.
A Crash Course on Biblical Communication
In an age and culture of “pop-psychology”, technology and text-messaging, our language is undergoing a transformation that has become increasingly world-centered. God is intimately concerned about how His people communicate, not only with each other, but with an unbelieving world; and the Scripture is filled with example and instruction. Learn how God has put believers in the “communication business” of testifying to His mercy and grace in our lives, and how our speech can be either a powerful witness or a hindrance to the furtherance of the gospel.
Workshops:
Helping People Pleasers
In each of us is the desire to obtain the approval of others. For some, this desire can become elevated to the level of idolatry, affecting every sphere of life. Learn what the Scriptures teach about when it is lawful to seek approval; when the “idol of approval” has set up camp in our hearts, and how the gospel of grace has set us free from its tyranny.
What To Do When Your Children Rebel
Even in the godliest of homes, a child can rebel against the authority of God and parents. Many Christian parents suffer the heartache and anguish of having to deal with an impenitent child. “Where has our parenting failed; what can we do?” they ask themselves. At the heart of godly parenting are the sovereignty and the promises of a faithful God. Learn what the Scriptures teach about our role and responsibility as stewards of the gospel of grace to the hearts of our rebellious children.
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Gospel Centered Counseling
Biblical counselors are very adept at pointing counselees to the obligations of the gospel – the put off’s and the put on’s of Scripture. It is possible however for us to be so focused on these obligations that we forget the declarations of the gospel – what God has declared about us and about his love for us. Before we teach our counselees to ask What Would Jesus Do? we need to teach them to ask What Did Jesus Do? It is in the declaration of the gospel that we find the motivation and joy to ask and pursue WDJD.
Considering Jesus – The Cure for Spiritual Depression
The only cure for spiritual depression is recalling to mind the work of Jesus Christ as he endured hostility and thought nothing of the shame of the cross out of love for us. When we consider him and what the cross says about who we are and what we can expect from ourselves, the weariness and depression that grips us has to lose its hold.
Christ’s Word To Worriers
Before we get to the commands to avoid worry and anxiety, we’ve got to look at the foundation of our assurance: our adoption and God’s providential care. In light then of His great adopting love we can rest free from anxiety knowing that he knows what we need.
Because he loves Me: How God’s Love Transforms Our identity and Life
Although all Christians are aware of John 3:16 and God’s love for them in Christ, the places where this love actually intersects with their daily lives is sparse. In other words, after walking through the door of the gospel, the incarnation, sinless life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, loses significance and growing in godliness is where the action is. In this presentation, Elyse will call women back to the cross and the empty tomb, to see themselves as they should, with an entirely new identity and life.
Dr. David Edgington
Plenary Session:
The Sexual Beauty of Marriage
Christians should be teaching the world about sex, not the other way around. The Scriptures give profound teachings on sex that should revolutionize our marriages. We will look at how biblical principles must influence how we engage in this most beautiful gift that God has given to married couples.
Workshops:
Romance in Marriage – Biblical Style
Why would God give us an “R-rated” book like The Song of Solomon? We will explore the components and the mystery of “romance” and how to deepen your intimacy with your spouse, and also those things we do that undermine it.
Treasuring God Through Biblical Meditation
Biblical Meditation is a lost art (and practice) among most Christians today, yet it is integral to the effective application of biblical truth to the soul. It is little wonder that the Puritan John Owen referred to it as “the great distinguishing character of true believers from all unregenerate persons.” The Puritan Thomas Brooks said that, “It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.” Come and explore this critical, yet neglected art of the life of the believer.
Brenda Payne
Workshops:
The Heart That Wags The Tongue
The Bible is clear about the duty of a Christian’s tongue. Nevertheless, gossip is a startlingly common sin. The Bible likens gossip to both choice morsel and a fire; these vividly describe its appeal and its destructive capabilities. The real problem, however, is not gossip itself; it is the heart of one who hears or spreads it. By examining certain Bible verses and sample situations, one may begin to discover the heart attitudes behind a habit of gossip. Further, using “gossip filters” and actively doing those things which further righteousness can help a Christian learn to use the tongue in a godly way.
The Challenging Marriage
Marriage is a wonderful union between two people who love God and each other, more than they love themselves. Right? Ideally, yes. Realistically, no. Marriage is a union between two people who every day battle with loving themselves the best! As a result, even the best of marriages face difficult times of struggle. Some women are married to unbelievers and they need instruction and encouragement on how to deal with their situation in a God honoring way. Some women are married to professing Christian men who are immature in their faith and their lack of maturity shows patterns of pride and selfishness. Finally, some women think they are married to difficult men when in fact, they are the difficult one! How can you help women who think they are in difficult marriages? In this session, we will look at the sin, the sinners, and the Great Redeemer!
Melancholy Moms
Motherhood is a daunting task often leaving mothers feeling down, discouraged or hopeless. Are you overwhelmed by the heavy responsibilities of parenting? Are you ready to throw in the towel? Does it seem like the issues are growing weightier and that the well being of your child lies squarely on your shoulders? Are you dealing with a particularly willful child or are you just worn down from the daily grind? Take heart! God gives hope to flailing mothers. In this session we will explore some of the major reasons why mom’s give into discouragement and uncover some of God’s great and precious promises to pull them out of the pit of despair. We’ll also look at some practical helps to overcome discouragement and how to press on in this high and holy calling!
Counseling Children
Increasingly, more parents are seeking counseling for their young and teenage children. Biblical counselors can offer much hope and help to children but it is important to have a clear understanding of why we do so and how we do so. In this session we will explore some important questions for preparing to counsel children. What are the benefits of Christian counseling in the life of a child? What is the proper role of a Christian counselor in counseling someone else’s child? What are some important considerations when counseling children and teens? What about confidentiality issues with children? What type of homework is profitable? How can you motivate parental involvement? These are a few of the issues we will look at when counseling children.
Wayne Nieman
Workshops:
Understanding and Reclaiming Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Part One
In an age when the biblically, distinct lines between men and women have become so distorted by postmodernism that the very foundation of society and the family are threatened, it is vital that God’s people both understand what is taking place and seek to reclaim lost ground for the Kingdom of God and for the spiritual health of the Christian family.
Understanding and Reclaiming Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Part Two
In an age when the biblically, distinct lines between men and women have become so distorted by postmodernism that the very foundation of society and the family are threatened, it is vital that God’s people both understand what is taking place and seek to reclaim lost ground for the Kingdom of God and for the spiritual health of the Christian family.
Steve Davis
Workshop:
The Bible vs. Psychology
Over the last several decades, an alarming trend has been infiltrating into the evangelical landscape: the integration of secular humanism with Scriptural teaching. Nowhere is this more disturbingly demonstrated than in the area of counseling methodologies. Christians are being confronted with questions like: Does the Bible really have answers for “modern man’s” problems? Aren’t my problems too “deep” for the Scripture to identify? Aren’t “professional” Christian psychologists better equipped to handle my issues because of the advanced insight into my “disorder”? How can God help with my “disease”? In this session we will explore from God’s Word why we can fully trust our Creator, expose deceptive philosophies, and see why the Scripture’s are completely sufficient for all the issues of life and godliness by turning to the One who is our Hope and Comfort in this life and the next.
