The 5 Solas for Families

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The Five Solas for Families
The Protestant Reformation was a response to Roman Catholic doctrine and theology. That response began with Christians within the Church who sought a return to biblical teachings about salvation, authority, and mediation.

Hey! There’s a great giveaway in this post! Check it out a little further down!

When Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, there was widespread corruption in the Church. But the 95 Theses were a response to a doctrinal teaching–the sale of plenary indulgences, which promised the complete forgiveness of sins in exchange for money. It was the sale of the merit of Christ, a way to buy Jesus’ atonement.

The Reform that began with Martin Luther spread like wildfire across Europe. Theologians and Church officials had been calling for reform for centuries, and they lost no time fighting for true biblical teachings….. [Read more…]

Reformation History for Kids: 13 Biographical Cards

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Reformation History for Kids: Reformation Biographical Cards
October 31st, 2017 is the 500th anniversary of Reformation Day! Reformation Day is a remembrance and celebration of the day Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church.

Though there had been earnest attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church prior to Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, his document listing objections to the practice of selling plenary indulgences–a certificate claiming to absolve the purchaser’s sins–kicked off the Protestant Reformation. That earned Martin Luther the title Father of the Reformation.

There’s a free set of Reformation Biographical Cards in this post for you.…. [Read more…]

The Reason I Could Never Homeschool {Yet I Do}

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The Reason I Could Never Homeschool (Yet I Do!)

I originally wrote this article in 2011. I’m so grateful the Lord has answered my fervent prayers for my own growth!

It’s a question I approach with extreme caution: “Where do your kids go to school?”

Apparently, it is impossible to homeschool without thinking everyone else in the world should also. At least, that must be the perception.

My answer that I homeschool is often met with a blank stare. Following the stare, I commonly hear a list of all the reasons my partner in conversation can not possibly ever (Never, ever!) homeschool. Inevitably I hear, “I just don’t have the patience for that.”…. [Read more…]

Bible Object Lessons for Kids

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  Bible Object Lessons for Kids

I want to thank Anne Marie Gosnell for providing a copy of Walk This Way: Ethics and Sanctification Lessons for Kids in return for my honest opinion.

Children think in very concrete ways. One of my favorite ways to teach the Bible to groups of younger children has always been through skits, object lessons, and creative storytelling.

When I was teaching Ephesians 6:10-20 (The Whole Armor of God) to my kids, we would pretend to be valiant knights, dressing up in the armor of God. We did it over and over again, putting on each separate piece of armor, until they had memorized each aspect of their armor. Later, when the boys would face a difficult situation–there are a lot of difficulties when you’re five!–we’d pull out our Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We’d talk about why it’s important to stay in Scripture and to memorize verses. Then we’d talk about what the Bible says about the difficulty that was occurring at that moment.

…. [Read more…]

100+ Screen Free Activities for Families

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100+ Screen Free Activities for Families
When I was growing up, our home situation was a little stressful. Our family went through the catastrophic illness, chronic medical instability, and death of my older sister. My parents later divorced and I spent school years with my mom and holidays and summers with my dad and his new wife (who have been married decades now–I refer to them as my parents).

Through all that stress and instability, my parents both did something I really valued–they spent time with us, out and about, doing things. Not only that, they spent time with us in the house doing things together. We made a lot of memories and those family activities helped shape who I am today.

When my husband and I married, it was important to me that we continue making memories with our family. We’ve worked hard to connect with our kids through screen free activities. Now that two of our children have grown, and the other two are looking decidedly like men (and shaving!), I am so grateful we’ve spent time together free from technology for at least a little while….. [Read more…]