One only has to listen to discover the heart of a child. Our goal as parents is to reach the heart, rather than simply realign behavior. Too often, we depend on rules as the primary enforcer of behavior. Rules can change behavior, but they can’t change the heart. When parents begin to discern the difference between character flaws and purposeful disobedience, they will implement a gentler approach to reaching and understanding their children. As a result, children will more willingly admit their faults and seek help from those they love. Children need to hear the beating of our hearts rather than the beating of our voices. Join Mark as he relates his experience as a shepherd and the important lesson that you don’t become a shepherd just because you own sheep.

Join Mark as he reveals an unusual passage of Scripture that is rarely preached or talked about. Twice God the Father speaks about His Son—once at His Son’s baptism and then three years later on top of a mountain. The second time He speaks he repeats what he said the first time but adds one significant component that is essential for all parents—“Listen to him.” Once you learn what this means, you will approach your children with a more purposeful plan that will cultivate their identity, confirm your love, be encouraged by your pleasure in them, and possess the confidence and authority that has been bestowed upon them. As always some of the most powerful teaching on parenting is right before our eyes. (Hebrews 5:8; David and javelins; Joseph, Daniel, Abraham, Moses, Peter: a servant and apostle—switched roles)

Parents who have challenging children need specific tools for working with these kids. This session offers hope and encouragement to parents who desperately need it. In this session parents will understand how raising the character threshold can help kids do the right thing. Attendees will learn to use an Action Plan Worksheet to develop a unique plan for their child. Parents gain hope and encourage by learning a biblical plan to work with a challenging child.

Parents who have challenging children need specific tools for working with these kids. This session offers hope and encouragement to parents who desperately need it. In this session parents will understand how raising the character threshold can help kids do the right thing.

What is ‘real science’? Jonathan discusses the distinction between ‘origins science’ which seeks to explain what happened in the past and ‘operational science’ which is testable, repeatable, and is the source of things like cell phones and antibiotics. He shows how what we see from operational science—things we observe today—support the Bible’s statements about origins and an intelligent Designer—the God of the Bible. This includes startling evidence for a globe-covering Flood that laid down rock layers, formed fossils, and carved canyons.

Child-training methodologies are important. The permissive methods, the behavior-modification methods, and the externalistic, recipe-driven methods have all borne bad fruit over the years. But what is there for parents who desire authentic, heart-deep, God-loving kids? Based on the experience of generations of godly child-rearing, and the wisdom of God’s Word, Kevin Swanson carves out a biblical balance to this difficult subject in this presentation.

Why do most scientists believe in evolution? Is it because the science behind evolution is so strong? In this eye-opening presentation, and using their very own data, Gary ‘busts’ the myths behind evolutionary assumptions and shows how the evidence fits the biblical account better. But why is this an important debate for Christians? It’s because our children will be taught evolution as ‘fact’ when they undertake higher education. The consequences are having a damaging effect on the church as our youth walk away from their faith. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can actually empower our children if we can teach them how to think straight in this crooked world.

What is it about home education that has profoundly reenergized education and produced such outstanding academic results? Incredibly, the average Homeschool 8th grader without teacher-credentialed parents tests 4 grade levels above the national average on nationally standardized tests. And it is not because we have taken a public school system complete with desks and bolted them to the floor of our living rooms. In this visionary, ground-breaking presentation on the Homeschool vision, Kevin presents the basic elements that make up an outstanding homeschooling experience for your child. This message will give the first-time homeschooler confidence and vision and will provide encouragement and a reality check for the experienced home educator.

A panel of dads discusses what your wife and homeschool really need from you.

An Awesome Year-long Unit Study- Imagine learning about the exciting lives of missionaries in a way that incorporates history, geography, science and language. By using some of the many well-written missionary biographies, you'll learn how to make your own year-long missions unit study that covers a full school year of learning K-8,(you will need your own math program). This fun approach will engage your child, cover a multitude academic subjects, while enriching your child's faith through a study of the lives of people who devoted themselves to teaching the world about Christ.

Gary is arguably the world’s leading Christian authority in this area. His book, Alien Intrusion: UFOs and the Evolution Connection, is the only creation book to be an Amazon top 50 best-seller. He points out that life can only arise from one of two mechanisms; either it was created (as the Bible says) or it evolved (as evolutionists claim). Countless numbers, including most Christians, believe in alien life due to popular culture and evolutionism. So what about life on other planets? What about all the UFO sightings and experiences with alleged aliens that people (including some Christians) claim to have? Are these real events, and are they really aliens? Gary’s investigations have taken him all over the world to uncover a sinister agenda by spiritual forces that have deceived millions. And yes, the experiences can be real, but they are not really aliens. As much as it might surprise many, Gary will demonstrate from Scripture that, even in this incomprehensively massive universe, the earth and mankind are unique, and that the Bible does not allow for intelligent life on other planets. Prepare to have your thinking challenged.

Many non-believers rail against God because they witness so much death and suffering in the world, and this is one of the main reasons why people reject the God of the Bible. However, if they are atheists, what logical basis do they have for determining what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ anyway? Sadly, many have left their Christian faith because they have been taught that death and struggle is an essential part of ‘life’, and so this must be the way that God created. However, if we understand and take the Bible’s history at face value, the death and suffering we see in the world should actually serve as a reminder that something is wrong with this fallen world. When we look at the world through the lens of the Scripture, we find that indeed God has done something about all the death and suffering in the world. You will be immensely encouraged by this message.

We can tell when something shows evidence of having a human designer. So when things in nature show those same characteristics—only on a much more complex level—it makes sense to attribute that to a Designer as well. Jonathan discusses several evidences of magnificent design in nature, including DNA, molecular machines, the complexity of the cell, and more. He also demolishes arguments of ‘bad design’.

In all of world history, up until a century ago, teenagers were considered adults. There was no such thing as the childhood phase we call "adolescence."? This workshop will examine modern culture and its influence on the slow maturing of today's young people, to help parents identify those things they do to keep their children irresponsible and self-absorbed, consequently, unprepared for adulthood. Also, drawing from history, Reb presents a plan for unlocking children's full potential for early maturity.

An in-depth look at four parenting styles: Dictatorial, Detached, Enmeshed, and Indulgent, will reveal some of the root causes of childhood apathy, depression and rebellion. This insightful session will help parents see the effects of their particular style of parenting, and how it may be cultivating four types of foolishness in children. Teens will also benefit from these insights as they learn that their parent's failures are not an excuse for irresponsible behavior. Biblical and present-day examples of each of these styles will be illustrated, and the consequences and steps needed to break these patterns of harmful behavior will be addressed.

Learn how to teach proper manners in the home using songs, stories, role play, kind discussion and a lot of laughs. Etiquette skills take time to form and perfect, so it's NEVER TOO EARLY TO START! Can you imagine mealtime as a time of peace, tranquility and warm discussion? Can you imagine your child saying, "Well, thanks for thinking about it, Mom,"? when you just told your child, "No, you can't go to the swimming pool today."? You will be so grateful you attended this workshop and will leave with confidence and excitement to implement these ideas into your home. Bring your children along. We have a special lesson for them, too.

As children mature they ask three foundational questions of their fathers. The answers the father demonstrates to these questions determine whether he will raise a rebel or a mighty warrior for the cause of Christ. (1)Are you worthy for me to follow? (2)Are you worthy to have my heart? (3) If I give you my heart, will you lead me? This talk will focus on practical steps a father (and mother) can take to win and keep the heart of their sons and daughters. We will also cover valuable leadership lessons for the father to apply in his home.

Is the aim of home education simply to get a diploma or is there something else that we should target as our goal? Conscientious moms fear we�re not teaching our children everything they should know to be prepared to get a good job. We fear our boys may not be on grade level and our girls may not find a godly husband. We fear we may not be able to afford a good college. Yet in spite of all these fears, we don�t even recognize the biggest gap in home schooling. In this thought-provoking discussion about the main purpose of education, learn what God calls His people to do and how to educate our children by faith rather than by fear.