Session 1: 10:10 to 11 a.m.
The GAP Year Experience and the Future of Discipling the Next Generation
Presenter: Drew Anderson, Program Director for GAP at Denton Bible Church
In a world of inexorable confusion, intrigue, and impatience, what does Christian discipleship look like? How can the next generation of Christ-followers grow in biblical knowledge, understanding, and wisdom? Is there a place in the local church for this to occur? Come and learn how a gap-year discipleship experience offers robust answers to these questions and provides one immersive solution for the next generation to be equipped to build a life of true success.
Teaching Generation Alpha a Biblical Worldview
Presenter: Shelly Melia, PhD, Associate Dean/Program Director for MA in Children’s & Family Ministry at Dallas Baptist University
Generation Alpha is growing up in a unique cultural context, and imparting a biblical worldview remains one of the most significant tasks of parenting. This seminar will help you understand the challenges this generation is facing and highlight strategies for teaching kids how to view the world through the lens of God’s Word.
Parenting with Love & Logic for Preschoolers
Presenter: Kelley Wilkinson, Director of Stonebriar Preschool Pals
Learn in a fun way how to stop negotiating with your child and start having them solve problems on their own while you are coaching and guiding them through. Through this presentation on the Love & Logic approach, you will learn how to stay calm and empathic when your child does upsetting things, and how to help your kids learn from their mistakes and not repeat them.
Parenting Children with ADHD and Anxiety
Presenter: Meaghan Wall, Pastoral Leader of the GIFT Ministry (Special Needs) & Senior Adult Ministry at Stonebriar Community Church
We all know our children are created individually and in the image of God, yet as parents, we get frustrated when what works for one child doesn’t work for the other. In this breakout, we will discuss various parenting strategies that complement the unique attributes of your child. It won’t look the same for everyone, but there are essential tools that could help you find a parenting strategy that works for your child’s needs.
ABCs of Blended Families and Single Parenting
Presenter: Michelle Nietert, LPC-S, Author, Counselor & Mental Health Coach
How can I co-parent well with my ex-spouse? What do we do when we disagree and emotions run high? How do I help my kids adjust and make transitions in a blended family as they age? How do I create enough of me for everyone? These are just a few of the topics Michelle will cover, drawing from her experience as a counselor who works with the Collin County family law system as a parent facilitator, family mediator, and reunification therapist.
Session 2: 11:10 a.m. to Noon
Raising Confident Lifelong Learners
Presenter: Dr. Kelly Cagle, Researcher, Coach & Educator
Too many kids nowadays are disengaged with learning, increasing their anxiety because of poor grades, inability to understand content, and doubting their potential. When kids lack self-awareness and good study habits, they lose interest more easily, experience negative self-talk, and begin questioning their own abilities. In contrast, when children know how to learn, they confidently look for ways to grow through everyday challenges. In this session, Dr. Kelly Cagle will teach moms and dads how to raise lifelong learners by using daily moments as learning opportunities to build their child’s confidence and problem-solving skills.
Enjoying the Marriage and Parenting Journey: A Grace-Filled Approach to Marriage, Parenting, and Conflict
Presenters: David and Jamie Ake, Marriage Ministries Leaders at Stonebriar Community Church
Marriage and parenting are an incredibly rewarding and challenging journey! The irony is that as we try to pursue the same goals of loving each other and shepherding our children toward the heart of God and healthy maturity, disagreement and conflict can easily surface. However, God’s grace and some healthy tools and perspectives can be very helpful on the path toward enjoying unity, joy, and hope in parenting. Join us as we look at:
- Root causes of conflict in marriage and parenting at various stages of life and development.
- Processes to pursue grace and unity in conflict within marriage and parenting.
- Tools for understanding and applying different parenting styles and strategies with a Christ-centered perspective.
- How parents’ healthy marriages contribute to maturity and resilience in children and adolescents.
The Sex Talk
Presenter: Ashely Or, LPC, Biblical Counselor
In a world where our kids are inundated with sexual content, how do we, as parents, take the lead in their sexual education? In this breakout, we will discuss the when, how, what, and where of having conversations with our kids about sex. Join us for an open discussion on how to integrate a biblical perspective of sexuality with researched methods for approaching the children and youth of today’s generation.
Family Discipleship
Presenter: Joey Dean, Associate Pastor of Young Adult Ministries at Stonebriar Community Church
In his book Family Discipleship, Matt Chandler writes, “Your faith is your children’s best possible inheritance. Pass it on to them as often and thoroughly as you can.” Discipleship is the process of passing along our faith and helping our children grow into everything God desires them to be. In this breakout, we will learn a simple and approachable model of discipleship, helping us to better understand where we are spiritually and what steps need to be taken in order to grow. We will discuss tools that equip us to grow spiritually as we pour into our children, which helps unlock the transformative power of creating a discipleship movement within our homes.
Raising Mentally Healthy Kids
Presenter: Michelle Nietert, LPC-S, Author, Counselor & Mental Health Coach
What does a mentally healthy kid look like? How can you tell if your child is struggling with their mental health? When do you need to get them help, and how can you make sure the person helping is qualified and aligns with your Christian values? In this breakout, Michelle Nietert, LPC-S will discuss how to protect and prepare your kids as they face a culture saturated with mental health struggles.