Normal Goes A Long Way

Hearts & Hope for Uganda has been featured on this podcast numerous times. The first appearance happened in Episodes 75 and 76 , when Jill Devine talked to Andy Wiggins and Todd Larkin. Andy and Todd are the Co-Founders of Hearts & Hope for Uganda. Hearts & Hope is a St. Louis-area 501c3 nonprofit focused on transforming poor villages in Uganda through clean water, health & wellnes...

In this special Halloween episode, Pastor Maxx Fisher joins Jill Devine to discuss modern day witchcraft and how prevalent it is in our everyday lives. Highlights from the episode include: Neopaganism Witches Wicca The term monad The use of Magic Christian Discipleship If you have questions or would like to chat through some of the items discussed, please reach out to Maxx via email: mfisher@mlsli...

We’ve come to the end of our journey together through God’s Big Story. But it’s not really the end! Our prayer is that families will keep learning together and growing together in faith! Talking about Heaven is a great place to start this week. Here are some ideas: Preschoolers: What do you want to do in Heaven? Who will you see there? How will you feel in Heaven? The Bible tells us there will be...

There's a lot of myths and misinformation around the end of time. It tends to make imaginations run wild (as a quick Google search will show). In this week’s episode, Pastor Jim Mueller separates fact from fiction. We're going right to the source—the Book of Revelation—to find out what the Bible really has to say on the subject. What we find is both fantastical and fascinating. Revelation is a boo...

Today we are learning more about Paul. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: How did Paul serve God? (He taught people about God). Paul travelled to Rome on a boat. How do you travel? How can you serve God? (ages 2-5) Paul says he doesn’t care if he goes to prison, he wants to finish the work that God gave him- which is to witness to others about God’s love. What are some ways y...

Imagine you were in Paul's sandals. For 30 years you devoted your life to zealously carrying out a mission, traveling far and wide to spread the Gospel. Church leaders valued your teachings and copies of your letters spread throughout the churches you help build. You were on fire for Jesus, but your ministry ends with you alone in a cell awaiting execution. Paul never did see the fruits of his lab...

Today we heard the amazing story of Saul’s transformation into Paul! Parents, here are some conversation starters that can help you keep talking about this story! Preschoolers: Paul sang songs to God, even when he was in prison! What are some of your favorite songs to sing to God? Can singing songs to God help you feel better when you’re in a bad mood or a bad situation? Early Elementary: God did...

If you've ever doubted that Jesus can change the heart, just look to the example of Paul (aka, Saul). Once renowned for his violent persecution of early Christians, Paul has a conversion experience that knocks him to the ground (literally!). Days later, he sees the light (literally!) and emerges as one of the church's great leaders. Take a listen to this week’s episode as Vicar Ryan Pfendler walks...

Today we are learning about the Holy Spirit. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: What did God give his people? (the Holy Spirit to live inside them) Who can receive the Holy Spirit? (Everyone who believes in God) The Holy Spirit gave Jesus’ disciples the power to speak in other languages. Teach your child a few words in another language. (ages 2-5) This chapter of The Story sa...

It was an exciting time to be alive in Jerusalem back around AD 30-33. Not only did you have the chance to run into Jesus in the flesh during His ministry years, but you would have heard first-hand accounts of (or even bore witness to!) His victory over death. Imagine getting in on the ground floor of the Jesus movement! Those church fathers (and mothers) had a front row seat to the action. But wh...

Today you heard one of the very best stories ever told - the Easter story! Without Easter, none of the other Bible stories would matter. Here are some conversation prompts to keep your family talking about the importance of Easter: Preschool: What is a surprise? Have you ever had a happy surprise? Jesus' friends had a happy surprise on the first Easter- what was it? Elementary: Have you ever gone...

In last week’s episode, we looked at the interactions of Jesus and his disciples during the final evening of his earthly ministry. The events after that fateful night would forever alter their worlds (and ours). Imagine seeing the person you learned from, sacrificed for, and loved over the course of three years publicly executed—and someone you considered a brother being the catalyst for your teac...

Today we are learning about the last things Jesus did on earth to show his great love for us! Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: What happened to Jesus in this Bible story? (Jesus had dinner with his friends, prayed in a garden and died on a cross) Why did Jesus die? (He died for our sins) How did Jesus show his love for us? (By dying for our sins) Sing Jesus Loves Me (ages 2...

For thousands of years God's people have had no trouble getting into trouble. They've repeatedly gone their own way, sinned on grand scales, and tested the patience of a very patient God. Now the time has come for God's wrath to be unleashed. But instead of punishing the ones who deserve it, he sacrifices his own son.   Today, we'll see Jesus in all his humanity. He experiences betrayal, dese...

Today we are learning that Jesus is the Son of God, and he is full of love! Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: What did the disciples say to the kids? (Go away!) What did Jesus say? (Come to me) Who loves you? Sing the songs “Jesus loves me” and “Jesus loves the Little Children” many times this week. If you don’t know the songs, you can find them online. (ages 2-5) A parent’s...

What if we told you that the Creator of the universe and the Savior of the world wants a relationship with YOU! YOU are His beloved child and He wants to meet you where you are. This week, Ryan Pfendler will be examining God's character as He is revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions . You can complete them on your...

Today we will learn that Jesus was a fantastic storyteller. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: Tell me about your favorite story. What is your favorite Bible story? Can you tell me about some of the stories Jesus told? (The Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son) (ages 2-5) One of the coolest things Jesus did was walk on water. What do you think that would be like? Peter tried to w...

Chances are, you've experienced trouble in life. The list of things that can (and do) go wrong is a long one. Our problems can range from minorly inconvenient to devastatingly life-altering. If you've ever been afraid, you're in good company. Even the disciples, who saw Jesus perform miracles, had moments when fear overtook faith. In this week’s episode, Pastor Chuck Schlie will remind us of His g...

Today we will learn about Jesus performing many miracles and allowing people to experience the power of God. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: *Tell me some things that are powerful. What do you think is the most powerful thing on earth? How did Jesus show God’s power (He performed many miracles) (ages 2-5) *When John baptized Jesus, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, and...

If you confess Jesus as your Savior, every day you're being targeted. Satan wants nothing more than to separate God from His people, and he's really, really good at knowing how to go about it. We all have trials and temptations in life, and Satan has a great sense of timing. He knows when we're most vulnerable to his lies and what he can use to tempt us. That's a lot of doom and gloom, but it's th...

Today we will learn about how Jesus was born into this world to be our rescuer! Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: Ask: What special baby was born? Why did God send his Son? (To save all people) When do we celebrate Jesus’ birth? (at Christmastime) What is your favorite part of celebrating Jesus’ birth? (ages 2-5) What would you say if an angel appeared to you? Why do you think th...

After a nice summer break, we're returning to our message series based on "The Story" and looking at the Christmas narrative in Chapter 22. See that simple manger? Removed from the pageantry we typically associate with the season, its humbleness reflects the values of the kingdom that Jesus ushers in. He arrives in an unexpected form to a world where what he said and did was contrary to the expect...

We hope your summer has been going great! In this bonus episode, Hannah and April reflect on past episodes and what they're looking forward to with future episodes. Join Hannah and April on Thursday, August 7th for a brand new episode of Normal Goes A Long Way For Kids!

We hope your summer break is going well! In this week's episode, our host, Jill Devine, provides an update on when regular episodes resume and what to expect after summer break. Make plans to join us on Tuesday, August 5th for a new episode based on Messiah's sermon series, "The Story".

Today we learned about when God helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Parents, want to extend the discussion with your kids? Here are some discussion questions: For your kiddos ages 2-4, say: What did Nehemiah and God’s people build? Walls can make a city feel safe. What makes you feel safe? For your kiddos ages 5-9, say: Nehemiah didn’t get too discouraged when enemies tried to stop...