Dr. Jessica Peck prescribes Hope for healthy Families on American Family Radio

Hello, and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show, prescribing Hope for healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner, and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hey there, friends, and welcome to my favorite part of the afternoon, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. These are my favorite prescriptions to write. Let me tell you. It's much more fun than amoxicillin or antibiotics or any other thing that I prescribe. Prescribing Hope Hope is the best. And I can only prescribe that to you from God's Word. And our prescription for hope for you today is spend 52 weeks in the Word. If you've been following along since January, we have been on a journey to adopt 52 habits for healthy families. And one of the first habits that we did right out of the gate in January was memorizing God's word, reading God's word, spending time in God's Word. It was superseded by prayer, because I think you should pray at, all times without ceasing. And today we are talking exactly about that. The Bible is foundational to our faith. And not too long ago, I was interviewed by John o', Leary, who, by the way, if you missed that, you should go and check that out. Such an inspiring, such an inspiring personal story. He was severely burned when he was nine years of age, but God spared his life. And actually there's a movie coming out about him in October. I, may or may not get a sneak peek of that. I'll keep you posted. But he asked me, if you were in your house and it was on fire, what would you grab? And I didn't even have to think twice. It was my Bible that I actually gifted to myself. When I was 16 years old, I bought myself a Bible. It is still the Bible that I use every Sunday morning. And the Bible is foundational to our faith. But for many young people, it can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? How do you understand it? And we are talking today to someone who is going to help us with that. I'm so excited. Look at this. Right here we have the student edition of, 52 weeks in the Word. And we are coming to you with beloved author and Bible teacher Trillia Newbell. And she is going to offer us a very beautiful, accessible path for students to journey through the New Testament in just one year. Now, what I'm saying is your students may do this. You should do it along with them, whether it is your grandchildren, your nieces, Your nephews, your adopted kids, whoever it is, it's a great thing to do in this book. It's got daily readings, thoughtful questions, it's got bright colors. It's so fun. And you know, I am a fan of physical media, especially in a digital age. This is a great way to get kids attention. And this guide is going to help students not just read the Bible, but love reading the Bible. Trillia is going to share her heart behind this project, how we can help the next generation become confident and joyful readers of God's Word. And we're not just helping them read the Bible, we're helping them be meet the author. That is the best part about this book is everyone can meet the author. And the scripture I would encourage you with is Psalm, 119, 105. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. If there's any of you out there in my generation, maybe you're singing Amy Grant's song about that now. I don't know, maybe that's just me. But we are so delighted to welcome Trillia Newbell Trillia, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for joining us.

>> Trillia Newbell: Thank you for having me. It's a joy to be here.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: It is a joy. And I can see the joy all over your face. I just see your beautiful smile. And it's always great to see. In a world where we have doom scrolling and there is bad news and doom and gloom, it is great to see the joy of the Lord in you.

Tell us a little bit about your ministry and how you met the Lord

So tell us just a little bit about you and your ministry and how, how you met the Lord and how he called you to this ministry.

>> Trillia Newbell: Yeah, okay, well, let's see, where do I start? I didn't become a Christian until the age of 22. And so a young girl shared the gospel with me when I was 19. But it took a couple of years for me to submit my life to Jesus. And then once I did, the whole trajectory of my life changed. My path, my goals, everything. and it's really a miracle of God's grace, which every salvation is a miracle of God's grace. but I really, it's just remarkable to me that I'm following him. and so that is, that is my testimony in a nutshell. I have two children, one about to go to college, one, gonna be a sophomore in high school. And I've been married for 21 years. And my, ministry, you know, it's interesting because I work for a publisher and I do a lot of writing and speaking And I. I fell in love with this medium, this type of work, probably when I. My son was about 2. So many, many years ago, I started writing, and I just haven't stopped since. And it's just something that I love to do and love to serve people through the written word.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, I'm so appreciative of you doing that because I feel like as parents today, we seem to be in the same life stage of parenting for sure, right now, launching kids. I call this stage quasi ad because it's, yes, you're an adult, and yet somehow I still pay for your life. So where do I get the say in that? But, you know, just seeing how important it is for students to know and love the word of God, to have that in their hearts as they're going off to college, into the workforce, or just facing the trials and temptations that come to young people today, they absolutely need it.

The response to 52 weeks in the Word for the adults was so enormous

So tell us about the adult version of this, because I absolutely, wholeheartedly. Any media that kids consume, whether it's digital, whether it's video, whether it's written, parents need to be right there alongside it. So tell us about these companion pieces and how you came to the student edition of this guide.

>> Trillia Newbell: Okay. Well, the 52 weeks in the Word adult version takes you through the whole Bible in a year. So it's, canonical, which means it takes you from Genesis all the way through Revelation, straight through the Bible. And I. The response to 52 weeks in the Word for the adults was so enormous. People were. I would get text messages and M, DMs and all sorts of notes from people who were reading their Bible for the first time or they were reading with their, their, their adult daughter and, and, or their adults, their parents and all of these groups of people and churches who were all freeing this and using 52 weeks in the Word. And I knew, wow, if this is how it is affecting adults, what more could we do and how could we serve young people? I do think that anyone can read the Scriptures, and it may take you a year, two years, five years. but for students, I thought, you know, for a lot of them, they may not have ever read a chapter or even a scripture, and why not give them something very accessible like reading through just the New Testament in a year. And so that is how it was birthed. It was because the response for the adults version, which really is for anyone, but the 52 weeks in the Word that takes you through the whole Bible, the response was so great that I thought, you know, something even More accessible for the. A younger person would be great. Now with that said, and you alluded to this earlier, an adult can use the 52 weeks in the Word student edition because it just takes you through the New Testament. The readings that go with them are younger, they're geared younger. But the, the, the Bible plan itself anyone can use as well.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, I love this so much. I think back to one of my relatives who came to know Christ, later in her 20s and she had not really read her Bible at all. But she started volunteering in a children's ministry. And that was great because that was exactly where she needed, she needed to lear of those things in a very accessible way.

How has God's Word impacted your faith journey

So whether you are young at heart, young in age, young in your faith, starting somewhere is so very important. And we've had so many guests on this program who have talked about the transforming power of God's Word, how we had one who was a professed atheist, whose family was atheist and her band teacher gave her a Bible. She just started reading in the book of John and God transformed her life. So we know that God's Word is powerful, it's active, it's you know, like a double edged sword Sword, right. And it pierces through joint and marrow. What have you. How have you found God's Word to be transformational in your own life? Because I know you can only write about this, the overflow of your own journey in your heart. And so how has God's Word impacted your faith journey?

>> Trillia Newbell: Yeah, well one, when I became a Christian, I remember reading Ephesians 2 for the first time and really getting it that by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing. It's a good gift. So no one can boast. And I thought, wow, this is God's work, salvation and, and I have his favor. So just reading about the Gospel alone was something that just was incredibly transformative. But when I was, became a Christian, I just, I didn't know anything. I was really similar to your friend that you talked about. And I read and read and kept reading because I could probably have not. I just didn't know anything. Well, later on. And so I started memorizing and reading. But later on I started to, I had suffering, I had miscarriages and other things that were so hard and discouraging. And I remember at one time laying down in the bed and being so, so sad. And the Lord in his kindness brought to me scripture that he will never leave nor forsake me. Romans 8 that he draws near to the brokenhearted. All of these scripture verses about his character, about his nature, about his nearness, his love. Well, that's because I had been in the Scriptures. I had been reading His Word. And so, of course, we need God all the time, not just in times of trial and suffering. However, when that trial comes, we want to have a firm foundation, and we find it through the Word. And I would never have thought when I was reading that, oh, God was preparing me so that I might be comforted. So that was really transformative. It was a reminder that this reading is not just to puff up or to gain knowledge or to say, I've read the Word. No, it's because we get to know God in His Word. We get to know our Father. We get to. To grow in our knowledge of Him. and it's growing in. It helps grow and facilitate the relationship that we have. And so it's. It's. I. I'm so grateful for that experience because now I know, oh, my reading is. It isn't in vain. It would have been in vain anyways had I never experienced that. But I. I understand His Word doesn't return void. He. It is transformative. It is shaping me, and he is reminding me of who he is. So that was. That was a time that really stood out. there's plenty of other ones, but that. That really stood out to me.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, I love that when I think it's so important for us as families to be in God's Word before that hard thing happens, because you're just. Like you said, God's Word does not return void. And I remember a time when I was in eighth grade in Sunday school, and my teacher had us memorize the whole first chapter of James. And at the time, you know, you're thinking, okay, I counted all joy. And, at that time, you know, I had not experienced any significant trial, you know, to my knowledge, at that time. But looking back at it and seeing that word was hidden my heart. And when I did start to encounter significant trial thinking. Count it all joy for the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience have its perfect work. And really, truly, this has been my best parenting transformation ever. Because as I'm speaking to my kids, I can tell them, if I say they're afraid to go to sleep at night, I can tell them, hey, don't be afraid. Mommy's here. I'm.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I'm with you. I. But I can. And that's great. Those things are great to say, but I can follow it. Up with Psalm 48. I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone. Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety. And when my kids don't know what to do, I can tell them, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will direct your path. And when they feel like they've been passed over, I can tell them, I'm so sorry that you feel disappointed that way. But I want you to know the Lord God is a son and a shield. He gives grace and glory. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. That comes from Psalm 84:11. This is why I'm encouraging you as families to be in the Word together. And we're already coming up on our first break, but when we come back, we'll have more to talk about, about why the New Testament and what you hope and just more about reading God's word. This is so important. It is foundational to your own spiritual health and I promise you, it is foundational to your family health. I cannot parent without it. And let me tell you, I have a lot of education, a lot of degrees, my credential spell. I clearly need a new hobby. And I'm telling you, I it would be nothing without the word of God encouraging me, nourishing my soul, edifying me. So we'll have much more with Trillia Newbell when we come back. I can't wait to see you on the other side of this break. 52 weeks in the Word Student edition. Because of listeners like you, PreBorn helped to rescue over six 67,000 babies. Your $28 to sponsor one ultrasound doubled a baby's chance at life. Your tax- deductible gift saves lives. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate go to preborn.com/AFR. will you take a moment and celebrate life with me?

Last year preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion

Last year preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion. Hi, this is Jessica Peck, host of the Dr. Nurse Mama Show. And I want to thank for your partnership. Think about what you did. 67,000 babies are taking their first breath now because of you. Your $28 sponsored one ultrasound that was given to a woman as she was deciding about the future of her child. Once she saw her precious baby for the first time and heard their sweet  heartbeat, her baby's chance at life doubled. But preborn's mission is not only to rescue babies lives but also to lead women to Christ. Last year Preborn network clinic saw 8,900 women receive salvation. Your help is crucial to continue their life saving work. Your caring tax- deductible donation saves lives. So please be generous. To donate go to preborn.com/AFR, that's preborn.com/AFR or dial pound 250 and say The keyword baby that's pound 250 baby, your love can save a life. Preborn's whole mission is to rescue babies from abortion and lead their families to Christ. Last year Preborn's network of clinics saw 8,900 mothers come to Christ. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate go to preborn.com/AFR. you've.

>> Don't Stop Praying by Matthew West: Cried and you've cried till your tears run dry the answer won't come and you don't know why and you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time don't stop praying don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your knees wear out the floor don't stop believing Cause mountains move with just a little faith and your father's heard every single word you're saying so don't stop praying.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back friends. That's Don't Stop Praying by Matthew West And I encourage you. Don't stop praying. Don't stop praying for your kids, for your grandkids, for all kids in this generation to come to know the Lord and to love him. And in a world full of distractions and digital overload, how do we train kids to sleep, slow down and truly engage with God's word when maybe if we're being really honest, they just want to read the bible. And a 45 second reel, that would be preferable. But in today's conversation, we are talking to Bible teacher Trilia Newbell. She is a very accomplished author and she's unpacking how 52 weeks in the Word, the student edition, helps kids not only study the Bible, but cultivate habits of reflection and prayer and trust in God. And we're exploring how resource is structured because I want to tell you something. This is 52 weeks in the Word. We are in the school starting season right now. All over the country, people are starting to go back to school and we'll be doing so in waves over the next few weeks. And the great thing about 52 weeks in the Word is that you can start any week. You don't have to wait till January, you don't have to wait till the beginning of summer. You can start it this week. And as you're thinking about your student going back to school, I wonder what would happen if you did this for a year and then went back to school next year and looked at how 52 weeks in the Word transformed your family. I got chills just thinking about that. Because there are so many families who are struggling with so many things, and kids do not need watered down truth. They don't need little highlights of truth. They need, they need clear invitations to engage with the God who made them. And Trillia is going to help us do that. So, Trillia, welcome back. Thank you so much for writing this and for being here with us today to talk about it.

>> Trillia Newbell: Oh, thank you.

How can parents set up a rhythm to set their kids up for success

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, let's talk about the structure of the book. Let's get down to the nuts and bolts. Let's talk about how does this work if someone wanted to do this or give this to their student? Because a lot of times what I think happens, and Trillia, I have been guilty of this. I'll buy a Bible study or something for my kid. And I basically say, here, you should do this, you know, and you just kind of hope, hey, have you been doing that thing I asked you to do? How do we make an engaging invitation? What does this look like? How can parents set up a rhythm to set them up for success and actually doing this and not being just another book that sits on the shelf untouched?

>> Trillia Newbell: Oh, such a great question. Well, I'm, I'll start with just the structure. People can read one chapter. That's all we're asking for, one chapter a day. And so you talked about a 45 second reel. I mean, for some people it might, I mean, I don't know how long everyone would take, but it doesn't take that long to read. And I think often we think Bible reading, we, we think we're going to spend spending hours in the Word, but.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: It'S burning incense and you know, having like a special prayer room and.

>> Trillia Newbell: Yes, yes, y. But, it's not as difficult as the way we make it out to be. So I think that's one thing is every day you're asked to read a chapter and then I have questions that repeat. So they're the same three questions for every day. And also space to write. So you can write some reflection questions or the kids can. So the point in sharing that is that it isn't something that you should just use with, with your Bible and sit down. You literally can, it's more engaging than that. So you can write, you can think of questions. The, the student can, can, can ask more questions. So it's, it's to engage their heart and mind as they read. So that is one thing. And then at the end, on the sixth day, or I believe it is, I have a reflection where they can read. Some a. Either learn. It's structured very different. So each reflection is a little different. Some teach you how to study the Bible. Some, talk to you about what you've just read. And so it's all a little different. So to keep them engaged and interested. So that's the general structure, how to help your student. Whether it's your Sunday school or if we're talking families, if it's your kids, I would say you have to be intentional to talk to them about it. And not just, hey, did you do that thing? But tell them what you're learning in the word, really engage. Let them know, hey, this is important to me too. I'm not just giving you another school assignment. That's not what this is. It's about learning, and knowing God. God that we will worship for eternity. We will be with him forever, and we will never stop, learning about him. So why not start now? So I think it's got to be important to us before we can really engage intentionally. So it starts with the parent. But with that said, some real practical ways is you can set a day, hey, every Monday night, we'll talk about what you've been learning this week. So you have a set time and the child knows, oh, we're going to talk about this. Or the teen, they know we're going to. We're going to have a conversation about what we're learning. Or, for me, I read my Bible in the morning, so maybe it's during breakfast. You're saying, hey, what have you been reading? This is what I'm reading. so you're engaging daily. but the point is that it's a little bit more intentional than just, what, what are you doing? I think that's how we capture hearts. Another thing is you can read the Bible with them. So it not. It may not be that you sit down and read at the exact same time, but it is. It could be that you, talk about what you're reading, like daily or that you. Well, I will say for a Sunday school class, which I know that, some Sunday schools are using it this way. Every week they, they read, my Reflection and talk about it. And then the assignment is for the kids to read their Bible through that week. That's something that would be easy to do. The point is, is that it's intentional and so whatever you do get creative but you, you have to think and execute. You can't, it's not gonna, it's, it's probably not gonna come naturally. What that's, and that's with every relationship, whether it's a relationship with the Lord, a relationship, it takes intentionality, which you got to be proactive. And so when you're engaging with your kids, think that way as well.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I think that's great. And as you were talking, there were three things that came to mind in being intentional about this because we have to be intentional about discipling our kids and we think, oh, it's too busy, we don't have time. Well, for most of us, for 99% of us, I'm going to guesstimate if you just open your screen time on your phone, you're going to definitely find margin in your schedule where you're scrolling on something where as you said, Trillia, it's not that long. So three things that I thought. One was when my daughters went off to college, they were going to a church where they had a program where they were reading through the Bible together. And so they invited me and my husband to join that with them. And so we did. Now we didn't always talk about it every day, there was no formal anything. But as we were reading through it was so funny to see how they, it would creep into our family, text, string on little jokes or you know, like, at least I'm not so and so and the, you know, whatever character, a subtle reference. And it was a great measure of accountability because you knew exactly who didn't get it, who hadn't read that day. So we'd say, oh, you better catch up. But it was all light hearted and fun. But it was great because we could say, whoa, let's talk about what we read today. Like I, you know, I, I have some questions and we would talk about that as a great way to make it natural. That was the first thing that I thought. And just being intentional. And Trillia, you've given the, you've given families a wonderful tool to be able to do that. Just like the, my daughter's church gave me a great tool to use. The second thing was that having this at bedtime is a really great, that's a great way that I'm intentional about this too because when I go into my kids room, I'm very intentional about tucking them in at night I do a heart check. I'm going to ask how their day was because as we're Going back to school. Trillia I don't know if you experience this, too, but you pick your kids up from school. You have missed them all day long. If you're. If they go to school somewhere, if you're homeschooling, maybe not so much. Maybe you're ready for a little separate time. But you. You pick them up and you're like, how was your day? And they say, that's fine. You're like, well, what. What was fine about it? I mean, it was just fine, Mom. Like, what. What. What's. Especially with my boys, you know, what's the big deal?

>> Trillia Newbell: Yeah.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: And. But then at bedtime, they will read me what I call the war and peace of their life. Like, they will open up and tell everything. And I see that devotion on their nightstand, and I can tell if it's moved. I can tell if it's been opened. And I can just say, hey, tell me about what you're reading m about. Because I think for so many families, if you're not used to doing that can feel really awkward. And if we're being really honest, it can feel almost disingenuous at first. Like, oh, tell me about your spiritual life. And, the. The kids are. Okay, well, tell me about your spiritual life, which is great. Okay, I will. Yeah.

Three questions can help children learn about God and his character, Trillia says

The third thing that I thought is you said, you pointed out you're asking the same three questions. And I have the book open right here, and I'm looking at them. those three questions are, what do you learn about God and his character in these verses? Where is Jesus in these chapters? Where do you see the Gospel? And three, how might you apply these verses to your life? Trillia, those are fantastic questions. And once again, I think as parents, we are just so, susceptible to the narrative that it's got to be more complicated than that. It has to be something more in depth than that. There has to be some transformational movie moment. That is not the case. It's in the mundane that those moments really become miraculous and cemented in the heart of your child. So asking those three questions, if that's your dinner question or whatever it is, just, if you can learn those three questions, what do you learn about God and his character? Well, when you've learned that, when you're going through something, what have you learned about God in his character? Is that true what you're saying? is he's never going to leave you or forsake you? I think those things are really great.

Trillia: The New Testament starts with understanding the life of Jesus

So, Trillia, this student book, as we talked about, is just the new Testament. So why just the New Testament? Why is this a great place for students to start?

>> Trillia Newbell: Yeah, well, there's so many reasons. One, it's, it is really it starts about Jesus. Right. So I know we know that the whole Bible is about Jesus. It points to Jesus. Yeah, but, but the New Testament starts with understanding the life of Jesus. Understanding. And I think that's just a great place to start. If we start in Matthew and learn about the story of Jesus and his birth, and his life, I, think that is an engaging and simple way for kids to start rather than trying to start with the Pentateuch and understanding law and. Which is great, awesome. But it's more I think digestible for a student and I would say the same for an adult if Now a lot of people start in Genesis and I think that is an excellent, I mean you really. In order to understand, fully understand the New Testament, you need to know the Old Testament. Jesus quotes the Old Testament so much so we need, we cannot, cannot get away from or leave that. It's, We've got to know it. however, I think when we start with the life of Jesus and, and, and the New Testament, it helps us to, to understand the general foundation of our faith. And I think that is, it's just a real simple place for most kids to start with that kind of narrative, beginning that story of Jesus. so that is really simply it. I just think the New Testament is because of the more complicated, in depth, tough, books of the Old Testament also. It fits really nicely into 52 weeks.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Which, yeah, I mean it works out great.

>> Trillia Newbell: Yes. And so, so yes, it worked out great. But I also think it's, it's just a helpful place for people to start to understand the Gospel and understand Jesus.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: It is. I remember when my father in law came to know the Lord and he really started to read the Bible. And my, my children were a little bit younger and so finally one day they told him, they said, you know, you've been reading your Bible and you know, now all of the stories that we know as kids, you know about Noah's ark and Daniel and lion's den and you know about some of the stories of Jesus. And they said at this point they said you should try some meat. So they were telling him about milk, you know, which is you know, a little easier to, to digest and then meet in the scripture. And he said, well, what do you suggest? What, where should I start? And she gave him a passage and said, all I'm going to say is Noah gets drunk. Oh my goodness, here we go. But you know what? Wherever you are starting. Yes, yes, I know that's so that's just the truth of the matter of what happened. But here's the thing. Wherever you are in your Bible reading journey, you have never really engaged with the Bible. We have featured a lot of authors, a lot of Bible teachers on this show that you can look at that tell you different methods, different ways to start, but this is a great way to start. So if you think, okay, I have never real, like I, I open my Bible when I go to church, but I've never really read it, this is a great way to start again. Whether you're young at heart, young in age, young in your faith, or you have a student, this would be a great back to school gift because what better investment could you make than encouraging someone to read God's word? So if you're a grandparent, tell them you'll do that with them. I know, I see that between my kids, grandparents and, and my kids, they're frequently texting about scripture and asking questions and learning together because there is more than you could ever learn in one lifetime. You can open the Bible. And even now, I still learn something new every single time I read it. Well, when we come back, we'll talk about some other elements of Bible reading and how we can encourage relationships. As Trillia said, it's not about rules and making sure they do it. It's about starting that foundational relationship and helping them depend on God for everything they need. We'll be right back with TRILLIA NEWBELL At 52 weeks in the Word.

The historical foundation of the Christian faith is fundamental to our faith

Here'S. Dr. Ben Witherington from the American Family Studios documentary the God who Speaks.

>> Dr. Ben Witherington: I like to say a text without a context is just a pretext for whatever you want it to mean. In other words, without the historical context, you can twist that text and make it mean whatever you would like it to mean. And more importantly, Christianity is a historical religion. I would put it this way, nothing is theologically true that's historically false. The historical foundation of the Christian faith is fundamental to our faith. So therefore it follows that studying the historical context of the New Testament is critical to understanding it at all. Visit thegodwhospeaks.org.

>> Jesus, Son of God by Brandon Heath: This earth you formed was not your home A love like this the world had never known A crown of thorns to mock your name Forgiveness fell upon your face Love like this the world had never known on the altar of our praise Let there be no higher name Jesus, son of God, you laid down your perfect life. You are the sacrifice. Jesus, son of God. You are Jesus, son of God.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Jesus, Son of God by Brandon Heath.

Trilia Newbell's 52 Weeks in the Word focuses on Jesus

And that's what we're talking about today, is Jesus the son of God and how you can learn about him and his life and his ministry in the New Testament. We're talking with author Trilia Newbell today about her book 52 Weeks in the Word. If you are watching on video, you can see this is a really colorful, engaging book with reflection, prompts and the same three questions that you can make normal in the fabric of everyday family conversation. If you are looking at something to school, I know you're thinking all things backpacks, you're thinking school supplies, you're thinking pencils, you're thinking haircuts and teeth cleaning and all those things. Think about their spiritual formation because this is what they need more than anything to face the troubles that are going to come to them in today's world. And as parents we can be so fear based but we could be faith informed. And there is so much comfort, let me tell you, in scripture to be found. There's so much wisdom. And really what if one year could shape a lifetime of faith? That is an amazing possibility.

Fewer than 10% of Gen Z regularly read the Bible

And so we're continuing our conversation with Trillia Newbell talking about how a year spent walking through the New Testament, one day, one verse, one prayer, one reflection, one conversation at a time can really transform your student's life. And we all should be be forever students of Scripture. And so whether you're a parent, a grandparent, a church educator, a leader, a teacher, wherever you are, do you have the opportunity to invest in the spiritual formation of kids? You absolutely need this. And when we look at why it matters now more than ever, we are in a world full of noise and a worldview that's being shaped by an algorithm and that is such a dangerous place to be. But it is the role of Bible study to help kids shape their identity, to know their identity in Christ, to know their values, to know their purpose. And it is going to give them spiritual, emotional and even academic benefits of spiritual literacy. It is an investment that goes far beyond other investments that we put into our kids. We think about and those aren't bad. When we think about investing in their academic health, we want them to succeed. Or maybe they're academic, they're athletically gifted, that was certainly not me. But there are those who are. But how are we investing as equally ah, in their adult life now from Statistics. We know that way fewer than 10% of Gen Z regularly read the Bible. And we need to engage students in scripture. And if students can spend hours and hours brain rotting, literally brain rotting, this is their term, not mine. I am not being judgmental. They even have brain rot, tricks, trivia, then, what is five? Why is five minutes in God's word so incredibly hard? We might be busy. We might say that we're busy. We might just feel like it's overwhelming. I don't know where to start. I try to start, but I'm distracted. Or you think it's only for adults or only for super Christians or only for a different stage in my life. We know that students need encouragement. As Trillia has been telling us, they need us to walk alongside them and to be intentional and practical and show them how it is done. Now, one of the hard things here, Trilia, is wandering into that legalistic territory. And there can be some students who will start to resent that. You know, if you're constantly harping on them saying, have you read your Bible? Have you done your devotional? How do we do this and encourage them in the context of relationship and not just rigid rules?

>> Trillia Newbell: Oh, I love that question. I think it starts with us, right? So are we reading our Bible? Do they see us reading and enjoying God? Do they see our need for Jesus and our desperation? Do we talk about him in, in a natural way rather than just on Sundays? So that I think is one of the things that help with this is to they. They're going to want to be like us when they see us living it out. Right. And, and so I think that starts, it starts with, with us. Now I want to pause because parents can also put a lot of weight on themselves. Oh, where did I fail if my kid doesn't? Oh, yeah, love the. Yeah. And it's not about us, but say that again.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Yes, ma'. Am.

>> Trillia Newbell: So, yes, I, so I, I do think that there can be danger there. yet. We want to. We want to be. We want. We don't. We want to be desperate for Jesus ourselves. So we need to start with our asking ourselves, lord, do I love you with all my heart, mind and soul and strength? No, I know I don't. Will you help me? Help me and help me get into your word. Help me, help me to love you. And then I think our kids will see that. They'll know, okay, this isn't something, some rule that mom and dad are just trying to harp on us and make us do. No, they, they really they love the Lord and they're trying to emulate. They're trying to encourage me to, to emulate, to, To. To be like them. and so I, I do think kids see through that. With that said, practically speaking, I think it's. It's how we, how we talk to our children. And so if you come at them like it, say what. What are you thinking? Why didn't you do that? That like it's a rule, then of course they're going to see God as yet another thing they must do rather than God as someone to know. And, and so I, And. And with I. And to obey. Know and obey, because obedience is important. But I, I think that we want to speak with grace, and love and ask questions and draw them out and encourage me. Them, and I think also tell. Be honest that sometimes it can be confusing when you read. Sometimes it's drudgery. It's hard. It is hard to read. You're looking and you're like, I don't know what this is talking about. Well, that's okay. And make sure that they know. There's freedom in confusion. There's freedom in asking questions. There's freedom in not knowing. And so those are just a few, few things. But then apart from Bible reading, I would say how we approach our kids in life also affects how they will approach God in the Word. And what I mean by that is if, if we are. If we're tempted to be, unkind in our direction in general. And I'm not talking about firm, sometimes we just. But if we're, if we tend to get angry in everything that we respond or emotional or everything's charged, then our kids are going to generally take our instruction and have a hard time submitting to it. So I do think that there are some bigger parenting, issues that we'd have to look at and evaluate in our own heart, in our own methodology.

When it comes to Bible reading, start with yourself and then speak truth in love

However, when it comes to Bible reading, start with yourself and then speak truth in love. Ask good questions, be encouraging. And, that can help with the mentality. And I don't think there's a problem with saying in our home we do this. And so if, if, if in our home on Mondays, we. We're going to talk about God's Word. And I think that's completely fine to. And good to do. This is our, this is a beautiful habit of our home. And, and you can build those habits and still have grace.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Absolutely. You know, I think about how it really is convicting to me at moments during my Mothering, where I realize my kids are copying me. Now, sometimes that can be really gratifying because it's something good. And you think, oh, that. But it's also sobering because I think, ooh. So just as in you're copying me and doing something good, you're copying all my character flaws, too, you know, so that's. That's a. A, responsibility that we have. And. And we know that there's no such thing as a perfect parent, and we are raising imperfect children, and God is a perfect father, and we are still imperfect children. So having said that, I will say that, I had a note card that. Where I would memorize a verse about God, about his character. And I love that you have this, Trillia, because when we go back to this whole, like, not making this, rules thing, a regulation thing, you know, just a. A rigid enforcement thing, it's all about God's character. So instead of using scripture as a weapon against our children, we use it as a weapon in the hands of our children. And the question that you ask is, what do you learn about God and his character in these verses? Well, my daughter, one of the verses that she was learning about God and his character and what he teaching her during that time, and the way that he was ministering to her and providing for her. So she put that verse on a little note card and taped it on her dashboard. So then anytime, you know, she had a stoplight or she got in her car, got out of her car, she was meditating on that scripture until she learned it. Well, one day I took her car to the grocery store, and I see this mom and her three daughters walking up ahead of me, and they walk by my daughter's car, and of them says, mom, look, you will not believe this. And so they all gather around the window, and I was thinking, what happened in there? Is there? Please don't let it be an animal. That's all I was thinking. But they looked and they said, mom, that's my verse. That's my verse. And the girl just started crying, and her mom was like, see, God is faithful. And I thought just from seeing a scripture there, how God used that and seeing how God was using his Word and. And that is something that. That really, really convicted you. Hope, Trilia, that what is your prayer and your hope for people who will pick up this copy of the book for students who will say, you know what? I'm going to give this a try. I have not read my Bible regularly, ever. I've had seasons. I've had starts and stops and stutters. But I'm going to try. What is the encouragement that you want to give them?

>> Trillia Newbell: Yeah, the encouragement I would give them is that God is good. He is faithful. He will give you the grace to run to Him. I often say that we can't obey God without God. We can't obey Jesus without Jesus. So ask him for help. You can ask him for help. But then I would also say that, my big hope is that people would love God with all their hearts, mind, soul and strength and love their neighbor as themselves. I believe that when we dive into the Word, the Lord helps us to love him and to grow in our love for Him. And so that's my hope for, for them, as they're reading the book and use. Using the book. Because they're reading the Bible, they're using the book. but, but really, I also, I do hope that it. It. You started this program talking about prayer.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Yeah.

>> Trillia Newbell: And I don't believe that you can read the Scriptures without prayer.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Yeah.

>> Trillia Newbell: And, and, and so my hope is that people would learn to run to Jesus and ask him for help even as they're reading their scripture, because you can't do it without them.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, that takes me back to eighth grade and James, chapter one. God gives wisdom freely to those who ask. And when we ask, you know, there's so many things. I just shared this, not too long ago, my family is reading through Corrie Ten Boom's book, the Hiding Place. And of course, it's her story about living through World War II and being in a concentration camp. And there was a story that she told about her father, and she had heard something that she should not have heard that was developmentally inappropriate. And she asked him what it was, and he asked her to pick up his case that he was carrying all the watches in, and she couldn't pick it up. And he said, that's right. It's too heavy for you. You'll have to. To trust me to carry that for you now. And you'll carry it when you're strong enough, when I know that you're ready. I'm, paraphrasing a little bit, but that is what God does for us. And there may be things that we do not understand. There's so many times I've read the Bible and then I go through a situation and I think, oh, Lord, that is it. That is the message of encouragement and that spiritual maturity. It just starts with small, faithful steps. Truly, I feel like in this world of instant gratification. We just want to take our insta Christian vitamins, you know, and just all of a sudden know everything. Nothing, no life hack, no app, nothing is going to replace the everyday discipline that starts with those small, faithful steps. And I'm telling you, if you didn't do it in January when we started the 52 healthy habits for Healthy Families, go back. It's prayer, reading your Bible. Week three is going to church. And week four is being intentional about the music that you play, that it plays scripture over you. It is a great way to engage with God's word. And they don't need you to be a theologian. They just need they be consistently exposed to the truth of God's word. And you can walk alongside people who will help with that. That. Let me close with Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, and I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you peace. And hey, I'll see you right back here tomorrow with Nick Vujicic. We have another champion for the brokenhearted. See you then.

>> Trillia Newbell: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Trillia Newbell talks with Jessica about her new study for students: "52 Weeks in the Word"

Rx for Hope: Spend 52 Weeks in the Word

https://www.trillianewbell.com/