Episode 83: A Quick Update

Hey friends! Just a quick update letting you know that episodes may be sporadic on the Jesus is Better podcast for a while. In June, I got salmonella food poisoning, which put me in bed for four days, and by the time I started feeling better and took my three kids out to North Dakota to visit my family, I came down with pneumonia. It’s been a slow recovery back here in Delaware and so I would appreciate your prayers, friends!

I know God is working these things together for my good. He has shown me how big and strong He is as I don’t have much energy myself. As I sat outside yesterday looking up at the trees, God reminded me that even though He rules the whole universe and every nation on earth, he sees and cares about little me in our double-wide house hidden by a cornfield. He cares about my children and husband who live here. And He cares about you, whether you are living in a big city or a small neighborhood, in America or in Africa. He has helped me so much through my husband and as we keep caring for our kids, and He will keep being here with us. My life belongs to God, so I want to keep giving Him praise for who He is and receive with gratefulness all the ways He’s shown His love and grace through all of this. 

Why don’t you take a moment to think about something hard or scary that God has brought you through and thank Him for being with you? 

Episode 82: God’s Big Story Part 2

In Part 2, Finn and I talk about God’s promise to Abraham and how He made Abraham’s descendants into a great people and brought them out of slavery and cared for them all through the desert. 

With your kids: When God told Moses He would be with him, Moses was still scared to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When is it hardest for you to believe God is really with you? 

Drawings I did using the Good News Bible:

Episode 81: God’s Big Story Part 1

This is the first episode in a series through the whole Bible where we look at God’s plan of redemption, and all the times He keeps pursuing the people He created. 

With your kids: Look at the pictures on my website to get some ideas for your own drawings through the Bible. Then get drawing! 

Here are a couple great resources to go along with our series:

The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New

Sovereign Grace: The Ology

And the drawings I did using the Good News Bible:

Episode 80: Kids Study the Bible Part 5

In this last episode of the series, Finn and I study the book of James by looking at the historical background, practice paraphrasing some verses, and ask God for his help in trials and temptations.

With your kids: Go on youtube, and type in “The Bible Project James,” or click here. After watching the video, tell each other why you think God put James in the Bible. 

(Music on episode by Blue Dot Sessions)

Slim the Seahorse


Episode 79: Kids Study the Bible Part 4

In part 4, Finn and I practice what we’ve learned by looking at the historical background of 1 Samuel, ask questions about the first chapter, and ask God how it should change us.

With your kids: Go on youtube, and type in “The Bible Project 1 Samuel” (or click here). After watching the video, tell each other something cool you learned.


Finn with his sister Brooke

Bonus: Here’s an article I wrote for when you don’t feel successful.

Episode 78: Kids Study the Bible Part 3

In part 3, Finn and I talk about how studying the Bible should change us, and that the Holy Spirit can remind us of what we’ve studied when we need it. 

With your kids: If you could draw a picture and hand it to Jesus, what would be on it?

Bonus: Here’s an article about why our kids need the gospel instead of another lecture.

Episode 77: Kids Study the Bible Part 2

In this episode, Finn and I discuss the importance of asking questions when we study the Bible to help us understand what the text says, what it means, and how it should change us.

With your kids: Tell each other a fairytale like the story of the three little pigs, and then try doing it with one of your favorite Bible stories.

Finn in his coral reef home

Episode 76: Kids Study the Bible Part 1

This is the first episode in a five part series, teaching kids how to study the Bible on their own (and with a little help from parents). Finn the fish joins this podcast series.

Discussion with your kids: What makes you nervous about studying the Bible on your own? Pray together and ask for God to give you a heart that loves to learn about Him.

Finn the yellow tang fish

Here are a few links to resources mentioned in the series:

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

The Bible Project

ESV Study Bible

Dictionary.com

New International Reader’s Version

Jesus Storybook Bible


Episode 75: 2 Samuel 19-24 Final Reflections on David’s Reign

In this episode, we finish 2nd Samuel. We talk about one final rebellion that David has to deal with as well as some strange stories at the end of the book which at first don’t seem to fit in.

Discussion with your kids: What is the strangest thing you’ve heard from the Bible? Is there a story from the Bible that you’ve heard that didn’t make sense at first, but now seems even better?

Episode 74: 2 Samuel 16-19 David’s Son Absalom Rebels

This episode deals with the death of David’s son Absalom. We see what happens when he starts a rebellion and tries to kill his own father to take the throne.

Discussion questions for your kids: Do your friends ever try to get you to do bad things? Is it easier to get them to do good things if you haven’t done a lot of bad stuff around them before? Why or why not?

Bonus: Here’s an article I wrote about how inefficiency can be pleasing to God.