In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Christina Hergenrader joins as guest to talk about her newest Bible Study, Everlasting: Peaks, Valleys, and Grace in the Psalms. 

Get a copy of the book at cph.org/everlasting.

Show Notes

Anxious. Worthy. Ashamed. Nostalgic. Lonely. Secure. This is just a handful of emotions we observe in the Psalms—and in our day-to-day lives, too. In her newest women’s Bible study, beloved author Christina Hergenrader guides readers through 25 psalms, digging into their genres, perplex emotions, glimpses of Jesus, and more. 

During the episode, Christina discusses what led her to explore emotions and the Psalms, what it’s like sharing personal stories in the book, why Christians struggle to believe that our emotions matter to God, how she envisions readers will use Everlasting, and more.

 Questions

• What led you to explore emotions and the psalms in Everlasting?
• You talk about reading the psalms with new eyes at this stage of life. What shifted for you?
• How did your experience with the Executive Coaching Program at the Townsend Institute influence your approach to this study?
• You share personal stories throughout Everlasting. Is it hard for you to be vulnerable when sharing these?
• What do the Psalms teach us about the relationship between faith and emotional honesty?
• How would you encourage someone who is afraid to be emotionally vulnerable with God?
• Was there a particular psalm that surprised you as you studied it?
• Why do you think that many Christians struggle to believe that our emotions matter to God?
• Talk about the Psalms of lament and exhaustion.
• If someone is feeling disconnected from their faith, what would you say to them?
• Why are Messianic Psalms important?
• What is the danger of leaving nostalgia unchecked?
• Why was it important for you to encourage readers to write their own psalms? How do you suggest they approach this?
• How do you envision readers using Everlasting?

About the Guest
Christina Hergenrader is busy doing what she loves. As a wife, mother, Christian teacher, and writer, she finds that life continues to keep her on her toes. After growing up in Galveston Island, Texas, Christina moved to Nebraska and attended Concordia University Nebraska, where she pursued her passion: education. With a teaching degree in hand, she moved to Houston, Texas, with her husband, Mike, to start her first job. At the end of the year, Christina was named “Teacher of the Year” by Houston’s Lutheran School Association. She also received the “Young Alumnus of the Year” award from her alma mater, Concordia-Seward. Later, Christina earned a master’s degree in Creative Writing. She also began writing and sharing devotions with her classes. Encouraged by their feedback, Christina submitted a manuscript to Concordia Publishing House. Since then, she has written several books, Bible studies and articles that have been published by CPH. When she’s not writing, Christina loves spending time with her husband and four children, teaching, speaking to women’s groups, traveling, photography, and spending time in prayer.