“Ask questions about creation-fall-redemption-restoration,” a video by Michael Essenburg, was published in a blog entry in CSI's Nurturing Faith entitled “Timeless truth conveyed through a new tool.” Dan Beerens, author of the blog entry, writes, "I share this post with you for two purposes – for the content that can help us better discuss a Biblical perspective with students and a new piece of technology that pretty easily be used by you or others at your school. You may be more familiar with the content my friend Michael Essenburg is talking about than the web tool he has used to produce it. The tool is Screencast."

Three videos by Michael Essenburg were published in a blog entry in CSI's Nurturing Faith entitled “Connecting what is most important.” Dan Beerens, author of the blog entry, writes, “Helping students to see how all things in this world cohere through Christ is one of the most important tasks of a Christian teacher. In these three short and helpful videos...Michael Essenburg...suggests three practical strategies that all Christian teachers can use.”

Christian Schools International’s new Bible curriculum, Walking with God and His People, includes student learning outcomes collaboratively developed in December 2007 by Dan Beerens (CSI) and Michael Essenburg (Close the Gap Now).

To develop the learning outcomes, Beerens and Essenburg:

• Built on a document formulated by the Eastern Ottawa (MI) Christian schools.
• Reviewed other Christian schooling documents.
• Cross-checked the learning outcomes with the CSI’s head, heart, and hands outcomes.

“What 3 student learning needs will you meet?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. In the article, Michael lists 10 learning needs the reader can address and interviews a high school teacher who is working to meet 3 of her students’ learning needs.

“How Focused Are You on Your God-Given Mission?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Leadership Insights. The article provides a 17-item self-assessment that the reader can use to find ways to increase focus on the mission.

“Student reflections on Biblical perspective” by Kim Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. In the article, Kim shares student responses to a unit test question: “What else did you learn in this unit that you did not have a chance to show on the test?”

“What Energizes You?” by Kim Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Christian School Teacher. The article recommends that teachers ask an open-ended question on tests (“‘What is something significant you learned this unit that you have not yet had an opportunity to show on this test?’”) and that teachers celebrate the answers by sharing them with students and colleagues.

“Show your students what using Biblical perspective looks like” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. In the article, Michael interviews an English teacher who describes 2 strategies she uses to show her students what using a Biblical perspective looks like:

• Having students read and discuss an article that evaluates the subject from a Biblical perspective.
• Showing students sample essays in which students apply a Biblical perspective.

“Leadership Tips” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Leadership Insights. Christian school leaders want to provide effective leadership, and this article outlines 7 tips and 7 action steps for effective leadership.

“10 Ways to Increase Biblical Perspective” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Christian School Teacher. The article provides practical tips, including teaching vocabulary, asking open-ended questions, and using engaging instructional strategies.

"Steward the Mission God Has Given You" by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Leadership Insights. The article reminds the reader that while Christian education is about responding to crisis and the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christian education is more about stewarding the mission and the parable of the talents.

"Use Assessment" by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Christian School Teacher.

Writes editor Dan Beerens, "Michael Essenburg suggests that good assessment methods help students to improve their ability to apply a Biblical perspective."

"Focus on Your Mission" by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Leadership Insights. The article addresses the following question: To increasingly focus on your mission, what do you need to keep doing, start doing, and stop doing?

“When You Ask a Question, What Do You Want Your Students to Learn?” by Michael Essenburg was published in CSI's Christian School Teacher.

“Is it important for your students to apply a Biblical perspective to course content?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. The article asks the reader 6 questions about students applying a Biblical perspective.

“What Question Do You Want to Ask Your Students?" by Michael Essenburg was published in CSI's Christian School Teacher.

“Got a story to share?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. The article encourages the reader to celebrate God’s blessings by sharing a story.

 “10 Questions to Ask Students” by Michael Essenburg was published in published in CSI's Christian School Teacher.

“Measuring student application of a Biblical perspective” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. In the article, Michael describes how measuring student application of a Biblical perspective positively impacts students, parents, staff, alumni, and the board.

July 24-28, Christian educators attended CSI’s Annual Leadership Convention In Harbor Springs, MI, USA. Conference keynote speakers included Cornelius Plantinga, Lauren F. Winner, and Walt Mueller.

Conference participants attended a variety of sessions, including a workshop by Close the Gap Now entitled, “Close the Gap: Action Steps to More Closely Match Schoolwide Goals and Results.”

 “Ask Questions” by Michael Essenburg was published in published in CSI's Christian School Teacher.

“What questions should you ask your students?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. The article encourages the reader to ask students 4 questions: What do you mean by ___? How do you know? How does the Bible help? How can you respond?

“What happens at a Christ-centered school?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. In the article Michael says, “At a Christ-centered school, students learn different content for a different purpose from different people in a different environment.

December 17-18, Dan Beerens (Christian Schools International, CSI) and Michael Essenburg (Close the Gap Now) collaborated to develop a draft of K-12 standards for CSI’s Bible curriculum. To develop the draft, Beerens and Essenburg:

• Built on a document formulated by the Eastern Ottawa (MI) Christian schools.
  
• Reviewed other Christian schooling documents.
  
• Cross-checked the draft of the standards with the head, heart, and hands outcomes that CSI is using for its Bible revision project.

Currently, CSI’s Curriculum Advisory Council and Christian Academy in Japan's K-12 Bible teachers are giving feedback on the draft of the standards.

A self-assessment by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. The self-assessment is designed to help the reader determine how well students understand and use a Biblical perspective of course content.

“Why use essential questions?” by Michael Essenburg was recently published in CSI's Nurturing Faith. The article states that using essential questions in doable strategy that helps students apply a Biblical perspective.