The Best Opportunity A Parent Can Offer

As parents we seek to give our child the best option for him in education. Often we take into consideration:

• opportunities for college scholarship

• instruction in a favorite sport

• availability of advanced math and science

And we do want to offer our child opportunities. But what is the best opportunity a parent can offer?

Think: Foundation.

• Instead of making strong football instruction your reason for choosing your training center, think “foundation.”

• We know in every area of building that a strong foundation or the “right” foundation is best in the long run.

• For the Christian that foundation is Jesus Christ, Himself. (1 Cor 3:11). In Him we find truth, purpose (the Way) and we find life (Jn 14:6). But how does this matter when my child is trying to multiply or learning to read? How do I apply this foundation when my child is gifted in piano or basketball? Is this foundation holding my senior back when he knows more that his Christian teacher?

Keep in mind foundations are built to hold for a long time. They are there to make sure the building can fulfill its purpose. Consider these comparative illustrations:

When teaching with Jesus Christ as the Foundation

Teaching reading:

Look at these letters. They go together in different way to make words, then stories or ideas.

Do you know why? We are made in God's image. He wants us to communicate with Him and with each other.

Teaching math:

Numbers follow an order. They have styed the same value through all generations,. God has designed them that way - orderly, consistent, faithful - showing His character. And He has purpose for us to use them to see patterns He has designed. He reveals to man great uses in medicine and all areas of life.

Teaching Literature:

Read to know God better. See man interacting with man in all areas of culture. Discovering how God reveals His traits as we see stories of nature and other subjects.

Teaching History:

Seeing God's story through the ages and man's interaction with God.

When Teaching Man's Best Excellent Education.

Teaching reading:

This is the same, except that usually there is no "why" or purpose. OR Someday you will use this to learn things.

Teaching math:

Numbers are useful in inventions and research. To be useful you must use them accurately. Be exact in small things to get promoted to bigger.

Teaching Literature:

Read to define great literature. See how man uses words to develop your imagination. Read for pleasure and for information.

Teaching History:

Seeing man's story through the ages and making personal judgements on what man has done.

With every area of life there is the vital difference of focus – is it on God or man? Is God the creator or man?

Also please realize that this is just an illustration of these school subjects – not what happens in every school. Rather I’ve given one point of focus for the subjects here illustrated.

In conclusion, it does matter where your child goes to school. Foundations are important. If the school is not laying the Truth foundations, someone must, for the health and hope of your child.

Growth Spurt Don’t you love when your notice a spiritual growth spurt, either in yourself or one of your children? I’ve been thinking about how easy it is for us to shrivel or wither and how growth must be intentional. (Picture a beautiful looking bushel of apples with only one rotten in the middle.)

It is good for us to share ideas that put rich vitamins into our spiritual diet. I’ll share a few that I’ve thought of recently. From the good books that you read share the ideas and points that moved you. The book you choose may be too advanced to use as a read-aloud, but the good points can help you lead your children to some healthy food. I’ll share from what I’m reading: Life Together

by Bonhoeffer: from Chapter 4, which is on doing ministry, he says,

“God did not make this person as I would have made him. He did not give him to me as a brother for me to dominate and control, but in order that I might find above him the Creator.”

You have been teaching this, I’m sure. But now your child sees that a great man of God also teaches it. You can explain the meaning in the family and in the church. You can illustrate with age appropriateness. From Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, Wife of Charles Spurgeon

by Ray Rhodes, Jr. Chapter 2, page 52 of ebook:

“Oh that you and I might get into the very heart of the Word of God, and get that Word into ourselves.”

Endless would be the opportunity for ageless study from these words. But it is important, I think, to be real. Talk about difficulties with study and

understanding and what to do about that. Draw the conclusion of the mighty gift of

God’s own Spirit right with you always.

From Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows

by Ravi Zacharias ebook page 233,

“We must ever remember that the game is not there to protect the rules;

the rules are there to protect the game.” Here he was talking about his love for a

giftedness in the game of cricket. But think

of the fun you could have talking about this

in diverse situations in your family.

From the atmosphere that you help create in your home, you can show resting in the good plan of our all-knowing Redeemer. Consider these examples:

• An episode of disgrace just erupted. Your natural response would probably be disgust or exasperation then you would move to punish or correct. But might the truth of the Gospel be better shown if your “unnatural” response were to either pause and ask God what the training was that He wanted to do OR to shout out gratitude in the midst of the din. Meanwhile, you are praying for what God wants you to do to “train” at this moment.

• Fears are circulating in your home. Maybe sickness or you inadvertently listened to the news. Take this opportunity to respond in a way that shows that your God is absolutely sovereign, therefore, you trust. Perhaps you would say that you have fears, too. Then draw some family members together to praise God in Psalms or hymns.

Love, Becky