Are They Getting It?

Look at this. Scripture tells us what will profit our student(s) the most.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5)

“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Josh. 22:5)

“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord, your God.” (Josh. 23:11)

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

“…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37)

“…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 11:27)

“And to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength and to love one’s neighbor as Himself is much more than burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

This is Scripture repeating and repeating the powerful lesson that undergirds all of school’s life. Intentionally Scripture saturates us with the first obligation, the most important lesson.

What will we do with this assignment?

Let’s no longer shrink from:

-intentional saturation!

-intentional indoctrination!

Looking Forward

Soon the 2022-2023 school year will be here. In the far back of your mind you are aware of it but right now you have this school year to finish well. Still questions keep sneaking into your thoughts about the future.

This is a good time to REMEMBER. Remember the faithfulness of God in the past to help you choose. Choose curriculum or projects. Choose methods – effective in your home. Choose a schedule so that school does not swallow the home. REMEMBER.

Now you can look forward with joy and anticipation, for He who was faithful will be faithful. “The Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Hard Lessons

Some students struggle to understand how math works or if there’s any value in phonics – especially in spelling. Usually, it is not necessary to jump from method to method or book to book. Simply keep doing what is not yet understood. Do it:

-with joy

-with hope

-with prayer

-with adding color or music.

Usually, the student maturing and claiming responsibility for the lesson will come in due time. Choose to make the process of learning and “finally getting it” a journey of trusting God, knowing He made the student to learn this particular way and His plan is good.

Worth Preparing For

When I was growing up in the 1940’s preparing for Sunday morning worship was important. I’d like to challenge all of us to revive that practice. Your preparation may not include polishing shoes, ironing clothes or making sure brother had all of his buttons on his shirt but surely many of the preparations we did will still be appropriate.

Consider:

• Talking about why congregating with like believers is important – why you do it.

• Praise and thank God that you can meet in public for the purpose of worship.

• Pray for the pastors and teachers for that specific Sunday.

• Talk about the value of being 5 minutes early rather than 5 minutes late.

• Encourage older children in note taking- simply jotting down a few things they heard and understood or questioned.

• At church look for someone to help or encourage.

• Saturday night or in the car listen to worship music and ask God to bring your heart to listen, understand and surrender.

The local church is a great asset to your school. Intend to receive from it and contribute to it.

A Single Rose

Don’t underestimate the value of small things as:

• A simple encouragement when you see your daydreamer son trying to finish assignments before dark!!!

• One single bloom from your garden to a “neighbor.”

• One single minute to gather and declare praises to our praiseworthy God.

• Five minutes of working together, student and teacher, to review for a test or to correct grammar.

• Pennies, nickels, dimes dropped into a jar “bank” to be given to a mission project.

• Cereal for breakfast because you’re packing lunch to do “school” at the park today.

• Encouraging everyone to use phrases like, “thank you,” “I’m glad for you,” or “I hope your day is good.”

At some point in the day come together to do a hymn, at least one verse. I can’t sing either, but I need the Biblical reminder that so many hymns give.

Love, Becky