Dealing With Practical Issues: Laying A Foundation For Education
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. “ Prov. 22:6
A common question among those planning to home educate their children is “When do I start?” Children don’t wait to begin learning, therefore we shouldn’t wait to begin teaching. Does this mean we rush out and buy $300.00 worth of curriculum for a three year old? Absolutely not! The Bible says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
There is much more to education than the 3 R’s. Please don’t misunderstand, the 3 R’s are of utmost importance, but the foundation for which we educate our children should be the Lord Jesus. The Bible says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
The training of our children in the ways of the Lord is a high privilege, and our foremost responsibility. While this task is spiritual in nature, it cannot be divorced from the education of our children. Teaching our children the ways of the Lord involves both their growth in knowledge and in learning. Molding their hearts, we must also train their minds. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matt. 22:37 Just as there is not true education without spiritual training, so spiritual training without education is deficient. The two cannot be separated.
Teaching our children at home is the best way we can fulfill our spiritual responsibilities as parents, and the most sure way to preserve them in the faith. The Christian character of our children is the most important thing we can establish. It will be transmitted from one generation to the next. It is the “foundation” that you should begin laying before all other education begins.
What we need to develop in our children is practical ways to live their lives each day in a way that will glorify Jesus. To do this, we ourselves, must be the embodiment of what we want them to become. Here is a list of practical training that will help you lay a great foundation in the education/training of your children.
*Our 24 Family Ways
Concerning AUTHORITIES in our family...
1. We love and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion.
2. We read the Bible and pray to God with an open heart.
3. We honor and obey our parents in the Lord with a respectful attitude.
4. We listen to correction and accept discipline with a submissive spirit.
Concerning RELATIONSHIPS in our family…
5. We love one another, treating others with kindness, gentleness and respect.
6. We serve one another, humbly thinking of the needs of others first.
7. We encourage one another, using only words that build up and bless others.
8. We forgive one another, covering an offense with love when wronged or hurt.
Concerning POSSESSIONS in our family...
9. We are thankful to God for what we have, whether it is a little or a lot.
10. We are content with what we have, not coveting what others have.
11. We are generous with what we have, sharing freely with others.
12. We take care of what we have, using it wisely and responsibly.
Concerning WORK in our family...
13. We are diligent to complete a task promptly and thoroughly when asked.
14. We take initiative to do all of our work without needing to be told.
15. We work with a cooperative spirit, freely giving and receiving help.
16. We take personal responsibility to keep our home neat and clean at all times.
Concerning ATTITUDES in our family...
17. We choose to be joyful, even when we feel like complaining.
18. We chose to be peacemakers, even when we feel like arguing.
19. We choose to be patient, even when we feel like getting our own way.
20. We choose to be gracious, even when we don't feel like it.
Concerning CHOICES in our family...
21. We do what we know is right, regardless what others do or say.
22. We ask before we act when we do not know what is right to do.
23. We exercise self-control at all times and in every kind of situation.
24. We always tell the truth and do not practice deceitfulness of any kind.
~<3~ BW (1998)
*Our 24 Family Ways~Whole Heart Ministries~www.wholeheart.org
A common question among those planning to home educate their children is “When do I start?” Children don’t wait to begin learning, therefore we shouldn’t wait to begin teaching. Does this mean we rush out and buy $300.00 worth of curriculum for a three year old? Absolutely not! The Bible says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
There is much more to education than the 3 R’s. Please don’t misunderstand, the 3 R’s are of utmost importance, but the foundation for which we educate our children should be the Lord Jesus. The Bible says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
The training of our children in the ways of the Lord is a high privilege, and our foremost responsibility. While this task is spiritual in nature, it cannot be divorced from the education of our children. Teaching our children the ways of the Lord involves both their growth in knowledge and in learning. Molding their hearts, we must also train their minds. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matt. 22:37 Just as there is not true education without spiritual training, so spiritual training without education is deficient. The two cannot be separated.
Teaching our children at home is the best way we can fulfill our spiritual responsibilities as parents, and the most sure way to preserve them in the faith. The Christian character of our children is the most important thing we can establish. It will be transmitted from one generation to the next. It is the “foundation” that you should begin laying before all other education begins.
What we need to develop in our children is practical ways to live their lives each day in a way that will glorify Jesus. To do this, we ourselves, must be the embodiment of what we want them to become. Here is a list of practical training that will help you lay a great foundation in the education/training of your children.
*Our 24 Family Ways
Concerning AUTHORITIES in our family...
1. We love and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion.
2. We read the Bible and pray to God with an open heart.
3. We honor and obey our parents in the Lord with a respectful attitude.
4. We listen to correction and accept discipline with a submissive spirit.
Concerning RELATIONSHIPS in our family…
5. We love one another, treating others with kindness, gentleness and respect.
6. We serve one another, humbly thinking of the needs of others first.
7. We encourage one another, using only words that build up and bless others.
8. We forgive one another, covering an offense with love when wronged or hurt.
Concerning POSSESSIONS in our family...
9. We are thankful to God for what we have, whether it is a little or a lot.
10. We are content with what we have, not coveting what others have.
11. We are generous with what we have, sharing freely with others.
12. We take care of what we have, using it wisely and responsibly.
Concerning WORK in our family...
13. We are diligent to complete a task promptly and thoroughly when asked.
14. We take initiative to do all of our work without needing to be told.
15. We work with a cooperative spirit, freely giving and receiving help.
16. We take personal responsibility to keep our home neat and clean at all times.
Concerning ATTITUDES in our family...
17. We choose to be joyful, even when we feel like complaining.
18. We chose to be peacemakers, even when we feel like arguing.
19. We choose to be patient, even when we feel like getting our own way.
20. We choose to be gracious, even when we don't feel like it.
Concerning CHOICES in our family...
21. We do what we know is right, regardless what others do or say.
22. We ask before we act when we do not know what is right to do.
23. We exercise self-control at all times and in every kind of situation.
24. We always tell the truth and do not practice deceitfulness of any kind.
~<3~ BW (1998)
*Our 24 Family Ways~Whole Heart Ministries~www.wholeheart.org
The glorious task of Motherhood~Oh, what joy!
JESUS IS LORD OF ALL
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