Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  Proverbs 4: 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A PATTERN OF TEACHING

 

A good barometer for our lives/schools is this:  could a stranger see the hand and heart of God in how we live, and work, and interact with those in our home?  Does our home school reflect our Lord?  There is nothing more important than our relationship with our Lord.  It is through this relationship that we are constantly being transformed to the likeness of Christ.  Can our children see Christ in us?  What takes priority in our home: academics or a love and appreciation of God our Father?  Do we imitate Jesus in blessing, listening, and talking to our children or is our school day filled with prepackaged, fill in the blank, consuming work?  Are we so busy with preplanned lessons that there is little or no time for spontaneity or curiosity?  Do we take enough time to share and teach from our daily activities – the real world?  Jesus was a man who placed importance on relationships.  He had time for each person He encountered.  Our Father God also places importance on relationships – to such an extent that He sent His one and only Son to die so we could have a personal relationship with Him.

 

For a pattern of teaching, one cannot go wrong in following the example of Jesus.  He met the people where they were.  He talked to the farmers about harvest and seeds, the shepherds about shepherding, the fishermen about fishing.  When people needed comfort, He comforted, when they needed healing, He healed, when correction, He corrected, and if people were hungry, He fed them.  He taught them from what they knew and could understand.  He personally touched each life.  When we teach, do we consider our children’s interest and abilities?  Do we speak to them with language they understand and that makes sense to them?   Is it possible to teach “real life” and not just unrelated terms and theories?  How about “real life” projects that can be used and will further enforce that which they have learned so that they are able to communicate the knowledge they have acquired?  Do we teach the child or the subject?  Do we teach the whole person – touch his soul and spirit and not just his mind?  If we do not, we can.  How?  Look to the Lord!  Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.  Isaiah 48: 17

 

Do we remember to ask God about what is necessary for our child to learn, or do we do what everyone else is doing or expecting of us?    Do the things we teach our children have lasting purpose and meaning?  Only God’s Word and our eternal souls will remain when all is said and done.  God has different plans and purposes for each one of us; ways in which each of us will be used in influencing lives for His Kingdom.  We must ask ourselves if each activity is necessary for that purpose and plan God has for our children.   If a child has dreams of being a doctor, then some of the preparation for that child will differ from the one who dreams of being a mother or writer or missionary.  Each child is unique and is exactly the way God wants them to be because He created their innermost being.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.   My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.   Psalm 139

 

Learning does not start with a day of the week, time of the day, or month of the year.  Is does not require a textbook, a table, and not always a pencil and paper.  It does not require extensive planning or spending.  True learning is living.  Everyday life is rich in the provision of educational and character building opportunities, and most importantly, the privilege of guiding our children to a greater love and understanding of our Heavenly Father.

 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  Proverbs 4: 7   God is wisdom.  To be without God is to be without wisdom.  Prayerfully seek from God the wisdom in how to guide and direct your child to enable him to reach his potential in God’s plan for his life.

Praying for you that you will be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
Susan Maxon and Cindy Elliott