Going Deeper

Fear

We are being tested in this emotion, right? Watch, God will work our fear for good.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Most of us have this verse memorized. Or we plan to memorize it right now. But we forget so easily. His power is available, but we forget! God has made arrangements for us when we forget and let fear make us nearly breathless.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Often we need others to challenge our hearts and minds away from fear and anxiety. God knows this and provided.

“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Conquer fear, not by blaming yourself or demeaning yourself but by surrendering it to our God who knew we would face it and provided.

The Most Important Thing

Homeschooling! So grateful for it. How is it different for the Christian?

Consider this: How much energy, effort, research, discussion do you put into choosing what grammar program you will use? Do you consider schedule, interest, what’s available, what’s offered when you choose or reject a co-op?

Why? Why do you invest so much?

Because you care. Because you want what’s best for your child. Is it wrong to approach your decisions this way? Surely not.

Now consider this:

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

“AND these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall TEACH them DILIGENTLY to your children, and shall talk of them

when you sit in your house

when you walk by the way

when you lie down

when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-9).

What are these words that you are to treat in this manner? The words of God. The commands of God. God wants to be known by your children.

So, I ask, “When choosing what and how to teach do you put as much effort into this Deuteronomy instruction as you put into perfecting a schedule or choosing a co-op?”

We could all grow in this area. Let’s challenge one another on how to stay focused on the most important thing because we are privileged to CHRISTIAN homeschool.

Going Deeper

If you want to connect your subjects to each other and connect all subjects to God’s truth, consider this idea:

Have moments of pause where you ask a question that will encourage discussion, rather than jerky, single word, cliché answers.

Questions will vary with the age and maturity of your child. But to get you thinking and to show you how easy it is to find question, consider these examples:

Why are not all tulips the same color?

What if value of numbers changed with each generation?

When studying geography — How do we know where good

vacation spots are? What makes them good? Why would

there be any spots on earth that are not good?

Let’s keep working to see that math and science facts are not the deepest level we can take our growing students.

The Big Picture

We often talk about understanding the whole story of the Bible as God makes Himself known to us from Genesis to Revelation. Understanding the big picture is helpful as you teach each subject in light of God’s sovereignty.

Walk Thru the Bible has resources to help with understanding how the whole Bible fits together. On YouTube you can find five,30 minute sessions called WalkThruTheBible/ Step into the Story with Phil Tuttle. While it is geared to children, I think families of all ages will be refreshed with this review. Of course, they have many other resources: just go to www.walkthru.org/

Let’s challenge and encourage one another to the study of God’s Word, with the aim of knowing Him.

Math

If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to become familiar with Katherine Hannon’s, “Christian Perspective.” You could start by getting on her mailing list and reading what she offers. Her perspective of relating math to creation and the plan of God is helpful for Christian focus. But beyond math, once you get the relationship of God’s plan to math, you will more easily see Him in everything you teach.

Hard Questions

Have you noticed with your students that some questions are harder to answer than others? Like:

How could hell be part of a good God’s plan?

In my opinion, no matter the age of the child, the question needs a response. For a question like this one, you might agree to study that topic of hell together. If the child is very young, you may say that it’s a good question that you will keep learning about.

For starters look at these verses:

2 Peter 3:9: God doesn’t want anyone to perish.
Matthew 25:4: Hell is prepared for the devil.
Isaiah 55:6-7: Seek the Lord.
Matthew 7:7-8: Seek & you shall find.
John 1:12-13: Right to become His child.
Psalm 18:30: God’s way is blameless.
John 1:12: Receive Him.

For God to be found true to His Word, fully trustworthy, there must be both heaven and hell. Please don’t consider this a Bible Study on the topic of hell. This is just a peek, just a start for years of study that your school will offer.

- R.C. Sproul teaches about hell in his series: Hell by Ligonier Ministries

- The Gospel Coalition has an article: “7 Truths About Hell” by J.D. Greear

-Topical Bible study is a great resource. I used “What does the Bible Say about Hell?”

-Hell and a good God are addressed in “What Does Hell Say About God? The Truth Many Cannot Bear to Hear” by Greg Morse

This is not a comprehensive study but simply intended to help you answer a question that we often keep hidden. Be prepared to continue the study of this topic for years to come.

This study helps you know God and knowing and loving God affects everything you teach.

Delight

Difficult circumstances can lead us into finding delight in small things. My grandson texted last night that he had just seen our picture at a family gathering. He mentioned how he had taken for granted our get-togethers. He said that he missed getting together with us AND didn’t want to take that for granted again. Isn’t God good? Using disappointments, He will draw us to discover a better way.

Take this time to cherish one another and to enjoy sunshine, spring colors and the sounds of birds returned. Oh, and don’t take these small delights for granted again!