Did God Really Say?

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’’” (Gen. 3:1)

What did God really say? “The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You may not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’.” (Gen. 3:3).

Think on these verses. From our vantage point it seems so clear, so definite, so easy. But as the serpent continued his agenda after the woman spoke, she began to see his point and considered it worth a try. The penalty from failing to weigh God’s instruction against His enemy’s enticement has continued generation after generation.

What do we want our children to see? Of course, the study of God’s Word has unending instruction and encouragement but right now let’s look at this:

Just as God instructed, loved, and protected Eve, so He wants that same instruction, love and protection to be our portion. We must look at His Word very carefully and NEVER be tricked into reinterpreting any portion. We must be alert to encourage others to hold fast to exactly what God says so that the lie of the enemy will be recognized and not take root.
To be able to recognize that LIE we must KNOW what the truth is. Getting this picture of the enemy’s cunning trickery will place great value on daily reading and memorizing of what God really said.
But we want yet a higher goal for why to read and KNOW God’s Word. That is to know God. God is so majestic, so glorious, so all knowing and all-powerful that we are honored to be able to know Him. We are excited to know personally the very creator of our own being and creator of all we need and enjoy. And as we grow in knowing Him, we can love Him best and obey Him willingly.

Reminders: “My Child Just Isn’t Learning”

There are times in our teaching journey when we feel utterly lost and defeated. We’ve tried everything, counseled with everyone, taken every test, offered every prayer and yet progress seems absent. In that frustration our vision can become almost myopic.

Consider this:

My student (at all ages) is created in the image of God. Part of what this means is that he/she was created for God’s very purpose at this very time. So, the question becomes, “What might be God’s purpose for my child?” As we focus on this question the panic of failure and loss takes on a different pressure.
To fulfill God’s purpose, He has given my child (at any age) interests and abilities. With this in mind we read together, do activities indoors and outdoors, and try new things. During these adventures we watch the child’s response, looking for the spark. If we see no spark we might explore, “What has dampened (killed) the interest or ability of my student?” (This could be a discussion for another time. Call me. I love talking about this.)
With this search for areas that are of interest, you will find how and what and why your child learns. Spending your time reading and exploring together to learn many things will profit you both more than trudging through work just to get it done.
Therefore, you can be comforted to know that your child will learn what prepares him/her for God’s purposes. Your task remains to joyfully present different studies, opening doors that lead to victory.

Reach out if you need help. You need not walk alone. Blessings to you as you show your student(s) the glory of God in

every area of study.

Laying Foundations

We know so well the Bible reading on the houses built on sand or rock (Matt 7:24-27).

We look at the sandy foundation and think, “How could anyone be so foolish?” But here is what I want us to consider this day!!!

Think on this:

Every day, our children, of all ages, are making decisions. Every time they make a decision, they are making it based on the foundation they have built. But where do they get the materials for building their foundation? Well, that is exactly a reason you home school. They get their materials from the breakfast table discussion, from the father’s reaction to disappointment, from the attitude and priority given to church, from the books that you read together year after year, from the solutions to arguments that they observe, to the response they receive when they want to spend time or money foolishly and from all the moments they live together with Godly parents who are searching God’s Word daily precisely to find the best building materials to give to their precious offspring. This is the offspring who will grow to have their own offspring and who will need building materials to give to them.

Keep reading. This topic continues.

Your children will need to be discerning in all of their interactions. They will draw on the answers that a strong foundation provides. They will need to develop “how-tos’” for every day as well as extraordinary occasions, such as:

-Do I want to continue with sloppy schoolwork?

-Do I care if my sister needs help?

-Will I offer to help Mom, just because she needs it?

Then for the older:

-Do I know God as Savior?

-Am I preparing for a life that listens to Him?

-Have I discovered the gifts God gave me?

And a bit older:

-Is this debt appropriate for me?

-Is this church fellowship one where I am loved and where I can grow in loving God and others?

-Should I attend this co-worker’s wedding when her “husband” is another woman?

Foundations: when they are built on God’s Word, they lead us to navigate these life decisions with purpose and clarity. How do we find good foundation building material from God’s Word?

Read on. More on foundations!

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

It is absolutely wonderful that God makes all that He requires of us simple. Rejoice therefore that foundation materials are easily discovered and understood. Use these to build on the one cornerstone, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).

There is however a small (or large) glitch. For building materials to be gathered and their usage understood, the heart must be drawn to love the Lord more than friendships or profit or anything else. And that is not easy because the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). So, much care will be given to prepare the heart so that all building materials will be well received for a foundation that leads to choices that honor God and give victory to the student.

Some Bible heart-preparing verses to start with:

- Knowing Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11)

-Doing the Words of God (Luke 6:47-49)

-Believing God’s plans to be best. (Jeremiah 29:11)

-Surrender (Romans 12:2) (James 4:7) (Prov. 3:5-6)

-God is Authority (Ps. 115:3) (Ps. 135:6) (Rom 9:21)

-Character – humility (James 4:10), integrity (Prov 10:9)

-God’s Word can be trusted (Prov. 30:5) (2 Tim 3:16)

And more as you discover heart building verses for your family.

So, diligently you prepare your student(s) to build strong foundations. Remember:

The cornerstone – Jesus Christ. Is He that for your child? Without the cornerstone anchoring the foundation, crumbling and weakness can be expected.

Foundation blocks: these are found in God’s Word, repeated often in the home, and lived out when situations are demanding an answer.