The Gospel in Teaching
The Gospel is such an astounding gift to us that I would challenge you to daily think on it and study it with your children. What better method is there to do that than to discuss its connection in daily life activities.
Consider zeroing in on a few key words that must be accurately defined and understood for the Gospel to be lived.
One of these words is forgiveness. Have your students relish in the forgiveness that Christ offers them personally and individually. Then with Ephesians 4:32 in mind, help your students to practice, among siblings and others, forgiveness to others. Talk about it. Stay joyful for the opportunity. Discuss resisting revenge, how to wish good for your opponent, wanting restitution, and being glad when good happens to others.
Maybe another day you will consider another key word from the Gospel teaching but learning the value of forgiveness from what Christ did on the cross will be a lifetime assignment.
Is School Practical?
If your child questions the purpose of an assignment OR an entire subject, show how purpose can be found. Not with persuasive lecture but with questions. For example, in reading a history assignment you might ask bluntly, “What does this have to do with us and this day?” Pause in your teaching to think this through.
OR with a math text or assignment, if the worth of it is questioned, direct the thinking to all of the areas of life where numbers and understanding their function is extremely essential. Get information from a friend who sees purpose in geometry or calculus. Math in general has factored into wars, inventions, elections, and cures.
OR An older student who doesn’t see any of the academics applying to him because of his desire to be a ______ and he doesn’t “need” school. It might be a good idea to have him talk to others of the same ______ work. Hearing specifically what training is necessary might influence more than arguing. Turn negative comments into positive possibilities.
I know these ideas are already familiar to you. Trusting that the reminders will turn problems to opportunities.
Evaluation
We are coming to the time in the year when you will want to evaluate each student. Why? Because what materials you choose and what methods with which to teach depends on how this year’s goals were achieved.
A few evaluation tips:
Look at your student overall. Is he/she able to respond in an age appropriate way? In conversation? In noticing when to be helpful? In reading and choice of reading material? In understanding when something is not funny? In response to authority? In seeing God’s goodness in disappointment?
Survey academics overall. Choose standardized or individualized testing if this is the grade for that. For other students, discuss or assign overview and summary questions. For example, look through your math book at the types of skills that were mastered and assign or work together a review of those. OR evaluate language by assigning a paragraph. See where grammar and writing weaknesses exist. OR read a story (student reads) and answers orally or written a few questions measuring various comprehension skills but especially order and main idea.
Evaluate your students’ attitude toward school. Make notes to help guide you in overall Bible training and in your choice of schedule and curriculum for next year.
For example:
Does your student work quickly to finish the assignment as there is free time? Why? What understanding needs help?
Do my students display the Godly approach to work? Have they grown in their understanding of the privilege?
Are there areas where the struggle is intense? This is a good time to consider whether more help is needed to discover HOW your child learns.
While these ideas are not new, thinking on them now may trigger for you to use these or other ideas to keep moving ahead victoriously.
Gems from an Old Novel
Olive Tracy by Amy Le Feuvre (1900) traces the life of Olive through plenty, loss, a new kind of life and sweet victory.
I want to share two gems from this book.
“Winds of adversity, storms of seething trouble will make shipwreck of any life, if it has not something to steady it beneath the wind and waves.” (P. 23)
“Oh, why isn’t there more Christianity in the world! Why do people play at it so, when it is such a glorious possibility for all! And why do we feel so backward in recommending our Master, so ashamed of speaking to each other about Him!” (P. 194)
The copy I read is reprinted and available free on the app Play Books. Olive Tracy is also available in print from Thrift Books.
Security and Peace
From John Newton’s Letters I read recently this idea. Please read carefully.
Think on this: We believe in the sovereignty and omnipresence of God. We talk it. We study it. We define it. We feel superior (spiritually) to those who do not believe it. BUT do we live it?
Think how truly practicing these great attributes of God would change your approach to fear. To failure. To want. To plenty. To anger. To obedience. To God’s call to home school.
Let’s encourage on another in this practice of living like we believe in the absolute sovereignty and omnipresence of God. Remember John 16:13 tells us that the Spirit will guide us.
Rejoice already in what will follow our decision to practice these.
Love, Becky
