SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS
I just LOVE the curriculum we chose to school with this year...it's core focus is on growing your children in the Lord, not just with head knowledge, but with action, meaning and life application to THEIR lives. That God is REAL and is alive and wants to know them intimately and personally.
Today we studied about Jesus' ascension into the heavens after his Resurrection. Before He left He instructed his disciples to go out to all nations, spreading the word of Jesus to all men. We got out our globe and focused on Israel and how far it is from our city, yet we have heard about Jesus. How come we know this? How did the news come to our land from so far away?
During our "drama" section of today's lesson we all got to practice on a stuffed animal sharing the good news of Jesus. The boys were a bit giggly about it at first, but quickly got serious and over the embarrassment of talking with a stuffed animal in front of each other. I went first and shared the gospel with Mr. Duckie
and led him to salvation thru prayer. The boys then took their turns, sharing the good news (in their own way) and also led Duckie in prayer.I love the fact that while in "SCHOOL" my children are practicing how to share the gospel of Jesus. These practice sessions may have eternal impact should Ethan or Ashton ever get the chance to share the message with someone else.
What I'm seeing the most in my children by studying with a curriculum that is so Christ-centered is that we see God in everything. He is just not someone we go pray to on Sunday mornings, or in the evenings at supper time. His name and conversations around his Word are common occurrences around here. I love the fact that even at a young age, Ethan understands that God has a purposeful and SPECIFIC plan for his life. That in time, Ethan will have clear direction on what God's will is for his life, his career, his family. That if he will just trust in him, seek Him first in all things, that He will guide his path.
I really wish I KNEW this, like Ethan is learning, when I was younger. Yes, I was brought up by a WONDERFUL christian mom. She brought me up in truth and did her very best, and a great job at that, especially as a single mom. But for the most part I remember growing up "believing" in Christ as my Savior, but not seeing Him as someone I could have (or felt I needed to have) an intimate and personal relationship with. I was in school till 3:00 everyday, where Jesus was NOT discussed, then to a sitters house till she came home from work, then it was dinner, a bit of playtime, nightly prayers and off to bed...really wasn't anytime in the day to have an on-going, in-depth, daily learning and growing experience about Jesus.
Since I'm very blessed to be able to stay at home and teach my children we are able to be in the word daily. The verse that always comes to mind is John 15:5 If a man abides in me, and I abide in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me and he can do nothing. I have personally seen a change in myself AND my children...we are starting to bear the fruit (spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control) that Jesus talks about.
Regardless of whether you homeschool or not, seize every opportunity you have to share the good news with your kids. And once they KNOW the good news, learn more. Grow daily together. Find the time...it is SOOO worth it!
