Give your opinion on developing Bible quiet time habit

[MamaMary]

Whoops..., Double Post!

[MamaMary]

So, my questions to you are:

1. What would you like to see within your child's daily quiet time?
2. What things have you enjoyed within your own quiet time, and how could that knowlege of what has worked for you transfer to helping develop a quiet time for your kiddos?
3. What would you like to see in the way of Scripture memorization? Would you prefer your kiddos to learn key verses or would you prefer for you kiddos to learn entire passages?
4. What would you like to see in the way of prayer?

Carrie, I LOVE your idea's! We used the Family Illustrated bible a few years ago. I think the visual aspect will really help those kids who are just learning to have a consistent, independent quiet time.

1- Small Bites! As a new believer It took me years to find consistency because I tried to make it too perfect. Which I am sure is your plan anyway

2- Relational Reading. Teaching my oldest to do this we started with Psalm 139 and did it together. I modeled for him what it sounded like when I was interacting with the Lord, while reading His word. It's so important to me personally that my boys don't just read the bible, check their box and move on. I want them to stop, savor, interact with the Lord. I want them to take His word and personalize it for their life.

3- Either would be fine. You know what I would love to see? Maybe after a spurt of doing a passage or weeks of individual memorization, taking a week and leaving it up to the child to pick their own memory verse.

4- I love the starter idea!


What I LOVE about your guides Carrie is they line up so perfectly with my husband and I's goals! It's PERFECT! You already do the small bites, memorization and now as my little ones get older they can add more..., Thank YOU!

[Allison TX]

Carrie, I love the idea of using The Family Illustrated Bible (especially for those visual kids as MamaMary pointed out). I think it would be nice to have reading straight from their own Bible an option too. I find that both my boys still do better with an illustrated Bible. They can find their "real" one a little intimidating. We do read straight from the Bible and practice looking up verses but I'm not sure my boys would be ready to do that all on their own.

I also like the idea of alternating key verses and passages or using key verses and giving the otion to work on the entire passage if your dc can handle it. One of my boys does very well with memorizing entire passages and the other one still struggles with memorizing verses. They are all so different.

The prayer journal sounds like a good idea too.

I know whatever you decide will be wonderful based on the other guides I have seen. Thank you for asking for our input.

Allison

[inHistiming]

Well, quiet time for the kids is something I've wanted to have them do and have not really implemented it. Sometimes, my older two will spend some time reading their Bibles in their rooms in the morning, but it's not on a regular basis. So, this would be great for our family. We could all do our own quiet times before getting started for the day...awesome!

I like the idea of having them keep a prayer/blessings journal. The church we have begun attending handed out journals to my daughter's class...telling them they can write whatever they want in it. They are supposed to bring it in each week and share if they want to. My dd actually wrote the first verse of Holy, Holy, Holy! in hers (which I knew about) and did a solo in her class (which I didn't know about until afterwards...the teacher told us). This, for a shy little girl, was a HUGE thing and I feel the journal coupled with her true enjoyment of the hymns we're learning this year (thanks Carrie!) was the catalyst that got her ready to do this. She has now written the first verse of O For a Thousand Tongues in her journal with plans to sing it in her class this Sunday.

I also like the idea of providing possible writing prompts related to the passage being studied.

And, I like the thought of their memorizing passages as opposed to just a verse. We did this last year with my ds's 'other' curriculum and that was one of the main parts we all enjoyed and that did work for us. I was amazed at what they could remember after reading it together, out loud each day. We also used their memorization verses as copy work, so that helped to cement the verses in their minds. I thought you could also implement some sort of drawing exercise with this (some or all). When we did the poem recently in Bigger where you had them do this, they so enjoyed it. They liked putting on paper what they had imagined while I read the poem....I think this could be a very practical way to help with learning the verses as well as with understanding what the passage is saying.

I can't think of anything else right now....if anything else crosses my mind I'll come back and add it.

[Carrie]

Ladies,

This is an absolutely wonderful outpouring of ideas! I am VERY inspired. Keep the great sharing coming, as I want everyone who desires a chance to weigh in to do so!

Before writing the post, I had been pondering many of the things you each have suggested! I will definitely address them once the sharing is dwindling down. But for now, I also want to mention that one thing I keep coming back to is... whether or not the requirement to "write" something during this first "formal" run of a quiet time, would make those kiddos who really would rather not write, view the quiet time in a negative way? There are so many good ideas already in this thread that require writing. What do all of you think about that?

I could just be more sensitive about this due to having all boys, but I also wanted to encourage kiddos to have time to think and reflect on what they've read instead of viewing it as just completing another assignment. I'd love to hear your feedback on this area if you get a chance.

Blessings,
Carrie

[anointedhsmom]

I have not read in detail the responses to your questions yet. Super busy here lately. I will try to get a post in on this as soon as possible but there is one thing I really want to use with my son. I love Kay Arthur's Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for kids. I like the whole line of the books. Some titles include Lord Teach Me to Pray for Kids, Jesus in the Spotlight (John Ch. 1 -10), Jesus: Awesome Power, Awesome Love (John Ch. 11 - 16), Extreme Adventures of God (Isaac, Esau, Jacob), How to Study Your Bible for Kids. Those are just a few of them. If these were incorporated in my curriculum it would be fabulous Obviously I know that this might not be an option but I did want to bring these books up. I have loved doing inductive Bible studies myself and really want my son to do them too.

Ok more to come later with my thoughts on developing a quiet time habit in my children. It's taken me over an hour to type the paragraph above so I better go

[water2wine]

I also want to mention that one thing I keep coming back to is... whether or not the requirement to "write" something during this first "formal" run of a quiet time, would make those kiddos who really would rather not write, view the quiet time in a negative way? There are so many good ideas already in this thread that require writing. What do all of you think about that?

Well I can see two sides of the coin you want it to have spiritual depth and if they are inhibited in writing you may lose that yet on the other hand you want to know that they are actually doing something and so what is the measure for that. Two things just popped in my head so I will just say those and think on it.

One is what about just at the end if they write with some kind of a simple prayer to God with prompting based on what is studied. That is something that is still spiritual but is a visible sign that something was done. Plus writing out prayers and then praying them is powerful and should not hinder their prayers as long as they are also told they can certainly pray more than they write as the Spirit leads.

Second is what about if they discuss certain aspects (written by you of course) of their quiet time afterwords with their parent and then the parent and the child prays together about those specific things that came out of quiet time together. That is powerful because of the agreement in prayer, the opportunity to see the heart of the child and encourage them, and the bringing all that before God again. The other thing that could go with that is if they make a prayer list together and throughout the week pray on things that come up as God leads them then maybe report what God has done. That would also be very powerful especially if both the parent and the student were praying throughout the week about things that came up and then say how God answered their individual prayers. But if that was used there would have to be some teaching on how to see God has answered prayers (a great topic actually!) so we do not get into seeing God as the magic Genie in a bottle type thing.

Just my initial thoughts:D because you asked.

[Kathleen]

But for now, I also want to mention that one thing I keep coming back to is... whether or not the requirement to "write" something during this first "formal" run of a quiet time, would make those kiddos who really would rather not write, view the quiet time in a negative way? There are so many good ideas already in this thread that require writing. What do all of you think about that?

I totally see where you're coming from here. (But, I'm thinking boy who isn't keen on writing, too. ) I think a prayer journal could certainly be an unintimidating amount of writing if they were allowed to write as little as they wanted to remind them of their request/blessing. They could draw a litle picture...write 1 word...smiley face if the answer was bringing that to their face. Just thinking as I write here. I know one of my other ideas was questions to make them think after reading. If those were included, could they just be there with the option to record answers or just think about them? I know that I like to write things that the Lord makes stand out to me...but I don't think my hubby ever writes in his quiet time. It keeps my mind on track to write as I prayerfully respond to what I'm learning, but I think my ds would much rather have the option to think through questions.

Kathleen

w2w...we were posting at the same time. I like your ideas.

[inHistiming]

Maybe you could have the writing portion be optional...or have it only once or twice a week? Also, you could set it up something like the DITHOR project days, and have a choice of 3 things...maybe writing in a journal, drawing a picture, or praying about something specific with Mom or Dad? This way the child would have a choice and wouldn't always have to write something. Another option would be that mom could assign writing on a particular day, then let the child choose what to do on the other days. The other bonus is that mom could see something productive being done and wouldn't have to wonder if the child really did the study. Does that make sense?

I also wanted to mention something else I'd like to see in the quiet time/bible study portion. I would love to have some direction...specifically, with how to choose the right thing when tempted to do the wrong thing. I have one dc who struggles with this daily, and I have a hard time getting through to said child. We've had heart-to-hearts about how just because Satan tempts us, we don't have to choose that..how God provides a way out...and how sin is a choice, not just something that happens, unless it has become a habit/lifestyle. So, anything dealing with this specifically would be great. Actually, if anyone has recommendations I could use them now, instead of waiting 1.5 years for the new guide! You can pm me if you don't want to post it here. Thanks!

Man, this is tough...I want to get into this new guide! And I still have to finish Bigger...and do Preparing... I'm not complaining, of course, because we're loving BHFHG and looking forward to PHFHG, but the suspense is hard to bear!

[SouthernMrs]

I'm just thrilled to see the tracks being laid in the HOD guides to help our children develop the habit of a personal daily quiet time. In our home we are still involved in a family devotion time at the breakfast table each morning as part of our routine. And as MamaMary suggested, it may take a bit more maturing for these kiddos to actually WANT to do this on their own each day. I've provided many options for the "how to" in our home and realize that "how to" is not all that is involved. There has to be some "Want to" added to the mix. I pray that having the suggestion written in the new guide(s) will create a "want to" in our children.

So just to throw out my thoughts about writing, an option would be to have the quiet time with a journal prompt included, but each family will still be able to decide for themselves if actually writing in a journal or just praying silently (or with a parent) would be the chosen method. Including the journal writing suggestion may encourage/motivate those who want to write to do so, but if it's not there, it won't be done (at least in our home ). You listed that this new guide will be written for 9 - 11 year olds, so I'm thinking that my dd will be 11 years old and a sixth grader doing this study next year and she should be more than mature enough to complete a journal entry in her quiet time. On the other hand, by the time my younger son gets ready to go through this guide he will definitely be on the younger end. The younger end of the spectrum may choose to only write once a week or not at all. Hey, that's a thought.... perhaps you could include both ages in the box:
Quiet time: Youngers - Prayer prompt; Olders - Prayer journal prompt..... and there may just be some days that the olders will just want to pray and not write as well. I know I have those very busy mornings, and I'm thankful just to have time to read a Scripture and say a quick prayer before I'm off.

Just throwing out some ideas for you.
Charlene

[eazbnsmom]

I totally see where you're coming from here. (But, I'm thinking boy who isn't keen on writing, too. ) I think a prayer journal could certainly be an unintimidating amount of writing if they were allowed to write as little as they wanted to remind them of their request/blessing. They could draw a litle picture...write 1 word...smiley face if the answer was bringing that to their face. Just thinking as I write here. I know one of my other ideas was questions to make them think after reading. If those were included, could they just be there with the option to record answers or just think about them? I know that I like to write things that the Lord makes stand out to me...but I don't think my hubby ever writes in his quiet time. It keeps my mind on track to write as I prayerfully respond to what I'm learning, but I think my ds would much rather have the option to think through questions.

This is a good idea. My oldest daughter hates to write but loves to draw, if I told her she could combine drawing/writing short sentences, she would be much better with that idea.

[Lori_in_Austin]

Hi,
I am replying to the original post by Carrie and have not yet read any of the others, but I plan on it. I specifically wanted to comment on your question #3:

3. What would you like to see in the way of Scripture memorization? Would you prefer your kiddos to learn key verses or would you prefer for you kiddos to learn entire passages?

I much prefer entire passages to be memorized.

When my son was four he easily memorized the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer just by me saying it to him all the time. I was not even trying to have him memorize it!

It seems to me children get all sort of "bits and bites" from Sunday School, Awanas, Mother's Day Out, etc. BUT what they really need is the meat that come from the meaningful context of these "gem" verses which gives greater understanding and therefore becomes easier to memorize and recall.

I currently use LHFHG with my 5yo ds. In LHFHG, Unit 5, the actual memory verse assigned was Matthew 22:37, but I had us all learning verses 37, 38, & 39, while occasionally reading verses 34-40 for context. And rather than only my dear son learning it, it has turned into our "Family Bible Memory Verse(s)" and we all learn it! My two year old listens and sometimes finishes the next phrase (of course it is hard to understand sometimes, but I know what he is saying) !

As a side note, I also perfer NKJV for Bible memory so that is what we use. I think it flows better orally.

Also, I am a "fan" of Ruth Beechick and have read many of her books.... She has one incredible & less well-known book called "Heart and Mind: What the Bible Says About Learning". Chapter 8 is entitled: Memory, Levels 1 & 2 where she discusses memory theory, memory research, and memory improvement techniques. She gives great examples and tips on how to memorize passages and why. She calls it the "whole-part" method. See pages 118 to 121. This book is a must-read for all home-educators, school teachers, pastors, sunday school teachers, etc.

Any way, that is my two cents.

I will close with Psalm 119:11, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

God Bless,

[ncmomof5]

Lori,

I second what you said about using NKJV and memorizing chunks rather than little bits of Scripture. And I like Ruth Beechick, too. I will have to look into getting the book you mentioned.

In His Love,
RuthAnn

[Lori_in_Austin]

Lori,

I second what you said about using NKJV and memorizing chunks rather than little bits of Scripture. And I like Ruth Beechick, too. I will have to look into getting the book you mentioned.

In His Love,
RuthAnn

Ruth Ann,

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to let me know. I feel encouraged.
Let me know what you think of the book after you read it !

In Christ,
Lori

[Carrie]

Ladies,

Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss this very important topic with me. I have printed your comments, highlighted them, made notes, and pondered and prayed, and pondered and prayed, and pondered and prayed (which I had already been doing LONG before I posted the thread).

First off, in looking at the overall day for the new ancients guide, I will tell you that it is very strong on Biblical content, simply because of the time period we will be studying. The children will be reading about the Old Testament times through the eyes of the Hebrew people. They will also be reading the entire gospel of John and the first 12-13 chapters of Acts to get a very Bible-based look at the life of Christ on earth and the spread of the gospel.

Along with their readings, the kiddos will be making a prophecy fulfillment chart, keeping a timeline, writing written narrations on the Bible stories, reading and discussing the first 11 chapters of Genesis deeply with guided questioning, studying the geography of the Bible lands with mapwork, listening and outlining Diana Waring's talks on the ancient times which focus on the inerrancy of the Bible through the study of history, and making a New Testament lapbook that emphasizes the life and teachings of Christ. As you can see many of the ideas that each you shared in this thread will already be included throughout the Bible study portion of the program.

In looking at the overall goals particularly for the quiet time portion of the day, I think it's important to look at it as a process that will take years to come to fruition. To me the most important goal for this particular stage in our kiddo's lives is to make a daily quiet time a habit. For me, another important goal is to make sure kiddos do not learn to dislike or to dread this time of day. Dr. Wile, of Apologia, has often been quoted as saying that the most important science goal for kiddos in their science study during the early years is to make sure that they do not end up hating science. I think this also pertains very well to a quiet time philosophy too. It should be something that kiddos look forward to and feel that they can do successfully!

Next, I think that goal-wise, it's important to leave time for kiddos to interact with the Scriptures they're reading without a certain expected output from their quiet time. To illustrate this point, think how you would feel about your quiet time if I required you to complete a certain set of questions each day or told you what to focus on within the Scripture? In essence "I" would be doing the thinking in coming up with the questions and key points and you would just be reading for my assigned points. This is more of a Bible study feature than a quiet time feature. For me the true moments of inspiration within my quiet time seem to come from the Lord when I have time to think on His words and pray over them. So, each person's quiet time with the Lord should be their own.

I do think that some guidance is needed on what kiddos are to do during a quiet time. So, we will for sure be giving kiddos a passage to read from the Bible (mainly based on the Bible stories) and also corresponding pages in the Family Illustrated Bible. You may choose which option (or both) that you want your little sweeties to do. Next, we'll ask kiddos to highlight a favorite line or two from their passage that they read that day. Then, we'll have a prayer starter to help kiddos begin their prayer. Last, there will be a Scripture to memorize, learning only a verse or two each week until an entire passage of Scripture is memorized. I have read both Dr. Beechick's whole to part method of Scripture memorization and Charlotte Mason's part to whole philosophies and think both work well. So, we'll most likely start out each week with a reading of the entire passage to be eventually memorized and then focus on repeating only the assigned part for the rest of the week. We will most likely copy the Bible verses that are memorized into the Common Place Book.

I had pondered all sorts of prayer journal entries and written narration scenarios, along with drawing, copying, etc., and I keep coming back to the fact that in the balance of the homeschool day in order to include writing within the quiet time portion of the day, I'd have to add another 20 minutes to an already 20-25 minute quiet time. Now, in order to keep the school schedule in balance, that means that 20 minutes would have to come from somewhere, either lengthening the school day or scaling back another subject area. With the heavy-weighting that Bible has in this particular guide, I have decided it is fine to not require a written output at this stage. So, here all the quiet time goals I have for this new guide:

1. Develop the habit of a daily quiet time
2. Be in the word daily, reading and interacting with the Scripture with interest
3. Develop the habit of prayer as personally talking to God
4. Recognize the different parts of prayer and practice using them
5. Commit entire Bible passages to memory
6. Copy the Bible passages in a keepsake book to add to throughout the years as other passages are memorized

I appreciate each and every one of you and thank the Lord for each of your input!

Blessings,
Carrie