Help Your Child Develop A Servant's Heart

By Becky Wyand

I. Seeing God’s Purpose

How would your understanding of Ephesians 4:11-24 affect your homeschool decisions? 

            Consider that:

1.      God’s creation is with purpose.

2.      Gifts differ for good reason (see 4:12)

3.      The books we choose should take His purpose into consideration.

II.  Come ye apart and rest… Mark 6:31

            Why are some lessons so hard to learn?  We schedule and re-schedule and add to our school, and we are tired.  Do you think in this Mark verse that Jesus needed a break?  But He did know that I would.  Let’s take time to ponder, to pray, to re-read Scripture, and yes, to take a nap!

III.  Thinking

            Consider discussing with your child how to draw conclusions on what consequence fits a given action.  Challenge him to “think on these things” found in Phil 4:8.  Use TV news releases and newspaper accounts to instruct.  Also use situations around you.  Discuss openly God’s plan for reward and consequence.

            When the child displays foolish behavior help him see where that behavior could ultimately lead.

IV.  Reading

            Help your child develop a servant’s heart by having him read-aloud to younger siblings.  Very easy books may be used.  In so doing you, may fulfill these purposes:

1.      Help each with the necessary skill of following directions.

2.      Help each practice serving the other (who gets to choose which book?)

3.      Skill building in oral reading (reader)

4.      Skill building in listening

5.      Vocabulary enrichment.

V.  Math

            Can your child prove his math work at any time?  Periodically pause and choose one to three problems in the day’s math assignment and ask the child to prove or explain his answer.  Some problems are so complex that they cannot be explained.  When you first begin this process, you may discover that your child is just “doing the work” without learning.  If this is your situation, continue to have the child listen to your explanation and then give his own.

            For young children, the number line or objects can be used to “show” or “prove” the answer.

VI.  Discipline

            I feel a bit foolish nagging you about nagging.  Recently, I tried practicing not nagging when a few of my grandchildren spent a few days with us.  I’ve discussed this topic before and warned you several times.  I’ve learned that discussing it is much easier than practicing it.  So, let’s help each other.  I’m trying these:

1.      Discuss your goal with your child and agree to help one another.

2.      Ask forgiveness when you remind, remind, and remind – each time a little angrier.

3.      Be willing to let the consequences fall – as: you don’t have your shoes on so we won’t be able to go there.

4.      Break the old habit (as you would any bad habit) and replace it with a new habit.

VII.  Refreshing Reminders

*Pausing to thank God for each child.  Thank Him for who they are becoming and how He is revealing His plan.

*Remember that children feel prosperous when they are well behaved and contributing to the family’s well being.  Plan for this to happen.

*Allow for, and encourage, each free reader in the family to have a private Bible time.

*Be honest to your children with how God is working in your life.  Let them see the Christian walk “up close”.

*Encourage respect for grandparents ~ even when they don’t deserve it.

            Have a great new school year!