On God's Team

by Becky Wyand

1. As you think of Christmas, ponder these verses. Hebrews 1:1-4

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

These are good verses to choose a phrase and discuss its meaning and implications. Enjoy!

2. Choices

When teaching your children to make best choices, remember that they are watching the choices you make. Do they see you glad to sacrifice? Do they see you willing to do without to help someone in greater need?

Do they hear you complain abut your schedule?

Do they conclude that your schedule problems would be solved if you didn’t have to homeschool?

As you help your children make best choices, examine your choices and your attitude while making them.

3. Academic Excellence

Consider reaching excellence by getting there in small steps. Consider each improvement a step toward excellence. You will reach your goal – but may be not today.

4. Genius Ability

There is nothing wrong with the ability your child has. Usually if not always, “ability” is a gift from God so that you perfectly fit into his plan.

Normal ability for our society – basic 90-110 IQ – is not what most of us work with. For His owl reasons, God may appoint less or more ability for some. Being so appointed does not make one child better then another. The best ability to have is hat ability which is fully surrendered for God to do what gives Him joy, delight, pleasure. This surrendered ability will always appear extraordinary ~ only because such surrender is rare.

5. Enticing your child’s heart toward God

Here is another suggestion for this oft brought up topic:

Guard your reaction! Aim for acting rather then re-acting. Have a plan and practice your plan.

B0 Show your child how you accept God’s mercy and continue to serve through grace. Give the picture that parent and child are both on God’s team going for the victory – not at war with apposing goals.

c) make your own bible journey known to your children. Let them se where you’ve marked special passages just for them.

6. Discipline

Keep an eternal vision. Today is probably not the end of your journey. A you teach, train, discipline keep the door open for the child to come to you and for you to approach the child on that topic again.

7. Read Aloud

Find a good book, read together. Then discuss what the author’s intent was. Use the story line to draw conclusions and find the main idea. As you read together different age children draw different conclusions. Discussion helps you uncover error – not just in what is read but in what your children believe. After you uncover an error go for corrections.

Read for Fun, too.

Merry Christmas