Day by Day

by Becky Wyand

1. Holiness

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Is. 6:3 in part).

            “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)

            As day by day you work with your children keep this high standard ever before you.  Even though you or your children may fail, the standard is still worth holding.

            As we study His Word together let’s keep our focus on getting to know God and His attributes.  As we see better what God looks like and how He acts we will come closer to practical suggestions:

1)      We will encourage one another from my mother or my child.

2)      As we study the Word, occasionally we will ask, “Does this teaching help me understand holiness better?”

3)      As I’m faced with a decisions about schedule as whether to get tickets to a certain events or whether to buy those clothes – as other daily decisions – I will think about what I’ve learned concerning holiness and make my decision pleasing to God.

2. Fairness

            At the September workshop I dealt with this topic.  Here are a few reminders:

1)      We must decide whether we believe God is sovereign.

2)      We must decide whether we believe God is love and operates out of that love for me.

3)      We must decide whether we believe He is fully capable of carrying out His plan with divine purpose.

4)      Is we conclude that He can and is all of the above then we must admit that God id free to cause or permit all that is in my best interest.  I will trust Him because He is worthy.

3. Thinking Skill

            Cause and effect is a great skill to introduce, practice and review.  This skill is what young children are lacking when they grab a toy from another child or when siblings battle back and froth – “you did too,” “I did not” - in an increasingly yelling manner.

            It is also a thinking skill that adults lack when they choose to vote for a candidate based on a personal advantage.

            It’s a skill your teen may lack when he spends his entire check on one item.

            Your child may lack this skill when he refuses to follow a schedule or instruction.

            So, what is the Cause and Effect skill?  It is seeing the relationship between two events or comments where on event or comment caused the other.  Understanding cause and effect will help your child see that one behavior may cause another – OR – one word may cause another –OR – one event may cause another – OR – one response may cause another – OR – one reaction may cause another reaction.

            Understanding cause and effect will help your child take some owner-ship of his behavior.

            Some ideas for teaching this skill:

1)      Review definition with examples.  Use TV commercials or news reports.  Use read-aloud time to show an illustration of where the behavior choice led the character to be defeated or to prosper.

2)      Show the skill at work in daily activities.  Discuss cause and effect if

*There is no soap in the sink.

*The books were returned late.

·        We arrive at church 2 minutes late.

3)      Discuss the skill related to behavior.

*What happened if I get my way?

*What response do I get by yelling?

*If I show my anger, have I won?

            Realize that this study is on going.  I have listed only a few examples.  You will want to individualize your practice, being sure the skill is understood.

4. Read Aloud

‘           What would school be if you didn’t choose great books to read TO your children?

            Here are some suggestions for teaching through the read-aloud method:

1)      Enjoy yourselves.  Use the book to bring your family together, just for the purpose of being together and enjoying each other’s company.

2)      Practice a certain reading or thinking skill.  For example:

*Pause periodically and have someone retell what was read.

*At the end of reading time put the events read in order.

*Write one sentence that best describes a character.

3)      Introduce a period in history.  As you read the book for other topics to read about.  Look for ideas tat help in the understanding of a certain period in history.

4)      Discuss vocabulary.  Maybe begin a flashcard pack with word and definition.

5)      Discuss character, behavior or even cause and effect!

5. Discipline

            Be reminded:

1)      You will use the present behavior to show you what instruction is needed.

2)      You will delight in being a part of God’s plan.  You will rejoice at what you see Him doing in your child.

3)      You will recognize the difference between your work and the child’s responsibility.  You will continue to pray and to diligently train.  You will “allow” God to work.  You will expect the child to choose to obey.  But the child glory and the victory are always God’s.

See you at workshop!