Keeping God in Your Daily Schooling Process

Beginning the Year Right!

Here are 2 simple, but very effective ways I learned to keep the focus right during our school days. They actually stood the test of time!

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In addition to the academic studies for my children, I strive to teach, and example, a daily connection with God through His Word. My perfect routine (whenever able!) is to get up an hour or so before the children to have my quiet time with the Lord. Once the children wake up, the hectic day begins making breakfast, preparing last-minute details for lessons, trying NOT to answer the phone, etc., etc.  In times past, I tried many ways to "fit in" the most important thing in a Christian child's day, that of learning about their God. I'm not much attracted to Bible curricula, as I feel it seems to imply God as another school "subject" to learn, rather than a whole life experience.

A Great Breakfast Time! -

One habit I look forward to doing with all my children each morning takes place during breakfast. Usually it's just myself and the children when we eat. Once everyone is settled down to eat, I turn to a passage in the Bible and read. It may be just a short section which I might have read during my personal devotion time earlier, or perhaps a Proverb. No one is allowed to get up or interrupt during the reading, which is generally no more than 5 minutes. (This is real easy because their mouths are usually full of food!) After the reading, I prompt discussions, using very applicable situations in their lives. We talk about our family member relationships, extended family members, their own friendships, neighbors and many situations in the world - wherever the Spirit moves us. Of course, we end in prayer. Then they clean the table and brush their teeth!

Our discussion time together usually lasts about a half hour, though at times it has taken a whole hour!  It's a wonderful way to begin our day and to encourage awareness of how God's Word directs the lives of every child of God. The idea of "walking with the Lord" becomes more real to them when they can casually discuss with their siblings the things of God, and see its application in their own individual lives, aside from formal textbooks and weekly classrooms. We parents should never totally rely on our churches, or other outside activities, to reach our children's needs with respect to God. You know them best of all and most likely know what they need to hear from God's Word. This practice will certainly assure that they've received their devotion for the day. As they are enriched with Truth, they no doubt will hunger for more as they mature.

Try Writing the Bible!:

Another way I promote God's Truth in my children's day is right after they have brushed their teeth!

When the children come back to the kitchen, they return with their Bibles and a notebook. The kitchen timer gets set for exactly 15 minutes once they are situated with their pencils and paper (older ones with pens). For 15 minutes there is absolutely no talking as each child writes what they read in the Bible, after the portion they have written the previous day. Day after day, the children continue to write the Bible out, from Genesis on through to Revelation! "Write out the entire Bible?", you may ask. Yes!  Impossible? NO!!

This practice caused my children's Bible-writing notebooks to become very treasured memorabilia to me. When I look back to the first page my son wrote in 1st grade, I smile as I see the entire page with 5 words, as large as can be, sprawled all over the paper: In the beginning God created... The letters are big and small, up and down.  As I turn forward in the notebook, I am so encouraged to see a beautiful transgression, as the letters are clearer, smaller, neater, and spaced properly. I see pencil letters changed into ink ones. I see beautiful handwriting, without costly and redundant penmanship books. But most of all, I am so blessed to know that he, someday, will have read the entire Bible!

Each of my children started writing the Bible at different levels in their schooling. Naturally, the older ones write more quickly, so they get more completed within the 15 minute time frame. I chose this amount of time  because I didn't want the actual writing to become burdensome, since there is much writing to do throughout the day. However, there have been many days when one or more have asked, "Can I just finish this section?"

Remember, this IS a penmanship time (as well as reading and Bible study) so check their writing habits from time to time. Also, be sure they put a date somewhere near the area they begin each day, and the Bible reference at the top of each new page. 

You may think that they are not really absorbing anything because they are concentrating on the writing portion,  -  but don't be fooled! The words they see are going into their minds and hearts. Often connections are made between what they remember writing and what they learn during other religious study times.

Additional benefit!; Be sure, moms, to take advantage of the extra 15+ minutes you will receive, as your children are busily writing! Take a quick shower, put in a load of wash, set up the bread machine, make an important phone call, review the lessons for the day or pick up your email. 

Concluding Thoughts:

I believe strongly that THE MOST important education any parent can give their child is the gift of love. God is love, and so giving them God will be the most important learning they could ever receive. If you plan to teach them about any subject, or topic, or trade, or art, or talent, don't neglect the one "Subject" that will never leave them nor forsake them. From this education all else stems.

For more interesting ideas, check the "Hands-On" archives.

A free informational guideline is available if you are interested in beginning a homeschool support group. If you have just 2 families, you can do it! This guideline is a simple folded sheet, detailing the goals, rules and general structure which the homeschool group at The Reformed Bible Church has used successfully, and continues to use now, for 8 years. It is given to all who come to the group, prior to participating. The Reformed Bible Church Homeschool Support Group does not operate as a social get-together, but is formatted to be a super enrichment program that truly helps SUPPORT and ENRICH the education of the children. It is sure to be a helpful tool. 

If you would like to request the guideline, or have questions, comments, or suggestions, contact Jane@HisGlory.us