I love having time studying the Bible with my daughters. It's so amazing to sit together, reading the Bible, and discussing it together. This year we have two Biblical studies that I am doing with my teens.
First, with our Heart of Dakota program, we are going through the book, Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him? This was originally scheduled for me to work through with Jasmine, but I decided to pull Laura in on the study. She would be starting the book with me about mid-year. It seemed silly to be doing the same book with each girl separately. So, a couple times per week, we gather around the dining room table together. So far, the study has seemed very basic. However, I don't see that as a drawback. As the girls get older, I want them to have a solid foundation in Christ. Building our lives upon the Rock of Christ has been the heart of our lessons thus far with Who Is God.
The second study I felt led to do with my older girls is one that covers the Old Testament. We've done various studies together. Last year we did a Wisdom study written by Robin Sampson, using a great book written by Charles Stanley. We also read through the book A Young Woman After God's Heart by Elizabeth George. Both studies were interesting and beneficial.
Jasmine and Laura will both need to do a study of the Old Testament for High School. Since Laura is receiving High School credit this year for her Spanish study, I decided to include her now in a thorough study of the Old Testament.
I'm using a couple of resources for our venture through the Old Testament. Ruth Beechick has some wonderful books that I would like to include. I'm also using an Old Testament class from Christian Light Education for a spine. Laura LOVES the Bible lessons from Christian Light. She loves the format, and the historical culture references that are included that help explain so much of the time periods. I love the affordable price and the Teacher's Guide, that gives me project suggestions and an easy-to-follow format. I also love that the program is simple to supplement so I can add depth to lessons if I want.
Normally the class takes one school year. It will take us longer. High School credit is important, but not as important as having a solid foundation in the Bible. Jasmine was in public school for most of her school years. Laura knows quite a bit about the Bible after years of study in our homeschool. No matter how much or little each girl knows, there is always lots more to learn, lots of growth that can occur.
My time with the girls is limited. If I have learned anything from my older girls, it's that time is precious and fleeting. We only have so much time to influence our children for the Lord. When they are young, we often think we have forever. After the first ones grow up, the realization of how fast time flies by is imprinted deeply on a mother's heart.
I feel such a desperation to do all I can to guide the girls to live for Christ. As they get older, they will have to gravitate from living the faith of Dad and Mom to a deep, strong faith of their own. If their faith doesn't mature into their own faith, if they don't know what they believe and why for themselves, they will stumble when that faith is tested. Some stumbles lead to prodigals, to children that walk away from their faith because their foundation wasn't firm.
There is no perfect formula in raising children to live for Christ. Each child is unique. However, there are some things parents can do to encourage a child in their faith:
1. "More is caught than taught." Live out your faith honestly in front of your children. Pray in front of them as well as with them. Study God's Word in front of them as well as with them. Admit your struggles, apologize for your mistakes, and do your best to live what you believe, for they are always watching.
2. Make your faith an all-the-time, everyday part of your life. Don't fall into the trap of letting "Church" be the source of nourishment. Even if you are at the church every time the doors are open, it's a weak substitution for parental influence. What has more impact on a child? Seeing Mommy or Daddy praying with the family every morning before school or every evening at bedtime; or seeing them close their eyes to pray when the pastor ends a sermon. Children see through church facades easily. They won't respond to fake shows with church faces on. They respond to authenticity, to love, to parents living for Christ in the day-to-day.
3. PRAY! No advice on parenting will be as impacting as what God would tell you. As you study the Word of God and bring your children before Him in prayer, He WILL guide. Don't neglect prayer. Bring your children before the Lord daily. I've slacked in this area, and the results have been harsh. Even if nothing immediately catastrophic happens, you will find you that, as a parent, you start doing things in your own strength. Without prayer, I noticed that I wasn't as patient with my children, causing stress on us all. I also noticed that I would over or under react to situations. Sometimes the guidance of the Lord would alert me to situations, even attitudes, that I had been overlooking. When I wasn't praying as I should, I would miss vital things. More than once, that led to consequences I regretted.
4. Forgiveness. This is important to model for your children. Forgive, not just others, but yourself. Too many parents beat themselves up for mistakes, and then watch their children do the same thing later. If you blow it and, in frustration, overreact to something, be sure to ask for forgiveness...and then receive it from the child and God. If, to your regret, you have inadvertently helped cause your child to turn from you and maybe even The Lord, do all you can to fix the situation, but them forgive yourself. Don't let Satan or your child hold you in bondage forever.
I'm planning a series on prodigals. I'm in the middle of reading and studying, following where Christ leads. There is nothing in my life that has been as heartbreaking as watching my older girls struggle, even stumble. One daughter took a rough path for awhile, but she returned to her faith. Another is struggling still. So, as I disciple the teens that are home, I know the very real consequences of a child that doesn't have as firm of a foundation as I thought. I'm trusting the Lord to guide me as He wills, praying He holds ALL my children in His hands.
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