Teaching our children to live lives for God
A homeschooling mom who is with her children 24/7 needs to be aware of the little eyes that watch her every move. We all know the day to day struggles that homeschoolers face, but it is these day to day things that we can lay before our Lord and ask Him for the victory. As our children watch out humble walk with Him, see His hand as it brings victory and as we rise up on wings like eagles, they too will be encouraged to know this awesome God we serve.
Charlotte Mason says: "Parents should take confidence in knowing that nourishing and encouraging the spiritual life of their child isn't a choice they have to make. It is a duty and obligation from God. It doesn't really matter how well the parent meets his child's physical needs, moral sensitivity and mental culture if he neglects or fails in his duty to develop his child's spiritual life." But a parent can only take this vocation seriously if they know how God parents them. This is all the more reason for a homeschooling mom to start her day at the foot of the Lord.
Other ways for parent to encourage their child to live their life for God is through the washing in the Holy Scriptures. Reading the Bible with your children should become an everyday occurrence. Charlotte Mason says that parents should be very careful not to lecture too much in any topic but it applies particularly here. When a parent lectures overmuch, preaches all the time and dilutes the Scriptures with their own interpretations, you run the risk of extinguishing a spark in your child’s heart - a spark that is placed there by the Holy Spirit.
Parents can also become over diligent in the training of their children. The Bible must not be used as a hammer to bring children into right behavior. Bible memory verses have their place to encourage and teach and to help our children hide God’s word in their hearts. But the Bible should never be used as a tool to coerce or bully a child into right behavior.
One of the best ways for a mom with young children to pass on a love for God is through the many teachable moments in her day. As they see a beautiful sunset, to remark on how wonderful a God we have who made a glorious show for us at the end of the day. As they walk in the garden together and they see the beautiful flowers and the bee pollinating them, to remark at the wonders of God’s creation. Charlotte Mason says: "From this concept comes spontaneous, free prayer from the child. The child's heart will well up in thanks for all the little blessings of his day rather than petitioning God just yet. It doesn't matter what words are used, they just need to be words he can understand."
To sum up:
1. Make sure you live a life worthy of the Lord everyday before your children.
2. Ensure that the Bible is read everyday to your children, without too many interjections from you.
3. Look for those daily teachable moments so that you can instill a wonder in your children’s hearts about their awesome creator God.
About the Author
Submitted by Wendy Young from www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com who is the mom to 4 blessings aged from 12 - 5 years. She has been married for 17 years and her desire is to serve God in her marriage, parenting and home.
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