Looking unto Jesus

by Becky Wyand

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” How helpful these verses are for home school focus on excellence.

Consider:

• What weights do I need to lay aside for this to be an excellent year?
• How will I encourage my children to lay aside weights so that they might promptly and efficiently lay aside weights?
• Note that you can define a weight by what ensnares you.
• What race is set before us?
• Are we running that race with endurance?

Note also in these verses that the answer to all weights and races is given – “looking unto Jesus.” Then all of the examples needed for us is listed and explained. See if your children understand these verses (We can discuss this further at Workshops if you desire).

Truth vs. Lies

• At last workshop I introduced you to the idea of teaching your children how to spot lies in life around them – in the news, in TV shows, in discussions with friends and wherever they find themselves.
• After spotting or identifying the lie I encouraged you to present them with TRUTH. So that not only do you refute the lie, but you refute it with God’s truth.
• A resource that I suggested for this was Peter Jones’ Gospel Truth Pagan Lies.

Reminders:

• Begin research skills as soon as your child is fluent reader. Make research a part of enjoyable learning. Resource for parents and older students: Writing a Research Paper by Edward J. Shewan.
• Skills of excellent reasoning need to be reviewed after they are taught. Just going through a good book once is not enough. Revisit the skills of excellent reasoning frequently. Resource: The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn.
• I want your feedback from AVKO spelling. How does it need to be used to make it more effective? To me, this appears to be the best resource for spelling by families and phonics. You can get free information and sample lessons at www.spelling.org.
• Since we want to be diligent in teaching thinking skills, please share any resources that you find in this area. We’ve talked about analogies and other word games. Some logic helps to consider are available from Prufrock Press (www.prufrock.com or 1-800-998-2208). Remember this is not a Christian publisher so you might want to try one item at a time. Logic books available (but needing parent supervision) are: Logic Countdown for grades 3-4. Logic Lift-off for grades 4-6. Orbiting with Logic for grades 5-7. If you have children of differing ages you may want to order for the youngest and use it with the entire family. Remember to proof all of these materials, and use what you deem useful.

Peacemaking

During workshops we have been using Ken Sande’s Peacemaking for Families. He says, “Teaching children to be peacemakers requires dedication , patience, and perseverance. Here are key steps you will need to repeat day after day as God works in their lives.

• Remind them regularly of who they are in Christ: forgiven and redeemed!
• Minister to their hearts, seeking to help them identify and renounce the idols…
• Provide regular, systematic, instruction, primarily by your example… (from page 127 Ken Sande “Peacemaking for Families”)

Workshops

Be prepared for questions or sharing at each workshop. Come expecting to see God working.