Everyone Has a Purpose

by Becky Wyand

1. Meditate

            Can you even imagine what your family life would be like if each of you set his heart toward giving Jesus delight?

            Consider this paraphrase of Psalm 123:2, “We look to Jehovah out God for His mercy and kindness just as a servant keeps his eyes upon his maser or a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.”

            We are compared to the servant and master or slave and mistress.  Now the really exciting part of this comparison is that the Word is giving us an illustration of  how to look to Jehovah.  Another interesting thought is that we who are slaves to Him, come willingly and find joy exceedingly.  Another point for your discussion in that God has so planned that we get our greatest fulfillment when we are more about Him than about ourselves.

2. Thinking Skills

            Gaining knowledge, the accumulation of facts , is the easiest level for learning.  Your very young children are encouraged to know the names of objects and people.  We encourage them to name colors.  As children grow we ask them questions from the read-aloud.  But we don’t want to make the entire school experience the knowledge level of learning.

            Consider having your child apply what he has learned. Moving the knowledge into the application.  You might apply by contrasting two ways of solving an issue.  A simple way to apply what you learn is to put information into some order (as dates) or to classify (as fruits vs. vegetables).

  Continue to ask “why” questions, especially related to read-aloud time.

3. Co-labor

            How important it is for each family member to accept his position in the family  Everyone has a purpose.  Everyone has needs that must be met.  Everyone contributes to make the wheels of the family run smoothly.

            Some tips for success in sharing the work load.

1)      Constant training (perhaps by storytelling) in why God chose the family as His tool.

2)      Daily illustrations and praise when the servant’s heart shows.

3)      Realistic expectations and age-appropriate assignments.

4)      Study of supply and demand.

5)      Study of gifts and how to exercise them within the family.

6)      Opportunities to succeed or fail.

7)      Schedule for responsibility.

8)      Student teaching to benefit all.

4. Real Learning

            I’ve been promoting Marilyn Howshall’s Lifestyle of Learning Approach this year (available in 4 paperback books from out office - $34).  She very capably describes how to use the home to meet individual academic and spiritual needs.  In Book 2, for example, on page 5 is a list of notebook ideas.  She shows how to develop a notebook, even showing age appropriate examples.  The notebook becomes a learning tool in language arts.

            Also, in the same book she lists, in chapter 6, seven faith-steps toward a natural lifestyle of learning.  On three pages she summarizes how to make learning compatible with your home and your child.

5. Giving

            What a delight it is to have a child see a need and try to help meet that need.  Consider these tips when training for a servant’s heart.

1)      Give opportunity by scheduling regular “helps” activities.

2)      Ask your child to suggest ways he thinks he can be a help.

3)      Discuss helpfulness responses when you read a biography together.

4)      Praise for work done well.

5)      Teach each family member’s duty and opportunity.  Why did God choose the family unit as a training base?  What do you see your responsibility to be?

This is a good time to discuss why we give and what God gave.  Use this study to encourage one another in the servant’s walk.

6. Applied Learning

            One of the often overlooked examples of applied learning is for you to teach what you already know.  This will differ from home to home.  Your child should have the advantage of being in YOUR home.

Consider,

1)      Teaching the foreign language you already know.

2)      Showing how to build an addition to your house.

3)      Teaching bread making or other food preparation.

4)      Showing how to keep a room or closet in order.

5)      Sharing map reading skills.

6)      Instructing in interior design or other arts.

7)        Participating in a Church drama

7. Read-Aloud

            Please remember to share great read-aloud titles.  Use your read-aloud time to encourage one another.  Share biographies that show God at work in the lives of people.  Discuss how he used the gifts He gave.  Compare with gifts you see in your own family and how God is using them.

Have a blessed Christ-honoring Christmas.  Carry the celebration through the next year.  May He be glorified.