Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Passing On Convictions to Your Children

We have been abundantly blessed as together 
we work our way though Kevin Swanson’s Proverbs
It is our core curriculum.
I have come to believe that the study of Proverbs should be
a standard requirement for God-fearing parents. 
It is so good, like real chocolate cream pie good.
Why?  Because Proverbs is the book of wisdom.  
It explains the why’s of our foundational beliefs. 
This is surely the optimum way to teach our children our convictions.

Recently, we were in Proverbs 3:21-26, 
and I was so awestruck by the repetitive message king Solomon used 
to teach his son. 
Such a godly, wise example, right from Scripture,
and I have never used it before in all our years of homeschooling. 
Oh the time and wisdom that has been lost. 
May God be merciful.  
Forever more, the study of Proverbs will be a standard practice in our home,
in our school.


“My son, let not them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion:  So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck.  Then you shall walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.  When you lie down, you shall not be afraid:  yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.”  Proverbs 3:21-26

After defining Wisdom, Discretion, Understanding, and Knowledge,
a portion of the commentary says this:

“Catastrophes and crises are a part of life. One important and substantial difference between those who have embraced the call of wisdom and those who have not, is seen in how these people react in times of crises.  Typically, the unwise are careless and fearless when things are going well, but in the inevitable day of cataclysm (whether it be an economic crisis, disease, or death), their hearts are gripped with “sudden” fear.  Meanwhile, the wise man who has prepared for a crisis all his life, who has framed his life around the inescapable day of his death, who has feared God all the day long through ten thousand days of experiences, has no fear whatsoever, even as his jetliner careens to the earth.
Note that the desolation of the wicked ALWAYS comes.  This is a theme we will see throughout the book of Proverbs.” pg. 30


Then we go on to  3 questions for discussion. 
The lesson, with copy work, takes us about an hour. 
The impact, however, is eternal,
passing from generation to generation. 
This is the primary thing we parents must be doing with our children
if we are going to further the vision of godly, holy living 
to the next generation. 
They must know our convictions.
  They must understand why we do what we do
in order to grasp the heart of the matter 
and see beyond ritual or traditional or religious activity
and into the very nature and face of God,
and the order He has created within the realms
of society and family, 
for our benefit.

It is exciting for me to begin each school day 
with just such lessons as the one above. 
In my exuberance,  I simply must share
in depth the wonderful resource that has sprung new life into our school, 
into me, and into our children. 
  May God bless my dear sweet husband for choosing this study guide! 
My hope is that you may feel my enthusiasm,
and be inspired and motivated to pursue teaching the Proverbs in your home.
  It is easily the best part of our day.

4 comments:

  1. We currently read a chapter of Proverbs every morning after breakfast then each kiddo gets to pick their favorite verse to write out. (Somedays I pick.:-) It's been a great way to begin our day!

    Where did you purchase the study guide?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well said. We ordered this and Aaron and I have started reading through, and rewriting (wording) out questions for our younger kids. This is going to become a favorite for our family as well!

    Blessings!
    Amber

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  3. My husband bought the study guide at the Christian Heritage Home Educator conference near Seattle last spring, but if you click on the highlighted phrase "family bible study series" near the top of the post, you will go directly to K. Swanson's store, this guide is found near the bottom of the page.

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  4. Amen, sister. This is so true. We are on a reading schedule of 5 Psalms and a Proverb a day. We read according to the day of the week. i.e., on the 21st we would read Psalm 21, 51, 81, 101 and 131 and Proverbs 21, etc. Your blog is a balm to my soul and a wonderful encouragement to mommyhood. :)

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Your comments and input are very much appreciate
- Blessings!
Julianne

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