One
Needful Thing
As
we teach our children to study, research, and
write, they are establishing and perfecting tools
that they will one day use to God's glory, depending
on their unique, individual talents. Home schoolers
sometimes get so wrapped up in academics they
forget the one needful thing. Remember the story
of Mary and Martha.
Martha
was so busy with preparations as Mary sat
at the feet of Christ. When Martha complained
about Mary, Jesus answered and said unto her,
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled
about many things: But one thing is needful: and
Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not
be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42.)
The lesson is simple: only one thing is necessary.
Everything else that does not promote that one
thing is extra. To sit at Jesus' feet and hear
His word is the most important thing we can ever
teach our children. Sensible Martha had many accomplishments,
but worry and trouble were her rewards. Mary,
on the other hand, was praised for choosing "that
good thing" which was itself her reward and which
would not be taken away from her.
Martha's
preparation work was not wrong; in fact, it was
important. It was Martha's focus that was wrong.
It is your focus that makes the difference. Socialistic
achievement, which the world stresses so much,
is important; but it is nothing without Christ.
"But,
what about academics math, language arts, history,
science?" Of course these things matter, but only
as they sharpen your focus on the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness. The academic subjects are
important tools but only tools; not the goal.
The moment academics cloud your view, to whatever
degree they slow your pursuit, they then move
from helpful tools to what Jesus calls the
"cares of this life."
Do
not let the important keep you from the necessary.
And in Jesus' words, only one thing is necessary.
It is a message both simple and profound: simple
because the truth of it is not complicated, but
perfectly evident; profound because the truth
in everyday life cuts across everything that habit
and fleshly indulgence have trained us to accept
as important or even necessary. A godly person
who is determined to know Jesus above all else
will find all academic studies based in the simple
reality of all things working together for good
to them who love God and are the called according
to His purpose.
Home
schoolers are blessed with time to study God's
Word. Take the time to set aside strivings and
anxieties. Discover and understand who Christ
is. Sit at His feet and feast at the table of
His mercy, forgiveness, and peace. Learn the unseen
things of God. The spiritual life is "that good
part," which shall not be taken away from you!
Or your children!
True
wisdom is the "ability to judge correctly and
to follow the best course of action, based on
knowledge and understanding." If you really want
to teach true wisdom, spend a significant amount
of your home school time studying and teaching
God's Word. For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Practical
Application
Accomplish
the one needful daily by committing to reading
the Bible before academic schoolwork. This can
be achieved in several different ways: through
daily devotions, Bible study curriculum, focusing
on one particular book, reading a certain amount
of chapters per day, or by reading Bible stories.
Our
family has chosen to read through the Bible chronologically.
Each day we read and discuss a section of scripture
(younger children may do better with a Bible storybook).
After the story, the children work on a project
to demonstrate what they have learned, according
to their ability levels. Young children draw an
illustration; older children re-write the story
or compose a poem. Assignments for junior and
senior high students would include word studies
(in original Greek or Hebrew), and a writing assignment.
Students keep all work in a Bible notebook. Consequently
they have their own Bible Storybook at the end
of the school year.
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