Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children."  Deuteronomy 6:6-7

These words clearly instruct that God's word should be committed to memory and passed on from generation to generation.  Committing portions of scripture to memory is vital in retaining knowledge of the scriptures.

In Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8 share that prosperity and success in life come from scripture memorization, as it creates familiarity with God's word and causes the learner to meditate upon the principles of God which promote these things.

Memorization takes discipline, and that can become tedious if not handled with some creative care.  A teacher-mom or dad can help speed along the process of memory work by building fun and interest into the process.   In her book, Building Your Child's Faith,  Alice Chapin outlines some great techniques for accomplishing this.  She recommends:

*Set up contests between adults and kids.  Offer fun prizes.  Draw up a "contract."  For instance, if the kids memorize the verses more quickly than the adults, the adults will take out the trash for a week.  But if the adults memorize them first, the kids will do the supper cleanup for a week.  Be sure to sign the contract to make it official!

*Help little children learn by repetition.  Review while rocking, bathing, and playing with them.  Repeat while driving or waiting in line at the grocery store.

*Post current memory work on the refrigerator, closet door, or kitchen bulletin board.  Or stretch a "clothesline" and clothespin verses for the month to it.

*Have memory charts.  Award stickers, stars, or seals for each learned verse, prizes for every five stickers.

*Purchase a Scripture songbook, and sing Bible verses right into the minds of the family.  Or make your own music for favorite verses.

*Use flannel-graph letters or verse flashcards.  Mix up letters and words, and take turns straightening them out.

*Write the verse on a chalkboard.  Take turns erasing one word at a time.  Repeat the whole verse after each erasure.

*Print different verses on 5x8 cards,  Cut each card into pieces.  Put the pieces for each verse in an envelope.  Pass out the envelopes, and use a timer to see who can put the verse-puzzle together the most quickly.  Have each member read his or her assembled verse.

*Let the leader begin quoting a verse, stopping after every few words to ask another person to add the next four words, or two words, and so on.  Have a stick of gum or a lollipop ready for the first person to identify where the verse is located.

*Let the small children use magic markers to print the verse of the week on sheets of construction paper.  Add stickers or magazine pictures and use for placemats at dinner.  

*Give each youngster an empty photo album with see-through plastic pages.  Insert weekly memory cards for an individual record of verses learned and for easy private review.

*Once in a while assign short Scripture verses to be memorized by the following day.  Celebrate completion of the assignment with a yummy treat.

Cupboard Door Learning

Alice Chapin has written a book filled with creative ways to stimulate interest in Bible study.  She includes many encouraging and practical suggestions for creating a nurturing home environment.  Many of her ideas teach not only Biblical truths, but encompass daily life and learning.  Here's one of her ideas that can help encourage learning on all levels.


"Keep a constant round of new things posted on the cupboard or refrigerator door.  Quotes from the Bible or well-known Christian leaders human interest items, and cartoons all work well.  As long as you keep changing them, your family will keep noticing." 


Great idea!  Post it notes and a marker, magnetized letters used to create words, or letters and words cut out of a magazine and glued onto construction paper to express a thought can provide colorful, attention capturing verses and quotes that will help you to instruct and teach.  Spark an interest by using words posted in strategic places throughout your home.

*Building your Child's Faith by Alice Chapin

Growing Children Naturally

It is natural for parents to want the best for a child.  So many resources are available which can help them grow and develop.  Opportunities range from classes in baby gymnastics, to early childhood music lessons, and instruction in how to teach your baby to read.  Although intentions are good, sometimes efforts to provide the best for a child are counterproductive.  Children grow naturally, and a parent who is in tune with their child and their individual pace and abilities will find a rhythm in instruction that best understands what the child needs.  Pushing too fast or in an unnatural way can cause frustration, stress, and missed developmental opportunities.  Thelma Beem in The Dignity of a Child states that forced growth is seldom beneficial to plant or animal.  Natural development is beautiful at every stage of the process.  Children are no exception to this law of growth.  The book, Education, speaks of this concept as well.  "Children should not be forced into a precocious maturity, but as long as possible should retain the freshness and grace of their early years.  The more quiet and simple the life of a child, the more free from artificial excitement and the more in harmony with nature, the more favorable it is to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength."  Children are only children once.  Give time time to savor the precious years of childhood, allowing for learning through life around them.  Through daily work, service to others, walks in nature, innocent play, and lessons by a parent's side, children can experience the full benefit of natural growth.  This natural growth will help them excel in all areas of development.

Prayer for a Homeschool Mother

Lord God Almighty, I commit (homeschool mother) into your care and safekeeping. May your ministering angels watch over her. I place her hand in yours with the confidence that comes from knowing that you will take good care of your property.


You said, Lord, that you would be a wall of fire round about her, and that you will be the glory in the midst of her. Praise your name.


The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear you, and you deliver them. Assign a guardian angel to (homeschool mother), Lord, so that no evil will befall her. Protect her from the evil one.


I lift up (homeschool mother) to you and I ask you to watch over her like a mother hen watches over her chicks and a shepherd watches over his sheep. Teach (homeschool mother) that he who dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. You are her fortress. May she learn to trust in you implicitly.


Cover her with your feathers so that under your wings she will safely trust. Let your truth become her shield and buckler so that she will not be afraid for the terror by night nor the destructions that wastes at noonday.


Bless (homeschool mother) with a knowledge of your presence, Lord. Let (homeschool mother) know that when she calls upon you, you will answer her. You will be with her in trouble. You will deliver her and honor her. Satisfy her with long life and show her your salvation.


Author unknown

Developing Social Graces

How do children learn social graces?  It is by our example and emphasis of the manners and of that which is thoughtful and appropriate by which our children develop positive social skills. We should model to them kindness, thoughtfulness, tact, forgiveness, generosity, and love which is for others.  It is a parent's responsibility to teach them how to stand tall, listen closely, and to speak graciously.

Live wisely among [others] and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  Col 4:5

Recipe for Homeschool Teaching

Recipe for Homeschool Teaching


The requirements are not complex.


Parents need only be loving, responsive, and reasonably consistent, and salt these qualities with a little imagination, common sense, and willingness to follow a few simple suggestions.


Don't worry about the opinions of neighbors who don't know or care about the real needs of children.  Just be kind to them.


Have your children be helpful in your home and in the neighborhood.  Visit the old and infirm and ill.  Do favors for others without asking any in return.


Teach all your waking moments, as models to your offspring.


Work with your children doing physical tasks.  Teach them practical skills and the nobility of work.  By precept and example, teach manners and social graces.


Use academic materials from excellent sources, teaching formally two or three hours a day.


Apply the golden rule.  Remember that home is its finest nest.  It is the person who understands this well who is the most able creator of a family school.


~ Formula from Dr. Raymond Moore in Home-Spun Schools ~
~ Photo:  Katie ~

Family Activities for Summertime

Summer can be a busy time.  Family vacations, tending gardens, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables, swimming lessons, and more take up our days.  For most homeschool families, the pace of home education changes during this time.  Even for those who school year-around, the more traditional academics are usually set aside while my active pursuits take precedence for education.  Even though we are busy with our children during these days, sometimes individual time and attention can be lost unless specific attention is given to spending time doing things together that promote communication and togetherness.  In her book, Survival for Busy Women, Emilie Barnes shares a list of ideas that promote planned family events.  She suggests that these be combined with a family conference (discussion time where family issues are discussed) on a weekly basis.  Here are some of her suggested activities:


*Make a collage on love.
*Make and fly kites.


*Assemble a puzzle.
*Write and produce a play.


*View family movies or videos.
*Have family celebrations.


*Exercise together.
*Have a make-up party.


*Have a fix-it night.
*Make a terrarium.


*Write letters to grandparents.
*Cook and bake.


*Make and sail a boat.
*Play board games.


*Tell stories.
*Put on a puppet show.


*Go on picnics.
*Model clay.


*Ride bicycles.
*Play charades.


*Visit a farm.
*Have discussions and debates.


*Have a fire drill.
*Make Christmas ornaments and candles.


Emilie Barnes shares that a list of family activities is limited only by our imagination!  These times play a valuable part in establishing harmony, respect, and pride in the family unit.

A Spiritual Garden

First, plant six rows of peas:

Pardon
Patience
Preparedness
Promptness
Politeness
Perseverance

Then plant four rows of squash:

Squash criticism
Squash gossip
Squash laziness
Squash indifference

Next plant six rows of lettuce:

Let us be faithful
Let us be loyal
Let us be unselfish
Let us be truthful
Let us love one another
Let us read our Bible

No garden is complete without turnips:

Turn up with a smile
Turn up with a testimony
Turn up with a real concern
Turn up with a willing spirit
Turn up with encouragement

Planting instructions:

Plow the furrows of the heart deeply and water daily with the tears of heartfelt prayer. Note: due to the ideal climate in which we live, these seeds can be planted at any time of the year. Plant where they are exposed to the Son.

Author unknown