Book Club Review & Summer Resources
Today was the last day of our book study on The Shaping of a Christian Family. If there were one book besides the Bible that I could recommend to you, it would be this one. Prioritize: What is most important to you and your spouse in terms of your children? What don't you want your 18 year old child to leave home without? I am not talking about material things or the MasterCard. I am referring to values. Summers are a golden opportunity to SLOW DOWN and to impart training of the mind and teaching of the heart, values and wisdom. By simplifying your lifestyle during summertime, especially, you automatically bring peace into your home and into your thought life. Values are caught more than taught. “It’s not so much what we say or do that educates; what educates is who we are,” says Janet Erskine Stuart, one of E. Elliot’s favorite educators. Look at your monetary receipts and your calendar; those will show you what you value. Back to the beginning: children leaving home; parents letting go - a long way off? Not really. And make wonderful memories during carefree summers!Family Prayer Time: Elisabeth Elliot’s parents instituted family prayers immediately after breakfast. They sang a hymn, had a brief Bible reading, a prayer was spoken usually by her father, and they closed with the Lord’s Prayer in unison. Depending on your summer schedule, could something similar be instituted in your family? Perhaps you do this already! Teach line upon line, precept upon precept while you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, and when you rise up and lie down (Deut. 6:7). Your tone of voice matters. Soak up God’s wisdom in the book of Proverbs! And pray for your teaching to stick! Any learning set to song is remembered. Structure and Punctuality: Our God is orderly – “let everything be done decently and in order,” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Uncluttered efficiency! Weed out, give away, minimalize, and organize. Teach your child to obey; stand together with your spouse on matters of discipline, and be consistent. Give eye contact, say name, require attention, and inspect what you expect; follow up! Elisabeth’s father taught that lateness was stealing another's valuable time. Modeling: What do you model daily? Joy, trust in Jesus, prayer, patience, kindness, faith in the Lord, love for God and His creation, humility, a heart that is at rest, frugality, hospitality, sense of humor, serving others, self-control? Do not see this as a checklist. Rather, take inventory and ask God to work in your heart. The fruit of the Spirit is the result of abiding in the Vine (John 15:5). A Father’s Tenderness (chapters 11 and 16): Do trips to the park, walks on a trail or through the woods give opportunity to enjoy the simplicity of one another’s company? I’ll never forget the togetherness my dad and I experienced as he took me mushroom hunting. It’s been over a half century, and I still remember those times and the emotional attachment provided by that outing. Fathers, are you having fun with your children and enjoying them? Are you living the crucified life as the authority in your family (Gal. 2:20)? Yours is a tall task, a calling that is only possible through Christ and by prayer. Mothers are Life-Giving Vessels (chapters 17 and 27): Elisabeth Elliot says, “We are transformed by what we love.” Sweet RDS moms, what do you love and what are you teaching your children to love? I’ll share with you a few things I love: the expression of a Christ-centered life, a child’s smile, laughter and genuineness, God’s Word, lovely manners and thoughtfulness, the beauty of a flower, orderliness, the instinct of birds flying in formation, the simplicity of a rippling brook, the majesty of the ocean, a breath-taking sunrise or sunset, the quietness of the countryside, work and rest, sand-covered toes, the tender interaction between a mother and her child’s skinned knee. I could add to this list for hours, and you could, too. “What you love; the example you set, for good or ill, is more profound than can be measured,” says Elisabeth Elliot. The Matter of Marriage: I would encourage both parents to read this chapter which begins on page 227. Parents, you are trustees, not owners, of your children. I believe that if you read those few chapters which I mentioned, you might want to read the entire book. Could the nuggets of wisdom within its pages serve as an investment in your life and have an eternal impact on the family you are shaping? It’s very possible; actually, it’s very likely. The stories and teachings Elliot offers in this book, related to how her parents nurtured her faith, will serve as a call-back and will cheer you on in your parenting journey. I pray you find this to be the case!
Evening of EncouragementResources Shared DuringSummer of Opportunity, Setting Up For Success!
Summer offers a welcome change of pace for your family but also brings challenges. Last night on Zoom, we shared ideas about how to take opportunity of the time for growth and reinforcement of all your children have gained spiritually and academically this year at school as well as how to avoid taking on the role of your child's "entertainer". We will provide a link to watch the Zoom call in next week's mentoring moment. For now, we want to share some of the resources mentioned last night.For Bible/Devotional time, "Miss" Nancy mentioned the following:Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent & Barbara HughesDisciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara HughesChildren's Bibles for various ages that are true to Biblical text:The Christian Focus Story Bible by Carine MackenzieA First Bible Story Book by Mary HoffmanThe Big Picture Bible by David HelmThe Action Bible illustrated by Sergio Cariello and accompanying devotional by Jeremy V. Jones (with Marvel like illustrations elementary aged boys will love)Our teachers also love Leading Little Ones to God by Miriam Schoolland, Big Truths for Little Kids by Hunt whose stories correspond with the children's catechism, My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God's Word in Little Hearts by Hunt.For Play time ideas, follow @busytoddler on instagramFor Academic Review (Not New), all of the teachers said Read! Read! Read!"Miss" Cheryl suggested to think "novels" to read along to your 4, 5 & 6 year olds: Little House in the Big Woods, Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan & Stuart Little by White, The Courage of Sarah Noble by Dalgliesh, Winnie-the-Pooh by Milne, & Milly-Molly-Mandy by Brisley.Our teachers suggested:Limit screen time!Fine motor practice for all, especially our littles! (Tummy time coloring forces the elbow and forearm into the proper position.)We say "limit screen time" but when you do indulge try the Leapfrog: Letter Factory Video for phonics letter/sound review for the 3's.Miss Cheryl also shared some of the following resources with the caution of not spending too much time with workbooks and flashcards but instead finding fun games and activities to reinforce phonics and math skills:Explode the Code 1 1/2 (phonics review)Summer Bridge Activities (Pre-K or K-1)100 Words Kids Need to Read by 1st Grade: Sight Word Practice to Build Strong ReadersSummer Brain Quest (Pre-k and K)Also explore the resources (book lists and videos of music lessons, story time, etc.) under the mentoring tab of our website.