teach them yourself!

its funny how life works or things pan out.  ive been wanting to write a blog for most of the day today. every. single. time. i sit down to type the kids need me.  as i sit here now and completely zone them out, i have ellie pulling at my arms, screaming her demands of what? i am not quite sure....ive met all her needs....nate is jumping down in front of me demanding i do something else for him....and yet i ignore and type. hahaha. this is real life at it's finest....i am teaching them the opportunity to self sooth and learn to do something on their own. life skills 101!

a few months/weeks back i read the most interesting article on line, of course it's lone gone but i havent been able to shake it from my head/heart

i wish i had the link to share but i don't so i will quickly explain how it went (as my kids throw them selves on the floor in disbelief that i am ignoring them ) 

a missionary from the states when to a foreign country.  while visiting one of the larger churches in asia he saw something he never saw before...as he got up to speak at the pulpit on the stage in front, he looked up to the balcony where all the children. and i mean all. sat with their parents. as he spoke that morning he could not life his eyes from the kids, he was waiting for them to be kids, disrupt, yell, be a general annoyance that most north american churches show case Sunday mornings....cough.....but it never happened. the service ended and the kids left with their families

after church, the missionary went to lunch with the pastors of the church and he asked "why were the kids not in sunday school but in the church service?"

 the pastor replied "sunday school? what is that?"  the missionary explained that in north america churches provide the most updated, fun filled, high temo sunday school programs...t.v's, bands, music, games, toys etc...."

the pastor asked but what do these programs do?

the missionary said
they teach the kids about jesus

the pastor said "we have no need for such programs. the parents in our church teach their kids themselves"

ouch.  i cringed as i read that, i see both sides.  i have spent years in kids ministry serving along side and with out chris. i remember thinning to myself, how in the world am i responsible for the spiritual life of all these kids. 1 hour a week, 4 hours a month is NOTHING.  why is it the churches job to teach and instruct? how and when did this happen?  i have used, seen and heard of every gimmick, program, curriculum and i can honestly say the kids who's parents taught them at home shined above the crowds of kids we saw each week.  

 i also see the side of the parents. i am one. one who bring their child to church each sunday to go into a program.  but i can honestly say, and you can choose to read it how ever you want...that i've done my work/homework on teaching nate what we believe. is nate perfect?  hardly, far from it!  i actually don't even want to bring his nate up but you's all know he's my son, so i know you will think of him as an example.  what i mean to say is the church is not responsible for nate's spiritual walk, i am.  i take responsibility for it.  the church is there a help to encourage what we have been (and continue to) teach him until he's the age of maturity to choose for himself what he believes

deut 6:7-8 says 

Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  new living translation

 Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. ⁸ Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads
 message translation 

when i read these verses i see a lifestyle.  teaching them constantly. never stopping. when you play games, watching t.v, eating supper, going for a walk and yes esp during school, for those who choose to home school.  live your life according to gods word and what it says

so that's my thoughts on it!  i totally think the pastor in a foreign land hit the nail on the head! personally, i would like nate to be in more adult church services, but i can say i a ubber proud of him when i do have him sit with me

am i a perfect parent? i hardly ever think so!!!!!  please!  

and for those who are still reading and wondering what the kids are doing now? nate was playing in his room and just came out to read what i am typing. ellie is playing in her kitchen.  both kids left me alone, respected my 15 mins of me time and are playing nicely...but are asking for lunch!

have a wonderful christmas eve and remember to teach your kids yourself. it's your job as a parent! not the church, school or program teacher's. it's your and you are more than equip to do it cause god gave you everything you need to get the job done!

Posted by mel at 11:21 AM