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Repentance …
- Free online Dictionary… “To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one’s mind regarding it.”
- The Wikipedia …In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nicham (to feel sorrow). In the New Testament, Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), the preposition ‘meta’ (after, with), and the verb ‘noeo’ (to perceive, to think). The compound word means: a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct.
When we repent, we acknowledge these fundamentals of Christianity are true…. God created each of us for fellowship. We are sinners (rebellious to God and hate His laws) by nature, therefore, we cannot have fellowship with God. But, God has provided a Way to restore our fellowship with Him. We must return to God on His terms not ours. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
In fact, the gospel has good news and bad news. The bad news… because we sin, we cannot have fellowship with God who is holy (without sin). The good news is that God provided a way to heal this broken relationship by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die as an atonement (payment) for all our sins. But each of us must repent (acknowledge we are sinners that sin) and believe and receive Christ by faith to be reconciled (made right) with God and to obtain salvation (become children of God, who inherit all the rights as God’s heirs).
We are commanded to “repent”…
- “Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
- “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
- “God commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness…” Acts 17:30
Why people do not like to repent? Every time we sin (disobey God’s commands and laws), we are designed to feel shame and guilt. In fact, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict the world of sin and judgment. Repentance (admitting God is right, holy, and just, and that we are not) is very difficult to do. It means confessing there is a God who has a purpose and a plan for each of us and that we are all disobedient and rebellious toward that plan and purpose. Most people will never repent.
I have one particular child, who did not like to repent. He hated feeling shame and guilt. In his mind, he could not be loved if he was bad or did a bad thing. He also did not like the thought of someone other than himself being in control. Even to this day, he will not repent and will justify his sins.
Personally, I too find it difficult to repent. My flesh wars against the Spirit and it will until I die and receive a glorified body (sinless and painless). God’s Word commands us to “walk in the Spirit not the flesh.”
In order for someone to repent, they must know they are loved, no matter what….loving the sinner but hating the sin. It is important to understand how much God loves each of us. True love is unconditional. God created man and gave him all of creation to provide for all of his daily needs. God made man free to choose to walk with Him or not, but man chose and still chooses not to obey. The consequence for not loving God is separation from His Creator and Provider. But even after man sinned, God sill loved him. God provided a way for man to return to Him through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus. “While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us.” Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He redeemed (purchased our freedom from separation, slavery, death, and the power of sin). And each day God extends each of us mercy by forgiving all, who believe and receive Christ as their Savior and Lord, their sins. This truth that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son to perish, that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. John 3:16” must be understood before a person can repent.
There are two reasons why each person should learn why and how to repent. You cannot become a Christian and you cannot walk in the Spirit without repentance. Repentance is crucial to being and living the Christian life. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”I John 1: 8,9
How does a person repent to God…admit we are disobedient, confess our specific sins (lie, steal, mock, etc.), thank God for His forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit to control my life. It is important to be willing, specific, sincere, truthful, thankful, and humble.
Talking and listening to God is called prayer. Usually prayer is seen as just “asking”. But prayer is much more, such as praising, repenting, asking, and yielding to God. Prayer is a form of worship. This is why the SOW includes all these aspects of prayer.
To teach someone how to pray (praise, repent, ask, and yield), you must…
- give examples from the Bible of prayer such as the “Our Father”,
- share with them testimonies of women and men of faith, who prayed, such as Abraham, David, Nehemiah, George Mueller, Corrie Ten Boone, Martin Luther King, etc.
- be a role model of praying for wisdom, healing, thanks, etc..
When I first became a Christian, I found it difficult to talk to an invisible God. But like writing a letter to a relative or friend, who lived long distance and I could not see, it was easy for me to write God a letter of PRAYer…Praising, Repenting, Asking, and Yielding.
Practicing PRAYer, by writing a letter to God, should prepare us to PRAY whenever needed during the day (washing clothes, digging a garden, driving a car, playing ball, etc.). In fact, you can PRAY anytime, anywhere and God will hear answer. PRAYing in the Spirit is how a Christian walks with God. ”If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
More about prayer… http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-prayer-20-important-scripture-quotes-2/
More about repentance… http://www.aplaceofworship.org/theword/Repentance.htm
Hello Sister Merle:
There’s a topic that I would like your opinion on. It’s legalism. There are so many different takes on the subject and I know that God looks at our hearts. We already have four of our older children that have chosen to not to follow God because they say they believe in God, but don’t want anything to do with organized religion. They say too many rules (no coffee, no painting of nails, no makeup, no dancing, no jewelry, etc.). I don’t agree with every “do and don’t rules” my husband tells our younger girls, but I see that even two of our younger daughters are starting to resist him. It seems that as time goes by, he gets stricter and stricter (we’ll be married 10 yrs in Dec.). I know he wants to love the Lord with his life and ours, but at times, I’m starting to feel that I’m also not free to love the Lord with all of my heart like I used to and I’m starting to resent the rules he continues to set as times goes by. I believe we need to reach our children’s hearts for the Lord and not just a list of do’s and don’ts. I want to honor my husband, but when we talk about how I feel, he Christianizes things he can’t actually back up with the Word. I’ve been praying and seeking the Lord for a while on this issue. I haven’t spoken to anyone about it because everyone knows him in our town and I don’t have a mature, Titus 2 woman I can trust. I trust that you can give me Godly counsel.
Dear sister in Christ,
I have struggled with topic of legalism and Christianity, as well, in our lives, home, homeschooling community, churches, etc. I believe this is the number one reason children rebel, They either can not or do not see the difference between legalism and righteous living. They are seduced by Satan and the world through media. And the inability to stand firm in the faith alone is extremely difficult past the age of 12. Also by this age, they are being tested in their faith and you have fallen from your pedestal. They have seen the contrast of what you say and what you do. Like David and Absalom (the son who thought he could do it better than his father and king) our children may do the same. It is during these years that more talking and praying and teaching and example living on once we are saved…how to walk in the Spirit, truth, and love continuously is critical.
We have been called legalist. My children have called us legalist. I have cried night and day not to be a legalist.
When I think of the word legalist…I am thinking of a Pharisee… the ones who knew the laws of God but used it for impure motives and gain and forced others to follow in rules that were extra Biblical.
I have confessed whenever I believe I have done something for wrong motives. God looks at the heart…and the Word says our hearts are desperately wicked. I know I am forgiven and I move forward looking ahead not in the past. Satan wants to immobilize me with guilt and shame but God redeems, restores, renews, and rebuilds. If I say I have never done something with wrong motives…God’s Word says I am a liar. I am to confess it and He will forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
I have come to see that every person (adult) is responsible for their own walk with God. I might be convicted to not watch a certain tv show, to wear pants, to wear a veil or not to wear one, etc. for “Whatever is not of faith is sin.” But I do not base my walk with God on another man or woman’s walk with God nor should they base theirs on mine but by the Word of God. I am free to give my testimony of what God has shown me through the Word of God, but the other person may not be ready to receive it. It is God’s job to convict the heart of sin and righteousness,
There were times in my Christian walk that I was convicted by someone’s testimony on how I should live as a Christian and other times not. After examining the word or testimony or walk, I rejected it or accepted it according to these standards…is it sin or not sin according to God’s Word, is it profitable for the kingdom, is it loving the other person,
In talking to a sister in Christ, who says she does not judge on works whether saved or not but contrary she and the others in her denomination determine everyone’s salvation by what they do… I told her that if she was walking in some Christian circles she would be a brazen woman…she wears pants, no veil, etc. She did not get the point I was trying to make.
Those who are more mature in Christ might look more like Christ but How can any Christian especially our youth and baby Christians walk a Jesus’ perfect walk 24 hrs..a day…no one can. These are branded as non -Christian because they do not believe a Christian can walk in the flesh and carnal and then repent. It’s a constant cycle of being saved or the final horrible realization that most come to is that Christianity does not work and God is not real. But in truth we will not get our glorified sinless bodies till we die.
I told my children to have mercy on us as parents…that when the Scriptures tell us to be modest, we as parents have to fall somewhere ,.. ours was right above the knee. When the Scriptures tell us to wear a veil and long hair …our household determined that the Scriptures were not clear and that long hair was seen as the veil…how long the hair was to be…it seemed to say that it should be different and longer than a boys cut and longer than theirs….their father determined these things in our home… and the church encouraged each father to make these decisions that were not clear for their own homes respecting one another’s decision.
Even with much discussion in every area of Christian walk, it was hard for my children, family, friends to understand when we were different. They wanted to fit in, not be different. Some were angry.
Another discussion with teenage girls was when they wanted to wear black nail polish…I remember explaining that God made the color black too and that the reason we did not want them to wear black was because they were going to be judged and identified by others as rebellious and evil. “DO not have the appearance of evil.” But then there was Hudson Taylor who against his mission authorities wore Chinese clothes and hair style to win the Chinese for Christ. I told my grown children this…if they came to me and said Mom I want to grow my hair long because I want to be different and set apart for Christ like Samson and to reach this certain people group for Christ, I would have to release him. Would I have to battle with fear and doubt yes? But I would have to release him to God to do this and be in prayer honoring his decision as long as it was not sin.
I remember when we decided not to celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus. Our children were very obedient before they were teens but not matter how hard we tried for peers not to be important or influential, they still wanted to fit in.
The children that seemed to fair the best were those who were not influenced by internet, youth groups, bad movie or music, husband and wife were in prayer and agreement, frequent discussions why not doing this and doing this. The rule or boundary doesn’t have to be in the Bible but it has to have a Biblical reason for why you are doing or not doing such and such like modesty ( what will that look like in your family), don’t demand your standards to be in other familiess or persons (except your children), tell them one day they are going to have to make decisions that please the Lord (What will that look like for dress, music, friends, tv, etc.). I believe legalism is when we demand others Christianity look like ours not giving time for growth and for God to work in their lives.
Expecting my children’s Christianity to look like mine when it took 30 years for God to “transform” my thinking to the Word of God, is unjust and not humility nor love. A hug and kiss, when we mess up and sorry, is sufficient most of the time. The final ruling is this…”love covers all the law…and a multitude of sins”. Ask yourself often and in each circumstance…Does this show love for God and my neighbor?
As parents and teachers of our children, it is our job to be in control for the good of the child and student. The principal and teachers should be undivided in their goals and rules for their school such as what they will dress, what they will listen to, what the student will learn, what books to use, how they will talk, not chew gum in class, raise your hand to speak, when to eat, even when to go to the bathroom. In our homes we should be the same.
As the student got older, it was important to let him make decisions on his own for most things… giving consequences of good and bad choices. For instance, I gave them a weekly task chart for them to complete, they could choose when to do it and I would check to see that it was done correctly at the end of the day, then week. One of mine would get up at 6am and finish at noon and have the rest of the day to do what they wanted. Another one took all day to do the tasks required. I also gave them cornerstones to reach. When you are 15, you can do this???? At 16 this????at 18 this??? In other words, just like an adult, they would be treated differently than a child. The whole house respected them as growing adults and looked forward to the time they would get that age. Being under parents thumb was not going to be forever. By the time they are ready to leave the house, the student is like a butterfly in a cocoon, it is tight, uncomfortable and they are ready to be set free…too soon or too late the butterfly will die.
So what am I saying… “Children obey your parents.” Adult children honor your parents.” To me that meant all my children had the right to make an appeal, what is wrong for one child maybe alright for another child… for instance one of my children had a little weight problem, I had to cut the meal in half for that child. It was hard for him and for us. He also had special accountability for a season regarding what he ate, exercise, etc. Also the whole household did a Biblical health class at home and with another family.
My mom told me this and now I tell it to my grown children, “You no longer have to obey me, but you do have to honor me…this means I have the right to give you advice, but you have the right not to take any of it.”
We asked our children to obey us till they were 20 years old…this is when men went to war, were censored and judged. The government age of accountability is 17 or 18 depending on what state. By that age you can not control or force them to do anything. Of course until they leave your home, which is what you should be preparing them to do, you have a responsibility and right to control what happens in your home.
BTW… the reason your husband or we as parents are probably getting stricter is because of fear of losing the children. We each will respond out of fear differently…more control, anger, what I called in me “beserk” fear (hysterical whipping), etc. BTW, I am not saying more control is not the answer, it could be for a certain child, specific season in life, or particular circumstance. But Fear is not of God. It is a sin that needs to be recognized and repented of. “Love casts out all fear.” This is when the parent (s) have to press in for prayer, persevere “not grow weary in doing good”, ask God for wisdom, dig into the Word for Biblical truths, and get Godly counsel from others. I remember there were times I was asking everyone I knew how were they handling this situation and that. I am not saying this is the right thing to do…but I was desperate.
Again, I would…
- Encourage your children to learn how to make an appeal and let them practice doing it. See Bible book Philemon to teach this.
- Find Biblical truths to live by, write them down, live them out, and teach it to your children such as “walk in the Spirit and you will carry out the things of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is…”
- Make rules and boundaries with consequences …talk to your children about them often …making sure they know the Biblical reason behind the rule… Is this sin, profitable, or a love decision?… and then lovingly and consistently give consequence of obedience and disobedience.
- Practice “sowing and reaping” principle in the home…reward and discipline (training and teaching righteousness) and rebuke.
- Pray over, with, and for your children often, together, alone, aloud, and silently.
- Parents should be unified in decision making in front of children. “House divided can not stand.”
- Set milestones (adult privileges) in their lives…setting own schedule, driving, staying up later, use of the tv or computer, shaving, friends over, specific classes like art, band, sports. speech, etc.
- Talk about what legalism is and what it is not…Control in the home or classroom is a good thing for a season of training and teaching on righteous living and order for the good of the team and the individual. Talk about the difference between Christian and Pharisee living…do a study on the Pharisees and what Jesus taught as truth and not truth.
Praying this prayer for you and for all SOWers…
A Teacher’s Prayer
Lord, who am I to teach the way to little children day by day, so prone myself to go astray?
I teach them knowledge, but I know how faint they flicker and low the candle of my knowledge glow.
I teach them power to will and do but only now to learn anew, my own great weakness through and
through. I teach them love for all mankind and all God’s creatures, but I find my love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be, O let the little children see the teacher leaning hard on thee.”
Author Unknown
Here is how I see the difference…
Character Training is just what it says training the character via rewards and consequences, character definitions, and character comparisons. The goal is to train the character of a person, the method is reward and consequences, and the main texts are good character books, the Bible, etc.
Discipleship is making disciples (followers of Jesus Christ) in which the main goal is to know God through Jesus Christ, the method is discipleship, and the main text is the Bible.
Just because Bible verses, methods, tool, or resource are used, this does not mean it is necessarily Biblical or Christian. I believe it is why and how you use the Bible, its principles and resources that are important.
All other resources are to clarify the Bible not add or take away from the Bible.
If a relationship with God by believing and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior is not established foremost then we are, as Jesus says, “white washed tombs” walking dead men.
Making disciples may involve using good character and moral books, Spiritual and carnal character comparison, and rewards and consequences, but it is also much more.
If humans can gain good character without the sacrifice of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom of the Word, then why be a Christian, why did Christ die, what good is the Holy Spirit living within us, why submit to the Word of God.
I believe that the fruit of the Spirit must come from a Christian who has the Spirit of God dwelling in them and that person is walking in the Spirit not the flesh.
What does Discipleship look like compared to Character training?
The GOAL of discipleship is to know God and make Him known.
How… by making disciples of Christ.
How … First salvation by believing and receiving by faith all the works, teachings, and person of Jesus Christ; then Lordship, to walk by faith in the Spirit not the flesh while making disciples of Christ.
How… by teaching and training the disciples God has given me (my children, others) to hear and receive (do) the Word of God; pray without ceasing with thanksgiving; walk in the Spirit not the flesh; love, pray, and bless those that offend and persecute and hate; serve the poor, imprisoned, in bondage, elderly, sick, etc.; preach and teach the gospel and heal the sick; make disciples.
So my curriculum goals, methods, resources, schedule will include all those things for the purpose of knowing God (believing, receiving, obeying, serving Godand making disciples.
Resource…The Spiritual & Carnal chart should be used to bring those to salvation first and then after that the Christian should examine his walk (traits) throughout the day to determine who is Lord. By noting the different fruits exhibited then the disciple should learn to repent of his sins and yield to the power of the Holy Spirit in his daily walk with Christ. See SOW discipleship and Chart explanation.
Most charts purposes are to change the behavior, the SOW chart is to recognize Godly and Ungodly traits for the purpose of repentance and yielding/walking in the Spirit not the flesh. Using the SOW chart or any other chart that compares and defines the different character traits of Spiritual and Carnal is not what is important, it is why and how you use the information. The why should be…to make disciples of Christ and the how for walking in the Spirit not the flesh… both are commands of Christ.
In discipleship, it is also important for the one teaching and training to be a disciple of Christ who is saved and then walking in the Spirit not the flesh. Again walking in the Spirit means repenting of those fruits (traits, actions, thinking) that are not like Christ and instead walking (yielding, abiding, living) by faith in the Spirit, and therefore will produce the fruit (traits, character) of the Spirit.
You might use some of the same books, materials and charts, as those who are character training, but I hope there is a major difference in the goal and purpose of how you are using these materials….to make disciples.
Discipleship is based on these Biblical principles…
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Galatians 5:16- 22
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
1But I, brothers,[a] could not address you as(A) spiritual people, but as(B) people of the flesh, as(C) infants in Christ. 2(D) I fed you with milk, not solid food, for(E) you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3for you are still of the flesh. For while there is(F)jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Character training and discipleship is the same difference as a Pharisee and a disciple of Christ….both knew the Word, taught the Word, and same religious organization BUT their goals/motives were different.
Prayer…Lord let our motives be your motives for being disciples and making disciples?
I hope this explains the difference clearly… if not let me know exactly what you need to know???
God Bless, Merle Reece
The condition of the heart is everything!
Jesus always judged the motive of the heart rebuking the pharisees for being “white washed tombs”. God looked at David’s heart not the outside.
Though discipleship will include change in character, from that of carnal to Spiritual, a relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ in which we must continuously walk/live by faith in His Word in the Spirit is the key to the Christian life.
Every household I know has had to wrestle with a prodigal heart … it is difficult to watch and go through … so “Do not become weary in doing good for in due time you shall reap what you SOW.” “Pray without ceasing.” “Ask God for wisdom.” “Put on the whole armor of God for we do not fight against flesh and blood.” “Submit to God and resist the devil.” ”Do everything to stand firm.”
Those who have prodigal teens in the home… think this way…your donkey is in the ditch, someone you love is drowning….radically rally around this person “in love, Spirit and truth” to do everything to save! You wouldn’t be just reacting normal if someone was in a car wreck dying right in front of you… the difficult part is to also at the same time rest, trust that God will do His job! This is why Jesus wept when He saw Jerusalem, why He worked day and night, why he spoke hard truths, why He risked rejection, why He went against the public and religious opinions and authorities, why in 3 short years…he spoke, taught, healed, did miracles and why He died on the cross!
Good news…He rose from the dead and final victory is His over sin, death, pain, sickness, etc.!
This is what I have personally learned…
- Pray, pray, pray, and pray for mercy, wisdom, perseverance, agape love, etc. aloud over them, silently with spouse, and alone in your prayer closet/corner.
- Agape love…this may mean tough love, the kind that requires us to do what is right, good, and best for our child no matter what.
- Make sure they are not getting wrong message of what Christianity is and isn’t….Faith in Jesus Christ’s works, teachings, etc.-a requirement; works through and for Jesus Christ are the product of a Spirit led life.
- Tell them often they are loved by you and God… no matter what and always will.
- “Sowing and reaping” a principle all creation lives by….practice this in your home, lives.
- Get rid of or extreme monitor any potential bad influences… music, computer, cell phone, friends, tv, books, internet, etc.
- Men/women discipleship group for 13 and up alternating every other week to build strong “older men and younger men in the Lord” relationships, prayer, study of the Word, Apologetics, serving/ministry, etc.
- Read/ watch book or movie of inspirational people past and present…Drew Brees, Ben Carson, etc.
- Purposeful strength training activities once a week with family and friends that require team work and fellowship… kick ball, soccer, swim, hiking, camping, etc.
- Serve/minister to others at least one hour a week…tutoring younger children, nursing home visits, cleaning home or yard for sick/elderly, babysit, bring a meal, Food bank, Red Cross, other.
- Exercise daily… skate, walk, bicycle, etc.
- Family Devotions…discuss Scriptural relevance for today, worship, prayer, share SOW work, read short bio (100 Women/Men of the Faith)
- Weekly Co-op…fellowship, shared learning, culmination of what learned, guest speakers (career, motivational, subject, etc.), learn speech skills, art, music, sports, other.
- Worship with song and instrument
- Like the universe…make your home a God centered home not child centered.
- Needs a companion and example to show the way in everything… the parents are it!
- Do not let them get bored, purposeless, etc; get them involved in something good and purposeful….work for a car & license or new shoes, etc.; join 4-H for photography, caring for animals, etc.; swim, soccer, or other team; go to work with Dad, serve others, etc.
- Teach Apologetics…God exists, the Bible is God inspired, who does Jesus claim to be, compare Christianity to other beliefs, etc.
- Eat good foods…fruits, vegetables, water, grains, fats… sweets rarely suggesting just once a week.
- Give them a no time daily or weekly check /task list for them to do on their own and immediate follow up with praise and loving comments or corrections.
- Parents pray about everything, make goals and plan together, do not be divided…”A house divided will not stand.”, God centered home… “House founded on the Rock will not fall.”
- Sit down and listen, speak, listen, listen, listen, speak, etc. lovingly, nonjudgmentally, with knowledge and understanding and truth…ask lots of questions and give Biblical answers, give your personal testimony and journey of faith through out life, choices good or bad you made about … God, relationships, opposite sex, future, etc., …
- Don’t assume his doubts will go away without answers… Good resources for Apologetics… http://www.answersingenesis.org/
Caution…Even after doing all or any of these suggestions, each person still has to make the decision to “choose life not death, blessing not cursing, good not evil.”
Reminder…Jesus who was perfect lost one!
Found this great testimony of a mother of a prodigal son for 20 years… http://www.allaboutheart.org/
This woman’s son attributes his fall to a lack of answers to why should He believe, ”Apologetic…answers and defending the faith” from parents and the church when he needed it most and attributes his faith based journey back to God to his mother’s faithful prayers, her faith based life, and a patient, praying wife, plus good solid teaching of Apologetics at his church. These same questions answered in his all about the journey blog …. http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/
My prayer is that we lose none of our children!
Praying fervently for wisdom, peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, perseverance, and self control!
May God Bless,
Merle Reece
Call or email so I can pray for you, your family,…mercy, wisdom, perseverance, agape love, etc.!
PS… This prayer has helped me during my most difficult times…
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
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- PRAY (Praise Repent Ask Yield)… without ceasing & daily devotion (Dear God diary)
- Study & Meditate & Obey God’s Word… read One Year Bible; choose & write one verse to study (observe, interpret, & apply), meditate, & obey (Dear God diary)
- Walk in the Spirit not the flesh… recognize fruits of the Spirit vs the flesh; repent sin; thanks for sacrifice; redemption, forgiveness, ask for power; more detail … http://powertochange.com/experience/spiritual-growth/walkinspirit1/
- Fellowship with other Christians… weekly Worship Service, Home Fellowships, etc.
- Discipleship… “older women/men in the Lord teach the younger women/men to…” weekly meet with other women/men (13 and older) for fellowship, life skills, worship, Bible study, prayer, testimony, etc…
- Ministry/Serving… serving others with our giving, time, gifts, abilities, possessions, finances, etc.
- Be a Good Steward… nutrition, sleep, & exercise; music, tv, books, dress, finances, time, possessions, gifts, body, etc. all be glorifying, honoring to God.
Praying we would be faithful!
History is all about God’s sovereignty from creation till today…HIS-STORY!
History should be taught…
-purposefully, … the goal to know God, the method discipleship, and the Bible as the main text.
-chronologically, … from creation till now.
-Biblically, … seeing God’s sovereign acts and Divine traits in everything and man’s conflicts, choices, and consequences.
-thoroughly, … the key people & events, quotes & literature, science & inventions, arts & music, government, geography, economics, wars & battles, Bible & Church history, natural resources, architect, culture, etc.
-easily,… using maps, timelines, literature & quote analysis, charts & graphs, art surveys & projects, experiments, biographies, reports, Biblical/world view questions, projects, field trips, culture study, speech critique, etc.
-factually, … having good sources of information such as internet, encyclopedias, documents, library, movies, documentaries, books, texts, etc.
-practically, … learning knowledge, gaining understanding, applying wisdom to every day life.
-skillfully, … recalling, indentifying, sequencing, comprehension, reading, writing, speech, & critical thinking skills.
-interesting, … doing fun hands on activities, projects, exhibits, etc. to experience each time period.
The SOW incorporates all these aspects into teaching history utilizing the Bible, SOW student skill level worksheets, a yearly scope & sequence, teacher & student texts, and accredited resources for K-12th.
SOW I needs to be purchased before or with SOW II-VI. It contains the base for all the SOW volumes.
What is great about SOW is that you can make your own scope & sequence …mix & match any subject, any schedule, any resources, etc. to meet your specific family needs.
SOW has a basic 6 year scope & sequence that you can use again for 6 more years which equals K-12th.
For a student with only 1 or 2 years left, I recommend making a 1 or 2 year SOW scope & sequence using the 6 years of SOW scope & sequences.
For 1 year…Choose and do all 29 NT books of the Bible. For 2 years…choose the OT books.
You can do any specific books for a specific number of weeks anytime you want such as Genesis because it introduces …creation, marriage, family, sin, murder, blood sacrifice, covenant, forgiveness, etc.
Use correlating lessons for subjects such as creative writing, Bible, literature, etc..
English & Spelling are various skills learned each week.
Choose the science & history that student needs to finish.
After making a year scope & sequence, you should create a weekly schedule for him to follow.
Make sure he has resources to complete each lesson such as Bible, atlas, etc. Many are free on the internet or free library. These resources recommended but may be substituted.
*Purchase from SOW…TE & SE SOW I-VI, SOW Resource CD, and the new 9th-12th grade skill level worksheets.
Please go to our new SOW blog for more articles on implementing the SOW… http://sowcurriculum.com/blog/?p=422
Sample of 1 week of a 1 yr SOW scope & sequence for HS student using new SOW 9th-12th grade skill level wkshts…
| Week |
Bible |
Penmanship / Memory Verse |
Creative Writing |
Spelling |
English |
US History, Art, Gov, Geo, Lit |
Science ? |
| 1 |
Genesis |
Genesis 1:1-4 |
Prove…Existence of God |
Created. God |
Genesis 1:1 |
Exploration/Discovery of America |
|
| 2 |
Matthew |
Matthew 9:35-38 |
Compare… OT & NT Messianic Prophecy |
Compassion,
God |
Matthew 9:36 |
First American Settlements |
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Sample weekly schedule for HS student with 1 year, using the new SOW 9th-12th grade skill level worksheets…
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
| Bible |
Read source |
Inductive study |
Precept |
Commentary |
Electives/ co-op |
|
|
| PRAYer |
“ |
“ |
“ |
“ |
“ |
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|
| English |
Grammar |
Analyze |
Diagram |
|
“ |
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|
| Language Arts |
Dictation |
Spelling skills |
Foreign Lang. Hebrew/Greek |
Penmanship/ Memory Verse |
“ |
|
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| Creative Writing |
Read source & notes |
Essay |
Dress ups |
Edit |
“ |
|
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| Science |
Read source |
Science worksheet |
experiment/project |
Nature study |
“ |
|
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US History read & worksheet |
US Literature read & worksheet |
US Government read & worksheet |
US Geography read & worksheet |
US Art project & worksheet |
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Don’t we all struggle with self discipline? In fact to disciple (teach and train) our children, it has to start with us!
Though I am still a work in progress in this, these are the things that I learned…
-Purpose… live a purposeful life … “Glorify, honor, please God in all that you do (think, say, eat, dress, hear (music), see (tv, internet), read, drink, etc.)
-Goals… set purposeful… Spiritual, physical, mental, emotional (self, home, job, marriage, family, church, etc.) goals in place written out, displayed somewhere centrally so that you can daily see it!
- I want to know God and become more like Christ;
- I want to “walk in Spirit, love, & truth” (witS,T,L);
- I want to live healthy;
- I want to be “one minded, calling and Spirit” with my husband and all my relationships;
- I want to learn to love, pray, and bless those that offend or hurt me;
- I want to do my job/task faithfully, thoroughly, cheerfully “as unto God”;
- I want to disciple my children and other “younger women in the Lord” because God commands me to;
- I want to think and live wisely (Biblically);
- other
-Plans… make purposeful, specific plans! (If you shoot your arrows at nothing, you will hit at nothing!)
- I will “believe and receive Christ and His works by faith”; “walk in Spirit, love, & truth” (witS,T,L); read, meditate, memorize, study, and obey Scripture; “PRAY at all times”; “worship God in Spirit and in truth”; “put on the full armor of God”; “minister and serve others”; etc.
- I will practice “witS,T,L” by recognizing the difference between Spiritual and fleshly traits; agreeing with God that I have sinned; thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins; asking the Holy Spirit to be Lord of my life; yield control of my life (especially specific sin) to Holy Spirit; walk in these truths
- I will eat good foods in proportion: exercise daily, drink water; sleep 8 hrs. (nap, if needed);
- I will pray and seek for “oneness” in all my relationships…. witS,T,L; Love, pray, & bless those who offended me; ask for forgiveness; daily devotions/Bible studies/ pray with persons; serve and minister cheerfully and generously.
- I will by faith (not feelings or sight) choose to agape (sacrificial love), pray (everyone, anything at all times), bless (show extreme kindness that is undeserved) “Lord forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus
- I will do my job/task that God has called/given me to do, … for Him, through Him, in Him… faithfully (by faith not by feelings, sight, etc.), thoroughly (complete the task …Jesus before His death “It is finished.”), cheerfully (joyfully, a fruit produced when we walk in the Spirit no matter what the circumstances or situation)
- I will disciple (train and teach) those Christ puts in my life to be a disciple (student/follower) of Christ by being a role model & teach and train them all the above.
- I will live (think and act) wise (Biblical view in all things)…acknowledge God is Creator of everything (you, animals, plants, earth, science, marriage, sex, children, etc.); thank God for everything (body, finances, possessions, family, friends, earth, food, clothing, house, etc.); ask God to empower and give you wisdom how to be a good steward of all that He has given you (body, finances, possessions, family, friends, earth, food, clothing, house, education, church, ministry, etc.); do His will, not yours, in everything, all times!
Schedule… put purposeful, specific plans into a realistic schedule! Use schedule like a check list to get done (completed)…daily, weekly, monthly, yearly
- Personal Appraisal Check List, SOW Daily Time Management and other SOW charts, Microsoft office… Schedule, Contacts, Task to do list (today, asap, weekly, self, house, each child, yearly events, etc.) Note… Just created this… Personal Appraisal Check List … for me and to disciple other women. Email me … merle@sowcurriculum.com if you would like this emailed to you.
** Daily Personal devotion & PRAYer & weekly women’s discipleship group or Bible study are keys to a life like Christ…BTW if you want your husband or children to be a disciple of Christ… put these things in priority in their life too!
***SOW Curriculum was developed to meet these goals…to “make disciples of Christ”.
Valuing the disciplines of SOWing…
How many of your children like to brush their teeth, clean their room, etc.? The reason you make them do it…is because you know the value in doing them. There is value in the disciplines of godliness. The essentials for making disciples of Christ is to teach them how to… pray by faith in the Spirit at all times for everything in Jesus’ name; walk by faith in the Spirit not the flesh to produce the fruits of the Spirit; read, study, meditate, memorize, and obey the Bible; be a good steward of all that God has given you…world, animals, plants, possessions, body, finances, children, gifts, abilities, etc.; think and live Biblical and wisely; and make disciples.
- Teach your children to value the discipline of prayer…not just a meal time prayer, not just “give me” prayers, nor a repetitive prayer. Saying or writing a letter to someone worthy of praise, thanks, worship, submission, etc. is something we want to get in a habit (discipline ) of doing every moment not just every day. Making sure our children are specific and intimate and not routine is the parent’s job. Teach each student to go deeper using who, what, when, where, how, & why question words. Remind them who they are talking, writing to by having them read their prayer letter aloud to God and others. While one prays aloud, teach the student to pray silently along, agreeing and affirming the prayer. Pray is a verb, whether silent or aloud. Teach your children to pray about everything during the day while they walk, sit, etc. Role model this by praying with them…Your attitude is bad…let’s pray. You hurt your foot…let’s pray. Grandma is ill…let’s pray. The car is broken,…let’s pray. I need to make a decision, …let’s pray. Dad needs a job, …let’s pray. You don’t understand your math, … let’s pray. Mom is tired, …let’s pray. The SOW teaches the student to talk intimately and specifically to God in a letter format just as Jesus taught us to pray… Praise God, Repent sins to God, Ask God, Yield (submit) to God!
- Teach your children to value the discipline of reading, studying, meditating, and memorizing the Word of God. The Bible is the text book of life…the author is God and the message is how to have and live life in, through, for, and by Christ. The disciplines (habits) of teaching our children how to inductively study the Bible will determine whether your children know God and His will or not. Inductive means to draw out the truth by asking the questions who, what, when, where, how, & why; using various sources and resources to find the truth; and communicating those truths either orally, drawing, and/or by writing. For books like Leviticus, students may read and study, meditate, memorize and obey all the Scripture or the just use the Key Scripture verse to teach longer books. Another way to teach the inductive method of studying the Bible easily for any student is using the worksheet level that fits your student’s skill level. Another option is to have each student do just one of these inductive skills…outline, character, topic, setting, or commentary per week. Another way to make sure inductive study of the Bible boring or schoolish is to share the truths they have learned during family devotion, at co-op, with family or friends, etc.. Whether than give up or stop teaching this important aspect of discipleship, find a way to make the disciplines of inductive study of the Word work in your family. The SOW Curriculum provides various ways to teach and train your children in the Word.
- Teach your children the discipline of walking in the Spirit not the flesh. It is important that the disciple of Christ identify the differences between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. By observing the characteristics they walk, abide, live in, they will be able to choose to resist the flesh, which is an enemy of the Spirit of God, but instead walk in the Spirit. The student learns do this by confessing their sins; asking the Holy Spirit to empower them to live a life in, for, by, and like Christ; and then walk by faith trusting the Holy Spirit to do its job in the believer’s life. This principle of how to walk in the Spirit is an important Christian doctrine most Christian churches nor homes teach. The SOW has tools to help teach this Biblical principle during every day life via Spiritual vs Carnal Chart, Daily Time Management, etc.
- Teach your children the discipline of choosing to think and live Biblically and wisely is done when the parent trains the student to use and compare every subject with the Bible…the Word of God. It is important that the student understand that the Word of God is the final authority, because God is the author of science, history, economics, English, spelling, etc. They will come to love and trust the Word of God and therefore make wise choices concerning all areas of life.
- Teach your children the disciplines of making disciples of Jesus Christ. We are created for a purpose to “fellowship with God through Christ Jesus” and “For good works in Christ Jesus”. One of those good works is to ” make disciples”. In fact we need to be disciples of Christ so we can teach and train our children to be disciples of Christ so that they will “make disciples of Christ”. A disciple is a student and follower so learning the above disciplines is necessary to be a disciple of Christ. God had a goal and a plan. That goal and plan was to be accomplished through His son, Jesus… He would make disciples, and His disciples would make disciples, so on and so on.
Providing parents with a Biblical vision, method, resources, and tools how they can successfully teach and train our children how to be disciples of Christ is why the Student OF the Word was written. To pray by faith in the Spirit at all times for everything in Jesus’ name; to walk by faith in the Spirit not the flesh to produce the fruits of the Spirit; to read, study, meditate, memorize, and obey the Bible; to think and live Biblical and wisely; and to make disciples are all aspects of discipleship are easily and thoroughly taught in the SOW Curriculum.
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