God Talk

These past few weeks my mind has spent a lot of time stewing about Sunday School. I wish I could say that I was just praying about it or mulling it over, but no, I was stewing. We are in the middle of a bit of a down swing in our attendance at FIBC which translates into not enough Sunday School teachers. As usual, God figured out the problem long before I did and He's still busy working out all the kinks I put into the plan by worrying and stewing.

But, now that I'm on the other side of all that stewing, I've been left wondering if I'm really doing a good job here at home. I know that Ruby is only two, but isn't this my greatest and most important calling? To teach my children about God and His love? To pray for them and encourage them to fall into His loving arms? I found this list online--a "check-up" if you will. I'm going to be using it and I hope that it will help someone else too...

Concept 1. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart."

• Is your child learning of the love of God through the love, tenderness and mercy of his parents?
• Is he learning to talk about the Lord and to include Him in his thoughts and plans?
• Is he learning to ask Jesus for help whenever he is frightened or anxious or lonely?
• Is he learning to read the Bible?
• Is he learning to pray?
• Is he learning the meaning of faith and trust?
• Is he learning the joy of the Christian way of life?
• Is he learning the beauty of Jesus' birth and death?

Concept 2. "Love your neighbor as yourself"

• Is he learning to understand and empathize with the feelings of others?
• Is he learning not to be selfish and demanding?
• Is he learning to share?
• Is he learning how to be kind to others?
• Is he learning to accept himself?

Concept 3. "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God"

• Is he learning to obey his parents as preparation for later obedience to God?
• Is he learning to behave properly in church -- God's house?
• Is he learning a healthy appreciation for both aspects of God's nature: love and justice?
• Is he learning to cooperate with and submit to authorities outside of self, parents, teachers, police, etc.?
• Is he learning the meaning of sin and it's inevitable consequences?

Concept 4: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

• Is he learning to be truthful and honest?
• Is he learning to keep the Sabbath day holy?
• Is he learning the relative insignificance of materialism?
• Is he learning the meaning of the Christian family and the faithfulness to it that God intends?

Concept 5. "But the fruit of the spirit is.....self control"

• Is he learning to give a portion of his allowance (and other money) to God?
• Is he learning to control his impulses?
• Is he learning to work and carry responsibility?
• Is he learning to tolerate minor frustrations?
• Is he learning to memorize and quote Scripture?

Concept 6. "He who humbles himself will be exalted"

• Is he learning to be appreciative?
• Is he learning to thank God for the good things in his life?
• Is he learning to forgive and forget?
• Is he learning the vast difference between self-worth and egotistical pride?
• Is he learning to bow reverently before the God of the universe?