Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Teaching Your Kids About God In Public School

For a moment, I was actually fearful to do this today. Then it hit me - I can, and I WILL, do anything I can to still teach my children about God our Savior even while they are in public school. I think as Christians we have a lot of misinformation about our rights in the public school system. While I'm relatively new at this, and don't know all my rights (and yes I know, lack of rights), I DO know that I can do something. Before I had children, I used to work with a pregnancy center and we would go into public schools and teach about abstinence. Now, while we could not say that the Bible says that sex should be in marriage only, between one husband and one wife, we could say it is the best way. And, as a Christian, we should know that only God's way is the best way ;)

So, it will take some creativity on my part to teach my children about God while they are in school. I find its pretty easy to use examples from their learning and give it godly application, once they are home (and that is equally as important) - but today I will be thinking of ways I can bring God to their day, during their day, even while they are at school away from me. So this is what I came up with in a matter of 30 seconds this morning:





This summer while at Target, I found these cute little lunchbox notes. I've been putting little encouraging notes, like "have a great day" or "I'll be praying for you today" etc. But today, being "Red Day" (a singer by the name of Red Grammer will be performing for the children today and they were encouraged to wear red), I decided to give a little tidbit of a lesson in his lunchbox. Its nothing hugely creative, just a little reminder of the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. And really, Jesus dying on the cross and shedding his blood for me, for you, is what it is all about.

So, parents with children in public school, think with me. What are ways we can teach our children about God in public school? Leave a comment so we can all learn from eachother.

A little funny story to share with you. With school starting, we have become more serious and regular about having a time in the Word before bed. We've been reading from a children's Bible, and just decided the best place to start was the beginning in Genesis. So Monday evening, we came to the story about Jacob and Esau, and how Jacob was Rebekah's favorite, and Esau was Isaac's favorite; and how Jacob tricked Isaac into believing he was Esau to receive his father's blessing. So just for kicks, we asked the boys "who is Daddy's/Mommy's favorite" (assuming they would say no one, I mean we really think we give our love equally and have relayed this fact to them!), and O raised his hand and shouted "me!" And C, being our laid back, agrees with whatever his brother says, didn't even argue! Well that became a little mini-lesson right there! "No! You all are our favorites!"

I may bring my box of fall decorations out today (after I do some weeding - yikes!). This is my favorite time of year to decorate, and I'm guilty of doing fall and Christmas decorations very early. Because today is so beautiful out, and so fall-ish, me-thinks it will be a perfect day for that!

Have a wonderful fall day!

3 comments:

Liz said...

Yes, it's hard with Becca in public school. Christine and I started a group...maybe you have heard of this organization..."Mom's in Touch" Mom's get together and pray for their kids who are in public schools. We started it yesterday, and each week we plan on getting together and share and then pray for our kids in public school. I believe that prayer can change anything...and if we make this a matter of prayer, our children who attend public school will have the blessings and protection, just like the kids going to christian school. Form a group with some friends, and get ready from a blessing from the Lord. Wish you were here with us. Love, Liz

Nathan said...

Amen! What an amazing and creative mother you are!

Laurie said...

You are very creative Jen, thanks for the great ideas. I believe that our kids need to see Christ in us. No matter what school they go to it is our job as parents to teach them about God.

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow