Why, How, What...My Bible study

Because Phil and I are choosing to do things differently, I really want to have scriptural support and knowledge and to feel like I can confidently answer questions when/if they are asked. I want our lives to reflect that the choices we have made are of the Spririt and are rooted in God's word (especially when people think we are legalistic and followers of other people's conservative ideals).

I found that trying to randomly read the Bible when I have time doesn't work very well for me so I get up before the children and read what I can before they wake up. Sometimes this is 10 minutes, sometimes 2.

So with that backdrop... I have a spiral notebook, divided into 3 sections:
1. What is my to do list? What things should I be doing. At this point I am only writing down to do and not don't do.
2. What will win my children for Christ. I read in the Pearl's book Jumping Ship about how you need to be the better salesman because there are many other salesmen out there trying to sell their way of life. For me in particularly these means who do I need to be, how should I act, and how should I parent. I am focusing on joy, peace, love, and specific parenting verses.
3. Why homeschool, what verses support learning, teaching, and training at home. A lot of these are the evils of this world. What is/would be influencing my child so I know how to protect and train.

I started with Galatians for no other reason than wanting to start with the short books in the New Testament so I could feel like I was moving along. I write any verse down that pertains to anyone of these 3 sections. Sometimes the same verse is written in each section. I also write down verses on a 3X5 card so I can have them to meditate on throughout the day (like one of those 365 days of scripture flip books). I am not really memorizing any scripture at the moment, more familiarizing myself with the books of the Bible and what subject matter is them. By the time I have written a verse down 4 times, I know it pretty well. Then, I review what I wrote and jot down notes in the margins. It is quick, easy, and I am reading for a specific purpose. I plan to type up a review like the one below for each book I get through and put it into a binder with other things like Nancy Campbell's email devotionals, my prayer calendar for children, etc.

For Ephesians, here is a quick (but not exhaustive list):

My to do list: Be strong in the Lord; Walk in a manner worthy of the calling; Be kind, forgive; Speak truth; Give thanks; Put on my armor; Speak wholesomely with edification; Pray; Be subject to my husband, Respect my husband; Honor my parents.

Sell Christ to my children by: Not sinning in anger; Giving thanks for all things; Showing strength and standing firm against the schemes of the devil; Wearing my armor (with truth, in righteousness, with peace, in faith, through my salvation); Praying.

Homeschooling: Protecting against filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting; Protecting my children and my household with my armor; Teaching my children how to become warriors and what protection and weapons they have to fight against "the rulers, the powers, and the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness".

Comments

  1. MichelleSeptember 18, 2008 at 4:53 PM

    Yeah! You are such a blessing to me! I will think on your methods and tweak them to fit my circumstances. Thank you, thank you for giving me some fresh ideas. I need to be a bit more organized in my study...oh FYI one section I am going to add is scriptures to have the children memorize/memorize with them, AND/OR topics or scriptures to address during family Bible time or our morning Bible reading that starts each school day...AND scriptures that I'd like my readers to look up during their personal reading time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MichelleSeptember 19, 2008 at 2:37 PM

    This is so fun. I've started doing this today. I've also added another category...promises! God's promises to us. That will be good to flip to when I need some quick encouragement. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete

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