A "Backpack Essential": A Biblical World View

It is that time of year once again! The morning streets are quieter, void of bikes and scooters and youthful chatter. The sounds of children's laughter and play in the evenings is diminished; especially after the sun goes down. The buses are running. Old routines are being tweeked and re-established. School has started.

The backpacks were no doubt carefully packed with all the listed essesntials that the teachers had prescribed. New chlothes were purchased to account for the reality of Johnny's summer's growth spurt. Lunches have been packed. Prayers have been said. Accolades and advise have been given!

But as we consider all of this, how prepared are our kids to face the potential teachings and cultural realities they may soon encounter?

We hear much of the "cultural crazy" that kids endure in school these days. How much of it is presented to the extreme? How much of it is a true concern?

I am sure it has alot to do with where our kids attend; with the teachers, the school board, the community, the cultural climate, the religous affiliations. For many, school will be a place of genuine learning, healthy role models and positive experiences. Yet the concern of teachings that are contrary to scripture or the influence from kids with anti-biblical upbringings is valid.

Our kids and grands need to be as prepared mentally and spiritually as they are physically. They need to be equipped with a spiritual tool-box that will provide them the means to interpret the various perspectives that may enter their world. So much of what our kids and grands are facing today, was not even on our radar a generation ago

As our sweet children and grandchildren step into the world of kindergarten and beyond, we recognize that they are stepping over a threshold into a new world, a world that is separated for a time from mom and dad, from grandma and grandpa, from those stable, loving influences that provide them with counsel, guidance and love!

That is not to say, that they are walking into a place where they will not be provided with positive influence, appropriate teaching, compassion, care and maybe even, love. That is our hope, our prayer. But in today's secular environment, the part about "appropriate teaching" may not always be a reality. Let us not expect the worse. But rather let's be aware of the possiblites. And let's be prayerful!

I am so thankful for the Christian upbring that our grands are getting. As I consider the waters of the world they live in, I am behooved to ponder the role that we as parents and grandparents play in preparing them to swim in it. Do our off-spring grasp the Truth of the Gospel? Are they aligned with the principles that will keep their spiritual focus in line with what really matters?

Are we praying that their hearts are soft and inclined to the teachings of Jesus? Are we modeling a Christ centered life? Are we sharing Truth, "Deuteronomy style" (when" sitting, rising up, lying down and walking in the way")?

As our kiddos and grands take this step into the world of highter learning, no doubt there is trepidation. Depending on their personalities, there is likely also great excitement and enthusiasm! They are growing up! They are ready to take on new challenges and to learn new things. The world beckons them to come and grow and thrive!

As we pray and release them into God's loving care, may we consider and reflect upon the loving instructions, the "tools" that we need to lovingly be reinforcing with them!

Have we provided for them a solid Biblical world-view? No matter what their age, do they know the basics? Are they secure in their understanding? Have they seen these Truths lived out? Do they feel comfortable to come to us with their questions, potential confusion and new knowlege?

Even a Kindergartener can understand the following Biblical principles.

1. The Bible is God's Word. (see John 1:1, 2 Tim.3:16)

2. The Bible is God's Word and it is true. (see Psalm 119:160, 2 Peter 1:3)

3. Jesus loves me, this I know (see John 15:9)

4. Jesus came to earth from heaven, as a baby. He grew up to be a wonderful man. He never sinned or did anything wrong. He always obeyed His parents. Because He is Jesus. Jesus is God's son. Jesus is also God. (see Luke 2:51, Matt: 10:40)

5. Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for my sins, so I can be forgiven and live in Heaven someday. He is God's answer to the sin problem that all mankind has, ever since "the fall", when Eve disobeyed and ate of the forbidden fruit. The beautiful and perfect relationship that Adam and Eve had with God, was then altered forever. God's desire is to be back in a beautiful relationship with His creation, and due to sin that is only made possible, through the saving and sacrificial blood of His perfect son; our "passover lamb" (see John 3:16, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, Exodus 12, Ephes. 1:7, Romans 5:9)

6. God's Bible should be obeyed (see 1 John 2:5-6, 1 John, 5:3)

7. God says we should obey our parents (see Ephesians 6:1-3)

8. We should respect our teachers and always obey them (unless they tell us to do something that the Bible does not want us to do) (see Romans 13:1)

9. We should be nice and kind to everyone (see Ephes. 4:32)

10. We should always tell the truth. (see Ephes. 4:25, Prov. 12:17)

11. We should listen to our teachers when they are talking (Rom. 13:1)

12. We should always try to do our best (see Col. 3:23)

13. When we make a mistake, we should confess it and say we are sorry and then try not to do it again. God will forgive us. He is kind and understanding. (see James 5:16, 1 John 1:9)

14. We should pray to Jesus everyday to help us with everything (see Phil. 4:6-7)

15. When we are scared or nervous or happy or sad, we can always tell Jesus and He will listen (see Phil. 4:6-7)

16. God made girls to be girls and boys to be boys (see Gen. 1:27)

17. God's plan is for one man to marry one woman (see Gen. 2:24 and 1 Cor. 7:2)

18. God made the world and everything in it (see Gen.1)

19. We should not say naughty words (see Ephes. 4:29)

20. God made each of us special. He gave us special talents and abilities (see Rom. 12:6)

21. We should use these special talents and abilities for Him, to make Him happy and bring Him glory! (see 1 Cor. 10:31)

22. God wants us to be happy and to enjoy school and friends and activities (Psalm 16:11)

23. God made a beautiful world and it is good to look at it, thank him for it and think about how beautiful it is (see Eccles. 3:11, Psalm 24:1-2)

24. We should not steal or take anything that is not ours (see Lev. 19:11-13, Exodus 20:15)

25. We should help people who are hurting and sad (see Prov. 14:31)

26. We should share our things (see Prov. 11:25, 2 Cor. 9:7)

27. We should say thank you to people who give us things or do nice things for us (see Col. 3:15-17.)

28. We should tell Jesus thank you every day (see Col. 3:15-17, Psalm 103:1-5)

29. All these things that the Bible tells us we should or should not do are for our own good. When we obey God we will have a happier and better life. We still will have hard things; sadness, sickness, challenges. But God will help us. (see Romans 8:28,2 Tim. 3:16-17)

30. It is so wonderful to be able to talk to and pray to God every day (see Psalm 95:6, Phil.4:6)

31. The older we become, the more we come to learn and know about Jesus and His world and His wonderful ways (see 2 Tim. 3:15-17)

32. School is a good place to learn about things like Math and Science and writing and reading that will help us do good work and be helpful to others in this world (see James 1:5, James 3:17, Prov. 3:13-18, Prov. 1:7, Prov. 19:20, Eph. 5:15-17)

33. Once in a while, we may hear something that is not what the Bible says is true. If we notice something like that, it is good to talk to our parents or grandparents about it (see Phil. 1:9-11, Prov. 19, 20-21, Prov. 15:22)

34. Sometimes it may be hard to stand up for what is right. We may be made fun of or ridiculed. We may even feel alone. But we are not alone. Jesus was also made fun of and ridiculed. He understands. God is with us. Our parents are with us and other believers. God will help and bless us when we stand up for Him and the Bible. (John 15:19-20, Matt. 5:10-12)

35. We want everyone to learn about Jesus and his ways. We should "shine our light" so that others will see that we love Jesus. We can do this by living the way the Bible teaches. (see Matt. 5: 14-16)

36. If we do not understand something, we can ask our parents or our Sunday school teachers (see Prov. 1:5)

37. God loves me soooo much! And I love Him too! (see Jer. 31:3, 1 John 4:7)

38. My mom and Dad love me sooo much! They are here for me. They love God and Jesus and want what is best for me! (see Ephes. 6:4, Prov. 22:6 ) (At times, a child may be in a situation where this is not the case. For them, they need to know that God is their Heavenly Father and loves and cares for them more then a earthly parent ever could. This child would need extra care, love and help as they go through their young life!

39. Sometimes life is hard or sad. That is okay. Life is not always easy and wonderful. But God will help me with everything that is hard and will help me to get through it. (see Psalm 46:1)

40. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so! (see John 15:9, 2 Cor. 5:14)

So there you have it. Not complete I am sure, but adequate to assure that our kiddos are versed and prepared to face their new world and challenges with a Biblical world view!

May we cover our precious offspring in prayer, presenting them daily before the Father's throne. May we be encouraged and filled with faith, knowing that come what may, the Lord is there! He loves and cares for them more than we do and will draw them to His Father heart!

May we all be in tune to the Spirit's leading. As parents, and maybe even grandparents, may we be aware of the Spirit's direction when it comes to our offspring and their schooling. May we be wiling to take the necessary steps, if we are sensing the Spirit's leading to become more involved in their lives, education and undertakings.

May we be filled with faith and peace and joy. May we not let Satan or the comments of the media and the world take away our trust in the protection and goodness of our good God,

May we pray for the day, that each of our kids, and grandkids, will be able to take their Biblical world view to the next level, for that day when they will be of a mature enough mind and spirit, to answer the call to repent of their sins and to surrender their hearts and commit their lives to their loving and personal Savior. May our prayers, their Biblical understanding and their child-like faith help grow and sustain them in the mean time.

I realize this all sounds so "put together", wrapped up with a bow. I realize that life can be messy, confusing and hard. I know that our kids and grands will have "their times", that no matter what they have been taught, they will be challenged. I know that as parents and grandparents, we will be walking through struggles and concerns, ups and downs. That is life. And all the more reason, for us all to be prepared and equipped with a strong Biblical world view! And to trust in the redemptive and loving ways of our Lord, as He helps us navigate the broken roads on this journey of growth and life!

We serve a good, good Father! How very thankful we are for our precious off-spring, for their Heavenly Father's love and for...

their Biblical World View!!

"...and that from childhood you have been aquainted with the sacred writings which are able to giveyou the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus"

2 Tim. 3:15 ESV

" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15 KJV