The Dangerous Worlds of Analog Parents with Digital Teens

Parents cannot be spectators in the lives of their children, but should set rules, establish expectations, enforce limitations, and constantly monitor their teenagers’ digital lives. Anything less is a form of parental negligence.

Dr. Albert Mohler
Originally posted on AlbertMohler.com
December 8, 2010

Sunday’s edition of The New York Timesgave front-page attention to the problem of adolescent bullying on the Internet. There can be no question that the Internet and the explosion of social media have facilitated the arrival of a new and deeply sinister form of bullying, and the consequences for many teenagers are severe. For some, life becomes a horror story of insults, rumors, slanders, and worse.

Meanwhile, many parents are baffled about how to help — if they are not completely out to lunch.  

How are you doing?  Click here to read the full post on AlbertMohler.com.

Christian Music for Children

From Tim Challies

There is a vast amount of Christian music targeted at children. The problem is that there is a lot of junk as well—stuff like this. (Click on the back button to return to this post if the video doesn't open in a new window.)

My kids are not particularly drawn to music so we have probably overlooked a lot of the great resources out there. Nevertheless, there are a few that we’ve come across that they continue to enjoy. So here are some of our favorite kids’ albums. 

I’d love you to read through and add your own suggestions in the comments.

Already on "the list"

• Seeds Family Worship
• Sovereign Grace Music
• Getty Music
• Judy Rogers
• Songs for Saplings
• The Rizers

Click here to read the entire blog post - including additional resources in the comments section.

Have any others to add?

Long Story Short ~ Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God

Came across this wonderful resource (available for $6.99 from Westminster Bookstore). Check it out and let us know what you think!


Long Story Short ~ Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God

Click here to order from Westminster Bookstore

(Publisher's Description) ~ Christian parents know the importance of passing the gospel story on to their children, yet we live in a busy world filled with distractions. Schedules collide, there is homework and yard work and dishes and laundry, the car’s oil should be changed, there are phone calls to make...and before you know it, everyone is getting to bed late again.

The Bible can seem like a long story for an active family to read, but when you break it down into short sections, as Marty Machowski does, family devotions are easy to do. Long Story Short will help busy parents share with their children how every story in the Old Testament points forward to God’s story of salvation through Jesus Christ. You won’t find a more important focus for a family devotional than a daily highlighting of the gospel of grace. Clever stories and good moral lessons may entertain and even help children, but the gospel will transform children. The gospel is deep enough to keep the oldest and wisest parents learning and growing all their lives, yet simple enough to transform the heart of the first grader who has just begun to read.

Ten minutes a day, five days a week is enough time to pass on the most valuable treasure the world has ever known. Long Story Short is a family devotional program designed to explain God’s plan of salvation through the Old Testament and is suitable for children from preschool through high school.

School/church/home partnering that encourages discipleship – a model that is working!

Originally posted on "Nurturing Faith" - a blog of Christian Schools International
Click here for the Nurturing Faith blog.

How to best partner with churches has been a true conundrum for CSI Christian schools in recent years.

Cultural changes and shifts in church membership,  coupled with students coming from a broadening number and variety of churches, have left schools confused about how to keep the home – school – church triangle intact, or even functioning at all. At the 2007 CSI membership convention we attempted to highlight the issue and make some progress on the issue of our common connection – the faith development of the students we share.

To read the rest of the article, click here . . .

Christian Education: Investment, Sacrifice, or Obligation?

From Nurturing Faith

Christian Schools International

This is the time of year for budgets, annual parent meetings, and staff hiring.  A lot of time, energy, and discussion are put into financial matters related to the cost of Christian education. What is the language used in our discussions with parents, board, and each other? Let us consider some thoughts around the words investment, sacrifice, and obligation. If our language conveys our values and really matters, then we should choose our words wisely.

It’s wonderful to hear parents talk about investing into the lives of their kids by giving them a Christian education.

When I think of “investment”, I think of these phrases:

·         Seen as a good thing to do with money – ex. The parable of the talents

·         Are a plan for growth and the future

·         Don’t always turn out like we planned, but we still make them anyway

·         Potentially impact future generations

When I hear parents describe their choice for Christian education in a negative tone as a “sacrifice,” I think of these phrases:

·         Something I have to do

·         Sometimes grudging obedience rather than my heart’s desire

·         Something I am giving up, not always cheerfully, to maintain something else

·         Sense of loss rather than choice

·         Sometimes used in “guilting” – “I sacrificed so you can have this”

I realize that the attitude of the heart is what determines how these words are used. I can also be forced to make investments for good (taxes come to mind) and do so with a resentful attitude.  I can also make a joyful sacrifice – the kind that is pleasing to the Lord, such as the Abel offers, or one at the cost of my life, such as Samson. On the other hand if I view sacrifice as obligation it may be like the cheerless Pharisee who tossed into the collection plate in large measure and made sure it was publicly visible. In Jesus’ observation, the widow “sacrificed” but she did so with a grateful and joyful heart as an “investment” in the work of the kingdom.

How we and our staff approach our work is also key. Do we focus on our “sacrifice” to work at a lower salary or do we see our work as an opportunity to “invest” into the lives of the kids and into our community and world?

The language we use and allow others to use really surfaces our values and our level of commitment. The Bible says that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also,” and provides many very clear stories of biblical characters who ran into trouble confusing obedience and gratitude – investment, sacrifice, or obligation.

What attitude does our language convey about how we approach the opportunity for a Christian education that can equip our children to hear the redemptive call of God on their life in personal and corporate ways?

The New Gospel ~ A Call for Discernment

A note from DiscoverChristianSchools.com co-founder Dr. Tim Sierer:

Satan is tricky!! He is looking for anyway to gain a foothold both in our schools, homes and churches. One of the ways he will strive to accomplish this is in the watering-down of the Holy Scriptures. It is our responsibility to remain diligent in guarding against becoming a victim of the 'slippery slope.' Take a few minutes to read this very pertinent blog by Kevin DeYoung.

The Intro:

Have you heard the New Gospel? It’s not been codified. It’s not owned by any one person or movement. But it is increasingly common.

The Conclusion:

This is no small issue. And it is not just a matter of emphasis. The New Gospel will not sustain the church. It cannot change the heart. And it does not save. It is crucial, therefore, that our evangelical schools, camps, conferences, publishing houses, and churches can discern the new gospel from the old.

Click here to read the complete post.

Jesus - A Central Figure in Our Lives

Today’s Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

A Christian school is not a guarantee for well-behaved children. Nor does it necessarily solve all of the parenting challenges we face. What it can and does do, however, is welcome, and even invite, the presence of God into our lives and our children’s lives in greater ways.

Choosing a Christian school for your child doesn’t guarantee a “happy ending” to the problems you face. However, it can invite the presence of God into your life and your child’s life to a greater degree, and that is what ultimately changes lives.

As Christian parents, we should whole-heartedly pursue those options in our lives that invite God to become a central figure, rather than trying to keep Him on the outskirts of our lives.

To learn more about Christian schools and Christian schooling - and to find a local Christian school in your area - please visit www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com.

Responsible to God

Received via email from Cindy

“Thank you so very much for this helpful website.

Our sons have been in Christian School for the past two years. Prior to that, I home schooled our older son from K-5 through 5th grade. We have been thinking about other options (i e public school) because our children want a change. I told them that their dad and I would pray about it and let them know.

I googled christian education vs. public education. Your web site reminded me of why we have chosen the path we do and that our children can have an opinion and we will consider it but ultimately we are responsible to God for how we train them. I told a mother today I didn't think my children would ever be in a public education system.

This web site helped me to remember why I feel as I do. God has had to sort out my belief system through the years because I did receive a public education and my Christian walk didn't bear much fruit until the last 10 years or so. God is faithful to complete the work he began in us. (Phil. 1:6). Blessings to you all.”

Parenting With Vision

Today's Christian Education Commentary

When was the last time you wrote down some of your parenting goals?

Raising kids with Christ-centered hearts is the greatest challenge Christian parents will ever face. Not only that, but it is not a challenge that is confronted and won in a day, week, or even a year. Rather, it takes many, many years of diligence, consistency, and prayer on the part of parents, and even then, success is not guaranteed.

This is why writing down your parenting goals or a vision for your family is so important. As the years pass and individual challenges come and go, it is important that we keep our eyes fixed on our ultimate goal.

Choosing a Christian education is a great way to start approaching the job of parenting with new direction, purpose, and a vision that includes God at the center.

To learn more about Christian schooling or to find a Christian school in your area, please visit www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com.

Do Not Exasperate

Today's Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

The book of Ephesians instructs fathers to “not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Parenting and teaching is a big responsibility for dads, and moms, of course. Not only must we not frustrate our children, but we are to train them for God’s service.

Training involves shaping the will through discipline.

Instruction is shaping the mind through teaching.

When we partner with the right school, our children get consistent training and instruction that points them to Christ.

However, if we partner with a school that teaches that our child is the center of his or her universe, we not only frustrate the process of Biblical training, but we can cause great frustration in our kids when we try to get them back on track.

Choosing Christian education for your child can make the difference between spiritual life and spiritual death for our children. A Christian school experience can be one part you play to bring up your children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

We can help you find a Christian school and fulfill the directive we have been assigned as Christian parents.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com - Where Christian education is priceless!

Intentional

Are you intentional about how you live? More importantly, are you intentional about how you parent?

Let’s face it. Life in the 21st century leaves few of us with the time or energy to deal with the challenges we face today. As a consequence, we often wind up just trying to survive from day to day, rather than live intentionally.

Unfortunately, this affects our parenting, as well. If you have children, being a parent can quickly become more of an addendum to life, rather than one of your life’s central purposes.

Yet the Bible is clear that being intentional about how we live in every way, is absolutely central to living a life that truly pleases and honors God. Choosing a Christian school for your children can be a huge step toward living and parenting intentionally.

Visit http://www.discoverchristianschools.com/ to find a Christian school in your area.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com – Where Christian Education is Priceless!

From the Heart of a Mother

Written by: Trisha
Originally posted on A Mother’s Heart blog (March 8, 2009)

My husband and I are both products of the public school system. Granted that was "xx" number of years ago. When our first child was born I wasn’t even thinking about schools at all. I’m not going to share why we now 11 years later, do not have our children in a public school, I will instead share why we have chosen and continue to choose (at great expense and sacrifice) Christian education for our children.

We choose Christian education because:

• It supports what we teach at home.
• It provides someone else beside mom and dad teaching biblical truths. With our children entering the age where the listen to others more, the teachers and most peers, who they respect are echoing what we teach.
• It is a place to prepare our children for the world. An environment where students are equipped with a biblical foundation for long term success.
• Its another place, outside our home, where our children’s ideas about themselves and God are shaped.
• It provides another place where they are taught to sustain their faith and impact the world.
• It is a place where the voices and ideas they hear are true.
• It is a place where our children can build friendships with other Christ followers. (We have friends have told us several times that they wished that had sent their children to a Christian school simply for this reason alone.)

Now specifically, why Wheaton Christian Grammar School in addition to the above, which is true for WCGS:

• It is obvious that the teacher and staff love the Lord.
• The teachers are spiritually mature, walk daily with the Lord, and talk to their students about their time with God.
• The teachers integrate biblical truths into every area of academics.

We know a teacher who tried to get a job there and told us that we should know that the teachers there are top notch because of the rigors of the interview process to be hired as a teacher.

We walk by faith on the journey to provide a Christian education for our children.

Guard Your Heart

Today’s Christian Education Commentary

Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to guard our heart, above all else, “for it is the wellspring of life.” How can our children guard their hearts?

What does guarding our hearts actually mean? The verses following Proverbs 4:23 give us some ideas. They include “[putting] away adversity,” “[keeping] corrupt talk far from [our] lips,” and keeping our feet from evil.

When it comes to our children, it is up to us as parents to help them learn how to guard their hearts, starting now. Partnering with a Christian school can be an excellent way to help ensure that your children are being taught how to walk in a manner that will help guard their hearts. And in God’s eyes, our children’s hearts are valued beyond description.

Visit DiscoverChristianSchools.com to find a Christian school in your area.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com – Where Christian education is priceless.

Character

Today's Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

Do you know what type of character qualities you are trying to instill in your children?

Few of us ever sit down and make a written list of the character qualities we are attempting to teach our children and model for them. If we did, certain aspects of our parenting would certainly change. After all, seeing goals spelled out and defined in black and white can be a powerful took of focus, self-examination, and reprioritizing.

Partnering with a Christian school in your child’s education can be a great way to help you as a parent start to focus on the specific character qualities you want to see develop in your child. It can also help ensure that many of those qualities are being deliberately modeled to your child every day by Christian educators.

We can help you find a Christian school and fulfill the directive we have been assigned as Christian parents.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com - Where Christian education is priceless!

Morning ‘til Night

Today's Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

Who is teaching your children from morning until night?

In Deuteronomy 6:7, parents are instructed to teach their children the word of God with diligence. In fact, parents are specifically instructed to teach their children throughout their entire day, from the time they rise in the morning until they go to bed at night.

And yet, most of us find that obedience to God in this area of our lives is near to impossible.

While God certainly understands the reasons that keep us from spending all day, every day with our children, He has not lessened His requirement of instilling His Word in them consistently and constantly from a very young age. We believe that choosing a Christian school for your child can help you fulfill the directives found in God's Word.

We can help you find a Christian school and fulfill the directive we have been assigned as Christian parents.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com - Where Christian education is priceless!

Does God Have a Claim On Your Child?

Dr. Phil Suiter
Orginally posted by Richmond Academy (Richmond, IN)


The recognition of God’s claim on your child should help you to decide that Christian education is worth the cost and time.

The typical school year begins with much enthusiasm. That is especially true for families who have their children in private Christian education. There is great anticipation and expectation for what will be accomplished. But as the fall months pass into winter months, the obligation of paying a monthly tuition bill sometimes begins to weigh heavily upon the minds of parents. Should I continue to make this sacrifice? Is it really worth it? Am I depriving my family of other benefits?

Can we as Christian parents answer these questions using only financial criteria to guide us? I think not! It is vital to examine the questions from the viewpoint of God’s claim upon our children. Does God have such a claim? Is He concerned about the nature of the educational experience that we provide for our children?

The answer is “yes!” Romans 14:7-8 states, “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” If that passage is not enough, the prophet Ezekiel reports the word of the Lord in chapter 18, verse 4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” This latter passage is addressing individual responsibility before God. The message of the Bible is clear on this very issue: God created children; therefore, He has first claim upon each child’s life. That claim extends to the nature of the educational program provided by their parents. When viewed in terms of the Word of God, one must wonder if any sacrifice is too great to keep children in a Christian school setting.

Some find the concept of “first claim” or “ownership” to be somewhat offensive. Yet the Scriptures previously cited clearly make the point of God’s ownership of children and, therefore, He has first claim upon them. The world certainly does not hesitate to make its claim. Typically, the world’s claim is stated as one of three positions. First, many public educators and legislators say that the state owns the child and that each child is a ward of the state, particularly for educational purposes. That testimony is frequently given before legislative committees. Second, others say that no one owns the child. In this case the child is granted the right to make his own decisions without the intervention of adults.

Unfortunately, many Christian parents fall into the trap of thinking their children belong to them. This is a false assumption.

Third, still others say that the parent owns the child. In this case, it is assumed that the parent has all authority in decision making relative to his child. None of these three views agrees with the teaching of the Bible.

Children belong to God; God has first claim upon their lives. Revelation 4:11 states, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Children are created by God to do with as He pleases. His pleasure is for them to give Him first place in everything they do.

Then what is the responsibility of parents? Simply this: to rear and educate children in such a way that they are prepared to respond to the call of God in whatever God chooses for them to do in life. Obviously, this does not mean that all children will be called into some area of Christian service. It does mean, however, that each child will be ready to serve and obey God in whatever area of life he embraces, whether he becomes a teacher, brick mason, bus driver, salesman, doctor, secretary, preacher, missionary, or sanitation worker.

Education must be Christ-centered if it is to please God. It must be viewed as a primary means of preparing children for a life of service to God. Only a Christ- centered education will accomplish this end. Thus, all parents will answer to God for the nature of the educational experience that they give their children.

Is there an alternative for Christian parents? Can a public school’s educational program that is based on secular humanism accomplish that? The answer is “no!” Humanism teaches that there is no higher authority than the individual. That is the basis for all of the “rights oriented” and “politically correct” thinking that controls public policy. An educational system derived from those concepts of secular humanism simply cannot prepare a child to permit God to exercise His claim upon his life. That system can only reproduce after its kind, and its kind seeks only to serve self.

Does God have first claim on your child? The answer is “yes!” The recognition of God’s claim on your child should help you to conclude that your investment in a Christian educational program is worth it if for no other reason than it pleases God.

Dr. Phil Suiter is the former executive director of the West Virginia Christian Education Association.

Discover Christian Schools

By Harold Naylor, Jr.,
Co-founder, DiscoverChristianSchools.com

Critical thinking, character education, safety and security, uncovering God-given talents and passions, and developing a Christian view of the world. These are some of the reasons Christian parents invest large sums of money for tuition in a local Christian school.

However, most (90% by some estimates) evangelical parents put their children in the local public school. They (fondly) remember their own school days and declare, "I went to public school and I turned OK."

These parents, and the ones that desire for their children to be "salt and light" in the local school are the reason for the launching of http://www.discoverchristianschools.com/ , a communications initiative to speak directly to parents about the total education of their children.

The initiative produces weekly radio spots, Christian Education Commentary, that are carried on 117 stations across the US. The web site has had over 300,000 unique visitors and still gets 4,000 hits per day. A Google search on "Christian schools" puts the site in the #2 position.

WORLD magazine's founder, Joel Belz, recently described www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com as “...a notable effort to help parents discover the good things happening on the school front.”

Schools need to band together to get the word out that the local Christian school is the best partner a parent can find for the training of their child. This communications effort also helps schools crystallize and amplify their message as they seek to put critical information on their on web site and into the hands of prospective parents.

Schools can join the effort at no cost, but the campaign is maintained by gifts. If you would like more information on how to bless children, parents, and schools, please contact John Fedele via email at jfedele@DiscoverChristianSchools.com .

Parenting With Vision

Today's Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

When was the last time you wrote down some of your parenting goals?

Click here to listen!

Raising kids with Christ-centered hearts is the greatest challenge Christian parents will ever face. Not only that, but it is not a challenge that is confronted and won in a day, week, or even a year. Rather, it takes many, many years of diligence, consistency, and prayer on the part of parents, and even then, success is not guaranteed.

This is why writing down your parenting goals or a vision for your family is so important. As the years pass and individual challenges come and go, it is important that we keep our eyes fixed on our ultimate goal.

Choosing a Christian education is a great way to start approaching the job of parenting with new direction, purpose, and a vision that includes God at the center.

Arrows

Today’s Christian Education Commentary
with Harold Naylor

Psalm 127:4 compares children to arrows “in the hand of a mighty man.”

Click here to listen.

Of course, this scripture is referring to children of upright and God-fearing parents. However,
the only arrows that are truly effective are arrows that have been carefully and deliberately
designed and prepared.

As we consider Psalm 127 we should carefully consider how God sees them from a spiritual
perspective – they need care and fashioning. Like the arrow, children need a sharp point – a
Christian world view, a strong shaft – the unchangeable Word of God, and the feathers guiding
their flight – this is discipline of parents and teachers.

“Happy is the man who has a quiver of such arrows”. The children with a strong Christian
education can be arrows of truth for God’s Kingdom.

We can help you find a Christian school and fulfill the directive we have been assigned as
Christian parents.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com - Where Christian education is priceless!

Good Children's Literature is Essential

"In a day and age when reading good books has never been of greater need for our children, parents and teachers owe Elizabeth McCallum and Jane Scott a deep debt of gratitude for the wonderful service they have provided by compiling this updated second edition of their book. It is a mandatory companion for any home or school."— Patch Blakey, Executive Director, The Association of Classical & Christian Schools


Good Children’s Literature Is Essential
A Word from the Authors

We wrote our book because a book of this sort is greatly needed.
The Book Tree is a recommended reading list for all ages, from
preschool through high school, and it includes several unique
features. It contains a selective array of excellent books for
each age group. We believe with Walter de la Mare that “only
the rarest kind of best of anything can be good enough for the
young,” so we have spent many years researching and reading
old books and new, classics as well as recent releases. In this
book, we provide a recommended list of classic books, as well
as books by Christian authors, some little-known books by
great writers and poets, and a sizable collection of inspiring
biographies. Of course, we do not think that these are the only
books worth reading. In fact, we are discovering new favorites
all the time. We are simply sharing with you some of the books
that we have especially enjoyed.

Table of Contents:
1. Preschool Literature
2. Elementary School Fiction
3. Middle School Fiction
4. Elementary & Middle School Biography
5. High School Fiction
6. High School Biography


Also Includes:
Title Index
Author Index
Illustrator Index
Subject Index

Publishers Description:

Once upon a time, a carpenter entered a forest and happened upon a wolf wearing a feathered cap. Quick, whose side are you on? If you don't know, then keep reading. Stories provide a roadmap for life. This is because stories are life. But oftentimes it's easiest to understand where we are when we can look through other eyes—from the perspective of someone else, living somewhere else, somewhen else.

If you thought you knew The Book Tree, think again. Jane and Elizabeth have updated this charming book with over 100 new book reviews, and whimsical illustrations from recommended titles are scattered throughout. New formatting and four indexes (title, author, illustrator, and subject) make it easier than ever to browse for that next well-worn favorite.For those beginning to read for the first time or those beginning to read again, The Book Tree will drop golden apples in your lap, until you can climb high enough to pick for yourself.

About the Authors:

Elizabeth McCallum (M.A. English, University of Houston) has taught high school and college English for thirty years. She currently teaches English at Covenant Christian Academy (Cumming, GA) and conducts seminars on literature and English for both parents and teachers.

Jane Scott (B.A. English, Covenant College) spends much of her time managing her home and teaching. Her husband, Martin, serves in the Georgia legislature, and they live in northwest Georgia with their four girls.

Click here to see a sample of the book and to watch The Book Tree advertising trailer.