First, that our children would find their value and self esteem in God. I pray that our children understand that they are actually God’s workmanship, that they are actually created in Christ Jesus, and that God has actually created them for good works that God prepared for them! (Eph. 2:10)
Second, that we would not depend on the church to disciple our children, as good as church youth programs are, but I pray that we would discipline, instruct, disciple, and model the Christian walk with God in our lives before our children. (Eph. 4:1-6:4) I pray that they would see us carrying out the great commission as we teach them “to observe all that” Christ has commanded us. And I pray that God would use them in mighty ways for His kingdom in the future. (Matt. 28:18-20)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Teaching resource: “In an effort to combat America’s rampant biblical illiteracy, Family Research Council has launched the Biblical Worldview Series. The series debuted earlier this year and is currently comprised of four publications that explain in accessible, straightforward terms how Christians can think biblically about some of the most pressing and controversial issues they face today.”FRC.org/worldview
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…
But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…
If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
This morning I was reading about “information warfare” for work. I thought about how Satan’s lies against God’s truth were the original information warfare. “Did God actually say…?” (Gen. 3:1)
So I wanted to pray that our children would be filled with the Holy Spirit and “the divine power to destroy strongholds.” That we would pass on our love of God and equip them through instruction so that they may “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Heavenly Father, help us by Your Holy Spirit, to be examples to our children in prayer, in love, in evangelism, and in our handling of God’s word. To instruct them and equip them for the work you have prepared for them. (Eph. 2:10)
Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…
But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…
If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
Brothers, let’s pray for our families as we love and labor instructing and discipling our children.
Pray for our children, that they may receive the Holy Spirit so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith.
Pray that our children, our spouses, and we ourselves may have the strength “to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth” of Christ’s love.
Read Eph. 3:14-21
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…
But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…
If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
“When God has something very great to accomplish for his church, it is His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of his people.”
Jonathan Edwards – #AwakeAmerica2020
To know God.
This week let’s pray that our families would come to know God in new and profound ways. That our knowledge of God would have an impact on our children’s education and understanding of His creation.
Read Psalm 19.
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted… But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent… If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
Praying for our homeschool and Classical Conversations community.
A vision for homeschool 2020-2021
This week let’s pray for fathers to develop and communicate a clear vision for education and discipleship in their homes.
“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;” Psalm 78:5-7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/psa.78.5-7.esv
And let’s pray for our wives to let go of anxiety in their efforts, and find joy in trusting in God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/pro.3.5-6.esv
Knowledge is a grace of God. It is a gift and kindness of God.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/pro.1.7.esv
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Proverbs 9:10 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/pro.9.10.
Knowledge and wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. God must be acknowledged, revered, loved, and feared!
Rejection of God
What about those who do not fear God?
“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;” Proverbs 1:29-32 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/pro.1.29-32.esv
See if you can recognize our world and it’s knowledge from Romans 1:18-32?
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:18, 21-22, 24, 26-28 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/rom.1.18,21-22,24,26-28.esv
Forgetting God
I observe today a timid church that has no influence on the culture. A church that has forgotten its fear of God.
“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;” Proverbs 1:32 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/pro.1.32.esv
“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” Proverbs 1:32 NASB https://www.bible.com/100/pro.1.32.nasb
“For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.” Proverbs 1:32 ASV https://www.bible.com/12/pro.1.32.asv
When life is good, easy, prosperous, we can tend toward fearing what might disrupt our comfort more than fearing the God of all comfort! What could disrupt our comfort? Man’s opinion of us and our beliefs? Being considered hateful and bigoted for standing on truth? Losing a job for our convictions?
What could we reap if we sow complacency and forget our fear of God?
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/hos.4.6.esv
Love God!
This is why we homeschool! We want our children to know God!
We seek first God’s kingdom.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.6.33.esv
We seek to obey God’s commands.
“”Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/deu.6.4-7.esv
Our children bear the image of God. Gen. 1:27
Render to God the things that are God’s. Matt. 22:21
Let the children come to Jesus and do not hinder them. Matt. 19:14
We seek to instruct our children to know, love, and fear God! To know Him and make Him known.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/eph.6.4.esv
We rejoice with the saints at the wedding feast of the Lamb!
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;” Revelation 19:6-7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/rev.19.6-7.esv
Live for God!
For this purpose we homeschool:
To reform the church.
No longer walk as unbelievers do. Eph. 4:17
Put off your unbelieving way of life. Eph. 4:22
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Eph. 4:23
Do not be deceived by the sons of disobedience. Eph. 5:6
To reenchant the world with the grace and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.28.18-20.esv
The Cosmic Battle
You, mothers and fathers, your homeschooling households are on the front line of the Cosmic spiritual battle!
I do not mean this lightly. You are critical in the effort to reform a complacent church with the fear of God and reenchant a disenchanted world with the grace and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, “who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Romans 1:25)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/eph.6.10-20.esv
“In John’s line of work (and especially in his past) he encounters the most dangerous men you’ll ever meet. But there are different types of “dangerous”. In this video, John address three types he has seen most consistently. There are those who have malicious intent, and their counterparts who have an ingrained sense of duty to protect and defend others. But there are also several dangerous people who don’t often get recognized by society as such. John outlines four traits of the second type of dangerous man (or woman) which seem to encompass many underlying features of the Good and Dangerous.”
HonorHigh Moral Conduct. A sense of respect and what is right, just, and true.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10
ModestyDecent behavior. Having self control and not boastful.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Romans 12:3
Virtue Moral Goodness. Moral excellence; righteousness.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9
WisdomGood Judgment. Power of judging rightly by experience and knowledge.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. . . Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares. . . whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. . .
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 1:7, 20, 33; 2:6-11
MANHOOD
Reject Passivity
Real men, Knights of King Jesus, reject passivity.
Adam was passive when Eve was being tempted by Satan in the garden (Genesis 3:5), and we are all living under the curse of sin.
Passivity is not taking action, not speaking out, not standing up for what is right when you should, and real men are not passive.
Accept Responsibility
Real men accept responsibility.
Unlike Adam, Jesus rejected passivity and accepted responsibility.
Responsibility is being accountable, trustworthy, and dependable to take the appropriate action. Men have a responsibility to be Protectors, Providers, Pastors, and Prophets.
Lead Courageously
Real men were designed by God to lead.
Adam did not lead his wife well in the garden.
Leadership requires the courage to set aside feelings, emotions, and personal desires and walk in God’s truth. Jesus did this after 40 days of fasting when tempted by Satan, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:10-11) Adam should have said the same thing to Satan.
The courage to lead with truth instead of surrendering to feelings or taking the easy way, always separates the boys from the men.
As Kris “Tanto” Paronto says in his book The Ranger Way, “Leaders take the hard right, never the easy wrong.
Leadership comes from being responsible for other people, setting an example, and making tough calls under stressful circumstances… setting aside your own pride… [and staying] positive…
Take your responsibility seriously and act with integrity…
Good leaders do the right thing when no one else is looking, even if it may cost them something personally. That is integrity…
Leaders do what they need to do without looking for recognition or being asked to do it.
Follow Jesus, serve those you lead. Out of love, put others needs before your own. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
Expect the Greater Reward
Pursue eternal things!
Jesus overcame death! He is the resurrected Lord! Our time on this earth is short, but it is not the end.
Live for the eternal glory gifted to us by the finished work of Jesus Christ, who is the joy set before us!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
BE A FORCE FOR GOOD!
Good vs. Evil, Jedi vs. Darkside, Spirit vs Flesh… there is a battle of good and evil.
Evil, the darkside
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Good, the Jedi
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24
The Battle
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18
Disciple to apply the Christian Faith and Ethic through a Biblical Worldview to current issues!
Let children discover how to think, how to reason, and how to persuasively argue a position.
Let their curiosity and ambition thrive and not force them to conform to the common core.
When you are allowed to think, you are free. When you can think for yourself instead of being told what to think, then you are free.
Develop critical thinking and leadership skills.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/rom.12.2.esv
“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.”
1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/1co.14.20.esv
“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.””
Noah Webster’s publication, An American Dictionary of the English Language, is an important work for many modern readers because it is contemporary with the American Constitution. As a reference tool it is invaluable to anyone studying the national documents and literature of the period. It will help the reader understand the meaning of words that may have changed with the passage of time. http://webstersdictionary1828.com
Environment environmental issues, climate change, global warming. Christian perspective of stewardship.
The Cornwall Alliance seeks to enhance the fruitfulness, beauty, and safety of the earth to the glory of God, and the benefit of our neighbors. https://cornwallalliance.org
The Creation (us, water, air, whales, redwoods) groans for the revelation of the sons of man (Romans 8:22-24). This groaning began when sin entered the world (Genesis 3). The creatures and the physical creation, on which all life depends, are waiting for us… http://www.reformedenvironmentalist.com
Dobra Family Ministry 