One of the questions I have been asked most from my readers is, “What about sensitive topics?” How do I handle Bible reading with my children when there are some areas of the Bible that may be too sensitive for young ones? For example sexual topics, violence, or things that just may not be age appropriate.

My answer is two-fold. First and foremost, I completely trust the Lord. I trust that if they are in their Bible reading (alone time) He will bring them to the appropriate passages. If they come to an area that is sensitive, I leave it in His hands that they will come to me with their questions and we will discuss it. Now if they are old enough to be reading through their Bibles on their own (in my case it is my 10 year old and 12 year old that are reading on their own) then they are old enough to handle what will come. I truly have left the discretion to the Lord as to where He draws them. So far, there have been no issues.

Second, when I choose passages that we read as a family, we have come across several topics that were sensitive. Depending on the nature of the topic we either a) discuss it or b) skip it. If we discuss it, then I can trust that I am explaining things how I deem appropriate for my children and what they are ready for. If I skip it, then I have decided they are not ready for it yet. Now most times they follow along with me as I am reading, and if so, I will just say we are going to skip over to the next section, etc. No questions yet. 😉

The bottom line is I trust God’s Word. Evry singly word was written for a purpose. I trust it. I also trust that His Word is powerful, active, alive and will work as He intends it on each child. I trust also that we can skip over certain things if need be, and the beautuy of homeschooling is when the times comes to discuss those topics, they are hearing it from me and not someone else. I would much rather be the one that discusses things of sensitve nature with my children.

You can decide for yourself what is appropriate and not for you children and take it to prayer. This is truly a family decision and something that must be decided by you, for your family. Pray that God will show your children the verses they need and if they come across something that is sensitive, then you can address it. If you need to skip over certain sections at that time, that is OK too. Most of all, as with anything else, let God lead this area. He will truly work!

 

 

Bible Based Homeschooling:
Our Experiment with Using the Bible as Our Main Textbook.

 

 

 

This was written back in the fall on Simply Living…for Him. It’s another glimpse into our day…{although reading it I realize we have not been doing nearly as much “fun” stuff lately…life got busy…must work on that! 🙂

First we all took turns reading through our passage for the week, and reciting the memory verse. (Genesis 1:1.) We talked more about the Hebrew word “yom” in Genesis meaning “day”-a literal day (24 hours, which also brought us to review astronomy-why the 24 hour day, etc.) We discussed this word in detail and why we must believe God’s Word to be true. Without believing the first passage of Genesis 1, the rest of the Bible would mean nothing. Great discussion!

We read Chapter 8 from the Answers Book 1, by Ken Ham.

We then focused on verses 1:26-27, and being made in God’s image. The littlest guy made a booklet that I printed out for him all about himself. While he colored that, the older kids and I discussed how we were made in God’s image. We talked about being image bearers of Christ. More really good discussions.

We went around the room saying one thing about each person they loved, and then one thing they loved about themselves. We talked about how every single person was made in God’s image, and God loves all people, no matter who they are. Therefore, we treat all people accordingly.

Next we made fingerprints and colored a worksheet about being unique.

One on the most important things I want my children to know is that their identity is in Christ, their value in in Him, and their worth comes from Him alone.

We then sang “How Great Thou Art.” We are memorizing the words. I love how this song starts at creation, then talks about Jesus’ death on the cross, and then culminates at then with Christ’s return. I tear up every time I sing it, and get goosebumps!

For fun we all sang Happy Day- just love the excitement on their faces when we sang this one! {Click the link, it’s so fun!}

We talked about the historical timeline of creation. We remembered the American History we have been studying and I made sure everyone grasped the concept of time and where we are at now in our studies in history-the beginning of time. {even though God was always present}

Next we discussed our senses and how God made our senses to enjoy His creation. We explained them all to the preschooler. Then we did an experiment specifically on taste. With their eyes closed, I placed the following on their tongues: salt water, sugar water, lemon juice, coffee.

Before lunch we ended with a scavenger hunt. The preschooler had to find things of different colors, animals, bugs, etc. The older kids did a Creation scavenger hunt. They called it a “Sketch-en-ger” hunt because I had them sketching in their notebooks each object they found.

Our “Sketch-enger” Hunt:

Find:

Crayola Window markers- one person outside, while one inside draws accessories on the other! Funny mustaches, eyeglasses, etc. SO much fun!

 

Preschool bean fun!

 

Practicing spelling words by jumping to each letter- especially helpful for the boy who can’t sit still!