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Devotions

Teaching the Constitution Early

September 13, 2018 by Ben

The Constitution of the United States
Recent surveys show that many Americans don’t know much about their own nation’s governing document. In our homeschool, one of our main objectives is to teach our children about the US Constitution. As believers, we want our children to exercise godly stewardship when it comes to voting (in the future). In order to help them understand the Constitution, we have decided to start early.

Framework

It’s important to provide children with an overview of the framework of the Constitution. A helpful place to begin is with the three branches our Constitution divides the duties of government into. Since our family is using BJU Press heritage studies textbooks, we introduce this concept in first grade. Every year, we repeat it—with more detail added each time. This might seem basic, but only one in four American adults can identify these branches, and even fewer can identify the duties of each. When children understand that the Constitution dictates who makes, enforces, and settles the laws, they have a solid working knowledge of what the it does.

If you’re wondering if your little ones are ready for something as big as the Constitution, remember that this is just an introduction. Also, you can teach them with hands-on-activities. I found that even our verbal learner was helped by doing an activity. You can read how we used Legos® to learn about the Constitution .

Narrative

One thing that often makes studying government documents dull is a narrow focus on the mechanics of governing. The learning is more engaging if you place the Constitution within a narrative context. The Constitution arose out of a certain set of historical events, such as Shays’ Rebellion. Studying the document within its historical context provides interest and understanding.

Narrative also helps us understand one especially critical part of the Constitution—the Bill of Rights. Throughout our history as a nation, various people, groups, and movements have attacked our liberties . For example, even our second president, John Adams, threatened our First Amendment right to free speech. Exploring these historical events can help children understand what their rights are under the Constitution and how they’ve often been threatened in the past.

Capstone

Even though we lay a framework and expand understanding, we need to pull it all together in a single course. When I was in high school, I joined another group of homeschool seniors and juniors for an in-depth study of American government. That class brought together the various threads of the Constitution I had learned through the American history I had studied over the years.

Teaching the Constitution enables our children to engage wisely. But if we try to pack it all into the final year of homeschooling, they’ll likely find it overwhelming and dull. Instead, we should attempt to give our children a foundation that they can build on all through the early years.

 

Filed Under: Devotions, Events, Group Learning, JourneyForth, Shaping Worldview, Simplified Homeschool, Successful Learning

A Christmas Blessing for You

December 22, 2016 by Jenna

This season is a time for many things. It’s a time for colored lights, sparkling trees, warm drinks, favorite songs, and—hopefully—gently falling snow.

But most importantly, this is the season to rejoice over the greatest blessing of all: Jesus Christ came to live among us. And through His sacrifice we have comfort and joy. Enjoy this Christmas ecard from all of us at BJU Press! (Download the image for your devices.)

BJU Press eCard for Blog 2016 Christmas

Image by Toa Heftiba

Filed Under: Devotions Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Blessings, eCard, wallpaper

THINK

November 30, 2016 by Cosette

Oftentimes we describe our misdeeds as thoughtless. But that may be the wrong word. The person who is accused of it is—in fact—thinking but generally only about himself. Even if we are acting out of habit, at some point thinking factors in to all our deeds—good or bad. We often hear the Christian admonished to guard his thought life, lest he buckle in the face of temptation. But thinking is also looked at in a positive light in the verses below. The Christian who keeps his heart and mind through Christ Jesus will exude His gracious spirit.

cover image of Wonderful Words

“For I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me” (Psalm 40:17). “We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple” (Psalm 48:9). “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). “[Love] doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:5). “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory” (Ephesians 3:20–21). “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The Lord thinks upon me.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (November 30 reading).]

Filed Under: Devotions Tagged With: devotional, excerpt, Stewart Custer, wonderful words

SURE

November 23, 2016 by Cosette

“Not being sure” is the greatest tool against a witness that a lawyer can use, and creating doubt is his most powerful weapon. What we see used in courtrooms today was first used by Satan in the Garden of Eden. He succeeded in making Eve unsure of God’s goodwill and full provision for her well-being. The verses below are our own powerful weapons against the devil’s daily attacks on what God says is sure.

cover image of Wonderful Words

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). “Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever” (Psalm 93:5). “All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever” (Psalm 111:7–8). “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The testimony of the Lord is sure.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (November 23 reading).]

Filed Under: Devotions Tagged With: devotional, excerpt, Stewart Custer, wonderful words

STREAM

November 16, 2016 by Cosette

The verses below present a picture of refreshment and cleansing power. Christ is the only source of purifying grace. The broken cisterns in our fallen world bring no satisfaction or healing. His living water ensures that we will never thirst again.

cover image of Wonderful Words

“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4). “He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers” (Psalm 78:16). “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south” (Psalm 126:4).
“A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse. . . . A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon” (Song of Solomon 4:12, 15). “For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6). “For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream” (Isaiah 66:12). “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Let judgment run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (November 16 reading).]

Filed Under: Devotions Tagged With: devotional, excerpt, Stewart Custer, wonderful words

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