August comes so quickly after a summer of hot humid days and lots of pool time! Our families start to receive mail from their school teachers with supply lists, bus schedules, school pictures and band camp. We start to go through our children’s closets to see what fits and what doesn’t. Just one more shopping trip to check off the list in hopes to get them ready for a successful year of great memories, learning, and meeting new friends!
Then September sneaks in. I can still remember the first few days of a new school year. The new pair of tennies on my feet, the sweet backpack , and the smell in the hall of a mixture of cafeteria and gym aroma. I had a slight butterfly in my tummy and an excitement I can’t quite explain. I wondered if maybe the bully would forget me from the year before, or hopeed to get the teacher that always smiled at me when they saw me.
As a parent with children now almost twenty years later , it seems to me that schedules have gotten quite full and my opportunities to have teachable moments with them are few and far between. My intentions to make sure they had what they needed were there, but the time wasn’t.
The goal, when we are with our children, is not only to align them with the rigors of going back to school, but to continue to take opportunities to teach our children the knowledge of the Gospel.
The definition of knowledge is: 1.The things someone knows; Information 2. Awareness or a clear idea.
When we teach our children the knowledge of the Gospel, it equips them to be:
- A Light in the darkness. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes,” (Psalm 19:7-8).
- Confident. Jesus wants our children to be equipped as they enter another diverse and challenging school year. He wants them to have a strong belief in the abilities He has given them. ” I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged. In all my troubles my joy knows no bound,” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
- One of High Integrity. Integrity means the person is honest and sticks to his or her principles. This is another part of his supply. The church leaders of the day came to Jesus and said, “Teacher we know you are a man of integrity, you aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; you teach the way of God in accordance with Truth,” (Mark 12:14 ).
Jesus encourages us, through the promises in the Bible, to give our children confidence by guiding them in the Truth.
Guidance means: 1. Advice or counsel, especially about a students future plans. 2. Direction or supervision.
It is our responsibility as parents to guide our children in the Truth because “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
“Let us discern for ourselves what is right; Let us learn together what is good,” (Job 34:4).
I encourage you to take some of the time that so easily slips away from us and own it in Christ for the sake of our children’s future! They want to fit in by ways of cool gadgets, name brand tennies, and having the latest iPod, but let us remember, that doesn’t identify us or our children. Christ is our Identity. They learn their character based on his direction from the Truth. Then their reputation will shine bright where ever they go!!
If we guide our children and instill in them the knowledge of the Gospel, not only can we check off all our back to school supplies on our list, but we can also check off the most important back to school “Supply” of all: teaching our kids that God is the One Supply we need.
Through Him, we gain Knowledge, Integrity, Identity, Character, and Reputation based on our faithfulness to God. He is the way , The Truth and The Light (John 14:6).
Let’s be over the top parents and give our children the right “Supply” to get through another year at school.
Share your comments about how Christ has been the One Supply you’ve ever needed.
We would love to hear from you.
