Strength

In The Coddling of the American Mind, the authors quote folk wisdom: “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” In other words, we cannot always predict what events will come our children’s way; therefore, rather than try to prepare our children for specific circumstances that may never be realized, we should train them in character and perspective to handle whatever comes their way, whether it is somewhat expected or something that comes completely out of the blue.

There seems to be a growing lack of strength in the next generation. As is often the case, the first manifestation of this growing weakness is on college campuses, which is a bastion of the artificial. Colleges are now routinely disinviting speakers—both liberal and conservative—because the thoughts they espouse are considered harmful to some of the student body. That’s right. Ideas are now considered harmful and threatening, recognized on some campuses as the equivalent of physical violence. The result is students are sequestered from interacting with ideas that are different from their own, ideas which may be more coherent or correspond better with the real world. Because they are being thus insulated, they are not learning the skills necessary to deal with different, adversarial, competing, or controversial schools of thought.

The goal of homeschooling Christian parents should not be to make our children’s lives as smooth and easy as possible but to equip them for the challenges of life that inevitably come their way. After all, we are in a spiritual battle between the light of the gospel and the minions of darkness. We should expect attacks and counter attacks. Additionally, we live in a fallen world where the effects of sin negatively impacts all of us. This includes dealing with others who are different than us in culture, ideology, and theology. Encouragingly, researchers have found that homeschoolers do much better at interacting with the differences of others than their public-school counterparts:

In one of the most methodologically astute studies of homeschooled children, Shyers (1992a, 1992b) carefully matched homeschooled children to children attending traditional schools. Naive observers then watched small groups of the children playing or working together to solve puzzles. The results were striking––children attending conventional schools showed more than eight times more problem behaviors than homeschooled children. Shyers described the traditionally schooled children as “aggressive, loud, and competitive” (1992b, p. 6). In contrast, the homeschooled children acted in friendly, positive ways. He noted that they introduced themselves, initiated conversation, cooperated with others, invited uninvolved children to join them in play, took turns, let others know it was alright if they lost a game, and even “exchanged addresses and phone numbers for future contact” (Shyers, 1992b, p. 194).

Another point of interest is research has found that homeschoolers are more politically tolerant than their peers who are raised in government schools. Do not, however, expect this to be promoted on the evening news.

This month’s prayer focus is on nurturing the strengths of our children to engage the culture. While anxiety and depression rates are rising among their peers, this season of history represents a unique opportunity for our children to be different. By God’s grace we can train them to be strong in character, mind, body, and spirit. How can we do this? We start in prayer, asking for God’s guidance. We then discuss what strength means and how it manifests in daily life. Next, we interact with them consistently, commending strengths and addressing weaknesses. Finally, we instruct them by giving both spiritual and practical steps on how to maximize their strengths and shore up any weaknesses.

Please consider joining us this month on the second Tuesday for a day of fasting and seeking God’s blessing on our endeavors.

1. Pray that God will bolster our children’s strength of resolve in all areas of life.

• But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. —Daniel 1:8
• To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, –2 Thes. 1:11
• The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. –Proverbs 10:30

(Questions for children: 1) What does strength of resolve mean? (determination); 2) Why is it important to demonstrate determination in life? 3) Can you give one example of determination in your life?)

2. Pray that our children will stand strong in seasons of adversity and personal challenge, hopefully rising to the top, so the world can see God’s glory displayed in them.

• If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. –Proverbs 24:10
• When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. –1 Samuel 17:48
• “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? –Jer. 12:5

(Questions: 1) How do seasons of adversity reveal how much strength we have? 2) When God shows us weakness within, how should we respond?)

3. Pray that our children will develop strength of mind.

• A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, –Proverbs 24:5
• Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. –Ecc. 7:19
• Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. –Phil. 4:8

(Questions: 1) How do young people develop strength of mind? 2) Why is strength of mind so important in the 21^st century? (war of ideas) 3) What are some way we diminish our strength of mind? (falling into numb minding activities or addictive behavior.)

4. Pray that our young men and women will be physically strong in order to experience overall good health.

• The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. –Proverbs 20:29
• She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. -Proverbs 31:17

(Why is physical health important for young people? 2) What are some necessary things we can do to produce strength and health? 3) Are you faithful in these areas? Why or why not?)

5. Pray that our children will have strength of knowledge in their biblical understanding, so they are able to engage with unbelievers with grace and influence, and not be swayed by their opinions.

• but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect –1 Peter 3:15
• for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. –Luke 21:15

(Questions: 1) How pronounced is Christian influence in the world today? In the entertainment industry? In politics? In education? 2) What can you do today to prepare to engage with the culture of tomorrow?)

6. Pray that our children will have strength of convictions and not be swayed by the influence, might, reasoning, and deception of the world.

• And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. –1 Kings 18:21
• because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. –1 Thes. 1:5

(Questions: 1) Can you list a few of your convictions? 2) Why do some young people have trouble in staying true to their convictions? 3) Why does the world have to fall back to might to “win” an argument?)

7. Pray that our children will have the humility of heart to recognize some of their weaknesses, accept them for what they are, and spend some energy improving them.

• But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” –Exodus 4:10
• And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” –Judges 6:15

(Questions: 1) Can we be good at everything? 2) Should we spend more time on our strengths or on our weaknesses.? Please explain. (Some suggest 80% strength and 20% weaknesses) 3) Should our weaknesses exempt us from attempting great things in life? Please explain)

8. Pray that our children will recognize their need of help from others and be both willing to receive balance and help in time of need.

• Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. –Ecc. 4:9
• And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. –2 Samuel 10:11

(Questions: 1) Are you good to ask for help from others? 2) What are some reasons we need help from time to time? (lack of experience; weak in an area; no knowledge, etc.) 3) What keeps us from asking for help?)

9. Pray that our children will have the strength of heart to get back up after they have failed.

• Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. –Micah 7:8
• for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. –Proverbs 24:16

(Questions: 1) Why is it hard to get back up after you have failed? 2) How does God see failure in our lives? 3) Can you share any bible characters who failed but got back up?)

10. Pray that God will gift our children with the strength of discipline.

• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. –Proverbs 12:1
• Thus says the Lord concerning this people: “They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.” –Jer. 14:10

(Questions: 1) On a scale from 1 -10, how disciplined are you? 2) Do you consider discipline a good thing or bad thing? Please explain. 3) Explain how restraint actually brings freedom.)

11. Pray that our children will be able to show the strength of flexibility and deference when situations demand it.

• Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. –1 Cor. 10:24
• The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. –Proverbs 12:15

(Questions: 1) Why is flexibility an important character trait to have? 2) How does an inflexible person act? 3) What is the difference between deference and simply giving in?)