If you could choose one subject as “the most important one”, what would it be?
Too often, we let popular opinion dictate our direction. With all the emphasis on academics, the tests, the curriculum, I wonder if Christian parents have stopped to remember THE most important thing we have been given to teach our children?
And it is:
THEOLOGY.
Sound stiff and stifled? Theology is simply, “the study of God.” If that isn’t our very starting point, I question if we are really authentic.
C.S. Lewis said,
“Theology is practical: especially now…Everyone reads, everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to Theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones.”
Are we actively, fervently teaching our children right doctrine, right theology? Because if we get that wrong, we set their lives in the wrong direction. I can’t help but feel that modern Christianity is sorely lacking the intentional teaching of theology. We’ve settled for a shallow, trivial feel-good Christianity that doesn’t require any searching further into the character of the One who has redeemed us.
He is deep and wide and why wouldn’t we want to know, with all our hearts, His thoughts, His desires for us, His will?
“What you believe about God changes everything. It affects how you love, work, live, marry, parent, evangelize, purchase, and worship.” -Justin Holcomb, Why Theology Matters
Dear Mom, as you are with your littles throughout the day, remember, you are teaching, training and living out Christ all the time. Your theology matters because it will likely become theirs. If we must become, all over again, students of the Word, so be it. But let us pursue, with reckless abandon, to know the One for whom we were created, so that His purpose and design will permeate every decision we make.
And let it be so for our children, the godly hope of our future.
12 comments
The foundation of Tutus is sound doctrine. Because doctrine IS important!
Amen!
Kelly, you are so right, and you’ve convicted me today. We have just begun our school year, and we normally take a week or so just to straighten things out, chop and change, and even decide to leave stuff out or add other things in.
You know, although (I certainly hope!)God is in *everything* we do, from out time of morning family worship, to when we talk about our history lesson, our language etc etc, I do not have a set Bible Doctrine curriculum. And I am *convicted*. What am I thinking????!
We do have one here in the house – it wasn’t my favourite, in terms of layout, thought the theology is great (it’s hard to find one that’s good in terms of both theology and work-ability). I am getting it right now, and we’re going to USE it.
Thank you 🙂
His Word is good, isn’t it! Maybe I’ll be looking for a really great curriculum help in this area. You’re right…hard to find.
Theology includes the reading of such books as The Confessions of St. Augustine, Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, City of God by Augustine, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, 95 Theses by Martin Luther, and John Wesley’s Sermons. This is an incomplete list to be sure but a good beginning. If you don’t read Augustine, Aquinas, a Kempis, Luther, and Wesley then you will lack the background and understanding to read any other works. If a parent hasn’t read and studied those works then I’m not sure they can really adequately teach theology. I’ve read and studied all but Loyola and Wesley but it was a long time ago in college, where theology was required. I’ve reread Augustine’s Confessions. But I don’t think I’d be up to teaching theology. Religion yes, theology no.
Do you have any basic ideas of introducing this with a toddler and 11 yr old? What would this practically look like? My older child is in a Christian high school but the littler ones are home with me. We would basically be starting with only basic, very basic, knowledge. Thanks for the help.
Yes–the shorter catechism. A long time ago, parents wouldn’t think of not catechizing their children, although I’ll admit, it’s tough. Here’s another post I wrote on it: http://generationcedar.com/2009/02/catechizing-your-children-dont-worry-it.html
Thanks. I appreciate it.
I was led here from a linked post, and I’m convicted to add a specific Bible study to our homeschool day. I have a 1st grader. Any suggestions for a sound, Biblical, yet approachable curriculum for the younger elementary grades?
Trina,
I was going to look around tomorrow for several good resources to recommend. I’ll let you know what I find.
Great choices to get started, easy to pick up and do without a lot of planning ahead –
https://generationswithvision.com/Store/2011/11/what-does-the-bible-say-about-that-a-worldview-curriculum-for-children/
https://generationswithvision.com/Store/2011/06/proverbs-collection-12/
http://www.answersingenesis.org/store/product/what-we-believe/?sku=90-7-557
Theology does not have to be a college level endeavor with 5 syllable words that nobody understands.
Read the Bible. Ask your children what it means in this verse. What does that teach us about God? Read another verse the next day. Each day will build on the previous until your children know God for who He says He is, not what some preacher or professor says He is.
My daughter just started college at New College Franklin…a Classical Christian College. Her favorite subject is Theology. Theology has been an important addition to our family study. We have used various Bible curricula, but most of our theology discussions with our children have come from theology books (Grace Unknown, God is Love, and Knowing God). We also study the Westminster Shorter Catechism. This year, my kids are using it for handwriting and copywork. And of course, the Bible is our main reference.
I think what makes this hard for some parents is choosing a “right” book/curriculum since some parents don’t fully understand the theology in which they hold to. I think starting with the shorter catechism is perfect for parents who aren’t sure where to begin. In addition, Desiring God has excellent theology curriculum for children! http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/curriculum/curriculaGroup.php?curriculaId=5