Well, with S helping in other's home during the week it has caused us to (ack!) return to somewhat of a schedule. Let me just tell you how it has blessed us today. We have only instituted 6:45-9:00am so far and will master that and then move on.
6:45-7:00 Wake up! Now this just doesn't mean "wake up" but is actually a trained discipline for them. I do not just say "wake up" or "get up" but train them that you need to become alert and active in this time. Cold water splashed on face, no lounging, brush teeth without toothpaste for now (as to not ruin their breakfast taste but aids in their waking up. They will brush again after breakfast) No moping or tired dragging around. It is not easy if you have sleepers but this 15 minutes of TRAINING time is to really become fully wakened. Because next is...
7:00 -7:15 Personal Bible time training. You MUST be awake to really do this (which is why the first 15 minutes of wake up time is vital) During this fifteen minutes they do a devotional which is really meant to train them to do it on their own every day. This time works into an hour or so. Yes, personal bible time is a DISCIPLINE. It is led by the spirit but must be disciplined in. The more you study God's Word, the more of a desire you have for it!
Fifteen minute increments are ridiculous in the grand scheme of things so understand that it is purposely done to discipline them into doing them and using time efficiently. They are required into doing them. They are obedient to it and then are released into self governing later...
7:15-8:00 Home Blessing and breakfast. Not a lot of time but today we had pancakes, got half the chores done and read another bible passage during breakfast. (I am introducing many passages from the new testament here as we have spent years instilling a love for the Old Testament which so devastatingly gets left behind in the Christian walk) We were in Phillipians today and talked about running the race, living up to what you've attained already, etc.) They are going to LOVE the New Testament as it so life applicable in a more understandable way but I sure do love that they can apply the Old Testament FIRST! We have discussed SO MANY of the new testament truths from the old testament perspective and in everyday life that they hear so clearly the new testament truths when reading it and it is a joy for them. Very exciting!
So 45 minutes is a LOT of time if used efficiently!
8:00-9:00 Regular Bible Time and finish chores (however long it takes. We do one chapter a day and are in 2 Kings)
Well, the kids are a 100,000% different in just a day of this. FILLED with joy, bouncing around happy and giddy. Why you ask? I KNOW that it is because we really were in God's Word a LOT and have seriously tithed the first fruit of the day. So much in fact, that I let them go off to play happily in the rain for awhile. Heck, it's only 9:00!! It is amazing to see them respond to some added structure and I realize yet again that it is the PARENT'S lack of discipline and structure that cause us to look at our children as if they are not disciplined. We must discipline first and they will happily follow.
The rest of the day's schedule will be less stringent except for S's as she is older and needs to do more but I can see that this will be fruitful for everyone. A sweet, delectable fruit that they will taste, enjoy and will in turn bring Glory to God!!
3 comments:
Good for you guys! I love that you are teaching them now to have private Bible time first thing. We've gotten into the habit of TV being our first thing because mornings are so busy with the baby being dropped off and me getting ready for my day. I am going to work us out of this habit though!
I totally know what you mean. When I told you the other day that we had instituted the no TV/Computer rule it just seemed like everytime I turned around the TV was on. I was like, whoa! How did this happen? We had been close to watching no TV for a long time. IT had "slipped" back in (the way the enemy will do if you are not watching) Even if we are not doing anything relatively phenomonal, the TV is NOT going to be on! :0)
Well, done Steph! We are also trying to get into the Bible in the am. Our Sonlight has a reading a day. My kids are taking turns reading it and enjoying it.
I've once again set the "no tv in the morning" rule. I've been sending Madison off to her room in the afternoon for 1/2 hour of story cd. I was trying to get her to finish this one as we've had it for weeks. This has worked really well for her. She happily listens for more than 1/2 hour and therefore, watches less tv in the afternoon.
Post a Comment