Are we creating white-washed tombs?
In our instant society we want it NOW! We are pretty much that way about everything. As Christian moms (and dads) that mindset usually still remains. In fact as Christians period, that still remains. I want flawless theology – NOW! I want a fully sanctified life – NOW! I want saved and sanctified children – NOW!
Most of us seeking to educate our children Biblically have a problem, our own lack of a Biblical education. It needs to be overcome in order to teach our children. However, we “don’t have time to re-educate ourselves. Our children will get behind waiting on us.” We want a microwave education for ourselves. We look at the Big Red or other foundational books and think, “I don’t have time to read through all of this let alone study it.” And probably don’t even take into account the need to internalize it. So we try to jump in with both feet to a half-baked, mushy in the middle (internal), crusty on the outside (external) microwaved “Biblical” education.
We try to bring reform to our children’s education by applying some laws, a formula we kind of put together from what we did skim through. Then we wonder why this “right approach” is not working. We’ve missed the heart of Biblical principled education – the heart itself. It is from the heart that the issues of life pour forth. It is the seedbed of all that grows in our lives.
Biblical principled education is reflective learning. It is an education of the heart. It does not seek to impose changes externally without first planting changes internally, that are only seen after they have time to germinate and grow.
It begins with a soft heart, seeking God’s molding, seeking for Him to plant good seed within. Then it waters that seed and waits. It reflects. It ruminates. It relates. It reasons. Then one day a sprout breaks forth. Life is seen, just a little bit, but it is a living growing thing. Something a microwave can not do. I don’t know if you realize it, but microwaves kill life!
Microwave education is like a “whitewashed tomb”, a pretty painting of a flower on a stone wall. Reflective learning is the real flower, growing from a seed and blossoming into beautiful, fragrant life.
Stay tuned for part 2.
