People tend to see the public schools as the enemy instead of a place where the enemy lives. It needs to be enveloped with the love of Christ. It is a battlefield and Christ does not call us, as adults, to withdraw into our Christian circles but to be warriors in an eternal battle for the souls of these children and their parents. At the same time, being examples of a fearless parent to our children, willing to advance the kingdom through discipleship and obedience on the battlefields of our home and our culture.

Are We Wasting What We've Been Given?

I have read articles and books about people in other countries and times in history and how they have suffered, and wondered why God put me in America in this time period. It just didn't seem "fair" that I would have it so well, while others suffered so horribly. These people used those horrible circumstances to bring glory to God and to give thanks in all things.
Joni Earekson Tada, a quadraplegic, says in her article for Answers Magazine, " I'm convinced my response to my wheelchair has a direct bearing on my capacity for joy,worship, and service in heaven. Of all the things I may waste here on earth, I do not want to waste my quadriplegia!" John Piper writes in his article "Don't Waste Your Cancer" on http://www.desiringgod.org/, about 10 ways to waste your cancer, to not utilize the crisis that God has put in your life for His glory.
I don't have any of those problems. Isn't it even more evident that I should not waste being an American? Having the liberty to share the gospel freely and in the public arena, including the schools? And taking advantage of opportunities that lay themselves at my feet?
God has put me in America in the 21st century to NOT waste what he has given me. He did not put me in America during the Civil War to be a part of the underground railroad, or in Berlin during World War II to hide Jews. But he has asked me to adopt a sibling group of five children, to share the gospel in the public schools and to trust Him more in ALL circumstances. I see everyday how I have wasted opportunities, my money and my time on things that just don't matter. Ellen Vaughn in Time Peace, tells us that "God gives us enough time each day to do His will for that day." We all are here in America for "such a time as this". How much of your time,which is given to you by God, are you wasting?


This blog is about ways that God has shown me to NOT waste the opportunities which have been given to us in America.



Saturday, August 1, 2009

Can we do that?

Well, your next assignment is more time intensive but incredibly rewarding.

One of the most effective ways to disciple and train children is through after school or before school clubs.

We started a Good News Club at a local primary school. It is an after school club sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, but run by local people, usually sponsored through a local church. Their main goals are to bring children to Christ, disciple them and get them in a local church. It doesn't matter what your family make up, anyone can do this! I have kids in the school, I started a club. I have friends, whose seniors' group at their church have a club. Homeschool families can easily get involved because they are more flexible with their schedule. My older kids go to another school so they cannot help me out because they get out of school later than the younger kids. But when I started homeschooling one of them, she started being able to help me out. Three of my helpers are homeschool kids. What a perfect way to blend public speaking, discipline and ministry!
The clubs meet right after school, usually in the cafeteria or media center. The kids go straight from the classroom to you. There is no busing of students or anything! This is allowed in the public schools because it is a separate activity from school time. We just rent the space for free. For example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and churches rent school buildings for their activites, why not us? We just happen to rent the building right after school!
The teaching material is given to you through CEF and is both evangelistic and growth focused. Kids come to Christ all the time in club. By the end of the year, most, if not all, of the kids are saved in your club. Praise God!
You can find out if there is a Good News Club at the school that God has put on your heart by going to www.cefonline.com/content/category/4/13/27/. This link will also give you more information about Good News Clubs. If there is a club, you can probably ask to become a member of their team, donate towards snacks or Bibles and pray for them. More than likely, there is not a club at your school so contact the local coordinator to find out what you can do.
This opportunity may not be open to us for much longer. As legislation is passed that tightens its grip on Christianity, it may become more difficult to get into the schools. But as long as we are allowed to be in there, I want to be there. If we know that God loves children, wants to see them saved then we know that this is the heart of God.
My sister is a part of another after school club called Fun with Faith, which is geared for individual grade levels. She helps to teach one for her child's grade level, so that her children and their friends will be able to support each other through the school years. Check out http://www.funwithfaith.com/ for further information.

Your assignment this week. To find out if there is a Good News Club at your school, if it is an elementary school. Look into what it will take to get one started. We'll talk about middle schools next week.

Blessings
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