through Matthew with me this year. Their Bible study covers the same text that mine does, and as part of their homeschool work, they have to read the verses and answer questions.
My two fourth graders are able to work through the text and questions pretty much on their own. Occasionally there are questions that we discuss together. My first grader who began reading this past summer requires more consistent help, not only with reading through the text but also in answering the questions. My practice is to read the verses to him and then ask the questions. This sometimes takes a couple of read throughs as he listens for the specific answer.
Last week's lesson covered two questions on Mt. 5:10-11, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." He asked me what "persecuted" meant. I explained to him that Jesus was teaching His disciples that when they live as He instructs, some people will treat them in a mean way. Mean is a pretty clear concept for a six year old, so it's the word that I used. He did want further clarification on the degree of mean though.
He asked, "Like how mean?"
I said, "Well, they might try to hurt you or say unkind things and lies about you. They might call you names."
Very soberly he replied, "Well, I don't think I want to live like Jesus."
His honesty shocked and sobered me because his small voice echoes the truth found in many lives. Just like my six year old, I don't want people to lie about me or say unkind things. I don't want others to call me names. But I do want to live like Jesus. And to be His disciple means to live distinctively in the face of the truth of persecution, whatever level or degree that persecution might take. We live in Smalltown, USA where blatant, burning at the stake, throwing in jail, beatings and stonings for baptism and worship do not take place. I've read Foxes' Book of Martyrs, but I've not been asked to live it.
I'm persuaded though that the reason Jesus expounded this beatitude over the others is because this one takes into consideration the full impact of the previous seven. If you are living out the first seven, then the results do come just as Jesus taught--in rejection of Him, played out to you. As people responded to Christ, they will also respond to His followers.
So, I told my son that I understood him, that I didn't want people to be mean to him either, but that more than anything I prayed that he would live like Jesus. I told him I think it's the most important thing, and I told him that Jesus would care for him even if people were mean to him, or worse.
And as I told him, I told myself. Living distinctively for Jesus is both the cost and gift of the cross.
I think you are doing a great job at teaching your children about Jesus. All we can do as parents is our very best and then let God take care of the rest :) (I didn't actually mean for that to rhyme) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 We plant the seeds, but only God knows the mystery of making them grow.
ReplyDeleteYou're right.
People say they want to be like Jesus but many hated him. All we can do as parents is remind our children that they are never alone, and that God is always with them and that God gave us a promise: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Because God surrounds us all things must come through him first, the good and the bad. God never leaves us nor forsakes us.
God bless you and your family!
~Valaine