Life in a Family Integrated Church!

I cannot say enough about how much we have spiritually grown as a family since attending our family integrated church 3 1/2 years ago. We are blessed to be surrounded by a supportive church family that meets for worship on Sundays, has a weekly fellowship potluck following the service and has monthly prayer and men and women's accountability meetings, as well as other social events!

Moving to a family integrated church was a big switch for us. Both Mark and I grew up in age-segregated churches and after we married we attended one of the largest churches in Charlotte for 9 years before making the big switch. It was different, to say the least.

However, since we began going to our church, Mark has felt encouraged by the other men to LEAD his family in nightly family worship. Was it natural to him? No. He didn't grow up with family worship. Mark tells of how his father, though a Baptist minister, only opened the Bible for family Bible reading twice a year (Easter and Christmas). This family worship thing was something that Mark learned to do. Is he a perfect teacher? No. But, then again, is anyone? Only Jesus!

All I can say, is that when men are "forced" (er, encouraged!) to lead their families in this regular spiritual mentorship, as God has them naturally programmed to do...WOW! God brings together the family in ways that couldn't be done without Dad taking that nightly spiritual leadership role! Men desire to lead their families, but are either never asked, required or allowed to take on that role.

Since starting regular family worship, our kids are now closer to Mark than ever (we have always homeschooled...he's always been very involved, just not in this aspect). They are learning Scripture and understanding Scriptural concepts that most adults can't wrap their minds around. All this is learned either alongside Mark or a day or two behind him! Mark didn't need to go to seminary. He just needed to study Scripture, read it aloud and explain the concepts as he noticed them. The Holy Spirit does the rest...and oh, how cool it is to watch Him move through our worship and Bible reading times!

I'll also say that our pastor has a wonderful way of speaking to all ages. There are concepts that our children don't understand...that's okay. They'll either ask us later (they take notes and write down their questions) or they'll catch what they can for their age and that's exactly what the Holy Spirit had in mind for them! It's kind of like when we have the littles sit in on our history or science lessons. We call it the "school bus stop approach". They listen and their brains "get off the bus" after they have exceeded their attention span. Does that mean it was fruitless? On the contrary...they learn MUCH MORE than we assumed they were able. Same with a family integrated church...we always underestimated the Holy Spirit's workings in our children's hearts and minds! DUH...they have the SAME Holy Spirit we do! ;)

I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. Oh, and just a few weeks ago...the fathers and sons are on our church's father and son retreat! While they were there they called to say that they were having a blast and that they were all learning so much from the teaching that all the dads were doing throughout each day! I LOVE that!

For those who need idea starters on how to do family worship, here ya go! It's not difficult. It just requires a committed, godly man to take up the natural, God-given leadership role that he hungers for whether he realizes it yet or not (and in the absence of the man, the woman can take up that role in her family). For more information on how to find a family integrated church in your area, click here! To see how we teach our children to listen and learn in church, check out this blog post from a while back!

Foolish Talk

Q. Is it okay for Christian boys to call each other names like "homo" or "retard"?

A. Name-calling terms, such as "retard" or "homo" aren't Biblically permissive to call another person. One is in regards to a sexually perverse lifestyle and the other is making fun of a birth defect.

Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself."

James 3:17-18 - "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

One could argue that these terms are being used figuratively, rather than literally. No matter how LITERAL you are being in such name-calling, it is still not Biblically permissible.

Also, as Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." As parents, we are to be encouraging our children to become disciplined in the ways of Jesus, not in the ways of their peers and other foolish thinkers. Discipline in someone's life does not come naturally, when they come of age. Rather, it is something that is taught to someone and practiced until it becomes a part of who they are.

One more passage to consider is Ephesians 5:4 "...and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

All that name-calling is foolish talk and is not suitable for those who are to be being trained in how to be a godly young man. I love Ephesians 5! It instructs Believers on how we are to be as children of God. This is a beautiful passage after which to pattern one's life.

Consider your talk momentarily. Does your language represent Christ? Are you teaching your children to become disciplined in their speech?

A Good Daddy....

I took these photos today of Mark, Judah and Ellie on his new hammock that we all bought him for his birthday! They were taken after the kids all went swimming in the pool with Mark!

"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13

"As ye know how we exhorted and comfortedand charged every one of you, as a father doth his children." 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

"Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. herish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” Proverbs 4:1-9

Guarding Family Meal Time and Nightly Worship

The Family Meal Table is a wonderful book by Nancy Campbell that will give you a vision for your family meal table far beyond what you have ever dreamed. Filled with Scriptural inspiration and creative ideas for your family mealtimes, there are 35 chapters filled with scriptural inspiration and creative ideas for your family mealtimes and hospitality.

Our family really guards our evening meal times and family worship from other activities that our family might encounter. Night time is family time and/or time for hospitality (our guests even get to join in on our family worship). Kids grow up too quickly, and before we know it we've traded that time for things we deemed more important then, but really weren't as important as we thought.

The beauty of family worship is that it really encourages the dad (if a Christian, obviously) to stand up and be the spiritual leader within his home. It pushes him to spiritual growth and really teaches the kids about what's most important in a dad's life, as well as their own. It doesn't have to be planned or fancy. Ours is basically the reading of Scripture and a devotional. Mark explains it so that they all understand and will answer questions that they have. He has them memorize some Scriptures and recite them (a few of the kids recite each night, or we'd go on forever!) and then we sing a few songs. It probably takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Easy...and SO worth it!!!!!

Charlotte Area HOMESCHOOL DAD'S GROUP!!!

My husband, Mark, has been leading a homeschool DAD'S group from the last few years in Matthews. Please encourage your husband's to at least give the group a try! I really think they'll enjoy it as much as my husband and other fathers have. Feel free to pass this around to other homeschool dads, too!

The Church needs men with a desire to see Christ honored in their families! Our homeschool dad's group meets weekly to give counsel to each other, support each other through prayer and accountability and encourage each other to be the spiritual leaders of our homes, disciple our wives and children and ultimately to see Jesus honored.

We'd love for more husbands and fathers to join us! We meet Thursday mornings at 6:30- 7:30am at Jonathan’s restaurant (next to Target in Matthews). Please e-mail me for more information.

Mark Metzger (mark.metzger@ingfp.com)

Devotions vs. Family Worship

Metzger Family Worship

Instead of using the term "devotions" (which can mean studies in addition to God’s Word that are based on the Bible, but written from human inspiration), we use the term “family worship”. Our church really encourages the men to lead their families in family worship, as they are, biblically speaking, the spiritual heads of their homes. However, we realize that many men come to Christ after their wives or come to the realization of the importance of family worship after their wives come to that conclusion. That said, the woman would need to pray to God about how to best teach her young ones God’s Word, in accordance to Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

A major misconception about family worship is that there are certain rules and regulations; time requirements and restraints. Not true. One family’s worship will look different from another family’s. There’s no biblical layout for Bible reading, except to seek Jesus.

For our family, Mark begins by leading our family in an opening prayer. This really calms everyone’s hearts and minds and prepares us (yes, even our little ones) for time with God. This year we are reading through the Old Testament, following a Scripture reading schedule. Many ask us about the content of what we’re reading in regards to the ages and understanding of some of our younger children. When first beginning this, we were surprised to see and hear just how much our little ones retained from church or family worship. It was very encouraging to see that God’s Word doesn’t ever return void...even to the least of these! We hold true to a few Scriptures regarding reading the Word straight from the Bible to our children.

"There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them. " (Joshua 8:35)

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious eneration, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” (Psalm 78:1-8, emphasis added)

Following the reading of the Scripture, we sing songs. This is a precious time, as is the Bible reading, because our tiniest ones LOVE to request praise songs. The children all get up and praise God! It is a precious thing to observe as parents who seeks to bring up their children in nurture and admonition of the Lord! After our singing, Mark closes us in prayer and the children head to bed.

Mark and I encourage all families to dig deep into the rich and “meaty” Word of God and to experience family worship for themselves. This is not a ritual or a requirement, but a privilege to approach the throne of God together as a family and to seek His Will for us when reading His Word. It is a precious time of growing together (at different stages) in our spiritual walks. It is a time of training our young ones to regularly seek God’s input on daily matters and to be able to refer to Scripture without forethought, as Scripture pertains to every area of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

Here’s a great article on family worship!

Launching Your Arrows...how are you preparing your children?

"We don’t aim to hold on to our arrows all the way to the target. They’re not push-pins, they’re meant to fly. Our job is to shape and prepare the arrows so when they are released, they fly straight and true on their own. The time is coming when they will leave our quiver and depart on their life’s mission, as we have to prepare then – and ourselves – for that launch."~ Raising Real Men

• What are you doing to prepare YOUR arrows to hit that target?
• Do you have regular family worship?
• How are you discipling your children regularly?
• Are you obeying Deuteronomy 6:6-9 in instructing your children?
• Are you being consistant in enforcing boundaries and rules?
• Is your discipline consistent?
• Are you spending one-on-one time regularly with your children? (even monthly or bi-monthly, but where it's ON your calendar)
• Are you setting high expectations for your children? Do they know that you expect them to aim high? Or are you settling for the world's standards?
• Have you taught your children WHY you believe WHAT you believe? Do they know the Scriptures behind your beliefs and standards? This is real Biblical worldview education!

Welcoming Home Daddy!

• How can we lay a welcome mat of love for our husbands after a long day of hard work?



• How can we make our homes inviting places where Daddy longs to be at the end of a long day?



• How can we involve our children in this process and teach them to show reverence to their Daddy?
  
  A Titus 2 Wife’s Jobs When Welcoming Home Daddy!
  
  “…so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled and pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Titus 2:4, 5 (NAS)
  
  Homes are a wife’s responsibility and domain, according to Titus 2. Making our homes a welcoming place for our husbands, when they return home from a hard day of work, is just one way of fulfilling our duties that are laid out clearly in God’s Word.
  
  As “workers at home” we should be striving to have our homes be places of refreshment and rejuvenation for our husbands. All must be done while being self-controlled. We must be diligent in what we do, not complaining about our God-given jobs.
  
  We are to do all for the Glory of God. If we choose to disobey God, we are showing the world a very poor example of what Christian wives and mothers should be. This causes criticism to abound and, therefore, God’s Word is dishonored. Keeping our homes and laying out a welcome mat of love for our husbands are just two ways to make sure that the Word of God will not be dishonored.
  
  Homemade Hospitality
  
  Why do we consider hospitality to be shown only to guests and strangers? Shouldn’t we also be showing hospitality to the provider and king of our home? Show your husband that you appreciate him and all of the hard work he does in providing for your family. Demonstrate your appreciation by looking forward to his homecoming. Show homemade hospitality!
  
  To better understand what hospitality truly is, let us look more closely at the definition and antonyms [opposites] of the word.
  
  Hospitality is a “cordial and generous reception; an act or service of welcoming; hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition; hospitality constitutes a key ingredient of family life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Hospitality [is] a little fire, a little food, and an immense quiet.”
  
  The opposite of hospitality is “hostility; inhospitality; unfriendliness; nneighborliness or unsociableness.”
  
  As the manager of your home, you need to consider whether or not you and your children desire to demonstrate and live out hospitality when welcoming home Daddy?
  
  The first thing that needs to be done in order to properly meet the needs of your husband is to find out what those needs are, as they can be different with each man. Generally, men have a need for honor, love, respect, quiet atmosphere and FOOD!
  
  Seek out your husbands desires and needs. Ask him what he would like to happen upon his arrival; in what order would he prefer things like the meal, clean wife and kids, clean home, time to rest or change clothes, etc. This will make him feel so loved, respected and included in the planning of your day!
  
  Look at this beautiful passage.
  
  “Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13 (NKJV)
  
  Ask yourself if you and your children are showing the specific biblical traits found in this passage to your husband and father.
  
  1. “Be kindly affectioned one to another…” This word affectioned is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It means “tender affection”. Are you showing your devotion and tender affection to him? Are you teaching this to your children?
  2. “…give preference to one another in honor…” Are you giving him preference and honor?
  3. “…not lagging behind in diligence…” Are you showing diligence in cultivating new habits that convey honor, respect and godly hospitality?
  4. “…fervent in spirit...” Are you doing all for the Glory of God? “Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do everything as unto him; and in everything let your hearts be engaged. Be always in earnest, and let your heart always accompany your hand.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)
  5. “…serving the Lord…” All must be done in an attitude of servitude to the Lord!
  6. “…rejoicing in hope…” Are you grumbling or complaining about the workload (especially in front of your children)? “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Peter 4:9) Put on a spirit of rejoicing, renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) throughout the day!
  7. “…persevering in tribulation…” Are you persevering even when it’s difficult to make sure you give your husband a warm welcome?
  8. “…devoted to prayer…” Are you praying for your husband throughout the day? Have you taught your children to pray for him?
  9. “…contributing to the needs of the saints…” Are you contributing to his needs of food, drink, and quietness? Have you asked him what his needs are in order of importance?
  10. “…practicing hospitality…” Are you practicing hospitality by welcoming the king of your earthly home?
  
  Why not commit that passage of Scripture to memory or hang it, along with those questions, in a place where you will see it often? This will help you to shape your attitude and to mold your children’s attitudes when preparing for your husband’s arrival at the end of the day.
  
  A Quiet Resting Place
  
  “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah 32:18 (NKJV)
  
  What are some ways to make your home a peaceful and quiet resting place? Why not let Daddy unwind or relax after dinner? Could the children wait to come to him until after the kitchen and dining area are cleaned and they are ready for bed? Maybe after this time of relaxation he will feel rejuvenated enough to lead everyone in family worship! This can really produce a peaceful atmosphere, as well as have Daddy take the role as spiritual leader and priest in his own abode.
  
  Meditate on these verses about peace, rest, righteousness and sure dwellings.
  
  "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10b (NAS)
  
  "In returning and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)
  
  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
  
  An Inviting Palace for the King of Your Home
  
  What is a home?
  
  o Shelter – Something that provides cover or protection
  o Haven – a harbor or anchorage or sanctuary
  o Refuge – a comfort in times of trouble
  o A place providing security and happiness
  
  What should a home provide?
  
  o Love
  o Peace
  o Safety
  o Fellowship or friendship
  o Acceptance
  o Comfort
  o Health
  o Healing
  o Rejuvenation
  o Refreshment
  
  One important aspect of a home is cleanliness and orderliness. Shouldn’t we want Daddy to arrive home to a clean and orderly palace? After all, clutter causes stress and the home should be a place of peace, and cleanliness provides an optimum environment for health and healing. Now, don’t get me wrong, this does not mean that your home needs to look like a contender for the feature article in Better Homes & Gardens, but it should be somewhat neat and orderly upon Daddy’s homecoming.
  
  Put the Plan into Action!
  
  Prayer
  
  Have you taught your children by example the importance of praying for Daddy? Praying for your husband is a sweet example of how much we care for and love him. What a display of godly affection for your loved one who works so hard all day for his family!
  
  So you want to begin cultivating this daily routine, but don’t know quite where to start? Begin by having the children hear you pray for your husband. Pray, using his actual name (not Daddy) and let your children see what a praying Titus 2 wife really can be. This will really influence your sons and daughters to do this when praying for their spouse someday! What a generational impact this could have for some time to come!
  
  Teach your children to pray for their Daddy on their own. You can start out by having each child can take turns praying for one thing concerning Daddy. It is okay to prompt them as they pray when they are learning how to pray. As you continue to make this a habit, each child might move on to have their own day each week praying for their father. Can you imagine what kind of things you are able to battle on behalf of your family’s husband and father through this intercessory prayer?
  
  Godly Attitudes
  
  As you work toward making Daddy’s homecoming precious each day, teach your young ones about a true servant’s heart. Show them by way of demonstration and verbal instruction that Jesus told us that to be great in God’s Kingdom we must be a servant of all [Mark 10:44]. No task should be carried out with a grumbling spirit or mouth. All things must be done to the glory of our God!
  
  Quick Pick Up
  
  About an hour before Daddy gets home you and all the children should start getting ready for Daddy’s homecoming! Each child should have set chores or tasks to complete in order to ready the home and their spirits for Daddy! Children as young as 1 year old can have jobs to do.
  
  There should be a quick pick up of the house. Toys put away, things straightened, etc.
  
  Children should all help in setting the table for the evening meal while you get dinner completed either on your own or with children who are ready to start learning the art of cooking. It would be extra nice for the children to have something in which they can take pride in, such as learning to fold napkins in a special way, making place cards, or arranging a special centerpiece! They should also all learn the basics of setting a table properly.
  
  The children and you should be washed up with clean faces and hands. A husband desires a wife who does not look frazzled, even though she might feel like it at times. Seek to please your husband by your personal appearance. At the very least, have your hair combed and have fresh breath!
  
  When the door opens, Daddy should be greeted and welcomed with smiles and warm attitudes! Consider having the children put away his briefcase or hang up his coat for him. Make him feel like the king that he is!
  
  Give Daddy the opportunity to get comfortable before dinner. Let the dinnertime conversation be relaxed. Be sure to instruct the children to first ask Daddy about his day before sharing their stories. Mealtime rules and manners should be established and enforced in order to ensure the tranquility of dinnertime.
  
  Last, but not least, if the children are old enough (I’d say have at least one child who is 8 or older – although any age can help), let them clean up after dinner while you talk one-on-one with your husband. This can prove to be the finishing touch to the gracious reception of your prophet, priest and king! It can also refuel and encourage you to keep fighting the good fight and persevering in your job as a Titus 2 Wife and Mother!
  
  Work on One Thing at a Time
  
  Now, don’t expect results overnight. Work on mastering one of these things at a time. Daddy will appreciate the obvious efforts of you and the children and, most importantly, the Lord will be pleased with the intentions of your hearts, as you learn to grow and walk in Him as a Titus 2 Wife and Mother!
  
  “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
  
  May you seek to be a righteous wife and mother, finding peace through working diligently in Welcoming Home Daddy!

Generation to Generation! A FAMILY Bible Study Class! Consider Starting your Own!

We just started a family Bible study at our church (kids included), which is mainly to encourage fathers to be the priests of their homes, to regularly shepherd their children and to "feed" their wives spiritually. Below is the info on our group, which contains basic principles and a few verses. If this touches your hearts in any way, maybe y’all should consider starting your own Bible study to encourage and DEMONSTRATE how men, who love and follow God, should lead their own families. We believe that this is key to revival!

Here’s a GREAT book that is called, "Family Man, Family Leader." That book is one of my husband’s favorites. It really inspired him to be the father and husband that God wanted him to be. I highly recommend it! On that same site there is a section on Biblical Patriarchy, which has MANY materials on this subject.

Here are some other random verses and articles. I know my husband would know more, but this was all I could think of for now.

Genesis 18:19 – "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

Malachi 4:5-6 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."6

Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."987

Psalm 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him."

Colossians 3:21 "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy
Turning a Father’s Heart
The key for lasting revival

The Vital Importance of Fathers in the Spiritual Lives of Their Children

Again, below is our FAMILY INTEGRATED/MULTI-GENERATIONAL Bible Study Class Announcement. Please consider starting one of your own at your church and feel free to contact my husband, Mark, or me for more information, ideas or information.

Lisa Metzger

Generation to Generation

Equipping Fathers, Strengthening the Family, Serving the Body, Touching the World

We are starting a family integrated Bible class here at Central. This is a Bible study class designed to strengthen the family by equipping husbands/fathers to disciple their families. God has ordained the family as a key place for evangelism. Our desire is to assist fathers in realizing the importance and the responsibility to teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord (See Malachi 4:5-6; Eph. 6:4). Wives/mothers also have an irreplaceable role to fill (See Psalm 128:3; Titus 2:4-5; Proverbs 31:28). We feel it is important for the children, young and old, to be a part of this Bible study class. This will help in building the foundation for family devotions. Babies, children and teens are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to attend with their parents!

We invite you to join us as we strive to conform to the biblical model of the family and learn how to truly make disciples, starting in our own homes.

This will be a time for:

Praise and worship and prayer
Psalm 95:1 “Come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

Teaching
1 Timothy 4:13 “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

Fellowship (eating)
Acts 2:46 “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Homeschool Dads: Going from Principal to Participant

Terry Bowman
Attention home school dad! Yes, you are the one. The school disciplinarian, the principal, the one who keeps law and order, the one who talks softly and carries a "Big Stick" You are also the counselor who encourages your wife as she diligently strives to educate your children. You are the provider, the one who works outside the home in order to pay the teacher and to pay for tuition and school supplies. However, when it comes to the education process, your role is greatly limited: listening to a child read, conducting flashcard drills, and solving an occasional math problem. Sound familiar? These are all roles which I have had in the past, seldom getting involved in the actual education process.

We have home schooled for over seven years, but it was approximately four years ago when I discovered my primary role in the education process is to read aloud several hours a week to the family. It all started when we decided to supplement history lessons by reading historical fiction and biographies to the children. We soon discovered several unexpected benefits of reading aloud to the children.

Read the rest HERE...