Greetings PAACH homeschooling families. I hope your family is finding your rhythm as you march into new school year. PAACH is continuing to focus on encouraging families to worship together daily in your homes. Last month, Vice President Carlos Gonzalez shared some thoughts and ideas about the importance of reading the Bible together. This month, I want to give you some encouragement towards discussing the Bible together and suggest some tools to help in your daily family worship.

First, there are many benefits that come from discussing what you have read. For example, it gives everyone a chance to interact with God’s Word. I try to give each child the opportunity to share an observation about the verse or passage, usually starting with the youngest capable child (starting around age 5 or 6). If they know they get to share, they are more likely to pay attention and thoughtfully engage with scripture. This also helps you to know what they are thinking and to guide the conversation. You may also have opportunity to brainstorm ideas on how to practically apply what you are studying to real life. On Sundays, we discuss our takeaway from the sermon or lesson while we eat lunch. Discussing scripture also grows and keeps unity within your family.

Second, there are several tools that may help your family grow in understanding and sound doctrine. A commentary is an effective way to gain insight into a passage and keep you from misinterpreting or inferring foreign ideas or meanings into scripture. A tool like this can help to teach your family to grow in discernment and how to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). A catechism is another great tool that will help you to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). The question-and-answer format is helpful to lay a foundation for sound doctrine, to stir up critical thinking, and to build confidence in what you believe. In my home, catechism has started many good discussions and built us up in our faith. Because of the foundations laid through catechism, I have watched my older kids recognize bad teachings and even seek to challenge them appropriately. Another useful tool is a devotional, which may help your family to tackle a specific topic. My family has at times taken a break from catechism and switched to a devotional depending on what our family was experiencing at the time. A wise leader will be sensitive to the needs of his family and flexible to use different tools according to the season or circumstance.

Thirdly, there are many good times to engage in discussion of God’s Word. Discussing the Bible is not limited to the confines of family worship. The brief discussion during your family worship can plant seeds that will then need watering and eventually come to fruition at later times. God tells his people to “talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way…” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). As your children get older, the Holy Spirit often gives you other opportunities throughout the day to continue a discussion from that morning. Often, mealtimes offer opportunities to continue a discussion after everyone has had time to think through a topic or idea. Your child may have had a moment that day to apply that lesson to a situation outside your home. The Holy Spirit may be working on a specific bent or challenge in your child’s heart that causes them to bring it up again. As Paul encourages, it is important to always be ready and open to discussing God’s Word and be willing to “correct, encourage, and rebuke, with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Tim 4:2).

The PAACH board desires to help and support you throughout your homeschooling journey. We also desire to help you disciple your children by providing encouragement, wisdom, and resources that will enable you to be Godly parents who lead your children towards a relationship with Jesus Christ. We pray that your family learns together, grows together with others in community, and glorifies Christ in everything you do.

James Cox
PAACH President