Faith-Based Homeschooling

I'm loving that homeschooling is on the rise, and it’s a powerful opportunity for faith-filled families to take the lead in their children's education.

It's inspiring to see so many parents, particularly the growing number of Black families who began homeschooling during the pandemic, embracing this path. This movement reflects a reclaiming of the parental role in guiding and nurturing the next generation.

The call to teach our children is deeply rooted in faith. We are encouraged to teach God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:1-6), and leaders within the church are expected to be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9). Jesus himself was known as "Teacher" (Matthew 22:16), setting the ultimate example for us.

Historically, the church has always played a vital role in education, from the early days of Sunday school for children in factories to the faith-based schools of today. We are now witnessing a revival of this tradition. It's truly heartening to see parents stepping up to train their children, ensuring their education is built on a foundation of faith and love.

Read the full article here: Faith-Based Education Is Having a Moment

Ministry of Help Insights from Robyn Gool's Powerful Book

 

First, Every Ministry Needs Help by Robyn Gool is my favorite book. I marked almost every page, and I borrowed the book (I hope they don’t mind). Sheeps, Goats, and Wolves is my second favorite.

 

I loved the way Mr. Gool wrote the book. He talked to us, not at us.

 

The first thing that caught my attention was when he said that Oral Roberts told the incoming freshman class they were expected to be an asset and a blessing. He said that if they became problems, they could leave the way they came. Mr. Gool then said that there are a lot of people in churches who need to find their way to another church. They are too much of a problem. I believe it, but I don’t think I would ever have the guts to say it.

 

I also loved when Mr. Gool talked about the ministry of help needing to hear and know God's voice.

 

I loved the chapter on Help That Serves As Unto The Lord. He listed some reasons why people get into ministry: They want to impress the pastor, they want to brag about their family, they want to get close to the pastor and/or his wife, they serve out of tradition, etc.  

 

Mr. Gool said we must be above average while serving in the ministry. In the world and workplace, many people are average or below average. They don’t have the drive or hunger to serve the Lord with all of their heart.

 

I enjoyed the six steps that the author listed, especially the fifth one, which tells those in leadership to keep their house in order, whether married or single. I totally agree with that statement.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was helpful and gave a wonderful insight into the ministry of help.

Insights on Being an Armor Bearer in Church Leadership

I first want to touch on Terry Nance's statement in his book God’s Armor Bearer: Volumes I & II  that whenever something is going on in the church, we are not to hide it from the pastor because it will eventually be brought to light. I’m all for this concept. When we allow the wool to be pulled over the pastor’s eyes, then we are opening a door for Satan to run God’s house.

 

Mr. Nance also talked about not making the pastor look unholy or like a dictator in the eyes of the congregants by playing mind games. He said that anyone would only do this to cause strife in the church and to look good in other people's eyes. 

 

Mr. Nance also discussed the leadership allowing God to send good people with their vision. The paragraph also discussed the leadership not trying to keep the ministry in the family if that was not God’s will. I recently asked the pastor if keeping the church in the family was okay, and he said yes. He asked if I had a problem, and I said no. I asked that question because I don’t like people playing with God, and I think too many people keep it in the family for the wrong reasons and don’t allow God’s will to be done in that church. I didn’t mean any disrespect with the question, but I had to ask it since it was on my mind.

 

I liked some of the questions listed for a loyal armor bearer: Are they tithers? Are you at ease in their presence? Do they avoid murmuring and complaining? Do they submit to authority? These are good questions to ask about the people in leadership yearly. 

 

I liked the self-examination the author provided to see if something was hindering our growth as armor-bearers.

 

I smiled when I read about how people open their gift from God and immediately run to see what someone else got, and then they want what they have. People do that a lot in churches. If they reject the gift that He gave them, they’ll reject the blessings He gives them; they’ll reject a godly man or woman that He has sent to be their spouse and a host of other things. They’ll just never be happy.

 

Mr. Nance talked about people needing to be planted in one spot like a tree. He said, “If a tree is continually uprooted and replanted, eventually the roots will die. Many Christians have experienced this. Because of rebellion and sin in their hearts, they constantly jump from one church to another. They refuse to submit to authority or feel they have special gifts for the church which the pastor is unwilling to recognize.”

 

Mr. Nance talked about people who volunteer for projects within the church, but when it gets a little tricky, they bail out. He said God is preparing us for leadership, but we must overcome pride, selfishness, and bitterness.

 

The author also discussed people receiving chastisement. He said we should not get our feelings hurt, get defensive, or hold grudges when rebuked. One scripture I have stood on for years is Hebrews 12:6, which says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens.” 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was helpful and gave an excellent insight into the ministry of help.

The Ministry of Help: Lessons on Serving God & Others

 

While reading this book, I had to mark the first page of The Ministry of Helps Handbooks by Dr. Buddy Bell, asking, “Have you ever argued with God when He asked you to do something?”

 

And my answer…Yeah, and who hasn’t? Why do we always want to hear from the Lord when we make a petition, but when He comes to us with something, we have to question whether or not we have heard from the Lord.

 

The Lord asked me to give $100 to a particular lady in the ministry, but I didn’t. I was disobedient. Finally, two years later, I gave her that money and told her that God had told me to give it to her. She was so touched by that jester that she gave me a card. Not long after that, the Lord told me to give another person the same amount. I was obedient then. 

She got it within a week.

 

I also liked when Mr. Bell talked about how people get a “drip” of the anointing and raise their hands to volunteer in the ministry but then have second thoughts. 

I had to ponder some questions Mr. Bell asked regarding serving and ministering to sinners: Would you take food and clothing to a family that does not yet know Jesus? Yeah. We do it every day with relatives. Sometimes, it’s not always about bashing people over the head with Jesus; people listen to what you say and how you act. When situations arise that show the love of God in us, we are to show it. We are not to second-guess the Holy Spirit's probing. 

 

I also considered what Mr. Bell said regarding people placing higher honors on one ministry office over another. Like no one wants to work behind the scenes with the children, but they wouldn’t mind being upfront ushering. Churches sometimes have to beg people to help clean the church, but it would be stampeded if they said they needed someone to fill in for the pastor while he’s gone on vacation. Some people are just eye-pleasers and don’t even realize it (or maybe they do and don’t care).

 

I also thought about some people in ministry when Mr. Bell said, “There are some in leadership who are so good at hiding among the sheep that they could skip a service and the sheep not even know they were not there. And, often, even the shepherds don’t know the elders are not there!”

 

The last thing I want to talk about is Mr. Bell's talk about answering the call. He said that God will “honor your obedience by giving you the love, ability, and lack of fear to do it.” He said we would be uncertain at first, but then it seemed like we were always doing it.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was helpful and gave an excellent insight into the ministry of help.