Reflecting His Image: A Practical Application to Christian Living, shared in the Atlantic Union Conference Teacher Bulletin, was written for an academy classroom setting but can be easily adapted for a homeschool setting. The objectives of this nine-week study for high schoolers include learning methods of effective witnessing and living a life completely surrendered to God . The link below will take you to the main page with the free unit lesson plan and supplementary materials.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4
GYC (Generation of Youth for Christ) is a conference once a year that is for a targeted age group of 18-35 in the Seventh day Adventist church. http://gycweb.org/ However, did you know a lot of families also attend as well as older folk?? It is true!! I would encourage you to check out the GYC website and click on the ‘At the Cross’ convention box on the main page for more details on this year’s conference. This year it will be held in Phoenix, AZ, December 31, 2014—Jan 4, 2015. For those of us on the west coast this is GOOD news!
When our family attended GYC for the first time 7 yrs ago my husband and I were shocked. We had no idea that there was that many young adults (thousands of them) in the Adventist church that were wanting to do more than just go to church every week! These kids were on fire for the Lord and we were amazed and thrilled to see this!! We then looked at each other and said we have to go to GYC every year! Besides hearing about what these young people are doing for the Lord, you will also have many opportunities through individual seminars speakers and evening meetings that will grow you spiritually and inspire you to be the servant the Lord wants us all to be.
The food is good and is vegan. They provide two meals a day, breakfast and late lunch. People that want to eat supper just go to eat at area restaurants. There is a exhibit hall where many ministries and schools have booths. This also gives students a opportunity to learn about several SDA colleges or academies as well as ministries.
Is there evangelism? YES! Half of one of the conference days there is opportunity to evangelize the city where the conference is being held. In the past there has been health expo, door to door work, local area door to door work as well. Last year many buses picked up conference attendees (all ages) and took them to go door to door in different communities. Many people sign up for Bible studies….it is really amazing to hear what happens during the evangelism report that evening or the next morning in the mtg. There no meetings for small children. They have also had a volunteer orchestra as well as choir almost every year I believe.
We continue to attend GYC as a family vacation. We get to see different parts of the country each year and attend a conference that continues to inspire us to grow our Christian walk with the Lord. We hope to see each of you there this year!! Email if you have questions: Tami: beatys4@hotmail.com
“From a child, Timothy knew the Scriptures; and this knowledge was a safeguard to him against the evil influences surrounding him, and the temptation to choose pleasure and selfish gratification before duty. Such a safeguard all our children need; and it should be a part of the work of parents and of Christ’s ambassadors to see that the children are properly instructed in the word of God.”
Gospel Workers 1892, pg 16
The first textbook to be used for the education of our children is the Bible. Daily we are to use the Bible to lead our children to Christ. We are to begin with short, simple, easy to understand lessons.
“In these simple stories may be made plain the great principles of the law of God.” Education, 185.
Our goal is to direct to our children the commandments of God as standard for living, and to teach them to use the Bible as a guide for life. As we use the Bible to introduce our children to God, they will be introduced to His character and their own characters will be influenced as a result.
How should we teach our children? There is no reason for Bible study time to be dull and boring. The pen of inspiration gives us guidance in creative ways to teach Bible lessons to our children.
“ The use of object lessons, blackboards, maps, and pictures, will be an aid in explaining these lessons, and fixing them in the memory. Parents and teachers should constantly seek for improved methods. The teaching of the Bible should have our freshest thought, our best methods, and our most earnest effort.” Education, 186.
That means that we should take some time to really think about teaching the Bible to our children. Put some serious lesson planning effort into it! What resources do you already have? What could you do to make Bible study time more productive and interesting for your family?
Let us renew our commitment to consistently present to our children the most important lessons they will ever learn.
“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Ps. 34:11
“Parents should search the Scriptures with their children. They should become familiar with the lessons themselves; then they can assist their children in learning them. Every day some portion of time should be appropriated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very foundation, and become familiar with what is brought out in the lesson. The indifference of the children, in very many cases, is chargeable to the parents. They are indifferent, and the children catch the same spirit. If parents show that they attach importance to the Sabbath school, by giving it respect and prominence, the children will generally copy their example.”
Counsels on Sabbath School Work – 53,54
The Adventist Home Educator 