| Author | Message | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 120 Registered: 7-2004 |
I believe I have shared that my children attend a SDA school...I have been praying that God would protect my children from the SDA message and convict my heart and give me courage to speak up in a considerate, inoffensive and tactful way. Of course, He has opened up many conversations for me and in the course of these encounters with my children's teachers, I have been asked to come into my daughter's jr. high classroom to give worship talks. I have heard it said to be careful what you ask for! I don't talk in front of people - let alone 12, 13 and 14 year olds! Before we moved, we had our kids in a non-denominational Christian school. The kids in the school were reverent, joyful and at ease in discussing the Bible. Worship and Bible classes were held at the beginning of school for the first hour of the day and Biblical truths were a part of each subject throughout the day. Here at the SDA school, my son's class has Bible the last 30 minutes of school and my daughter's Bible class is the first 20 minutes of 4 out of 5 days. My daughter tells me that they rarely open their Bibles during class. I have stayed in her classoom for class and notice how "uncool" it is to sing and there is not any discussion of Bible topics (my daughter says that is because nobody would speak up to give their opinion - way to "uncool".) Has anyone had experience in working with jr. high kids? I would really like to talk on Grace - Jesus ONLY - and New Covenant themes but I know I would have to not ruffle too many feathers. I am surprised that the teacher even asked me as she has to know from the comments I have made (and the fact that I wear earrings  ) that I do not hold SDA "truths". I need a great deal of prayer for the Lord to lead me in this adventure (ordeal!). Besides that...does anyone have some good thoughts or ideas? What or where is a good starting point in teaching Grace and the New Covenant to this age group? | ||
| Bb Registered user Username: Bb Post Number: 32 Registered: 7-2004 |
That is the sad thing about SDA schools. I wasted a lot of my kids time and education sending them there some of the time. I was told that according to EGW that a bad adventist school was better than a good public one!!!!! That's so stupid looking back. I put my kids in a non-denom Christian school, and what a difference!! You are right. There is joy in being a Christian, and it is not "uncool" to talk about Jesus, sing and pray. It was truly eye-opening to me. Of course, at first I sent them there but still held my SDA beliefs, thinking that if they were truly Christian, that someday they would change to be adventist! When I even have to drive by the old school, it makes me sick. They are so disorganized, political, weird, non-inclusive, non-loving.....I'm sorry to go on and on, but it is so different! To be fair, there are always a few sweet souls out there, but as a whole, what a bunch of kooks! My sister was an SDA teacher for over 20 years. This one woman made her life a nightmare to the point where for her own health, she quit before she could collect retirement. So basically she is "out of luck". Anyway, if you need to talk to them, give them a little grace from the Bible. They need it. They are going to grow up thinking that they have to become perfect before getting into heaven, so maybe you can give them a seed of truth! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 666 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dd, God has given you a great assignment--and a very challenging one. Junior high has its difficulties--but just remember that you're a mom, and even though they are quite a body when they're all together, you STILL know more than all of them put together! I'll tell you what I discovered teaching ninth grade these past five years; they were just like my kids at home! Having had a 14-year-old and having another that became 14 and was in my class, I realized that I really could play a sort-of mom role, and they responded to it. Dont' let them intimidate you; they're just like your kids, and you can talk to them that way! I can't tell you how many times I said things like, "Keep your hands home!", "Are you talking back to me?" "Don't argue with me!" It was a great advantage to be old enough to be their mom--I found it to be much easier to handle them without being intimidated than I had found it to be when I was younger. (I could also be mom-ish in a complimentary way--once in a while I discovered I'd called one of my girls "Sweetie" without thinking about it, etc., and they seemed to like it.) The SDA overlay, however, does make it harder to deal with spiritual things. The thing that will surprise and challenge them, though, is that you have the authority and the passion of the Holy Spirit, and your teaching will not be dry and obligatory or trivial like most of their religious instruction. Dd, God will give you the material you should share. If he is laying a burden on your heart to teach them grace, do it! He will guide your words, and He will guide the way you present and illustrate the material. This situation is one where you can depend upon the Holy Spirit to put God's words in your mouth. This is a wonderful and exciting job God has put in your path! I'll be praying for you! Colleen | ||
| Tealeaves Registered user Username: Tealeaves Post Number: 172 Registered: 5-2004 |
Dd, I'll be praying for you. Let God do the speaking! What a neat opportunity. | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 656 Registered: 7-2000 |
Dd, My prayers are with you, too! I had the privilege a few years ago to do a "week of prayer" at an Adventist school (K thru 8th). My subject was Grace=Jesus. It was great fun to be with the kids! I know the Lord will impress you with just the right things to say and do with your particular personality and your set of students! grace always, cindy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 536 Registered: 3-2004 |
Dd. my prayers are with you also. God will give you the words to say. Do not worry about being correct, because God is in charge. He will put the words that He wants in your mind and mouth. I pulled my son out of an SDA school, in 4th grade, because the teacher was not treating him nice because she did not like me. I put him in a public school with wonderful Christlike teachers. Everyone, all my SDA friends, told me it was the wrong thing to do, that EGW said, etc. This was before my name was taken off the church books. Well, 2 years later these same folk had pulled their kids out also and told me they should have done it sooner. Their kids ended up in the local public schools also. A "whoa" moment just came to me. God let this happen to my son so I would pull him out of the SDA school. Praise God!!! God is good and so awesome. Diana | ||
| Magpie Registered user Username: Magpie Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2004 |
My advice is to do what God has told you and do it quickly, and then get your kids out of there as soon as you can. Magpie | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 658 Registered: 7-2000 |
Dd, I agree with Magpie. In Adventist schooling there are just too many spiritual lies being taught, either blatently or in a subtle way! The mixture of Old Covental law with the glorious New Covenent gospel is damaging to ones' spiritual health... bringing confusion as to how one is loved, accepted, and secure IN CHRIST! Of course there are dangers in a public school setting, also... but they are of a different nature; and at least tuition is not going to perpetuate a false religous system that continually denies the sufficiency of Jesus alone. God will impress you as to the timing and plans He has for your family, in your particular situation. grace always, cindy | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 121 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bb, Cindy, Diana, Magpie, Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. I am in total agreement in regards to the "dangers" of SDA schooling but for many, many reasons I feel this is best. My husband is a very wonderful person. I have prayed for years that he would be the spiritual head of our home. I am beginning to see this happening and have been impressed that I need to support his Spiritual growth as it comes. God is leading and he is very slowly beginning to understand the New Covenant. As a youngster in the SDA system he did not "buy" into the hypocrisy as I did. He did believe just enough, though, to feel a "Sabbath loss" during a brief period that he tried Sunday churches with me. When he began asking me to return to church on Saturday with him, I cried and turn to my non-SDA Christian friends who prayed with me and encouraged me to return with him to SDA church. This has been a very difficult struggle for me and one reason I have been so very grateful for FAF. I can't turn to SDA family and friends (there is certainly no understanding there) and my wonderful non-SDA Christian friends have no way of understanding why my husband would feel a loss when he doesn't even support church doctrine. I am following God's leading and whenever I feel the "panic" of having my children in a SDA school He always provides an opening for me to see He's in control. So though it is a struggle it is also a blessing! Like I've said before, the best part is that my children can visibly see the difference of living under the law and living joyously in Christ! | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 122 Registered: 7-2004 |
Oh I wanted to tell you a "story" that I find amusing (which is really about a miracle that God has done in my life) I have always been a highly impatient person...my mom said recently that she can see that all my Bible study has done at least ONE good thing for me...given me patience! It is only through God's love, grace, mercy... My all time favorite Bible verse for when I begin to worry, stress and become impatient is Exodus 14:14 -- "THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU WHILE YOU KEEP SILENT!" | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 660 Registered: 7-2000 |
Oh yes, Dd...I can relate to impatience! I have that Scripture written down in my book of favorite quotes.... In the NIV: "Moses answered the people, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today....the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." grace always, cindy | ||
| Lydell Registered user Username: Lydell Post Number: 633 Registered: 7-2000 |
Dd, don't neglect the opportunities you have to get your kids grounded in truth at home. I'm not referring so much to the idea of sitting down and having devotions with them, as much as I mean just living out your faith. That means you MUST speak of your faith to your kids in a casual way on a daily basis: comment about something you hear in the news or see as you are driving some place. Is there a problem you are concerned about? Let them hear you speak about that AND, more importantly, that you are going to rely on the Lord. Let them see you reading your Bible (I suspect we often try to have our private times when the kids are asleep or gone....so how the heck are they going to know that we read the word if they don't ever actually see us doing it? I still remember as a kid waking up very early one morning and finding my dad on his knees praying in the living room, open Bible in front of him. It made a huge impact on me.) Take opportunity to pray with them for situations that come up. Stick a scripture verse up on the fridge occassionally that you are "trying to memorize"...and just happen to want them to know as well. I know it is the screwy SDA doctrines that concern you. But your kids seeing what is attractive about your own faith is going to go a long ways towards conteracting any error that they hear. Your joy, freedom, peace, and security can end up standing in stark contrast to the fear and doom and gloom they are going to hear, ya know. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 544 Registered: 3-2004 |
With your situation where you just cannot up and pull your kids out of the SDA schools, I go along with what Lydell says. Live your Christianity in front of them. Let them see you read your Bible and pray. Everything said by Lydell I will agree with. My prayers are with you. It is not an easy situation but God is still in charge and He will prevail. He is awesome. Diana | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 909 Registered: 11-2002 |
The folks who have been posting on here for a long time alredy have heard me tell this story. However, anyone fairly new hasn't so I will tell it again. Last year my six year old granddaughter was in kindergarten at a small sda school. Two weeks ago she started first grade at that same school. So one day we were all driving in the car together. I asked this wonderful little child to tell me about school that day. She perked up and said, "O.K., I'll tell you about Ellen White" and she proceded to tell me about egw. And, to paraphrase what she said about egw basically is that when Ellen White was a little girl a mean boy threw a rock at her and it hit her in the head. For a long time after that Ellen was very sick. She never got real strong and God knew she was a real good lady who wanted to do right and serve Him. So He gave Ellen special dreams so she could teach people about Jesus and how to help people know how they also can best serve Jesus. Now, this basically sums up what I heard from the child because when she was telling me this I started gagging and making barfing sounds, etc., and I said to my son how thankful I was that his little girl would be spending the summer in another country with her normal relatives. This is a child who 100% trusts all the grown-ups in her life. She KNOWS every grown-up who she knows loves her so much that they will only tell her the truth about everything and anything. Also, chapel is her favorite part about school. So, you dear folks out there reading this, I want you to know that egw is pushed full speed ahead in the sda schools even now and even the youngest children are getting it taught to them. My little granddaughter was in kindergarten last year and is just six years old. She heard this about egw in chapel. All I can say is that I think it is very sad. It's so frstrating to me because my son prides himself on being real studious, etc. and he just comes right out and says that he reads his Bible and the mre he reads it the more the sda church seems to be the closest to what the Bible says/teaches. You'all can pray about this please, because frankly I think my grandchild is too good to be getting the indoctrination that she's being taught is from Jesus. Thank-you. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 547 Registered: 3-2004 |
Susan_2, Your granddaughter and all the rest of your family are in my prayers and I will continue praying for them. God is awesome and will take care of the situation. Diana | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2004 |
The best I can tell, it seems the SDA church has recently made renewed efforts to make sure kids are taught the early SDA church history, and to be loyal to EGW. I've been surprised that many SDA's a little younger than me all the way down to current teens, know very little about early SDA church history and have heard next to nothing about EGW, except maybe that she's a "wonderful lady". But, that is changing. That is one of the many reasons we are glad our kids are no longer in SDA schools--our oldest daugther, by the time we left, had so much reverence and awe for EGW! (I think she felt let down when she realized what a fraud she was!) And yet, my husband and I have said little or nothing in our home regarding SDA distinctives because we were both very uncomfortable with EGW and many SDA issues for years, and didn't want our kids growing up with the EGW influence. They got it anyway in school. And I think nowadays, it's presented in a much softer and appealing way than when I was growing up. Whoever is presenting these things knows they'd better leave out the unpleasant or unbelievable parts, which makes it even easier for kids to be attracted to it. Did you know the SDA's have published a set of books, patterned after the American Girl historical fiction set, that tells the story of the early SDA church? We have that set, given as a gift. Of course, everything is stated in the best light possible, so that one gets the idea that the early pioneers are to be revered. One of the books, about the Great Disappointment, even tells about how wonderful it was when the Adventists finally understood the true meaning--the santuary doctrine! | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 389 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have seen a similar book promoted by the SDA...it is a great controversy for kids and talks about the great disappointment, etc. and the farmer in the field having a vision and realizing that Jesus really went into the most Holy Place instead of returning...the book was given to my kids by SDA relatives and I think I threw it away...at least I know I hid it really good! | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 124 Registered: 7-2004 |
Raven, I, too, have found that the EGW teaching is much, much less than when I was growing up. In fact the first time my kids heard of her was from me (I made sure I hit them early). They know where I stand regarding her. I have told them the difference between living under the law and under grace. I have studied a little of Galatians with them. As Lydell said, every opportunity there is an opening - I talk Grace. I have a wonderful book called "Parenting With Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments" and I use the book and my Bible as a launching pad for discussing topics related to situations my children tell me about, what they are dealing with, what is on the news... I have found with my 12 year old daughter that even going to a movie is an EXCELLENT communication facilitator. We went to see "13 Going On 30" earlier this summer. Afterwards I took her to Denney's and we had a piece of pie and hot chocolate and sat and talk for over an hour! It was so wonderful to share why making choices with the knowledge and comfort of God's love and grace is the very best way to go! I shared Bible verses, personal insight/experience and we still talk about it 3 months later! It makes me sad when I think of all the lost opportunities I had with my mother because of being raised SDA. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 673 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dd, what wonderful memories you are creating with your daughter! I always "knew" that example is a powerful teacher, and I've also been quite frustrated over the years because I've often been such a flawed example. I thank God, though, that the high school ministries pastor had a chat with us at an event this summer. We were thanking him for the God-sent influence he's had in both our boys' lives, and he commented that our personal commitments to the work God has given us has made a big impact on our boys. For some reason, that thought never really sank in before, and I felt like thanking God that He has been faithful to teach and love those boys through us even when we didn't know we were doing it. I guess this is to say that I'm beginning to see that when we are committed to Jesus and to whatever He puts before us--which includes our kids--God glorifies Himself through our obedience to Him. Lydell is right; obedience to Jesus, talking of Him and of truth in all kinds of situations, allowing His Spirit to create integrity in us--these things all influence our kids. Ultimately they have to choose Jesus for themselves, but God can love them and teach them through us when we choose to honor Him in the details of our lives. Praise God for being bigger than my flawed parenting!! Colleen | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 36 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dd, thanks for mentioning the book on parenting! I checked it out on the Amazon website. It looks like a great book and I may be able to use that! I'll look for it at a bookstore next chance I get. |
