NEW TOPIC - How appropriate that we should arrive alphabetically at Christmas at this time of year!

INFORMATION

The derivation of the word “bedlam” is an interesting one. In AD 1247, a hospital was founded at a priory in England called St. Mary of Bethlehem. Centuries later it was converted into a hospital for the insane. St. Mary of Beth-lehem became know throughout the country for its noise and confusion . . . for being a madhouse. The original name of St. Mary of Bethlehem was gradually shortened by people quickly passing over the syllables when they made reference to it. Thus “Bethlehem” gradually became “Beth’lem,” and “Beth’lem” finally became Bedlam. That’s where we get our word “bedlam” (meaning “a scene of confusion”) from.

Engelbrecht, Douglas. From Bethlehem to bedlam, p. 8
December 2005. Forward in Christ – 4th of 6-part series: Christian Freedom, Vol. 92, No. 12

Comment: May the chaotic rush of Christmas not turn the quiet manger of Bethlehem into Bedlam for you!

QUOTE

Sunday school teachers’ need to be mindful, for their presentations to children can easily fall into the popular approach of moralizing if (1) we offer no gospel comfort of forgiveness in our devotions and lessons, (2) we use the Bible only as a book of do’s and don’ts, (3) we speak of Jesus only as a good example of how we should live, (4) we try to get our students to change their behavior on the basis of our compliments or complaints, (5) we fail to point out the seriousness of our personal sins against God and urge the cross of Christ as our only hope.

Mueller, Rev. Wayne. If Not Moralizing, What? p. 1
Winter 2006. Partners

Comment: These are common pitfalls to watch out for when teaching Bible lessons. We are not moralizers. We are not motivated by fear, but thanks and love, because of God's gift to us through Christ.

LUTHER INFORMATION

A yellow sticky note a decade old juts from my computer monitor: somebody’s list of Martin Luther’s principles for teaching the Gospel to tender hearts.

1 Adapt instruction to the capacity of children
2 Make learning pleasant
3 Awaken minds through skillful questioning
4 Study things as well as words
5 Temper discipline with love

Preaching to God’s Little Ones, p. 1
January/February 2005. Preach the Word, Vol. 8, No. 3

TEACHER ADVICE

If Christian teachers truly believe God has given parents the directive to “bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), they should act in ways that honor the role of parents.

One very special way a teacher can honor parents is by taking the time to go to their homes to learn from them about the children he or she will be teaching. No one knows more about a child than his or her parent(s). As a teacher, one needs to give parents an opportunity to introduce their children, helping one to understand their unique gifts and challenges so that one can better serve as their classroom teacher.

It’s so easy for a teacher to lose sight of this important goal in an effort to “orient” the parent and student to classroom/ECM expectations and routines, discipline plans, parent helper schedules, etc. It’s also easy for parents to misunderstand the purpose of the home visit as “checking out home.” (Teachers would do well to avoid “house tours” and refrain from making comments about the home, lest they reinforce such an impression.)

As a principal of an outreaching school in northern California, I regularly made home visits as part of our school outreach/enrollment process. These were key opportunities for me to demonstrate a sincere interest in developing strong relationships with parents, embracing them as partners in the education of their children. Many parents who were not members of our church expressed sincere gratitude for my willingness to visit them in their home. In fact, those visits often resulted in referrals to other parents (friends or coworkers they had told about my visit to their home).

Brandt, Jim (Administrator for WELS Parish Schools). There’s No Place Like Home
Fall 2005. Sowers & Seeds

STORY

A king decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.

The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor.

The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years.

The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much?

Even so, there was something about her; the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.

The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: “You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well she was their teacher!”

The woman had no wealth, no fortune, and no title, but she had unselfishly given her life to produce great people.

contributed by: Chad Ballard
cited in: July 31, 2006. SermonCentral Newsletter

Comment: Who do you think won the contest? Thank God for the effort and time invested by our Christian Day School teachers. Not only do they care for our children's education, but they care for their souls. God bless them all!