METAMORA PATTER"S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

BIBLE SCHOOL AND CHURCH CAMP
BY PAT GULLEY

Deut 6:7
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (KJV)


Moses was a firm believer in teaching the Jews' History with God to their children. (You should also teach them your history with God) They were to be taught diligently by spoken word as in stories and testimonies, and by example. The Word of God was to be taught in the home. Parents never underestimate the power of the spoken word to your children. God also has people set in the Church to teach the word to children as well as to adults. (Eph 4:11-12)

My husband and I raised four children and I know that the Devil spoke to my kids in many and various ways. He would plant lies in their thoughts by telling them that they were not liked or were underappreciated. We had to learn to replace those lies with words of truth. We learned how important it is to tell our children they were loved and God had a plan for their life.

As they grew older and as we grew in the knowledge and understanding of the Lord and His word, we realized that we were in a spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of our children. My husband and I would have nightly gatherings with our kids, which we called. "Family Circle." They would participate in the Bible lessons and in the joining of hands and praying for the needs of the day. (I remember one time when my youngest daughter prayed and then said, "My prayers may not be as pretty as Mom's but they're just as good")

I loved those times with the family. If we had guests and it was time for "Circle", we would invite them to join us and often they did. But like Moses said, we talked about the ways of God in the home, before we went to bed at night, and when we arose in the morning.

We also spent time singing God's praises when we rode in the car. I loved listening to the kids sing. They were full of love and enthusiasm for the Lord and never had to be forced to sing or to praise the Lord.
They loved going to Bible School when they had an opportunity. (I remember Bible School as being one of the best things about summer when I was a kid.) Our son went to Church Camp and still talks about it today with his Grandfather, who was the one who took him. I thank God for the people who gave of their time and energy to teach other peoples' children in the Bible Schools and Church Camps.

Twice we took the youth of the Church on a Bible field trip in a bus called "God's Nightcrawler." (Thank you Jean and Eugene) We visited the Smokey Mountains one year and saw the Passion Play at Branson Mo another. (The bus left the Church at night and arrived at our destination in the daytime: thus the name Nightcrawler)

I highly recommend Bible School and Church Camp for children. If you have children or grandchildren you should encourage them to attend one if there is an opportunity to do so. Many churches have vans or church busses and will come to your house and pick up your kids. It is good for your children to be taught the ways and stories of God. The seeds that will be planted in their young hearts and minds may bring forth fruit that will bless them their entire lifetime. (Mark 10:14)

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red, yellow, brown, and black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. Sing it again.