4:12YOUTH
April 2018
Why School?
I suspect this question arises at some point in the mind of every child. Especially now as we can see the end of the school year in sight! Why do we need to do math? Why does mom make me learn history? Why do I need to be able to write a persuasive essay? What is the point of doing a chemistry lab??
Typically the answer given has to do with getting a good job and making a good wage. We encourage our kidds to self-betterment, self-motivation, self fulfillment, self-employment, and self-sufficiency. These aren't bad things necessarily but is the purpose of education really all about...self?
The Westminster Catechism declares that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Psalm 86, Romans 11:36, Isaiah 60:21, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Revelation 4:11, Psalm 16: 5-11, Psalm 144:15, Luke 2:10, Isaiah 12:2, Philippians 4:4, Revelations 21:3-4). We glorify God by loving Him and keeping His commandments (John 14:15), the greatest of which is to "...love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. and the second is like, namely this, Thous shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
Education in this light, is not firstly about how we can better our own life; it's about how we can be of better service to the Lord and to others. The answer to "Mom, why do I have to go to school?" is "To serve the Lord by serving others." The goal of education is not firstly to get, but to give.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40
It's one thing to understand the purpose of education in theory, but it's another to make practical application of it. We can tell our children that the point of their education is to serve the Lord by serving others, but how can we connect their walk and our talk? (Part 2 continued in the next newsletter).
Upcoming 4:12YOUTH Dates
April 22 - LAST Large group 6-8pm
Please be watching facebook and your email for short notice events that will be coming up over our break (May-August). It is my hope to try and have at least one get-together a month. And our kick off will be camping in august!
HAITI
Who: 11th and 12th grade students in the 2018-2019 school year
Cost: $778 for the camp and $600-$900 for flights (estimated)
Steve Huizinga was at our meeting March 11 to answer questions and present some information on our trip. There was also an email sent out to re-cap what was discussed. If you have additional questions, I'd be happy to answer them!
Although we are still a ways out, oh how time closes in. We will be connecting with the Wray family who head up the ministry there. Some of the activities we will be engaged in while in HAITI will be Sports Camp activities, Bible School, food distributions, repair work around the site, building relationships, and so much more. We will be right on the coast and will be planning for a day away. The next step is to get your commitment! To save your spot, a non-refundable deposit of $50 needs to be made by June 1, 2018. (Checks to 4:12YOUTH)
What's going on?
Just a reminder...
THANK YOU!
Email: cnv2005@att.net
Phone: 616554-0364