Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting

No, No... Don't Make Me Think!

Okay, it's not as bad as it sounds.  It was more what I'm thinking about now.

We listened to a great speaking tape from Jonathan Lindvall entitled Dare to Shelter at my last homeschooling meeting.  [He blogs here.]So far, no problem.  I totally believe in sheltering my little ones.  While I'm not sure I completely agree with everything he says (and he does make sure to say that conviction is different for each person and what is right for him may not be right for me and vice-versa), a few things hit home.  Here's a big one:

Children, associated largely with other children (especially of the same age), are being influenced by those children, not by the adults in charge.

Where does he get this?  Let's start with Proverbs 13:20.  "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."

Okay, that makes sense.  So what's so bad about children?  Let's go to Proverbs 22:15.  "Folly [foolishness in some translations] is bound up in the heart of a child."

Oops.  So if my child hangs out with other children-- well, he's going to act in foolishness.

Don't get me wrong; this isn't a surprise, really.  It's just the way it was put that surprised me. 

We divide children into like groups (age groups) and expect them to improve.  How can they?  It doesn't take a child psychologist to figure out that children would rather do what their peers say to do than what an authority figure says.

So why do we have Sunday School groups in church?  Why do we segregate the children from the adults?  For that matter, why do we often separate the young adults from the older adults who can teach them so much?

My church has these divisions and I'm now questioning them.  I know why we do it, actually.  It's convenient.  It's easier on the parents, the teachers, the preacher.  No interruptions.  No parents having to leave their doodling in the pew (come, now, most of you have done it) to go deal with an unruly child.

Lately, I've even been wondering how much I'm getting out of Sunday School outside of having a core group to socialize with.  I go to a huge church (too large?) and the only way to get to know most people is to break into smaller groups.  Is this how it should be?  Is it effective for reaching others for Christ?  Is it even Biblical?

Much to think on and no answers at the moment.  I don't know if I'll ever have an answer, but I will at least have something to pray about.  I hope I've given you something to think about too.

Great Post!

11:28 AM, Mar. 20, 2006 .. Posted by Anonymous

This is a really great post. I think I want to hear that tape. I get frustrated myself because I would like more exposure to women of different ages at church. The church we went to in CA did a great job mixing women together. I had friends in there 20's and friends in there 80's! It was such a blessing to me. Now every church we try keeps like ages together. This especially doesn't work for me since I had my kids late. All the people in my age group have grandkids! LOL We end up not going to adult classes. I know I am missing out because of this. It is good to remember that my kids are also missing out if they are only exposed to kids their own age. Whew, didn't mean to say so much. You touched a nerve in my with this one! Thanks!

Untitled Comment

6:30 AM, Mar. 23, 2006 .. Posted by flapjacks

Hi,
I too find this very interesting. I think, by and large God puts people in families of varying ages, so that must be the best arrangement. They can learn from and look after each other - and that's a two-way thing, you just have to see older children developing as they spend time caring for younger ones to know it's not a one-way flow.
The main reason I took my daughter out of school was that she was crumbling under the pressures of having the constant company of girls her own age. They're all hormonal together! LOL.
However, I can also see arguments the other way. Very roughly speaking, people the same age will be ready for the same level of information. Those wanting to learn advanced things will already have covered basics, and those still learning basics will be lost in advanced terminology. Of course, taking society on a large scale, it's one way of ensuring people get some education.
Like the other lady who has commented on your entry, I love having fellowship with people of different ages.
Our Church has a Sunday School for the children but not a creche for the babies because the previous Vicar had heard some unpleasant reactions to children in church and believed very strongly that children should be part of the church, not an inconvenience to be hidden away. There is therefore a room where parents can take little children who become fretful, if they want to - there are some toys there but no formal supervision. Parents have to stay with the babies and toddlers. Unfortunately this means some parents spend most of there time there and I know from experience that this can mean parents are deprived of Sunday services for years on end. I know this points to a less-than-ideal church but it's an issue to take into consideration.
Oh dear I hope I don't sound negative! I don't mean to be. Basically I think the case for mixed age fellowship and learning is much stronger than the case for single age.
I'm adding you to my friends - hope that's okay :-) - so I can call in again and have a read. I saw you on Leahwog's friends and read your profile and just liked the sound of you so I decided to read!
Alice