The four R’s used in the Biblical Principle Approach are Researching, Reasoning, Relating, and Recording. These tools are used in each subject, and I am finding out in all areas of interest from food to discipline to news.

I call these tools because they are to be used in the study of a subject. You are not bound by them nor do they dictate your teaching. These tools are used to free you into teaching upon the Spirits leading. This is not easy. Becoming a “living textbook” will not happen over night or over the next year. I have been discouraged that it hasn’t happened over the last four years. Faithfulness brings the fruit of our unseen work in years to come.

1. Researching

This involved the most legwork, so to speak. First define the subject thoroughly. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide while seeking definitions. Flush out exactly what this subject means to you and to God. Summarize leading ideas; those statements that bridge the gap from theoretical to practical. These may be added to later or detracted from when it comes time to prepare the lessons. Use a good concordance to search in God’s Word His design for that subject, as well as His design for your home with regard to that subject. Lastly, with all this gathered together, glean the Biblical Principles for the Subject. These are the seeds of the subject. These should be simply stated and yet encompassing of the subject. (ie. God created the Heavens and the Earth. – simple principle for science)

2. Reasoning

This is actually done in the researching when you are identifying the Biblical Principles. Reasoning is where the leading ideas – the bridges – are used to lead the student to the principle from the subject. You then reason from the Biblical Principle of the subject and guide your student into a deeper understanding the subject.

3. Relating

This is done orally, through written work, in art, in drama, song or dance, any medium that fits you and your family. I had to back off on requiring large amounts of writing from Actress, so we went to more oral discussion of things.

4. Recording

This is simply the written record of the study – the Notebook. Again this can be an art journal or a video journal. This is the record of what you learned and taught as well as what your student learned. This is individual. Each of us has our own manner of preserving our knowledge.

This is not easy to implement and possibly might be best to start small. Pick one subject to 4 - R. Just do that for a semester or a year. Then move on to other subjects. Using this method will restore to America a reasoned people. The reward is well worth the time and effort.