Applying Those Scriptures!

Ephesians 6:16 ...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

My little guy, Merrick, is an avid fan of knights in shining armor, Star Wars and light sabres, and any scenes displaying chivalry and daring. He is also busy memorizing scripture verses about faith as a member of Friendship Clubhouse, a program offered at our church for such pint sized guys (and older, lovely young ladies as well!)

At the beginning of each week (if I am on top of things - otherwise it could be a Wed. or Thurs. before we get to it), I locate his assigned memory verse and carefully inscribe each letter of each word into his penmanship notebook. He then faithfully copies each symbol in his own childish script, and it becomes the basis of many lessons for the week. Penmanship, for starters. Eventually we will learn spelling from it as well. And it goes without saying (almost) that we discuss the deep theological implications of said verse.

Hey - I figured a long time ago that in order to simplify this whole process of home education I would extract as much learning as possible from any given assignment. For instance, with this approach to his FCH verse program, I have eliminated a penmanship course, a spelling workbook, and a Bible curriculum from his already crowded shelf and my decidedly crowded life! Voila!

And the verse this week was a cinch to expound upon.

"Remember the knight we watched in that movie and how he held his shield? Did he use it to hurt his opponent?"

"No."

"He used it to defend himself, didn't he? That's what we do with faith when the enemy tries to hurt us. And how many fiery darts will the shield take care of?"

"A hundred?" Mom's eyes look doubtful so he ventures another guess. "A thousand?"

"Merrick, if a million darts come at you, will faith handle them all?"

"Yup, it says 'all'."

You got it, bud. All. Lesson well learned. Good reminder for Mom, too.

Minutes later he was released to play. Louissa sits at the computer, chuckling.

"What are you laughing at?" I query.

"I'm listening to Merrick. He is acting out some scripture with his Star Wars action figures." She chuckles some more and I tune my ears to listen as well.

(spoken with great animation): "And take your shield" - (insert self-made little boy type sound effects: light sabres whirring) - "and quench all these fiery darts" - (more whirring) - "a shield for all those fiery darts."

I smile.

I think he got it. And I think I love homeschooling. I may even concede to loving Star Wars right about now.