Christ the Center recently had the privilege of discussing credo-baptism with James Dolezal. There is a very interesting discussion currently underway in the comment thread. While this leans heavily toward the academic side, the baptism issue is an extremely important issue for families to think through. There is a helpful (and friendly) debate on the subject of paedo- versus credo-baptism during the last twenty minutes or so.
Author Archive
God’s Alphabet for Life, 2nd ed.
Reformation Heritage is close to releasing a 2nd edition of God’s Alphabet for Life, by Joel R. Beeke and Heidi Boorsma. The second edition of this helpful book for young children has a completely new layout as well as a new introduction, conclusion and appendix of Bible memory verses. If you haven’t seen the first edition, this book provides 26 devotional meditations for children ages 4-9. They’re based on Biblical texts that children can understand and memorize.
Reformation Heritage Books writes that the aim is to stress
that, like adults, children must be born again, come by faith and repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and live lives of thankfulness to God for His great salvation.
Homeschooling Resources
While not reformed [or necessarily Christian for that matter] the Pioneer Woman provides many helpful homeschooling resources. This site has come recommended to me from homeschoolers at my church not only for its homeschooling section, but for all types of helpful tips to benefit a family.
Westminster Shorter Catechism Lessons
Trinity OPC in Franklin, PA has provided a complete set of lessons from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These lessons are helpful resources for catechetical instruction in the home and at church.
Implementing Family Worship
In his article Implementing Family Worship Joel Beeke offers a veritable soup-to-nuts approach to family worship. He offers several suggestions
to help you establish God-honoring Family Worship in your homes. We trust this avoids two extremes: an idealistic approach that is beyond the reach of even the most God-fearing home, and a minimalist approach that abandons daily Family Worship because the ideal seems so out of reach.
As many families know, family worship is a difficult task. Though many reformed families know its importance, being disciplined enough to have family worship every day (let alone twice a day) is very challenging. Beeke’s article can help families to begin or renew the practice of family worship without becoming too intimidated or unrealistic.
Children at the Lord’s Table?
Some reformed church members may find it difficult to know whether they should allow their children to partake of the Lord’s supper. Reformed churches vary on this important doctrinal issue. Christ the Center welcomed Dr. Cornelis Venema to discuss the issue of paedocommunion, or admitting non-communicant members to the Lord’s supper. Dr. Venema has written a book on the subject entitled Children at the Lord’s Table: Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion.
Iguanaman? Try Insurance Salesman
Rodney Trotter may have his facts a little out of place on this post. This elaborate getup was part of a Vacation Bible School lesson involving the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. Each lesson for the week was taught by an “eyewitness” who would relay a bible story and teach the children its meaning and importance. When you’re struggling to find an eyewitness for Christ’s temptation, you’re either left with dressing up like Jesus – which from this author’s conviction is a violation of the 2nd and possibly 3rd commandment – or dressing up like Satan. In the case of the latter, you’ll likely scare all the children and/or convince them that everything you’re telling them is a lie.
This particular VBS curriculum decided to introduce a gecko that witnessed the account in the desert thereby skating between two terrible alternatives. The gecko option, however does take a toll on the ego of the church’s intern.
Ligonier Children’s Book Gift Set
For a limited time, Westminster Books is selling a gift set of three children’s books from Ligonier Ministries. The set includes The Prince’s Poison Cup, The Lightlings, and Sammy and His Shepherd: Show Me Jesus in Psalm 23.
The Prince’s Poison Cup
R. C. Sproul’s latest children’s book is available.
OPC Summer Camps and Conferences
Several OPC churches and presbyteries sponsor summer camps and conferences. The Committee on Christian Education has posted information for several of these events planned for the summer of 2009.