Theme: Learning through apprenticing companionship, creation, art, providence, and the Bible.
Summary: We not only learn in classrooms and by affirming creedal truths, but we learn by doing and imitating the things that we see, both positive and negative. Companions teach us their ways (Prov. ). Creation reveals the wisdom of God to us (I Kings 4:34). Art teaches us by expressing truth through song or sight (1 Kings 4:32). Providence is God governing all the things of life, and the proverbs teach us by showing us observations of life (I Kings 4:33, Jesus did this as well through stories and riddles). Finally, all of this comes from the Word of God.
Activities:
1. Companionship: Our companions mentor us. Watch the Disney version of the story Pinocchio, and notice how Pinocchio is a good boy on his way to school, but he is easily led astray by Honest John. He decides to go with him to Pleasure Island, where he meets a boy named Lampwick. Soon he and Lampwick and the other boys become drinkers, smokers, and gamblers. Talk about how hard it was for Pinnochio, once he was there, to resist joining in the activities that he knew were wrong. It would have been easier to say no from the beginning, and go on with Jiminy Cricket to school and home to Geppetto. Once Pinnochio decided to hang around boys who were doing things that were wrong, he adopted their ways instead of maintaining his own, and it led to destruction (he started to turn to a donkey and he and Geppetto were swallowed by Monstro, the big whale). Talk about how the reverse is true also: when Pinnochio took the wise counsel of Jiminy and the Blue Fairy, he acted wisely and was given a chance to become a real boy. Surrounding ourselves with people who we know strive to do what is right and love well will only teach us to love well ourselves.
If you have older children, consider the film Donnie Brasco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Brasco_(film)), about an undercover FBI agent assigned to infiltrate a mob family. The deeper he goes into the role he has assumed, the more difficult it is for him to find his true identity on his off-hours with his own family, who struggles to recognize him and feels the effects of his mentoring in the ways of the mob family.
2. Creation: The same God who gave Solomon his wisdom made everything in creation. He made each thing intentionally to reveal Himself to us and teach us. The Bible contains several passages which point to creation to show us something about God or teach us something about how we are to live. Some examples follow. Consider going through them with your children and noting what things in creation are mentioned. Think about how now, when you see those things, you can not only marvel at the things themselves, but you can remember what you learned from them as well.
James 3:1-12. James uses several analogies to talk about taming the tongue. So, for example, verse 6 compares the tongue to fire. What does this teach us, and what can we think about when we see fire in the future?
John 15:1-11. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
Luke 13:18-21. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and to leaven.
