By: Debbie Breyman, Director of Curriculum

Whenever my husband and I plan a road trip, we know we need to prepare our car. This involves scheduling an appointment with our mechanic, which, of course, takes both time and money. As a precaution, we also have AAA roadside assistance. We’ve always believed in preparing our car for the road, but thinking we could prepare or fix the road for our car would be absurd.

Reflecting on this, I realized that, at times, I’d prepared the road for my child instead of preparing my child for the road. Letting children make mistakes and even fail is painful and heartbreaking - not only for them but also for us as parents. Out of love, we often want to alleviate their emotional, physical, social, and spiritual pain, thinking we can "fix" or "lessen" it. However, I’ve learned that removing obstacles from their path robs them of the chance to learn and grow from those experiences. Allowing them to face the “gift” of pain and suffering may seem counterintuitive, but it is often through hardships that they develop resilience and the grit to face life's challenges.

Preparation for life

So, how can we prepare our children for life’s road?

Scripture teaches that one important way is to live out our relationship with Jesus in an authentic, biblical manner. At school, we partner with you in this journey by integrating a biblical worldview into every academic area.

This year, we introduced a new Bible curriculum to support this effort. Using "The Biggest Story Bible" and "Investigating God’s Word" as guides, our younger students listen to, narrate, and engage with scripture. Older elementary students begin reading the Bible independently and learn study techniques such as narration and memorization. Grades 6-8 use resources like "Gospel Foundations," "Seamless," and "B.J.U. Worldview" to explore Bible passages through various study methods, including devotional, biographical, and thematic approaches, as well as group discussions. Additionally, each middle school student is part of a ROOTED group, where they participate in prayer, scripture memorization, catechism, and discussions in a smaller, more intimate setting.

Preparing children for life’s road is challenging, but it's a vital part of their growth.

Our prayer for you

Be encouraged, knowing as you shepherd and teach your precious children…

“that according to the riches of his glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:15-19)