Children & Education

As the month of August draws to an end, families across the United States focus on the beginning of the new school year. A good education is often the key to a successful life. Children are taught math, reading, languages, social studies, and science with a dose of physical education mixed in. Curriculum is developed to help children and youth find success in their careers and in life.

With the dawn of a new school year it is time to note that the most important place for a child’s education is at home. Children from the time they are born depend on their parents for all things in life: for food, for shelter, for teaching, for comfort, for security and for life.

The Bible, recognizing the importance of parents in the lives of their children, instructs parents on many occasions to teach their children. Moses instructed parents, “be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Dt. 4:9-10) Jewish parents repeat this every week as part of the Shema (Dt 6:4-9). Other imperatives include Deuteronomy 11:1-2129:11-29; 31:12.

During my childhood I experienced my parents share the Biblical injunction as part of the Passover Seder: “When your son asks you … tell him.” (Ex 13:14; Dt. 6:20) My mother read me the Bible and my family attended synagogue together. Memories were forged which remain in my heart today.

Jesus, according to his Jewish heritage, told his disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17) It is the obligation of the church and of each parent to personally teach their children about God.

All too often parents today, as the disciples of the Bible, send the children away. Across our nation churches put time and effort into children’s worship service “so children can understand the gospel on their own level.” But this brings irreparable harm, for through this act the church has removed responsibility for spiritual development from parents and from the family.

Parents kindly say, “but my children won’t understand the pastor.” Or they share their children will get bored. Some parents have also told me the truth: “I don’t want my children to attend the service, because they bother me with questions and I cannot worship myself.” The last statement is one of extreme selfishness and displeases God (Mt 18:1-10).

My wife and I took my children to worship, and throughout the years we have encouraged parents to sit next to their children in worship service. Here are some ideas to help children “grow into” worship service:

First Grade: teach children to sing in worship service. You can do this by playing CDs of music sung or singing them in the car. I would sit while my children stood so they could hear me singing behind them and follow my example. During the sermon we gave our children a book or coloring book to keep them quiet, and taught them to sit during the sermon.

Grade two: By this point children are reading. When the pastor read the scripture we would follow along in the Bible. Otherwise they had their book and remained quiet.

Third Grade: We asked the children to share something from the sermon in the car as we left church. Through this activity we were teaching them to listen. Third graders have an 8-10 minute attention span, so asking them to hear something is totally fair.

Fourth Grade: We asked the children for the theme of the message. We expected them to know what the pastor was talking about.

Fifth Grade: We began to work with them on listening for the points of the sermon and the outline so we could talk about what the pastor said on the way home.

My children learned what worship was about. To this day my children love the Lord and remember early lessons learned at home and in church. The Bible tells fathers to bring their children up “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4).

One of the things I enjoy speaking about in church is how to share our faith with our children. As a Minister of Education I have studied, trained and applied time tested principles with preschool, children, and youth teachers and parents. I would be glad to come and help your church teach and reach more children. I have learned through experience that a church where the Bible is taught on the level of its students generally grows and experiences great blessings.

What a Summer!

With the beginning of school in focus, summer travel is officially over. For my family, this summer will long be remembered. Both of my daughters were involved in archeological digs in Eretz Israel with their schools. Sarah went to Tel Gezer in May (see her blog here), and Chelsea dug at Tel Dan in July (see her blog here). Both digs had significant findings.

Joppa - Andromeda Rocks behind us

I traveled to Israel with Chelsea to meet Sarah at the end of her dig. We toured Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and areas in-between for a week and a half before joining Chelsea’s Hebrew Union archeology introduction. Four days into the lessons taught by Dr. David Ilan (which we thoroughly enjoyed), Sarah and I flew back to the United States.

Eiffel Tower in Paris

Along the way, we visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Sarah visited with friends in New York City.

Our time together and apart in Israel allowed each of us to experience life and see sights beyond the scope of a normal tour group. The sights, sounds, smells as well as the people we met will long be remembered.

Modi'in from Ayalon Canada Park, Israel

What were my favorite places? I can not relate them all (see my blogs from June and July), but one of my personal favorites was Canada Park.

The park was so named because Jewish communities in Canada planted trees through the area creating an attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. I talked to bikers and hikers who shared their enthusiasm for the area. The weather is often idea for outdoor recreation. The scenery is beautiful and history is to be found throughout the area.

I was drawn to the park because it is close to Modi’in, home of the Maccabees of Chanukah. I had previously looked up an ancient synagogue, which I hoped to find. Before our arrival I had learned the ruins were covered over to protect them, but I could not learn of their location.

I asked one group of bicyclists if they knew of the ruins. They pointed me to Emmaus, which is at the entrance to the park. Emmaus (which means warm spring) was identified by Eusebius as the site where Jesus broke bread with Cleopas. Emmaus is also recorded in 1 Maccabees 3:55-4:22 as the place Judas Maccabeus claimed a victory over the Seleucids. This was not the site of the Synagogue, so we went further.

Another group of bikers pointed us up a ridge to more ruins. The view from the ridge was beautiful, looking down on the modern city of Modi’in. We took several pictures from an overlook, and more bikers too a picture of the three of us together. Then they told us of some more ruins which were on the other side of the ridge.

Hasmonean Fortress Ayalon Canada Park, Israel

We crossed over and hiked higher up the ridge. There appeared before us a long wall of large stone. Inside the wall we found ruins of buildings along with olive presses. From the ruins we could look across Ayalon Valley to Latrun Hill (where Sarah stayed during her dig) and Gezer. [for more photography from this area see background photos on Sarah’s website … excellent job Sarah!!]

Looking across Ayalon Valley toward Gezer

The ruins are called Eked Antiquities, and is a fortress built by the Hasmoneans (Maccabeaus) in about 167 BC. Soldiers of Simon Bar Kochba also used this fortress and dug “get-away” tunnels through the cisterns of the fortress. We later saw more information on these tunnels and a note written by Simon Bar Kochba at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv.

Sign in Eretz Israel Museum

Do you like adventure? If so, I want to invite you to go with my family to Israel in June 2018. We will walk and explore the land. (Yes, we will have busses, if you do not want to walk, but something is missed unless we journey at least part of the way on foot, as the people of Jesus’ day walked the land.) I promise that on the trip we will explore new places, learning more about the land and the people of the Bible. If you are interested in this trip, please let me know. The trip is limited to about 50 people, which is one bus load.

No deposit is needed at this time, only a group of people who say, “I’m interested.”

Politics 2016

Yes, we are in that season … like it or not.

The politicians (Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Republican, Publican and Sinners) are attempting to out Trump each other and spreading Hillarity on the evening comedy shows. They are collecting money and spending money. They are pounding on doors, making telephones ring around the nation and will soon be pushing out anything other than political advertisements on television.

The politicians are spreading truths and half-truths alongside believable non-truths. How do you know which is what? Through commentators, of course! And the commentators are easy to find, on every newsstand, in many magazines, on the radio and television. They can even be found spreading like summer weeds and viruses by twitterpated followers on Facebook and other social media.

Will they help us or hurt us? Only time will tell, not the near future but in the time beyond what is called current. We will have a clue by the end of their term, and then they will be judged by history in about fifty years.

Will they solve our problems? For some of them, the answer is yes.

So, where can we find a savior offering the hope and help we desire? [ok, the hint was obvious] He is the One who tells us, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.”

If we want to change our communities, our counties, our states, our nation and the world, it must be done by us. Jesus set the pattern, sending His disciples saying, “preach this message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”

We, members of “the church” are to solve the world’s problems … one life at a time. We are to bring light into the darkness. What about the sin issues of our nation? The government was never intended to solve those. We are to go and share the Gospel. [have you ever shared the gospel with anyone?] What about poverty? Look at the government’s track record on solving this problem, it is abysmal. Only the Love of Christ can change hearts and lives, cleansing our souls and our nation. [for more info read Deuteronomy 27-28 … also Deuteronomy 17:14-20]

Speaking to Groups, Bible Studies and Jerusalem Tours

In my last post I began telling how I taught Adult Vacation Bible School at Fairview Baptist Church recently. The lessons were simple, and well known: Zacchaeus (little man up in a tree), Samaritan Woman (came to the well), Nicodemus (came to Jesus at night), Blind Bartimaeus, and Jesus’ rebuff to his disciples “Let the children come to me.”

The Cardio ... Main Street in Jerusalem

One lesson which captured the people’s interest was on Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He was of the wealthy ruling class of the city of Jerusalem. As I began the lesson, I took my class to places I did not know existed until only recently.

Herodian Home from the Wohl Museum

On my last visit to Israel with Chelsea and Sarah we visited the Wohl museum and the Western Wall Tunnel. These tours were a fascinating exploration of the city as known by the Nicodemus of John 3. I shared pictures from the upper city where the High Priest lived. The class also viewed maps of the bridge which connected the upper city to the Temple. Then I showed pictures of our tour under the bridge, then north along the wall of the Temple. We walked on the very streets where Jesus walked, and experienced a part of Jerusalem frozen in time.

Basement level of a Herodian home. The Mikvah is down there.

I showed the class mikvah pools in Jerusalem. These included both ancient pools which had been dug up and modern pools. We learned about the purpose of cleansing, and visited a few of the pools near the Temple. I also showed how the Essenes cleansed themselves. The Essenes were a Jewish group who lived in the desert, south of Jericho and near the Dead Sea. Some think John the Baptist was an Essene.

Qumran, home of the Essenes

I shared differences between Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. We also looked at the Herodians and the Sanhedrin. I shared pictures, experiences in Israel, and readings from Josephus and the MIshnah. The class began to understand life in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus and the religious groups which vied for power. The evening tour brought Jerusalem to life.

Street Jesus walked on -from Underground Western Wall Tour

Our story the third night of Adult VBS was about Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. This was not because he was fearful, but because he walked in Spiritual Darkness. He wanted to know how Jesus performed miracles. Jesus said, “you must be born again.” Jesus explained that Nicodemus must be born anew through the Spirit of God. He must come to know the gift which Jesus came to give. “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” Jesus explained to Nicodemus how God gave His only Son so whoever believes might have eternal life. Jesus explained light which came into the world, and Nicodemus understood. The Bible tells us Nicodemus came into the light.

Robinson Arch and southern approach to Temple Mount

I desire to share the light of the Bible with Christians so they can understand Israel and Jerusalem in the days of Jesus. Perhaps the best way to do this is to take people to the very streets where Jesus walked. I have written about my desire to take a group to Israel in June 2018. Will you go with me?

Jerusalem from the top of the Tower of David Museum

Some cannot travel with me to Israel, so I want to mention a second way to take the trip (not as good, but still very worthwhile). I have put together several presentations to bring Israel to your church. I am available to speak to Senior Adult groups, Sunday school classes, and worship services to share tours of Israel. For more information, please contact me.

Vacation Bible School group at Fairview Baptist Church, Statesville

My presentations include pictorial tours of various areas of Israel as well as bringing the Bible to life for people. I want to help people walk in the shoes of men and women of the Bible so they can better understand the world about which they read.

I also share (visit KosherCopy on Facebook) the Jewish Passover (and other holidays) in order for people to understand the culture of the people of the Bible. And I enjoy taking people on a tour of the Tabernacle built by Moses in the Wilderness. As we tour the Tabernacle, people come to understand what God desires of us in worship and how we can please God.

Sharing Jericho from our tour in Israel

Recently I taught Adult Vacation Bible School at Fairview Baptist Church. The lessons were simple, and well known: Zacchaeus (little man up in a tree), Samaritan Woman (came to the well), Nicodemus (came to Jesus at night), Blind Bartimaeus, and Jesus’ rebuff to his disciples of “Let the children come to me.”

Fairview Baptist Church, Statesville, NC

The group I was teaching was well versed in the scripture, and I knew some of them had studied the Bible stories twenty or more times. I did not feel comfortable moving away from the curriculum lessons, so I prayed, and the Lord showed me how to teach the all too familiar lessons in a different way.

Ben Gurion Airport on our 2012 trip to Israel

The inspiration came because of my recent trip to Israel. I could see, feel, and hear elements of the Bible stories through my experiences at the locations and on the very streets these events took place.  I decided to take my class “on location” so they could experience the stories also.

"Elisha's Well" in Jericho

For the first lesson I brought my class to the well in Jericho, Israel. As we sat facing the well, I told them how important water was for the land of Israel. Elijah had visited this well and healed its waters.

Bedouin village in Jordan. Mt. Nebo is in the background

Not only had Elijah visited Jericho, but also Joshua as Israel was entering the land. The people came down from the mountains of Nebo and crossed the Jordan River (on a familiar trade route). They prayed at Gilgal, and then approached the walled city of Jericho.

Excavated walls of Jericho. Notice the different types of walls.

After marching around the walls seven times, the walls fell down. They gave the first city taken in the land as a “first fruits” offering totally dedicated to God. Only Rahab and her family were saved.

Date Palm farm south of Jericho near the Dead Sea

I showed the class that Jericho is in a rich agricultural valley. In addition to commercial opportunity which came from Jericho sitting on the trade routes, they raised sheep, camels, dates, bananas, and other produce. Taxes were collected on each commodity and at every opportunity.

A village in Jordan Valley. Olive Trees in foreground.

The amenities of Jericho drew the richest people in the world. Jericho is well below sea level, so winters are mild.  The air is dry and allergies are few. Herod had a palace in Jericho and Cleopatra had business interests in the area.

Ruins of King Herod's Winter Palace in Jericho

Zacchaeus was the Roman-backed IRS. Within the lessons monologues were given by the toll collectors on the roads, the agricultural tariff takers, the commercial tax agents who received a portion of goods sold, and the real estate tax assessors. All of these “publicans” worked for Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector. He was very rich.

Camel for Tourists entering Jericho

The Bible tells us Jesus entered Jericho from the north. As he approached the city gates a blind man called out for healing. Jesus healed him before entering the city. As the report of the healing spread through the city gates, Zacchaeus heard. Because he was short, he could not fight the crowd and climbed up in a Sycamore tree (the saviour he wanted to see).

Perhaps Zacchaeus climbed a tree like this in Jericho city square

Jesus called him down, and ate lunch at his home that day. The discussion at the home of Zacchaeus is not recorded in the Bible, but the results are. This man of wealth, who in a sense lorded over the people of Jericho, gave half of his wealth to the poor. Then he restored fourfold all that he had taken illegally.

Class members shared with me what they received from the lesson. My journeys to Israel enabled me to share the old story in a refreshing way. Can a trip to Israel refresh and bring a new sense of reality to your understanding of God’s word?

Join me next time

I am planning a trip to Israel in 2018, probably in June. To accomplish this I need 45 people who will travel with me to Israel. The cost will be about $5,000 per person (start saving money now)! … Let me know you are interested … and I will put you on the mailing list (no obligation at this point).

I will let you know through e-mails the steps in the planning process. If you are interested, you can help confirm the date (June 2018), or help set another date. I will be asking along the way what you want to see in Israel. Over the next year (until March 2017) I will be collecting ideas in order to plan. Then I will be talking to an experienced tour leader who will help put the trip together. (The price and plans will be complete about a year before the trip). My e-mail is KosherCopy@gmail.com. (Write to let me know you are interested, or to ask questions).

I will let you know of other plans as they develop, such as a potential add-on dig in the land, or an add-on side trip. What I need now is simply people who are interested (no obligation) and ideas for the trip.

An Invitation ... Israel Tour 2018

Israel is amazing! I have just arrived home from my third trip to the Promised Land. My daughters and I visited Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and areas in between. The trip inspired me to share the biblical sites, the archeology, the people and their culture with others. For this reason, I want to invite you to come with me to Israel in June 2018. (more below)

Our current trip was mostly on our own. Sarah participated in a dig at Tel Gezer. Chelsea is now digging at Dan. Both digs are an immersion in discovery and learning about the people of the Bible. Sarah and Chelsea examined pottery, minerals, construction types and geology, and in the process learned about the people who left these items behind.

During the time in-between digs we experienced Israel as a family.  Sarah took us to Gezer, where we picked up and handled pottery from the days of Joshua and before. We looked at a fortress built by the Hasmoneans and re-used 250 years later by Simon Bar-Kochba who dug underground tunnels. We explored Latroun Hill, the location of many fierce battles.

Four days of our trip were spent in Joppa enjoying the food and visiting biblical, archeological and historic sites. Our time in Jaffa also included swimming in the Mediterranean, shopping in the flea market, visiting parks, and meeting people from around the world. We visited archeological ruins under the plaza at Joppa where we saw a great audio-visual-sensory presentation. We toured the Eretz Israel Museum at Tel Aviv University along with the ruins of Tel Qasile and exhibits on traditions of the Jewish people. The Haganah Museum and Jewish Independence Hall were also included in our trip. We also went shopping at the Flea Market.

After our visit to Tel-Aviv we spent five days in  Jerusalem. On the first day I visited Hebrew University on Mount Scopos. The setting of the University provides a fantastic panoramic view of Jerusalem and surrounding area. The campus has an archeological museum we visited, and also discovered well preserved tombs from New Testament times in the Israeli Gardens which include the burial site of Nicanor of Alexandria. We also participated in the Temple Mount Sifting project. Chelsea, Sarah and I visited Ein Karem [the traditional home town of John the Baptist], St. Mark’s Church {the oldest Christian place of worship], and the Tower of David Museum at the Jaffa Gate.

During our time in Jerusalem David Ilan guided us to various sites in and around the city. He told us of the archeological digs in the area. We visited the Wohl Museum under the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall Tunnels. We viewed aqueducts, pools, and water tunnels. Our group explored local markets, neighborhoods and organizations.

Every time I visit Israel I discover something old … but new to me. The Bible story becomes even more alive as I walk through the land and hear stories which help me to relate to the people.

Join me next time

Can a walk in Israel change your life? I am planning a trip in 2018, probably in June. To accomplish this I need 45 people who will travel with me to Israel. The cost will be about $5,000 per person (start saving money now)! … Let me know you are interested … and I will put you on the mailing list (no obligation at this point).

I will let you know through e-mails the steps in the planning process. If you are interested, you can help confirm the date (June 2018), or help set another date. I will be asking along the way what you want to see in Israel. Over the next year (until March 2017) I will be collecting ideas in order to plan. Then I will be talking to an experienced tour leader who will help put the trip together. (The price and plans will be complete about a year before the trip). My e-mail is KosherCopy@gmail.com. (Write to let me know you are interested, or to ask questions).

I will let you know of other plans as they develop, such as a potential add-on dig in the land. Or an add-on side trip. As I say, what I need now is interested people (no obligation) and ideas.