From Riding "the Bus" to probably Ridiculous

I thought I would just post some random things that have happend/are happening currently in my life, and some less theologically deep things that I have been considering.

The first thing I'd like to do is give a shout out to my roommate, John McClure. A few nights ago while conversing in John's room, I was getting quite tired. I said I was going to get going, so that I could go to bed, and John along with the others in his room told me that it was good of me to drop by. I said it was no problem and in my lame excuse for humor, said that I was going to have to catch the bus home (my room is across the hall from John's). John picked up on my humor, got down on all fours and said, "Hop on." So I got on John's back and rode into my room. If you weren't there, what I described is probably not funny to you in the least, and I will make no attempt to redeem my story.

I also thought that, since it seems like most people tell about what they are currently reading on their weblog, I thought I'd go ahead and do the same.
1) Spiritual Leadership by J. Osawld Sanders--for class.
2)The Greek New Testament--for class
3)John: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, by Andreas Kostenberger--for class
4)The Gospel According to John: An Introduction and Commentary, Pillar New Testament Commentary, by D.A. Carson--pseudo for class
5)Paul and His Letters, by John Polhill--for class
6)The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, by John Owen
7)Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church, by D.A. Carson
8)The Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective, by Russell Moore--for class
9)The Holy Trinity, by Robert Letham--for class

These are my current reads. In case you are considering seminary, realize that you will be reading similar amounts (Seriously, these are "current reads," as I have already read about as many books and I still have as many books, if not more, to read this semester.) Do not undertake seminary lightly.

And for something I was thinking about; last night I was thinking about how I would like to raise my children. Here is the gist of my thoughts.

At a young age (2-7ish), start the child in learning Greek and in memorizing Scripture verses/passages that will be beneficial throughout life (such as Proverbs 3:5-6, the Ten Commandments, John 3:16, etc). Read to the child, especially stories of faith and from Scripture, and have the child read through the entirety of the Bible in this time.

At around 7-9/10, or so, continue with Greek and start teaching the child Hebrew. At this time have the child read more meaty books, while continuing to read with the child, and read through the whole Bible during this time. Continue the memorization of new Scriptures and refresh the ones that have already been learned (at these ages, 1-2 memory verses/passages a week is probably enough).

Then at around 10-12, have the child reading Greek well and progressing in Hebrew--perhaps start a modern language if the child has not started one already). At this time, have him/her start learning a catechism--maybe 2 questions/answers per week, and memorizing one Scripture verse/passage a week. Try to get the child to memorize a whole book of the Bible during this time. The Child should also read the whole of Scripture in this time, and be able to focus on some OT books. This would also be a good time to have the child start learning some sort of Biblical/Systematic Theology. The child should really be taught to consider what is being specifically addressed in the catechism/theology and how this applies. Throughout all of this, parents should be participating with their children. This will be quite possible if the television is kept to a minimum. This really shouldn't take more than 1 hour a day, and it is great for family time, in fulfilment of Deut. 6. Also, children should be playing outside during all of these years.

Then at high school age, the child should know Greek and Hebrew quite well, perhaps even surpassing the parent. The child can now read more substantial Christian works, should be able to apply what the catechism/theology has taught to the Christian life, and should be able to concentrate well on the NT (perhaps start with the Gospels, then move to the Pauline Epistles, then to the remainder of the NT through this time). During this time, the catechism should be reviewed, perhaps a confession should be studied, and the child should really be taught in the areas of evangelism and apologetics. Listening to good sermons throughout these years is a must.

All of this will prepare the child for stepping out on his/her own in college and to be able to be a good and faithful witness of Christ. This will give the child a solid Biblical foundation for studying more in depth, and it will enrich the child's relationship with the parent.