Opinion
www.arkansasbaptist.org
‘Greatness’
Family Matters Educational priorities
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ore than half (57 percent) of those age 18-28 report reading the Bible less than three times a year or never,” according to The State of the Bible in 2013 survey conducted by the Barna Group. How can families adjust their priorities to change this? As a new school year begins, parents will adjust bedtimes and alarm times to Phillips adapt to school schedules. Parents will help with homework each evening in preparation for the next day. Parents will emphasize educational priorities for their children. As a Christian parent, I must also be concerned about the spiritual priorities of my children. I have to ask myself the question, “What am I doing at home to help my children consistently read, understand and apply the Bible in their daily lives?” Here are some suggested steps to help you develop spiritual education priorities. 1) Start by reading your Bible consistently. Children will be more likely to read the Bible if they see you reading your Bible. If you are new to reading the Bible, it will help to have a plan. Consider buying a oneyear Bible or look online for a Bible reading plan to guide you. 2) Read the Bible to your children. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 provides a good model and outcome. 3) Parents and children can take turns reading an ageappropriate Bible together to help children understand and then spend a few moments discussing what was read. Gently help children develop a consistent discipline of reading the Bible each morning or evening. 4) Encourage your child to read the Bible on his or her own. It is important to ask if your children have read and what they have learned. Share insights from your own reading (see Deut. 6:6-9). Read the same passage each day and discuss what was learned. Reading the Bible is vital to the spiritual education and growth of your children. In the process of making plans for a new school year, make Bible reading at home the priority of your child’s educational foundation. It will encourage them to read and apply the Bible into their young adult years and beyond. Ben Phillips leads the Arkansas Baptist State Convention family ministry team.
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reatness. I’ve read the definitions. I know what it struggling pastors because they see their, as yet unnois. I’ve seen it. ticed, potential. I see it in a retired associate executive Definitions for “greatness” include phrases such as director who agrees to take on the workload of assisting “markedly superior in character or quality,” “referred a freshman executive director. I’ve seen it in a senior to individuals who possess a natural ability to be better partner of a large firm who gives time to work with stuthan all others,” “someone of outstanding importance dents and who treats those who are struggling socially or eminence.” Good answers that are all close to the with the same kindness as those who are overachievers. kind of greatness to which I refer, yet I’ve seen it in the woman, co-owner one element is missing. It is the eleof a large and thriving business, who ment Christ added to these definixecutive patiently spent much time on a youth tions when He described greatness. trip with the teenage girl who was “Instead, whoever wants to beirector overwhelmed with problems and come great among you must be your overindulgent with drama. I’ve seen servant, … just as the Son of Man it in the business men and women, did not come to be served, but to and the pastors and staff, who give Sonny Tucker serve” (Matt. 20:26, 28). valuable time to serve on the boards According to Jesus, the qualities of our agencies and institutions. I’ve of true greatness involve humility, service and being seen it in the men and women who ensure that every servant-minded. It is the kind of heart that possesses student who cannot afford to go to church camp have a focus on others. It is the kind of service that acts in a sponsor. I’ve seen it in many of the Arkansas Baptist response to the proper motives. It State Convention staff who turn is the kind of actions that do not down ministry opportunities with seek glory for service rendered. It much larger salaries to serve our is the sort of kindness that is just state convention. I’ve seen it in the as quickly shown to the “least of people who go out of their way to these” in society as to the cool, the speak and show kindness to the beautiful and the powerful. It is mentally and physically challenged the kind of giving that comes from at church. I’ve seen it in the folks hands that never expect to receive who miss valuable social and leibecause of it. Those who achieve sure time to drive church vans and unbelievable, exponential greatbuses on Sunday and Wednesday, ness as defined by Christ make this picking up and taking home chila constant, consistent pattern of dren so they can hear of the love of life. Christ. I’ve seen this type of greatness. I am constantly amazed, stunned I’ve seen it in the family who leaves and moved at the core of my being a secure position in a great church with the greatness I see in Arkanto become church planters or missas. I get to work every day serving sionaries. I’ve seen it in the people the great people mentioned in the who take personal vacation to go examples above – plus, hundreds on a mission trip or accompany students to church more that this column does not have space to mention. camp. I’ve seen it in the busy pastor and staff who Most greatness goes unrecognized in this world, but not spend time after service at the back door talking much one single act of true service goes unrecognized by our longer than necessary to those who are struggling. I’ve Savior. There are many in this state who have reached a seen it in the pastor’s wife of a large church who chooslevel of exponential greatness because they live a contines to be a servant in the church working tirelessly at ual self-sacrificing life of humble service for our Savior. behind the scenes tasks. I’ve seen it in the women who Greatness. I’ve read the definitions. I know what it is. give great amounts of valuable time to serve in WMU I’ve seen it. The Arkansas Baptist State Convention is and missions organizations teaching this next generafull of it. tion about missions. I’ve seen it in associational misJ.D. “Sonny” Tucker is executive director of the Arkansas sionaries who give great amounts of energy to young, Baptist State Convention.
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Retirement questions you should ask A
s you anticipate or enjoy retirement, there are critiplan sustainable? cal questions to be answered. The answers can The great fear that retirees face is that they will run vary drastically, and thus, the solutions are not always out of money before they run out of life. An employee easy and clear. posits that “my month was longer than my paycheck,” “Retirement income planning is more than just a but he will get another paycheck next month. If the surmath problem, but you can’t avoid the plus runs out for retirees, then they numbers entirely either,” according to are resigned to life on social security Moshe Milevsky, associate professor of inancial and any other fixed benefits or govfinance at York University. He covers ernment assistance they receive. “the seven most important equations As longevity increases, such retireimes for your retirement” in his book by ment issues become increasingly imthat title. portant. Too many employees assume 1) How long will your money last they will simply work longer without David Moore if you stop working today, invest your acknowledging that their health may nest egg as safely as possible and try not allow this or that their job may be to maintain your current standard of living? 2) How passed on to a younger worker. many years will you live in retirement, and how ranA wise person will plan for the future and answer dom is that number? 3) What is your pension annuity critical retirement questions before the money and job worth, and how much does it cost to buy more lifetime run out! income? 4) What is an appropriate spending rate from Jesus said you should count the cost before you build a nest egg, and on what economic factors does it dea structure. You can ask, “Do I have enough money to pend? 5) What’s the proper mix of stocks versus bonds build this?” Likewise, you could ask the same question in a retirement portfolio? 6) How important is leaving about retirement planning. a financial legacy, and what is it really worth? 7) TakDavid Moore is president of the Arkansas Baptist Foundaing everything into account, is your retirement income tion.
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