The Fourth “R”
All human being desire recognition, respect and rewards; and for many years
now the humanistic philosophy has taught that we, by virtue of being human
beings, not only desire but deserve them. However over the years, Americans
have forgotten what the Bible and the founding fathers teach as the foundation
for recognition, respect and rewards, and that is RESPONSIBILITY (what one is
answerable for).
The recognition, respect and rewards we desire will only come when we accept
the Responsibility to live out lives as God would have us live them: to
accept and respond to the authority God has placed over us.
Responsibility, just like reading, riting (writing), and rithmatic
(arithmetic), must be taught.
Children are not born into this world knowing how to read, write, add, or
respond to authority. In fact, they are born into this world wanting to do
everything “their way” and not wanting to accept responsibility for their own
actions.
For the past several years, we at MOCS have tried to return the focus of our
school to an excellent Christian education. We have succeeded to some extent;
however, as we begin this new year, God has impressed on me the importance of
teaching responsibility.
At first, this may be as hard for the students as it is for us. In order to
teach responsibility, we as teachers must be consistent examples: if we tell
the students to pick up pencils and pens at the beginning of class we can not
allow them to go get pencils and pens throughout the class time, if we ask
that papers be headed a certain way – then we can not accept papers not headed
that way; if we tell the students we are only going to give directions twice,
then two times is all we can give directions. These are just examples of the
TEACHING OF RESPONSIBILITY – it is the students responsibility to come to
class prepared, to head papers as we ask and/or to listen to directions. (If
a student truly does not understand – we all encourage questions – but if I
say “write the date as it is written on the board.” (ex. September 8, 2004)
and a student raises his/her hand and asks if he/she can abbreviate or use all
numbers – I am not going to respond to that question because it is not a
question of true non comprehension but rather a “I plan to do it my way”
question!)
It would be so easy to say – “whatever”, but for the sake of your children we
can not do that. We can not give stickers for Kindergarten papers that the
child did not follow directions. I can not accept homework papers not headed
correctly and so on.
More than anything, I want your children to be ready to accept God’s plan and
purpose for their lives. Step one is to learn to be responsible! With your
help – 2004-2005 will be the best year yet.
