The Listener

The role of the listener is equally im-

portant to that of the speaker. A good
Let’s Communicate Biblically! listener also needs to prepare his heart
before the Lord.
by Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, How should we listen? Here are
There are few leadership skills that need be patient with all men” (I Thess. 5:14). some suggestions.
greater attention than biblical communica- This verse gives examples of three Shut out distractions if possible.
tion. Relationships quickly deteriorate groups of people, each requiring a different Watch facial expressions and pos-
when there is inadequate communication, type of communication. ture for nonverbal clues.
and once communication has been broken, 8. Use “solution” words. Instead of Respond with good eye contact, a
it is difficult to restore. being critical of those who are leading or nod of the head, or a smile.
The Bible has given us many principles trying to learn a new responsibility within Make comments or ask questions.
for the wise use of words. The reading and your group, use solution words, which Affirm that you understand.
studying of biblical principles will help teach how to do it right and help someone Avoid listening in a critical spirit.
prepare a person’s heart to be a communi- who is struggling to learn a new skill. Listen for an underlying or outright
cator who will glorify the Lord. 9. Use “fruit of the Spirit” words. plea for help.
1. Speak in a guarded fashion. “Set a Use loving words, joyful words, peaceful Listen for helpful ideas and worthy
guard, O LORD, over my mouth” (Ps. words, patient words (Gal. 5:22-23). suggestions.
141:3). Count to ten before you speak; 10. Give “soft answers.” “A gentle Listen for an action that is required,
record what you say and review it, particu- answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1). for the Bible always links together lis-
larly those words that brought conflict. Often you will be able to turn away pride tening and hearing with doing.
Ask the Holy Spirit to stop you from saying or wrath that could create a conflict. Such Learn to discern truth from error;
something you should not. words demonstrate a humble heart that know what God’s Word says so you can
2. Use limited or thoughtful speech. fears the Lord. examine the teaching of any speaker,
“When there are many words, transgres- 11. Hear a matter before you answer even those at your support group meet-
sion is unavoidable, but he who restrains it. “He who gives an answer before he ings or state conventions. Be like the Be-
his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:19). hears, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov. reans, and search the Scripture daily.
It is much easier to say something we 18:13). Listen to what the speaker means,
will regret later when we talk too much! not just what he says. Listen and wait until Commitment
Limit your conversations; this will also you hear all the facts before you answer. Let us each pledge to “let the
help you to stay off the phone and get your 12. Speak timely words. “A man has words of my mouth, and the meditation
home schooling accomplished. It is easy joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
for the conversation to shift from talking a timely word” (Prov. 15:23). O LORD, my strength, and my re-
about home schooling to talking about peo- Ask God to give you discernment about deemer” (Ps. 19:14).
ple or other inappropriate topics. when to speak in private and when it is Our relationships within our own
3. Communicate unselfishly. “Do not necessary to speak in public at a home- families, with other home-school fami-
merely look out for your own personal school meeting. Inappropriate timing has lies and leaders, as well as with those
within our local church would be
interests, but also for the interests of oth- often been the source of a wounded spirit.
greatly blessed if we were committed to
ers” (Phil. 2:4). Do not talk about yourself 13. Speak the truth. “Speaking the
following biblical principles for speak-
all the time; speak about subjects that relate truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). ing and listening. Let’s communicate
to and will interest your listener. Do not exaggerate or give false informa- biblically!
4. Speak pleasant words. “Pleasant tion. Be truthful about the numbers you
words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul have at your conference. Resources
and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24). Make sure that your truthful words are Many of the thoughts for this article
Make this a family project by giving five also said in love and in the spirit of Gal. were taken from the following:
pleasant comments at home each day. Then 6:1: “Brethren, even if a man is caught in “Biblical Communication” by
practice outside your home by encouraging any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore Reuben Ewert. Living the Truth Minis-
other home-school families and your or- such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each tries, 3010 Sky Crest Dr., Pensacola FL
ganizational leadership. one looking to yourself, lest you too be 32514, (850) 505-7932. Set of four cas-
5. Use edifying words. “Let no un- tempted.” settes, $16.50 ppd.
wholesome word proceed from your 14. Speak gratefully. “In everything From Playpen to Podium by Jeff
mouth, but only such a word as is good for give thanks” (I Thess. 5:18). How often do Myers. Becoming an Effective Communi-
edification” (Eph. 4:29). Avoid words that you tell others who are serving in leader- cator (see Resources p. 59).
The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo.
tear down and crush the listener. Instead, ship (with you, or for you) how grateful
Chapter on biblical communication. Chris-
build up and encourage people today. Your you are for their assistance and sacrificial tian bookstores.
words will bring strength. labor of love? Peacemaker Ministries, 1537 Ave.
6. Speak humbly. “Let another praise 15. Study how to answer. “The heart D, Suite 352, Billings MT 59102, (406)
you, and not your own mouth” (Prov. of the righteous ponders how to answer” 256-1583; www.HisPeace.org.
27:2). Do not brag on your family’s home- (Prov. 15:28). Know what is fitting. Know Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes home
school accomplishments. Rejoice with Scriptures that fit various situations. school in New York. Sharon is the State
someone else who is rejoicing instead. If we make these biblical principles a Organizations Representative for The
7. Speak appropriately. “We urge way of life, they will often produce har- Teaching Home.
you, brethren, admonish the unruly, mony and unity.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2001 www.TeachingHome.com 63
 Computer Literacy 101
Computer literacy is an essential subject plete the Permissions Form. By doing so,
for home schoolers. Teach yourself and you will receive a set of end-of-the-chapter
your children about computers and how to questions/exercises and notice of any up-
use them through Jan’s Illustrated Com- dates to the website.
puter Literacy 101 at www.jegsworks.com/
Lessons/index.html The free lessons on this Hands-On Lessons
excellent website are based on the author’s Other sections guide you in actually
lecture notes for a college course she taught using a computer. Each lesson has topics to
on computer literacy. read, step-by-step directions, a quiz, and
exercises for practice and to add new skills.
Computer Basics The other topics include:
The lessons in the Computer Basics sec- Working with Windows. The Windows
tion of Jan’s Illustrated Computer Literacy lessons cover the basic skills such as using
101 do not require you to touch a computer shortcuts, the Start menu, the Taskbar; the
except to read the lessons. parts of a window; and creating, moving,
There are lots of pictures and some ani- and deleting files and folders.
mations and graphics that enhance the text Working with Words. These lessons start
and make it clearer. Computer Basics ex- with the basic skills in word processing—
plains technical terms in each lesson and entering text, editing text, moving and de-
has a section that defines the terms. leting text, inserting and formatting
The Computer Basics lessons include: pictures, creating headers and footers, for -
Computer Types. Look at the kinds of matting text, using styles, templates, wiz-
computers there are based on general per- ards, printing.
formance levels. Working with the Web. The Web lessons
Applications. Another word for pro- start with Browser Basics, where you learn
grams running on the computer. how to navigate different kinds of web
Input. Everything we tell the computer. pages and how to manage Internet Ex-
The most basic input device is the key- plorer 4/5. Learn how to search the web
board. using keywords and web directories.
Processing. The thinking that the com- These activities use web pages especially
puter does—the calculations, compari- created for this tutorial, so there is no prob-
sons, and decisions. lem with a site vanishing in the night or
Output. Data that has been processed with inappropriate content.
into useful information. The most used Future projects will cover how to write
means of output are the printer and the web pages with HTML, e-mail, news-
computer screen. groups, and chat.
Storage. The media and methods used to Working with Numbers, dealing with
keep information available for later use. spreadsheets, will soon be available.
Computer to Computer. The transmission Excerpted with permission from Jan Smith’s
of data and information over a communi- web page.
cations channel between two computers.
System Software. The programs that
handle the running of your computer’s Software Recommendation
hardware. The two main categories are op- Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. The
erating systems and utility programs. first step in assuring successful com-
Programming. Learn a little about what puting is keyboarding skills. Mavis
programming is all about. Beacon Teaches Typing is a good key-
What You See. How the computer’s parts boarding program. It has three levels
all hook together. with lessons customized to typing
Hands On! Working with files and net- strengths and weaknesses.
works. Eight games build typing speed, ac-
On Your Own. Buying and managing curacy, and rhythm. You can also
your own computer. download 50 free lessons from the clas-
After each lesson, there is a review quiz sic literature or poetry file to use with
with a pop-up message after each choice Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
you make. Software available from Edusoft Family
If you would like to use the material Fun Learning, Box 1498, Veneta OR 97487,
from this website with your children, be (541) 935-5958, www.edusoftonline.com.
sure to read the Permissions page and com-
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2001 www.TeachingHome.com 61
 Training Minds Through Formal Debate
“Home schooling makes a life of lead- negative position for three of their six
ership possible. Debate and forensics rounds, giving all equal opportunity to ar-
makes leadership likely. gue the affirmative and anticipate criti-
“Students who debate learn research, cisms. Debaters are constantly practicing
speaking, analysis, and logic, developing forensic skills before competing.
an extraordinary sense of self-confidence 5. Compete in a Tournament. To
that comes from achievement.” compete, contact the NCFCA to find other
Mike Farris, chairman, HSLDA debaters in your area, or get on the e-mail
loop to receive announcements on tourna-
The Why and How of Debate ments nationwide (see Resources).
by Chris Jeub If there is not a debate club near you,
Christian home-school parents desire start your own. All you need is a handful of
their children to love truth, search for right- motivated students and parents who recog-
eousness, be learned in the Word of God, nize the great value and fun in debate.
and be able to disciple others. All these Chris Jeub operates Jeub Debate Publica-
skills are enhanced by learning to debate. tions in Colorado.
Home schoolers now have their own
debate league—the National Christian Fo- National Christian Forensics
rensics and Communications Association. and Communications Assoc.
The NCFCA releases a resolution to be The purpose of the NCFCA is to facili-
debated each year. This year’s issue is im- tate tournaments and host a national debate
migration reform (see Resources). Debate tournament for home-school students. The
teams nationwide develop cases both for 2001 National Speech and Debate Tourna-
and against the league’s resolution in ment will be held June 27-30 at the Santa
preparation for tournaments. Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif.
All students develop an affirmative case, Competition includes two styles of de-
then stretch their debate skills by taking the bate: Debate Teams (two debaters on a
negative side of the resolution as well, rhe- team) and Lincoln-Douglas Debate (two
torically challenging the affirmative cases. individuals debating one-on-one).
A tournament typically has six rounds, Other speech (or forensics) events in-
each 70 to 80 minutes long, divided into clude Dramatic or Humorous Interpreta-
strictly timed alternating turns in which the tion; Duo Interpretation; Original Oratory;
two sides present their cases and respond Extemporaneous; Impromptu; Expository;
to each other. During each round a judge Original Advocacy; and Prose, Poetry, and
carefully weighs all the arguments, then Thematic Interpretation.
casts a ballot declaring the winner.
Here is how you can get started. Resources
1. Learn about Debate. Excellent re- The following organizations offer re-
sources are available, including some that sources on debate, forensics, and logic, in-
have been developed specifically for home cluding: Beyond Baby Steps: Advanced
Theory and Strategy for the Christian De-
schoolers (see Resources). bater by Ryan Lee Stollar; An Introduction
2. Study the Issue. Debaters need to to Argumentation and Debate by Christy
study the topic inside and out. Get the study Shipe; and It Takes a Parent by Deanna
guide (see Resources), search the Internet, Stollar, a 12-week debate course.
and check library resources. Become an National Christian Forensics and
expert on the topic. Communications Assoc., Box 500208, San
3. Develop a Plan. Basically, debaters Diego CA 92150, (858) 774-2291, fax:
will say a problem exists in the status quo (858) 538-6256, www.NCFCA.org.
Jeub Debate Publications, 16315 Rick-
(this is called harms), the problem will not
enbacker Ave., Monument CO 80132, (719)
magically go away (inherency), a plan is 487-7621, [email protected]. Immigration
needed to fix the problem (plan), and the Reform: Debating the 2000-2001 Home
proposed plan will fix the problem (sol- School Resolution, study guide for this
vency). Once the case is written and backed year’s debate; e-mail loop by e-mailing
up with evidence, the speech should be [email protected]; free sample of The
eight minutes long. Christian Debater magazine; and From
4. Practice Debating. The affirmative Playpen to Podium by Jeffrey L. Myers to
case may appear airtight, but the debaters develop communication skills for all ages.
HSLDA, (540) 338-5600. Video instruc-
must anticipate typical attacks and prepare tion course in debate.
against them. They will actually take the
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2001 www.TeachingHome.com 59
 Sunny Side Up
Did Adam Name Then, everyone takes a trip to the store
All the Animals? where they compare types of light bulbs
After our science lesson, our son as well as prices and figure out how
Christopher, 6, said, “Mom, I know an much change they will get if they buy
animal that Adam could not name in the two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five
Garden of Eden.” dollar bill.
Waiting a moment to see if I could On the way home, a discussion devel-
figure out his little joke, he exclaimed ops over the history of money and also
with a smile, “The barn owl!” Abraham Lincoln, since his picture is on
Marilyn P., Oklahoma the five dollar bill.
Finally, after building a homemade
Capitalizing on the Crop ladder out of branches dragged from the
I picked some cherry tomatoes and woods, the light bulb is installed, and
large tomatoes from our garden and put there is light.
them in a basket in the kitchen. Rachel, Submitted by Bruce and Mary Ann E., Penn.
5, pointing out the different sizes said,
“Uppercase and lowercase tomatoes.” Read Between the Words
Brenda H., Arizona At a birthday dinner for my husband’s
grandmother, our 5-year-old sat next to a
Reputable Mechanic relative from Illinois. I tuned in to his
My husband bought an old, inexpen- conversation in time to hear him say,
sive lawn mower at a garage sale and put “Yes, I know how to read. I just don’t
it in the garage. When he came home for know what all the words say yet.”
lunch, he said to Luke, 13, “Did you see Erica E., Washington
the mower I got at a garage sale?”
“Oh yeah,” Luke replied, “I’ve al- Compound Words
ready been working on it.” At the look on Our 6-year-old daughter was match-
his dad’s face, Luke quickly added, “But ing words in one column to words in
don’t worry, it still runs.” another to create a compound word. I
Rosanne E., Iowa noticed she matched “Pea” with “Pole.”
“What’s a “Pea-pole?” I asked.
Water Works Talia responded, “You know; like the
We recently studied how the water “people” walking down the street!”
system works in our town. I described Luana B., California
how the water goes from a reservoir to a
water company to a house to a faucet Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
through a piping system. Matthew, 7, quizzed Joshua, 4, “Hey,
A few days later while driving to the Josh, can you name all the vowels?”
store, I used the windshield washer to Joshua appeared bored with Mat-
clean the mud off the window. Dawn thew’s question and continued to play.
watched thoughtfully before asking, When Matthew realized he wasn’t going
“Mom, how can the pipe be connected to get a reply, he continued, “Well, Josh,
from the water company to the car while the five vowels are A, E, I, O, and U, and
the car is driving?” sometimes Y is a vowel.”
Linda G., Connecticut Finally Joshua responded, “Well,
Matthew, is it one today?”
Q: How does a home schooler Cynthia E., Arizona
change a light bulb?
A: First, Mom checks out three books An Important Detail
on electricity from the library; then the Our 5-year-old daughter and I were
children make models of light bulbs, read reading about a person who was Welsh.
a biography of Thomas Edison, and do a I explained to Meagan that Welsh meant
skit based on his life. that he lived in Wales.
Next, everyone studies the history of Meagan turned to me and asked,
lighting methods, wrapping up with dip- “Does that mean Jonah was Welsh?”
ping their own candles. Kym C., Colorado

64 www.TeachingHome.com JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2001