Week: Learning - learning in every way
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Holy Spirit, You are the best teacher. As we explore the Bible and listen to You, please help us to understand more about You, and draw closer to You.
Robert Raikes was born in England in 1735, and he loved to help children learn.
Let’s begin by REFLECTING on one of David’s Psalms, in which he describes how much he loves learning from God.
Read by Bella
Psalm 25:4-5
Lord, tell me your ways.
Show me how to live.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my Saviour.
I trust you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NCV)
When Robert Raikes was alive in the 1700s, only a few children from wealthy families went to school. Most children couldn’t even read or write. And worse, many of them had to work six days a week, often doing very dangerous jobs.
Robert knew that without a good education, life would always be difficult for these children. Many would stay poor, and some would get into trouble. And so Robert prayed and asked God how to change things. To his surprise, he felt God speak simply into his heart… ‘try!’ And so Robert spent the rest of his life trying.
He began by using money he earned from running a successful newspaper to launch what he called a ‘Sunday School’ – Sunday being the only day that these children weren’t working. In the mornings the children learnt how to read and write, and in the afternoons they went to church to learn about Jesus. Soon people all over the country were copying Robert’s idea and within just eight years, 300,000 children were going to school every Sunday. But it didn’t stop there. Over the next 200 years, millions of children were educated and learned about Jesus in Robert Raikes’ Sunday Schools. And all because Robert tried to make a difference.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What do we enjoy about school, or if we’re home-schooled, what do we enjoy most about learning at home?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Father God, first of all, we want to thank You for the gift of learning. Thank You for giving us curious minds, for giving us the ability to ask questions and sometimes find answers. And thank You for creating an awesome, incredible world, filled with wonders for us to explore and discover.
And we also thank You for Robert Raikes, and for all the teachers and educators who love helping people like us to learn.
Let’s whisper the names of a few people who have helped us learn – maybe teachers at school, or family members at home, or leaders at church.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for all the people, and for the gifts of learning that they have given to us.
Unfortunately, there are still children around the world who aren’t able to go to school and learn, because of poverty or war or because those in power won’t let them.
Father God, we pray for the millions of children who aren’t able to go to school right now, for whatever reason. We ASK You to inspire more Robert Raikeses – people who will try to make a difference, people who will fight for children’s rights to learn.
When Robert Raikes heard God telling him to ‘try’ and help the children, he tried! He did his best and wow, look what amazing things God did through him! Let’s say YES to God, just like Robert Raikes did.
Father God, we say YES to trying, to having a go! Whatever You ask us to do, we’ll give it a go, we’ll do the best we can to make a difference in other people’s lives. We trust that You can do amazing things through anyone, even us!
Pause
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
*https://historyofeducation.net/2023/05/13/the-day-passes-profitably-robert-raikes-and-the-sunday-school-movement/ – all biographical info from this source.
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Bella is 13 years old and lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her mum, dad and cocker spaniel Summer. She loves art, performing and Jesus!
