Shema Class, part two

How many of you think "Jewish" when you hear the word "shema?"  I admit I do.  And that is self-consciously one of the reasons I chose "Shema Class" as our home school name.  When I think of Jews, I think of God's covenant people throughout much of His story.  But with all praise to God, Romans 11 tells us that wild olive branches were grafted by God into the olive tree representing His covenant people.  Galatians 3, Romans 4, and other places tell us that it is the people who have the faith of Abraham that are the children of Abraham. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."  That is adoption language, and very important for those of us who are not homegrown via Abraham's line.

Romans 8:14-17 says it even more plainly: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Our God is our Father, our real Father, our 100% Father.  We are joint heirs with Christ.  Just try to wrap your head around that...it still boggles my mind in a fantastic sort of way.  The story of God's people is our story...we've been grafted in.  I want our children to hear "shema" and know that they too are called to hear their Father...they are a part of His story because of an adoption that is far better than the ones that took place in a human courtroom.  We get to be the real children of God, children of the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, by adoption.  How cool is that?

Here is a picture of a cover sheet I wrote about last time:

Very simply, our goal is to train to do all that our Father puts into our hands to do for His glory with skill, discernment and proper aim.  We want to encourage others to do the same.  What a joy and privilege it is to parent and teach three beautiful children who desire to live out the words of Matt 5:16 which tells us to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 

Shema...Jews...people of God...yes, we are a part of that story!  

Thank you FATHER.