Tuesday, June 1, 2010

One Million Arrows


Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.

Not long ago, author Julie Ferwerda asked me to review her book, One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World. With a title like that, how could I refuse?

American Christians tend to be more concerned with prosperity and happiness then they are about the impact their families are making on the world for the sake of Christ. Regular readers of this blog are no stranger to my opinion that we need to be raising our kids to be fully devoted, world changing, disciples of Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. This book will help your family to put "legs" on this conviction, giving practical ideas and heartwarming stories about what can happen when parents begin to see the vision that God has for their children.

We want our kids to be more than happy, healthy, well adjusted people who also happen to love Jesus. We want our kids to love Jesus more than life itself, and to be about His Kingdom business!

To be sure, One Million Arrows may be "preaching to the choir" for most of my readers. However, if you have Christian friends of a more "mainstream" mindset, this book may be just what they need to get their families into gear. If you're expecting, as I was, a great emphasis on (1) accepting God's blessing of many children through the womb and (2) homeschooling, you will be disappointed. She does give several examples of homeschooling families who are living the One Million Arrows vision, which was encouraging, but I would have liked to see a greater emphasis on it. She did mention, briefly, the idea of adopting children into our families, and I would have loved to see her get into that idea in greater detail. Additionally, it is the same kind of self-centered, "American Dream"-focused materialism that One Million Arrows rails against that keeps people from allowing God to bless the fruit of the womb. This would certainly be an appropriate topic to consider for a later edition of the book.

One area in which she challenges us, that I do not get into regularly on this blog, is the idea of sacrificially giving to ministries to orphans. She mentions several missions organizations that take in destitute, sick, and unwanted children, and train them up to be disciples of Christ, serving Him among their own native peoples. This is something I had never heard of before, and an idea that I intend to learn more about.

If you're curious and want to learn more, you can read the entire first chapter of One Million Arrows for free, here.

You can purchase your copy through Amazon or other online retailers. Discounts on bulk orders are also available. I am seriously considering asking my church's Christian Education Director to purchase a copy of this book for the parents of every child in our Sunday School program.

You will be happy to hear that all proceeds from the book will go to international orphan ministries!

So, what does God have planned for your arrows?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

We love to give to Orphan's Tear. 100% of your money goes to the orphans. They take nothing for administration. And all of their orphanages are like what you described where the children are raised to be disciples of Christ.

Jennifer said...

"American Christians tend to be more concerned with prosperity and happiness then they are about the impact their families are making on the world for the sake of Christ."

What an incredibly poignant and needed message for today. I couldn't agree more.

Post a Comment

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Follow On Twitter

About Me

My photo
I'm a Stay-at-Home, Christian, "crunchy" mama. I have been blessed with the calling to be a godly wife and mother. I am passionate about bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD, through home education and discipleship. Helpmeet to my best friend and soulmate, Christopher since 1/29/2000, and mama to four little blessings, including a tiny, precious, newborn baby girl.

My Writing Elsewhere...

Fixing Your Heart on Titus 2

Did you pray for your
husband today?
Monday--His Work
Tuesday--His Integrity
Wednesday--His Mind
Thursday--His Purpose
Friday--His Health
Saturday--His Protection
Sunday--His Faith

Carnival of Homeschooling

Carnival of Homeschooling
Features God Made, Home Grown

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

2009 Nominee!

2010 Nominee!

My Wired Style

My Wired Style
Success is not learned. It is discovered and nurtured. What was your child born to do?
Thank goodness I was never sent to school...Beatrix Potter quote at DailyLearners.com
Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. W.B. Yeats quote at DailyLearners.com

Our Curriculum 2010-2011

Bible--Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos, Apologia Biblical World View Book 1, "Who is God and Can I Really Know Him?"
Catechism-- "Training Hearts, Teaching Minds" by Starr Meade
Phonics--Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
(Kindergarten), Year 1 Booklist (1st Grade)
Handwriting--Bible Copywork, made using Educational Fontware
Spelling-- All About Spelling Level 1 (1st grade)
Math--Math-U-See Primer (Kindergarten) , Math-U-See Alpha (1st grade)
World History--Simply Charlotte Mason's Genesis Through Deuteronomy and Ancient Egypt
American History--The Light and The Glory For Children Series
Art--Interest-led projects and handicrafts
Geography and Missions-- "Hero Tales" by Dave and Neta Jackson, as well as various other missionary biographies, incorporating globe and map study
*We will be studying music and phy-ed., participating in a writing club and nature club, as well as attending various field trips, with our church's homeschool group.*

Disciple Like Jesus

Disciple Like Jesus

Raising Homemakers

Raising Homemakers

Quiverfull Family

The Modest Mom

Followers

Follow Me On Facebook

Related Posts with Thumbnails