{Continuing my Education} -The Beginning
As many of you know, last year our youngest graduated from homeschool high school. I’ve been slowly re-adjusting how I spend my time and thinking about what to do in this next stage of life. As I’ve been adjusting to more quiet around the house, and actually having silence while I fold clothes or weed the garden, I’m becoming increasingly aware that I don’t know how to think well. It’s kind of alarming. (What do YOU think about when you are doing mundane tasks? For me, it’s usually people, problems, or what I have to do next.) I love what Elanor Roosevelt once said,
Great Minds Discuss Ideas. Average Minds Discuss Events. Small Minds Discuss People.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I want a great mind to discuss ideas. Over the last 20 some years, I’ve been thinking about how to keep everyone fed, how to get to appointments and activities on time, and keep boys in shoes. Managing chaos is something I’m used to. But thinking clearly about things? Not so much. What am I supposed to think about? And the bigger question, HOW do I think about these things? I don’t know. So that usually means I resort to NOT thinking… scrolling online, looking up unimportant information, or watching something mindless or entertaining. Then the cycle just repeats. And I keep thinking there’s something huge here I’m missing. How am I to love the Lord with all my mind when my mind is soft, mushy, and used to just running on damage control for years?
I did start a homeschool history course as one of my goals this year. But while plodding through Grant’s Personal Memoirs (he’s talking about ranks in the military, locations I’m unfamiliar with, and military terms I just don’t understand), I asked myself, “Why am I reading this? What am I hoping to get from it? Is it just so I can say I’ve read it? Is it just for bragging rights so I feel smart saying I read it? What’s the point of that?” I started this course because I’m weak on history, but the deeper reason is I really want to learn how to think.
Plus, one of the ministries I’m involved in is our local Apologetics ministry. I love how understanding and defending your faith requires you to understand deeply, think clearly, and communicate graciously. I get to see brilliant people do this every time we meet together. But it’s also frustrating because they all seem to have this secret gift that I didn’t get. Is it hopeless? Was my education so poor there’s no hope now? (I doubt that.) But what do I do?
I went back to our beginnings of homeschool where I first heard about different ways of learning and schooling. I pulled up blogs like this and this and podcasts of smart homeschoolers I used to listen to and one of those is the Schole Sisters Podcast. It’s a podcast all about Classical Education, which is what I really wanted to do with my boys, but reality dictated that I had to go with a more simple approach if we were going to survive this late in the game. (I did get to dip my toes into Classical Education-ish schooling with my youngest, but learning how to do an entirely different way of school –my husband and I were both brought up in the public school– while actually doing school was too much at the time.)
After listening to a few of the newest episodes (and their 100th episode book bash) I fell in love (again) with how they think and what they do and, honestly, I was kind of a teeny bit envious that they were doing homeschool how I always wanted to, but never actually did. But instead of being sad and wishing life would have been different for us, it occurred to me that I actually could do this, and I had a willing student at home and ready to go… ME! The book bash episode directed me to a couple more episodes with a mom who was schooling herself while homeschooling her kids (10 of them!) and another with the writer of a bunch of homeschool history books that we had used as part of our homeschool but I had never actually read myself.
So as usual for me, one thing led to an Amazon purchase and I now have this book coming home to me.
I will read through this and see if it really is hopeless for me, or not. Maybe I’m crazy, maybe life will dramatically change and I won’t be able to do it, but for now I’m willing to try. Have any of you dove into classical education? Have you continued your own education by yourself? Have you read this book? I’d love to hear about it.
I feel like I could have written that blog. I am that person you are talking about. After homeschooling 3 boys and then wondering what’s next, I started working part time in a local quilt shop. I still want more, like you I want that deep thinking to be able to converse with others and not feel like I’m less. I may come on this journey alongside you!
Kim
Yay! Let’s do it! I will be posting at least once a month (maybe more) about my work through this, and I’d love to see you respond where you are too! That would be so motivating and encouraging!
First, I totally get it! I turn 45 later this month and have been pursuing my own education for many years… haphazardly for sure. Just doing school with my boys is teaching me so very much that I never learned in my school years. I don’t want to wait till my boy are done with their k-12 years…. my youngest is about to start 1st grade sometime this fall! I got 12 more years with him.
Second, I love Schole Sisters! I read afterthoughtsblog.net and simplyconvivial.com! These places have encouraged me to pursue my own education and Schole Everyday and Mother Culture.
Third, I totally have that book. Its a lot for sure but worth pursuing that plan she lays out. I have the first edition, so I’m wondering what changed.
Well, I’d love to have you along the ride with me. I’ll post where I’m at in the program at least once a month. Maybe you should join me?? That’d be so cool! You’re already further ahead than I am because you own the book!
Maybe I can do it. I’m working on my 5×5 list, which is turning more into a 4×6+1 list…. I can get creative about fitting things into categories when I need to. but should I? I have a blog I’ve not posted to in ages and ages, maybe I can revive it.
A ride might be the right way to describe seeking to educate ourselves even now!
This is what I have found that is fulfilling my need to educate my brain! I have been studying the Bible inductively. Not only has it changed my life, from the inside out, it has really satisfied my need to “study” anything else. College courses were great for the moment, but really didn’t satisfy this desire to learn and grow. Studying the Bible much deeper, and really learning what God’s Word says for myself, did just that and so much more.
Sharon – How did you start studying the Bible inductively? This is what I want to do. I want to study the Bible deeper. I just don’t know how to get started. Thanks, Teresa
Kay Arthur teaches how to study the Bible inductively. She’s a great teacher.
Thanks Twila. That’s what I was thinking but wasn’t sure.
If I could humbly pop in here, I’d add that my studies for women are also an inductive type of study. You can find them under the “shop” tab up on top. I got started on Kay Arthur’s studies and added in simple doodles, lists, and journaling. 🙂
Thanks Kari! I’ll check out your studies also. Teresa
The hot thing right now is “verse mapping” which is kind of inductive too, look it up and start. But make it your own, you do NOT have to stick religiously to the system, start doing it with a favorite verse. Then you’ll come across another verse and another, and before you know it you will be unearthing gems right & left!
Another thing I found beneficial to gaining loads of understanding is to read a CHRONOLOGICAL daily Bible (start anytime, but I usually start in January).
I like best the one edited by F. Legard Smith.
A chronological Bible is set up in historical order, so as you’re reading Kings, you’re getting a bit from Chronicles and as you’re reading about David, boom! there are his Psalms, too. Also interwoven are the prophets who were working during the various kings’ lifetimes. The book of Acts is interspersed with Paul’s or Peter’s or John’s epistles.
If I could point to only one method / study / thing that made my Bible knowledge & understanding “click” it was reading the Chrono Bible (and I’ve done it roughly / alternating years for the past 20-ish years now). I’ve read a couple other versions than F. Legard Smith’s, and I always come back to his.
Absolutely 100% agree! The Word of God is priority #1 and deep study is key! That will never change for me!
Yes! This is the way I went, too: immerse myself in the Bible, beyond Bible / ancient history facts & key verses (though these are where we almost all start & it is good to do so), but as time goes by with diligent study also unearthing the layers & layers of meaning & gems that God has put in there for those of us who dig deeply. The only real knowledge that will mean anything in the long run is knowing God & His plan of salvation & how that relates to my life and how I share about Him with others. I may never have an intelligent conversation about carbon footprints or politics or the economy or the global war on terrorism or use logical arguments to debate a topic (though having God’s Word as my foundation is a great place to start!), but I can assure you of God’s love when all the world is coming apart at the seams.
This is such a great idea! Our youngest just graduated from homeschool and will start college this fall. I may follow your example.
Yay! If you join me from afar, there are others on here who are thinking about it too! I’ll be posting once a month or so about my progress and it’d be so cool to have you share where you are too! I hope you do! I mean, what do we have to lose, right?
Please keep us posted on this. I’ve graduated my kids a while ago and always felt like I wanted to go back and re-read the books. I guess that’s why I never parted with our copies of The Story of the World Series from Susan Wise Bauer!
Yes! That’s the series I have, I think. It’s very good.
I think I’m going to start asking for those books (or the others she has written for adults) for gifts! I will definitely keep you updated on how it goes! I’d love to have you join in and post your thoughts in the comments of my {continuing my education} blog posts!
Kari, maybe you could teach an online class for those of us desiring just the same thing. 🙂
I don’t think I could teach an online class, but what if you joined along and responded in the comments of the updates with where you are on the journey too? I still don’t have my book, so you have time! 🙂
What an inspiring post! I am off to the local library to see what I can find to further my own education. Also realizing it is time to switch up my Bible study method…and looking forward to it! Thank you for your encouragement!
Yay! That’s awesome!
I also put my hand up and say that I could have written this post myself. I do own The Well Educated Mind, however, sadly it is collecting dust. You have inspired me to dust it off and begin the process of training my mind to concentrate on harder, longer books. Thank you.
Yay! Let’s do it together! I’ll post updates at least once a month and you could be part of it by posting comments where you are in the plan too! Wouldn’t that be fun?!
If it’s the same person, Susan Wise Bauer also has a fabulous multi-book series that goes through the various historical periods. And she doesn’t limit it to just Western history. She covers global history. It’s definitely worth checking out. I hadn’t seen this book but am adding it to my reading list.
Hi Kari you have inspired me.
My husband will order the book for me in a couple of weeks so I can get started. This has been on my mind for a while. But I didn’t know how to get started. Can’t wait to get my book. Thank you.
Aging has taken me by surprise and caught me without a plan for life in my 50’s. You see, my 6th pregnancy was marked by hospitals, ICUs and finally, the NICU. There is no way to explain our survival except to say that we were supernaturally spared by God. I was 32 years old and all I prayed for at that moment was enough time to somehow get my six children old enough to be able to manage without me. 10, then 15 years went by. That baby is now 23 years old and a strapping Army Airborne Soldier. And I am still here. What now? I never planned for old age. What is Gods plan for me now? So I went back to college in my 50’s and my brain literally hurt like a pulled muscle! Some days all I did was study and sleep! It was so difficult and and so rewarding. Im proud of myself and the friends I made. I learned so much. Now that I graduated I am back to Gods drawing board.
The hot thing right now is “verse mapping” which is kind of inductive too, look it up and start. But make it your own, you do NOT have to stick religiously to the system, start doing it with a favorite verse. Then you’ll come across another verse and another, and before you know it you will be unearthing gems right & left!
Another thing I found beneficial to gaining loads of understanding is to read a CHRONOLOGICAL daily Bible (start anytime, but I usually start in January).
I like best the one edited by F. Legard Smith.
A chronological Bible is set up in historical order, so as you’re reading Kings, you’re getting a bit from Chronicles and as you’re reading about David, boom! there are his Psalms, too. Also interwoven are the prophets who were working during the various kings’ lifetimes. The book of Acts is interspersed with Paul’s or Peter’s or John’s epistles.
If I could point to only one method / study / thing that made my Bible knowledge & understanding “click” it was reading the Chrono Bible (and I’ve done it roughly / alternating years for the past 20-ish years now). I’ve read a couple other versions than F. Legard Smith’s, and I always come back to his.
So proud of you Kari and all the others who have desired to keep learning – we are never done. It encourages me to see all these gals eager to grow; I’m 83 and still learning! TO GOD BE PRAISED.
I can relate to your post but on a different note. I was a fulltime nurse for 35 years. My kids were all raised and had their own kids. And I just did whatever I wanted and worked. Then suddenly after a knee operation, I was no longer able to work. I have severe arthritis and an auto immune disease that hit me like a storm. So, I was lost. What do I do? My brain was turning to mush. I adore school. I was disappointed when I graduated because I loved school. I’m 68 now and I looked into those schools that let you attend for free for old people. But I didn’t know where to start. So I study my bible alot. But I heard about apologetics and have no idea who or what they are, so I’m sorta tinkering about figuring out maybe I could study that? But I understand……..I want to Learn!!
I got that book from the library and liked it so much I asked for it for Christmas so I could work through it. Then my dad borrowed it from me in January – 3 years ago! I guess I need to write that one off as a gift and get a new copy. 😆 But I also love Schole Sisters podcast and am wanting to work on exercising my mind, so I’ll be keeping up with the series and looking forward to the discussion in the comments.
I remembered the post about homeschooling yourself and just read it this morning. Kari, I’m 65 and retirement is just around the corner ( I hope). I graduated from public school but just did enough to get by. I want a deeper knowledge and love for the Lord and the wonderful things He has provided for us. I think homeschooling myself is the answer. So many families at our church belong to Classical Conversations and that’s the route I want to take. Facebook won’t miss me, neither will the television. Thank you for this idea!