We’ve been studying about St. Patrick. Last year we did a lapbook since the kids were quite a bit younger – so it seems, but they are so much better able to listen and understand so much more in a year’s time, it is amazing!
The resources we are using this time are MUCH more indepth. After some research, I settled on using Unit Study from Knowledge Quest, along with one of the stories from a young writer, Jannaya Dunlap (oh to have her talent for writing even now at my age!) about St. Patrick’s journey. We are also using part of a unit study from Brandenburg Studies available on CurrClick, and coloring pages from here. While we are focusing a little on the symbolism (IE gold coins, rainbows, leprechauns and shamrocks), we are honing in more on Patrick’s actual life – at least, what was known about him, and the legends as well.
Patrick was a young man who was the son of a very wealthy man, and lived in (at the time) Roman-occupied Britain (around the end of the 4th century AD – perfect, this fits RIGHT IN with where we are at in reading Our Island Story!). Legend has it he was taken by Irish marauders from his home as a teenager, and forced to work as a herdsman under the cruel thumb of an Irish chieftain. He was not “religious” per se, but he came to know God through the 6 years he was a slave, and endured many more hardships until he was able to escape.
After he returned to his family in Britain, he was not able to rest or settle back into life as “normal”. He felt God calling him to return to his “enemies” and to bring the gospel to them. He studied for 15 years and eventually returned to preach the gospel, as a “prisoner and ambassador for Christ”. They think he stayed there the rest of his life and lived amongst the Irish, preaching and bringing many a person to know Christ.
This man had a heart to serve the Lord. He obeyed the call to go back to the land he had been taken captive in, and to preach the gospel to the lost.
After reading about all that he had gone through, we talked about those whom we know who do not know the Lord. JJ brought up some of our Pastors’ family members, as well as some small group members who have parents and siblings who are not following God. We ourselves have family members on both sides who know “about” God, but are not following him.
We seized the moment and came together in prayer to pray for those we know who are not following Christ. We also prayed for a boldness to tell others about what he has done for us. I am humbled in hearing my children asking people they have just met, or friends outside of church “Do you go to church? Do you know Jesus?”.
May we be motivated by the witness of those who have become prisoners for Christ to preach the gospel of salvation, no matter the difficulties or uncomfortable situations that may arise.
May we be enabled to speak the truth in love to those around us and give the message of God’s love to those we love.
With the innocence of a child, may you be emboldened to bring the Good News to all of Christ the Saviour and Redeemer.
