The Session: Preparing Your Children For The School Year With Maslow’s Heiarchy as a Guide, from Simon & Schuster

Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'"

Scott’s question: Does this work for home schoolers as well as traditional students?

Who is Maslow?

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who developed a theory of psychological health.

· His theory was based on the developmental stages of a child being met to help the child develop into a self actualized state.

Physiological Needs As It Relates To Students

· Hungry

· Thirsty

· Exhausted

· Freezing

· Over heated

· Sick

· In Pain

Safety

· If we feel safe and confident that we are not in pain, discomfort, we avoid pain and hunger. We are able to begin to learn.

· Social Media

Children aged 8–12 spend an average of 5 hours and 33 minutes per day on screen media, while teens spend 8 hours and 39 minutes.

Social

· “Peer Priority”

· We feel safe and secure then we are ready to belong to a group of people. To our children that means their friends are vitally important. Children are now ready for belonging and love.

Self-esteem

· Once you were child feels accepted in a group they are now wanting to have special status. That status includes being admired and respected.

· John 4:16-18 NIV ... “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is ...

· 1 Peter 2:9 – A Chosen People. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises ...

Self Actualization

· Finally, now our core needs are met, we're ready to pursue our deepest desire for self-actualisation - to become the most complete and authentic version of ourselves.

· Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"

Celebration Of Success

· Goal Setting

Vision

Long Term

Short Term

Goals of the Week

Goals of the Day

LearningStyles

· Kinestec-Physically feel it

· Experiential-hands on / movement

· Auditory-lecture/ music

· Visual-graphs / charts

· Whole to part / part to whole

· Social-collaboration / teams

The Session: National Grief Awareness Day (Aug. 30) We honor this day with a conversation about dealing with grief, and the 5 stages of grief.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God"

Dr. Gregory Jantz-Whole Person Care

Multiple Causes

Grief can take many forms, from the death of a loved one to divorce, job loss, or chronic illness.

Emotions or feelings of grief can include sadness, denial, despair, shock, guilt, numbness, relief, helplessness, and/or anger. Many grief sufferers also experience anxiety or depression, which can vary in its longevity.

Body’s reaction to grief

When you’re grieving, different hormones and neurochemicals flood your brain. This can result in symptoms like disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, fatigue and anxiety, all of which can have a big impact on your brain function.

Cortisol (sometimes called the “stress hormone”) is often released more frequently and in higher quantities during grief, in particular over the six months after the loss of a loved one.

The five stages of grief is a model of grief developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist.

The 5 Stages of Grief

Denial

The time it takes to process the loss of a loved one means there is a lag between learning the information about their passing and your brain beginning to process what this really means – that they are not coming back.

This type of shock can also make you feel very disconnected from the rest of the world. It can be incredibly confusing to see life carrying on around you while you feel as though your world has stopped turning.

Anger

Feelings of anger can surface after a death in several different ways. You may feel angry towards the person who has died, or anger at yourself if you feel you should have done or not done certain things before they died. You could feel both of those feelings simultaneously

Bargaining

By making deals with yourself, the world, or with God, the reality of death can be held at bay for a little longer. It’s also a way to try to get some control over what has happened, hoping that by holding up our end of the bargain is a way to feel less pain.

Depression

This stage is perhaps the most familiar to those who’ve experienced grief and to those who have witnessed it. Living without your loved one can feel impossible, and the sadness and longing can be very intensely painful. The depression stage often comes in waves over months or years, leaving the bereaved feeling as though nothing matters, and even that life is not worth living.

Acceptance

While grief can leave people feeling like they will never be able to accept the loss of their loved one, many people do find the pain eases.

Treatment from Scripture:

• Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
• Psalm 73:26: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
• Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

• Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"

Other Treatment Options:

• Writing Jesus a letter. Ummm…..the USPS doesn’t deliver to “Heaven”…
• What would Jesus say to you?
• Make a video of the loved one
• (A thought from Scott) Talk to someone. Pastor, friend, parent, spouse, someone you trust

In this "retro" episode from 2022, Tom & Scott look at a tough topic as school starts...bullying. How do you know if your child is a victim? How do you if your child IS a bully? We talk through it.

Scripture

We should treat others the way we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31).

Definition: Bullying occurs between two students who have different degrees of power.

Researchers who study bullying cite three common characteristics of what makes an act bullying:

· Bullying is intentional and tries to cause harm or distress to the victim.

· Bullying occurs between two students who have different degrees of power.

· Bullying happens repeatedly over a period of time.

Bullying According to the American Medical Association, states by the time students finish school, nearly half of students have been bullied at one point or another.

Cybersmile.com

· This is a list of resources for victims of bullies, suicide prevention, depression and more

According to the American Medical Association, by the time students finish school, nearly half of students have been bullied at one point or another.

What to do?

1. If you see something, say something.

Reporting bullying to the proper authorities is one of the most important strategies we can use to prevent further bullying. Twenty-eight percent of students grades 6-12 say that have been bullied at school.

2. Understand who you are in Christ.

Meditate on passages like Psalm 139:13-18, which tells us that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God’s thoughts toward you are too numerous to count.

3. Even if you are wronged, respond in a Christ-like manner.

When we are in the midst of a painful situation, it can be very easy to forget who we are in Christ and how he has called us to act. Thus, if you ever find yourself being bullied, there are a couple of principles that you need to keep in mind.

· First, we should never try and get back at a bully or seek revenge.

· Second, it’s okay to stick up for yourself if you are bullied. Christians can often be confused by passages such as Matthew 5:39 and Luke 6:29 which tell us to “turn the other cheek.

· Third, Reach out to those being bullies Lastly, we need to reach out to those being bullied. One of the best ways we can do this is to befriend them and invite them to hang out with us. Not only will this make them feel loved, accepted, and less alone, it also acts as a deterrent to bullying. Bullies are much less likely to pick on someone if they are in a group of friends than if they are alone

The Session: Role models-who are/were your role models? Who do/did you look up to? What characteristics led you to make them a role model? We sort that out in this episode!

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, (Titus 2:7)

Characteristics of Jesus, Leadership

· Compassion Jesus demonstrated compassion in all interactions and advocated for a world of love and forgiveness.

· Selflessness Jesus' teachings and example of selfless leadership put leaders in a position of humility, where they may even suffer for the benefit of their followers. qqqw

· Integrity Jesus acted in a way that was consistent with what he said, such as when he laid down his life to take away sins.

· Servant leadership Jesus put the needs of others before his own and acted as a servant first. For example, he washed the feet of his disciples, even during difficult times.

· Visionary leadership Jesus had a clear vision of his mission and purpose, and he communicated it effectively to his followers, inspiring them to work towards a common goal.

“This knowledge provides a new vision that allows us to see God and His plan for our lives more clearly. Without this vision, we are left to wander in the dark down a path that ultimately leads to destruction. (Christianity.com)

· Emotional intelligence Jesus understood and managed his emotions well.

· Encouraging the heart Jesus encouraged people by showing concern for future benefits, rather than the immediate gratification often associated with success.

· Embracing other cultures Jesus had a cross-cultural gospel focus and was not afraid or offended by people from other cultures. For example, he went out of his way to talk with Samaritans, even when they rejected him

Leadership traits, excerpts from Gavin Adams

Truth-

· Jesus always told the truth

· Jesus set boundaries

He retreated to his own space to pray

· Jesus wanted heart transformation more than just behavioral change

· Jesus delegated

From Biblical Leadership

· He saw potential instead of perfection.

· He forgave even before he was forsaken

· Jesus asked questions.

· He served others rather than expecting to be served.

Biblical Role Models

Nehemiah

· A man of character, persistence, and prayer

· Brilliant, visionary, organizer, and motivator

· Calm in the face of opposition

Joshua

· Joshua was prepared and very encouraging

· Joshua trusted God

· Joshua was very committed to God

· Joshua held his people accountable

Contemporary Role Models

Dr. James Dobson

· Humble

· Sincere

· Authentic and genuine

Tom Hanks

· Forrest Gump

· Private Ryan

Scott-I’m going to push back on this a bit. Why do these roles make Tom Hanks a role model? The characters he played, yes, but not him. You could also toss Toy Story in there…

Denzel Washington

· Gives credit for his acting ability to God

· Remember the Titans

Tim Tebow

· Former Florida Gator and NFL quarterback, currently very involved with human trafficking prevention.

· Golfers who use their professional platform to glorify Jesus. Some include Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker, Scotty Scheffler and Rickie Fowler

Personal Role Models

· Phil Hall

· Tom Schuler

· Ray Nethery

What makes them role models to you?

What is one characteristic you could taken from them?

The Session: The Impact of Anxiety on our brains and bodies

Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

· Mental Anxiety can cause feelings of dread, fear, panic, or uneasiness. It can also lead to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a sense of detachment from yourself or the world. People with anxiety may also have obsessive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares. Emotional Anxiety can lead to low mood and depression, and can make it difficult to maintain relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. It can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These can include ( Physical )

· a churning feeling in your stomach

· feeling light-headed or dizzy

· pins and needles

· feeling restless or unable to sit still

· headaches, backache or other aches and pains

· faster breathing

· a fast, thumping or irregular heartbeat

· sweating or hot flushes

· sleep problems

· grinding your teeth, especially at night

· nausea (feeling sick)

· needing the toilet more or less often

· changes in your sex drive

· having panic attacks.

Treatment

The Christian cannot worry about a situation if he trusts God in the situation. Jesus finished his teaching on anxiety by saying, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This is the crux of the issue of anxiety. This is the heart of the cure!

The Bible lists anxiety as a common problem throughout human history. Fear and lack of control are often the underlying reasons for anxiety. Behind fear, there is often doubt and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. Our anxieties, fears, and doubts create barriers to a deeper faith in God.

Treatment Implications

· Anxiety is a sign that we are not trusting our God enough. The higher, the anxiety, the lower the trust is in our God.

· If we can change what we are thinking we can change what we are feeling

· Sleep - There’s a direct correlation between low levels of sleep and higher levels of anxiety

· Poor sleep leads to worrying. Worrying leads to poor sleep. Worrying about sleep is like your mind trying to fight itself. That's a horrible place to be.

(Mind.org.uk)

How did I know you would bring THIS UP???? 😊

· Stress is The body reacting to what the mind is thinking. If the mind is stressed and anxious the body will react to it. ADRENALIN and CORTISOL are released as well as Epinephrine

· It creates panic and a crisis reaction that is life interrupting

· 3 Culprits that are ingested that ignite anxiety ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE and SUGARY FOODS

Other treatments:

· Walk, jog, or work out. Physical activity can improve your mood and help you sleep better.

· Eat healthy meals regularly. Good nutrition helps your body and your mind.

· Sleep well. Getting enough quality sleep can help you feel better during the day.

· Practice relaxation techniques. A shower, deep breathing exercises, or time in a quiet place to collect your thoughts can help relieve stress and make you feel more at ease.

· Get involved. Volunteer, join a club, or take up a hobby to share your strengths and wisdom with others. Take the focus off of you, focus on someone else!

In this episode, we take a look at how anxiety, worry and stress impact us physically and emotionally.

The Session: The Impact of Anxiety on our brains and bodies

Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

· Mental Anxiety can cause feelings of dread, fear, panic, or uneasiness. It can also lead to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a sense of detachment from yourself or the world. People with anxiety may also have obsessive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares. Emotional Anxiety can lead to low mood and depression, and can make it difficult to maintain relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. It can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These can include ( Physical )

· a churning feeling in your stomach

· feeling light-headed or dizzy

· pins and needles

· feeling restless or unable to sit still

· headaches, backache or other aches and pains

· faster breathing

· a fast, thumping or irregular heartbeat

· sweating or hot flushes

· sleep problems

· grinding your teeth, especially at night

· nausea (feeling sick)

· needing the toilet more or less often

· changes in your sex drive

· having panic attacks.

Treatment

The Christian cannot worry about a situation if he trusts God in the situation. Jesus finished his teaching on anxiety by saying, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This is the crux of the issue of anxiety. This is the heart of the cure!

The Bible lists anxiety as a common problem throughout human history. Fear and lack of control are often the underlying reasons for anxiety. Behind fear, there is often doubt and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. Our anxieties, fears, and doubts create barriers to a deeper faith in God.

Treatment Implications

· Anxiety is a sign that we are not trusting our God enough. The higher, the anxiety, the lower the trust is in our God.

· If we can change what we are thinking we can change what we are feeling

· Sleep - There’s a direct correlation between low levels of sleep and higher levels of anxiety

· Poor sleep leads to worrying. Worrying leads to poor sleep. Worrying about sleep is like your mind trying to fight itself. That's a horrible place to be.

(Mind.org.uk)

How did I know you would bring THIS UP???? 😊

· Stress is The body reacting to what the mind is thinking. If the mind is stressed and anxious the body will react to it. ADRENALIN and CORTISOL are released as well as Epinephrine

· It creates panic and a crisis reaction that is life interrupting

· 3 Culprits that are ingested that ignite anxiety ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE and SUGARY FOODS

Other treatments:

· Walk, jog, or work out. Physical activity can improve your mood and help you sleep better.

· Eat healthy meals regularly. Good nutrition helps your body and your mind.

· Sleep well. Getting enough quality sleep can help you feel better during the day.

· Practice relaxation techniques. A shower, deep breathing exercises, or time in a quiet place to collect your thoughts can help relieve stress and make you feel more at ease.

· Get involved. Volunteer, join a club, or take up a hobby to share your strengths and wisdom with others. Take the focus off of you, focus on someone else!