Not all kids love learning, however there is a difference between a kid that doesn’t like to learn, and a kid that isn’t interested at the moment. Sometimes the way things are being portrayed just aren’t getting through to the kids, and sometimes, they don’t feel as though anyone cares enough about their education, so why should they? In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at how you can get your kids to love learning.

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Can You Get Your Kids To Love Learning?

Make It Fun

The first piece of advice that we have for you is to make it fun.  When something is fun, you are much more likely to want to do it, right? The same goes for your kids, so you need to think of fun and creative ways to get them to learn.  If you make learning fun as often as possible, your kids are far more likely to engage with the activities. For example, if you use things like play-doh when it comes to math or making milkshakes when learning about ratios and so on.  Now, not every lesson is always going to be fun.  Sometimes "old fashioned" methods work best but these are two good ideas that can help visualize what you are saying which is sometimes the key to understanding.

Engage With Their Work

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One problem that some kids have is that they feel as though nobody actually cares about their learning, so why should they? To avoid this, you need to be actively engaging in your kids learning as much as you can. Ask them about school, ask them about classes, talk to them through their homework, encourage them to find out more about certain topics and so on. Engage as much as you can without becoming overbearing and smothering, and they are going to thank you for it.

Remember that if your kids have someone to tell them that they are proud of them, they are more likely to push to achieve these things.

Help Them Find Their Point Of Interest

The final thing that we are going to mention is the fact that you should help them find their point of interest. This could be art, it could be reading, or anything else. Try looking into classic books for teens if you have a reader, and encourage them in their interest. Let them love what they love, and be there every step of the way so that they know you support them. This is important for their growth as well as their path to loving learning in one way or another.


We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can try to get your kids to love learning.  Not all of these suggestions are going to work for everyone.  Perhaps you have other suggestions.  If so, leave them in the comments section below so that we can all learn from one another's suggestions.

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The Thompson Chain Reference Bible: A Review

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible: A Review

Disclosure Statement:  I received the Thompson Chain Reference Bible from Zondervan via the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Program in exchange for my honest review.  Neither Zondervan nor Bible Gateway influenced my opinion in any way.  My review is totally my own and in my own words.

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible

I own several types of Bibles but I've never owned a chain reference Bible so I was interested in finding out what makes the Thompson Chain Reference Bible different from any of my other study Bibles.  This Bible has a concordance in the back like most study Bibles have but it offers way more than that.  This Bible is packed with resources to help make the most of your Bible study time.

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Makes a Great Gift

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible makes a great gift.

If you are considering offering a Bible to someone as a gift, this one makes a great gift.  There is a page in the front of the Bible where you can write a presentation message and a date.  There is plenty of room for you to write your name and a special message for the gift recipient.  This Bible is one that will most likely be kept and used for many, many years.

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible offers a complete system of Bible Study

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible offers a complete system of Bible study.

This particular Thompson Chain Reference Bible is written in the New America Standard translation, featuring the 1977 text in both the old and new testaments.  You'll enjoy a complete numerical system of chain references, analyses of books, outline studies of characters, unique charts, pectoral maps, and archaeological discoveries as you can see from the photo above.  

Who is Dr. Frank Charles Thompson?  

Dr. Frank Charles Thompson was a young preacher in the late 1800s when he became disappointed with the reference Bibles being used by preachers. Dr. Thompson believed Bible study tools should be presented in a simple but scholarly way. He saw the need for a well-organized reference Bible that would be of practical use to the lay reader as well as to preachers. In 1890, Dr. Thompson began the work he would continue for the rest of his life. He completed a series of "thought suggestions" opposite key verses throughout the Bible. These are what became the "chain links" that comprise the heart of the Thompson system. Continue reading more about Dr. Thomspon here.

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Table of Contents 

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Table of Contents

Here is a peak at this Bible's table of contents.  The first section tells you where to find specific helps.  This table of contents looks much like one you will see in other Bibles, but there are a few extra helps such as analytic and synthetic systems of Bible study and practical advantages of using this particular study Bible.

Comprehensive Bible Study Helps

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Comprehensive Bible Helps

The comprehensive helps section is packed with reference materials covering principles of Bible study, Bible character studies, and Bible harmonies and illustrated studies.  Learn more about your favorite Bible characters such as John, Paul, Peter, and so many more.

Tips on How to Use the Chain Reference Feature

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible:  A Review

If you look at the left margin on the first page of the book of Genesis above, you'll see key words with numbers beside them.  For example, if you look at the word "Day," you see the number 920 just to the left of the word.  To follow the chain references for the word "day," turn to the Index of Chain Topics and find the number 920.

The Thompson Chain Reference Index of Chain Topics

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible System

Once you find the number you are looking for in the Index of Chain Topics, you'll find other references for that key word.  In the photo above, you'll see that for the word "day," number 920, the general references for the word "day" are listed as Genesis 1:5, Genesis 8:22, Psalm 74:16, and Jeremiah 33:20.

The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew Calendar

Other than the Chain Reference System as pointed out in the above brief explanations, the Thompson Chain Reference Bible offers other helpful Bible study tools as well, such as the Hebrew Calendar as outlined in the above photo.  In addition, you'll enjoy using this Bible's general index which is much like the one you are likely accustomed to using.  You'll find the character studies section helpful and interesting.  Further toward the back, you'll find a section about prominent characters of the Bible classified with the meanings of their names.  There is a section for men and a section for women characters. There is a history of the apostles outline, Isaiah's portraits of Christ, and synoptic portraits of Christ.  

Other sections include portraits of Christ, The Gospel of John as a Picture Gallery . . . and so much more.  If you are looking for a good study Bible, this is one you will want to add to your Bible study library.

The following page shows us places of religious worship during Bible times.

Places of Religious Worship

The following page shows us an aerial view of the portion of the mound of ancient Sushan, the city of Queen Esther and King Ahasuerus.

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Back Cover

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Back Cover

The back cover gives us another brief overview of what the Thompson Chain Reference Bible offers.  As the cover states at the top, this study Bible is an easy to learn, easy to use tool for in-depth Bible study.  It will make a great addition to your Bible study library.

You can read more about the Thompson Chain Reference Bible on the Bible Gateway blog here.

You can purchase your own copy of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible here in the FaithGateway online store or on Amazon here.

You might also like:

The NIV Quest Study Bible: Answers to Thousands of Questions About the Bible

The Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids

The Life Application Study Bible

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The Thompson Chain Reference Bible:  A Review

After the Funeral:  What's Next?

There are a lot of busy tasks to be done right after someone dies such as making contact with friends and relatives, settling accounts, and preparing for the funeral.  However, once all of the “things” have been taken care of and the well-wishers have faded, you may find yourself alone with your grief.

It is natural to feel as if your life has come to a full halt while everyone else's goes on after the initial intensity of burying a loved one. You have been changed for the rest of your life, but the world does not adjust its plans or speed because of you.

Here we look at some of the things that you can do after a funeral to help you move on and continue to live your life without a loved one.

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After A Funeral: What's Next?

Continue to grieve.

The funeral itself can be a significant milestone in the grief process, allowing loved ones to find closure. The funeral, on the other hand, does not mark the end of the grieving process; rather, it marks the end of one aspect of it.

You shouldn't expect to be able to quit mourning the next day. In fact, the stress and confusion of planning a funeral may have delayed your grief, and you may just be beginning to grieve now that the service has ended. Remind yourself that this is a normal part of the process. The grieving process can take years but even when it feels like it is over, it does not mean that you have forgotten your loved one.

As you work through the grieving process, remember that for the Christian, death is not the end.  Those who have chosen to make Jesus their Lord and follow Him never really die, but they live forever in Heaven.  Consider the following Bible verses about death and dying.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? - John 11:26

For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. - Revelation 221:4

Those are only a few of the many comforting verses you'll find in the Bible about death and dying to bring you comfort after losing a loved one.

Send thank you cards.

Another important job after the funeral is to send thank you cards or flowers to those who were the most supportive following your passing. It is customary to send a thank you note to those who assisted you in planning the funeral or who played a vital part on the day of the funeral.

Scatter your loved ones ashes.

Cremations have become increasingly popular and studies show that many people would rather have their ashes scattered. However, if they don’t, and want them kept in a special place, you will probably want to organize engraved plates for their urn.

If they want to be scattered, there is no immediate rush to do so. Think about where they would like their ashes to be scattered and find somewhere that means something to both you and them that would bring you comfort to visit in the future.

Reach out to your friends and family.

Make sure you surround yourself with the people you love to help you move on with your life after losing a loved one. It is normal to treasure your time with these people much more after losing a loved one. Spend time together to console one another during this difficult time. If the people who surround you are also hurting from the loss, they might need your shoulder to lean on as much as you need theirs.

Organize the death certificate and inform everyone who needs to know.

You will probably have started this process immediately after the death and before the funeral, but it is still a process that might continue after the funeral. There is a possibility that the departed had a variety of arrangements, memberships, and bank accounts with many organizations. You will need to utilise the death certificate to notify these parties of the death so that they can cancel accounts, stop regular payments, and possibly transfer assets. Think outside the box - there may be magazine subscriptions, TV subscriptions, and gym memberships, for example, that need canceling.

Consider organizing some sort of memorial.

Some people like to frame photos and make a special place in their homes to remember a loved one who has passed away. Others prefer to have a bench put in their loved one’s favorite spot, as somewhere people can go and sit and remember them. You could also look at planting a tree or a rose bush in their memory.

Continue with your life.

While it is reasonable that you will want to withdraw from daily life as you grieve and come to terms with your loss, you should strive to keep up with your interests and social obligations. Taking your mind off the death is not the same as not caring or grieving and it is something that should be encouraged.

Reach out to the professionals.

There's no shame in seeking professional help if you are taking all the correct steps but the grieving process is getting the best of you. We all grieve in our own unique ways and at various times. If you want to receive the necessary support or counseling to help you get through this difficult time in your life, you should do so.  If you aren't sure where to find counseling, let me suggest your church pastor.  Many church pastors counsel church members and non members after the death of a loved one.  In larger churches, the deacons or elders will often offer counseling.  Many churches like the one I attend offer special group support where you will find comfort and support in a group setting with others who are also hurting.   Sometimes, church leadership will refer people to a local Christian counseling agency where they will find professional help from those who have obtained college and seminary degrees in Christian Family Counseling and Grief Counseling.  Please don't be shy about finding extra help if you need it.

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After A Funeral: What's Next?

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Good parents want the best for their children and they want to ensure that they have the best possible chances of thriving throughout their lives.

While there are all sorts of different things that parents can do to help inculcate the right values in their children and set them up for success and happiness in life, perhaps one of the best and most universal things that parents can do to directly benefit their kids, is to encourage them to develop a love of learning.

Many people have negative associations with learning, from an early age, due to excessively dry and dull classrooms and curriculums.Here are a few ways to help make learning fun for your kids, instead.

Some Ways to Make Learning Fun for Your Kids

Give Them the Resources to Learn More on Their Own Time

Kids tend to be naturally curious and inquisitive about the world around them and will frequently have all kinds of questions about topics ranging from why the sky looks the way it does to how big the oceans are and why animals have different types of fur.

As a parent, you will naturally end up spending a significant amount of time discussing these kinds of topics with your children and helping to explain various features of the world – and of life – to them.

One great way of helping to make the learning experience more fun, however, and to encourage your kids to be proactive in their learning, is to give them the resources to learn more on their own time.

Among other things, you can give them all sorts of child-friendly encyclopedias, globes, storybooks with educational messages, and more.

Create a Joyful and Vital Atmosphere Around Learning

While old fashioned rote learning has its benefits and is still a good choice for learning some concepts in some academic areas in certain circumstances, a classroom featuring fun classroom decorations in an engaging environment is often the best approach to teaching young children.

A child’s outlook on learning and education can be shaped dramatically by the kind of atmosphere that is created around learning for them.

As a parent, do what you can to create a joyful and vital atmosphere around learning, which is motivated by enthusiasm and curiosity first and foremost, rather than by the need to memorize lists of facts simply for the sake of passing tests.

Help to Encourage Your Child in Exploring Their Own Interests

A great way of encouraging your child to remain interested, engaged, and curious about the world, is to help to encourage them in exploring their own interests in a healthy and uplifting manner.

If your child is naturally interested in space, for example, you can help them with space-themed projects and visits to the planetarium that encourage that interest while essentially educating them at the same time.

Even with regards to less intellectual or academic interests, such as cycling, there’s a lot that you can teach your child through active engagement with the subject in question.

The more your child is able to actively explore their own interests and hobbies, the more proactive they are likely to remain with regards to learning and education.

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