From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents,

     Scripture teaches that when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem inquiring the whereabouts of the one born King of the Jews. They had seen His star in the east and were come to worship Him (Matthew 2:1-12). These wise men, called magoi in the originals, were men of renown. They were men of great intelligence and influence. They had both prestige and power. They were intellectuals and rulers; thus they are referred to as “wise men” and also as “kings.”

     They were from the east, from Persia. Yet, they knew about the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth, most assuredly from studying the writings of Daniel, who himself was a wise man in both the Babylonian and Persian empires. His influence as a godly man spread through the generations of his successors. The wise men in our text traveled the several hundred-mile journey to coronate the newborn King. We do not know for certain how many wise men traveled to Palestine at the birth of Christ, but tradition supports three. What we do know is that they offered three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

     Gold was a gift associated with royalty; thus they recognized Jesus as King. Frankincense was an ointment used as incense offered to deity. They knew the Christ child was God. They also gave a gift of myrrh, an embalming agent used in burial. Hence, the humanity of Christ was in view and that He would die for the sins of the world. These wise men had remarkable understanding of the nature and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and offered to Him gifts consistent with who He is and what He would do.

     The Bible says that they worshipped Him. Here they are kings themselves, yet they recognized the King of kings; and in humility and reverence, they gave the Lord Jesus the honor and glory that He deserves. They understood who the Christ-child was, made great effort to be where His earthly presence was, and then worshipped Him in humility and reverence, offering Him gifts (sacrifices) consistent with His nature.

     What a prescription for us today! However, most today care nothing for the Christ born 2,000 years ago. Their interest is not in honoring Him, but in denying His Lordship. Worshipping Him where His special presence is (in church) is of no desire to them. When they do, the so-called worship is casual and sensual, not at all consistent with His holy, righteous, exalted nature.

     Why did the wise men get it right? Because they were looking at Scripture, framing their understanding of God and their subsequent worship from holy writ. Over 30 years later, Jesus said in John 4:23-24 that the Father is seeking for true worshippers. “And they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” True worship, worship that the Father accepts, is sincere and it is Scriptural. If one or both aspects are missing, the worship does not count. Sadly, most people today are not concerned if their worship lines up with the Bible. The standard has become what they like and what they want.

     The wise men were concerned with true worship, and we know this because of what they did. Jesus Christ received glory and honor from these wise men, something Mary and Joseph would have recognized and agreed with. Our obligation is the same today: recognize Christ correctly and worship Him Scripturally.

                                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                                         Pastor Sutton

Dear Parents,

We are canceling school tomorrow, Friday, November 16, 2018.  The air quality presently is verging on "Very Unhealthy," and it is supposed to be worse tomorrow.  We will return to school on Monday.

Also, Parent/Teacher Conferences are canceled.  We will send home report cards on Monday.  If you would like to contact your teacher for a meeting, you may.  But that will be up to you.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
​Pastor Sutton

​                                                        From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

      The Bible teaches that in a multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). The idea of counsel is input intended to give perspective and advice. Counsel taps in to the experience one has gained in life for the purpose guidance. Many voices, generally speaking, offer their counsel. Psalm 1:1 talks about the counsel of the ungodly. That counsel gives direction that contradicts the actions and purposes of the Bible. Christian counsel, on the other hand, instructs from God’s Word and offers wisdom applied to a specific situation. “What should I do? Here is what the Bible says.”

      Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week. This is an opportunity to get feedback from your child’s teacher on his progress. Sometimes, things are going well for a child academically, but not so much socially. It could be that academically one or two subjects need attention, but in specific ways. The conferences designate time for parent and teacher to discuss the progress of the child.

      These conferences are required. You will receive your child’s report card at the conference. So make sure you schedule a time. If your child has multiple teachers, you only need to meet with one teacher. Thanks for the effort. It makes a difference in the training of your children.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Pastor Sutton

                                                         From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

     When new parents come into the school, I explain to them in the orientation that in the classroom we have four main rules: no talking without permission, do not get out of your seat without permission, respect your teacher at all times, and follow directions to the point. There are other rules we have that relate to hair length, dress, gum chewing, and cell phone use. We do our best to make the rules we have relate to what Scripture teaches directly or to a principle found in Scripture.

        People do not always like rules, but rules are necessary. Can you imagine a school without rules (I think you can)? Can you imagine a classroom without rules? Imagine driving on the roads without any rules. What would a society be like without rules? Picture a household without rules. What would happen? Chaos, violence, self-will. In a word, destruction. We need rules because rules are protection. Rules are guidance. Rules are security.

          Where does the concept of rules start? It starts with God in the Garden of Eden. God gives rules because He is a God of order, a God of love, and a God of righteousness. He is also a God of authority. In Genesis 2:16, 17 God told Adam that he could freely eat of every tree in the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he could not eat of, for in the day he might eat of that tree, he would surely die. We know how the story unfolded and the perpetual consequences. Here we see that God set up these rules as a protection to the man. Rules establish boundaries so that people know what to do and what not to do. Harmful things and harmful activities exist. Rules protect us from what would harm us or others. Often people do not know or do not care about what will harm them, but the rules serve as a restraint for protection anyways. Now that mankind has a sin nature, the flesh wants to do the things that please it, whether it be self-will or some type of gratification. Rules restrain.

          Rules also guide. Psalm 119:105 says that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. God’s Word is His law, His commandments, what He wants. The commands of Scripture guide our thoughts and behavior. Rules not only guide behavior; they also create order. By guiding behavior, rules establish patterns. We want children to learn the right way and to stay away from the wrong way. Rules help develop right patterns and influence thinking. And as children develop patterns and are submissive to those patterns, they begin to recognize the value of the rules as well as the hardship and ruin that comes from not having those rules. This is when children start to see things for themselves and function within the rules on their own. We call this maturity.

      Lastly, rules provide security. When the Lord gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments, He told Moses to set bounds around Mt. Sinai, lest the people break through, touch the mountain and die. When they saw the boundary, they knew which side they should be on, and which side pleased Jehovah. They knew they were safe from negative consequences so long as they stayed on the right side of those clearly-marked boundaries.

          At Bethel we know that rules, in and of themselves, are not the solution; that is why we don’t rely on rules for spiritual growth or for dealing with sin. By the way, the absence of rules is not the solution either. We rely on the Word of God because it is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; it penetrates, it convinces, and it convicts. The problem is spiritual and so is the solution. At the same time, rules are definitely helpful and necessary. When people chafe at the rules, it is not the rules; it is their heart.
          
                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        ​Pastor Sutton

Tuesday Teacher’s Treats will be provided by Mrs. Sarah Huston. Thank you!

Hot Lunch – The hot lunch for Friday is cheese quesadilla, rice, treat, and a drink for $5.00. An extra cheese quesadilla is $1.00. Turn in your money and order to your teacher by Thursday.

Read–a–Thon Fundraiser – The Read–a–Thon Fundraiser ends today. Tally all the pages read, and begin collecting money from the sponsors. Sponsor money must be turned in by November 5.
Also, a parent must sign the attached form verifying the pages read and money collected. If you have more than one child in the school and are writing a check, please write a separate check for each student. This will avoid confusion in figuring out the money raised per class.

Basketball Game – We have 3 basketball games scheduled this week. Today we play against Hopewell in Napa at 6:00 p.m. On Thursday and Friday we have games against Heritage and Regency respectively. Home games are at 4:00 p.m.

Identification – Please put your child’s name on his belongings (eg. sweater, P.E. clothes, lunch boxes, basketball). This makes it much easier to identify lost items.

​ October       22 Read–a–Thon Fundraiser Ends
                        30 Progress Reports

November   05 Turn in Read–a–Thon Money
                       08–09 NO SCHOOL – Bethel Baptist Church Word of Truth Conference
                        14 End of Second Grading Period
                        16 School Dismissed at 12:00 Noon – No Afternoon Extended Care –
                        16 Parent/Teacher Conferences -12:00-4:00 PM/7:00-9:00 PM (Other times may be
                             scheduled)
                        16 Report Cards to Parents
                        21 School Dismissed at 12:00 Noon – No Afternoon Extended Care
                        22–23 No School – Thanksgiving Vacation
                        ​26 Back to School – 8:30 AM
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

                                                         From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents,

     Often when we watch professional athletes, we are amazed at how much skill they have and how easy they make their game look. When we listen to a professional orchestra play a symphony, we are taken back at their skill, sound, and blend. If you watch anyone do something really well, you are watching a craftsman at his trade. It is a thing of beauty. But the craftsman did not start out that way. In fact, learning to do something well involves a lot of instruction, and it involves a lot of failure. But if the person listens, shows great desire, and works at it, he can become skilled at what he is setting out to do.

     The same thing is true with students. We all would want our children to do well in their school work. But children are not born as “good students”; they have to work at becoming good students. And work it is. It is work on the student’s part, the teacher’s part, and the parent’s part. When all three agents work diligently at this task, a child can become a good student.

     As I say, children are not born as good students; they develop into good students. Here are some markers that identify good students. First, they pay attention in class. When the teacher explains material in class, the student must attend with interest the lesson that is being presented. If the student does not pay attention, he cannot assimilate the full scope of the information, and thus will not fully understand the material. Lack of paying attention affects learning, which affects homework speed and accuracy, which in turn affects test scores.

     Second, they make good use of their time. Good students work diligently at accomplishing their assignments. They persist. They care about what they are doing, which motivates them to focus on the task at hand. They do their best, and they get their work done on time and turned in on time, everyday. Essentially, they take responsibility for their assignments.

     Third, they study independently. Essentially, they take responsibility for their learning. They take good notes, learning to decipher between what is important and what is additional. They think through concepts and processes to make them their own. They ask questions for clarification. They make connections to previously learned material as well as to information across various subjects. They study for their tests and quizzes and keep track of their duties. They don’t just go through the motions of school; they actually try to learn.

     All of these traits make this student look like a model student. How long does it take to develop this kind of student? Many years. But if you lead your children in the right ways, setting a high standard and helping them reach that standard, and if they work diligently at their studies, doing their best and wanting to excel, they can become a good student. By the way, being a good student is not the same thing as being super smart. Plenty of very bright young people have fallen short of reaching their potential because they would not bring their minds and bodies under control to become a good student.

     Let me encourage you: continue at the task. Stress the necessity of paying attention (even at when you talk to them and give them instruction); establish patterns of time management; and help them learn to do their best, to care about learning, and to persevere through difficulties. Over the course of time, our children can become good students.

                                                                           Sincerely,
                                                                           Pastor Sutton

Tuesday Teacher’s Treats will be provided by Mr. Marco Rodriguez, thank you.  Also, we want to thank Mrs. Burrough for providing last Tuesday’s teacher’s treat.
 
Hot Lunch – The hot lunch for Friday is meat lasagna, bread, salad, and a drink for $5.00.  An extra order of lasagna is $2.00.  Please bring your order and $5.00 to your teacher by Thursday.
 
Read–a–Thon Fundraiser – The Read–a–Thon Fundraiser ends October 22nd.  Bring in your fundraiser money and reading sheets (tabulated & signed by a parent) on Monday, November 5th.  The prizes are as follows:  10% cash back after raising $50.00; $50.00 gift card for top fundraiser and $50.00 gift card for top reader; second place reader and second place fundraiser will receive $25.00 gift card; top fundraising class, (average funds raised) will celebrate with a party and extended recess, and the top ten students who raise at least $400.00 or more will spend the day at the Oakland Zoo, walk the California Trail and enjoy a delicious lunch afterwards. 
 
Basketball Game – We have a basketball game scheduled at 3:00 p.m. today in Sacramento against Regency. Go team go!
 
October        15         Basketball Game–Regency
                        22         Read–a–Thon Fundraiser Ends
                        25         Basketball Game–4:00 PM
                        26        Basketball Game–4:00 PM
                        30         Progress Reports
                       
November     05         Turn in Read–a–Thon Money
                      8–9        NO SCHOOL – Bethel Baptist Church Word of Truth Conference                                                       14         End of Second Grading Period
                        16       School Dismissed @ 12:00 Noon–No Afternoon Extended Care                                           16       Parent/Teacher Conferences – 12:00–4:00 PM/7:00–9:00 PM
                                    (Other times may be scheduled)
                        16         Report Cards to Parents
                        21       School Dismissed @ 12:00 Noon – No Afternoon Extended Care
                 22–23        NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Vacation
                        26        Back to School – 8:30 AM
 
 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take no thought for the thing of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

                                                  From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

     One of the major things we do at Bethel Christian Academy is to teach children the gospel. When students come to Bethel, they come with varying degrees of understanding of the gospel. Our goal is to consistently layer the understanding of salvation so that over the course of time they do understand and then place their faith in Jesus Christ.

       This is exactly the approach Paul said took place with Timothy in his childhood: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:15). Timothy’s mother and grandmother were believers, although his father was not. Nevertheless, these key ladies in Timothy’s life faithfully taught him the Bible, even from a very young child (likely starting when he was an infant or a toddler). Timothy started off not knowing the Bible, but he grew in his understanding of the Word as it was carefully and accurately explained to him. The careful teaching of the Word of God gives us understanding of salvation. But understanding is not enough.

     The word wise means to develop understanding in a proficient way. The understanding in our text is in regards to salvation. When a person understands, he must then place his faith in Jesus Christ alone to be saved. Knowledge and understanding of the Bible are not salvation, but knowledge and understanding are essential for salvation. A person must comprehend with a measure of proficiency the Jesus he is believing in and the sin he is turning from in order to be saved.

     No one born saved and no one is born with understanding of salvation. The Bible way of salvation must be correctly taught and carefully explained. But again, knowledge of the right way does not equal salvation. Understanding, coupled with belief and repentance, does result in salvation.

     Let me give you an example of what this looks like with children. Children are born as sinners, needing to be saved. They lack understanding of salvation, and they have not believed in Jesus Christ nor repented of their sin. Saying a prayer to be saved without understanding salvation is to make a false profession. In the same way, understanding salvation, praying, but refusing to believe or repent also results in a false profession. To press a child to pray for salvation apart from his understanding and apart from his desire to turn from his way of sin is to do great harm to him spiritually, and in some cases irreparable harm.

     As children are taught the Bible and the understanding is layered, they begin to grasp the gospel until they have sufficient and proficient understanding. At that point, the burden of responsibility is on them to place their faith in Jesus Christ alone and to turn from their way of sin to serve Him as their Lord. However, having understanding without faith and repentance is still to be unsaved.

     It happens the same way with adults. For instance, say a person believes one can lose his salvation; therefore, he must constantly obey the Bible to stay saved. In such a case, the person does not understand Bible salvation since the Bible teaches eternal security by grace through faith in Christ. He is trusting in his works. The person has not believed neither has he repented. He is unsaved. Let’s say that the same person comes to understand that the Bible does teach eternal security. That newfound understanding does not now make him saved. He still must believe and repent.

     To sum it all up, to be saved, a person must first understand the gospel, and then second, he must believe on Jesus Christ, repenting of his sinful way. Then and only then is he saved.

                                                                      In Christ,
                                                                      Pastor Sutton

Thank you Mrs. Evelyn Chikere for providing the teacher’s treats last Tuesday. 
 
Hot Lunch – The hot lunch for Friday is a hot dog, chips, fruit, and a drink for $5.00.  An extra hot dog is $1.00.  Please turn in your order and money to your teacher by Thursday.
 
Tuesday Teacher’s Treats – If you would like to provide Teacher’s Treats on Tuesday or any other day, please sign up or call the office to schedule.   
 
Tuition – Just a reminder that October tuition is due tomorrow, please make sure that tuition is paid on or before the due date to avoid a $25.00 late fee on your account.
 
Read–a–Thon Fundraiser – The Read–a–Thon Fundraiser started yesterday and will continue until Monday, October 22.  Continue to read and get as many sponsors as you can.  The proceeds will go toward a new fence along the school parking lot and new railings along the sidewalk.  We ask that every student (K–12) participate.
 
Report Cards – Report cards will be sent home with your child(ren) tomorrow.
 
Basketball Game – We have a basketball game scheduled today @ 4:00 PM against Heritage Christian Academy in Antioch. 
 
October       09        Picture Day – 9:00 AM
                        10         Report Cards to Parents
                        22         Read–a–Thon Fundraiser Ends
                        30         Progress Reports
                                               
November 08–09        NO SCHOOL – Bethel Baptist Church Word of Truth Conference
                        14         End of Second Grading Period
                        16       School Dismissed at 12:00 Noon – No Afternoon Extended Care
                     16         Parent/Teacher Conferences -12:00-4:00 PM/7:00-9:00 PM (Other                                                            times may be scheduled)
                        16         Report Cards to Parents
                        21       School Dismissed at 12:00 Noon – No Afternoon Extended Care
                 22–23        NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Vacation
                        26        Back to School–8:30 AM
…prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12b

                                                   From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents,

      A verse I often use in the conversation of parenting is Proverbs 29:15: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Here Solomon says that the combination of discipline and instruction are necessary for a child ultimately to gain wisdom, the ability to properly apply the truth of God’s Word to life. These two words give specifics as to the physical and verbal training children must receive. The rod refers to corporal punishment. Without it, a child will not be turned from his own way, and wisdom is systematically precluded from entering into the child. To put it simply, withhold the rod, and withhold wisdom.

      But the second word reproof is equally important. This is the verbal part of the training. The Hebrew word has the idea of giving evidence. It can also be translated rebuke, correction, reasoning, and argument. The word has a forensic sense, meaning that a reproof is a declaration that a particular behavior is wrong, but also why it is wrong. In other words, it has proof behind the allegations.

      Another very interesting aspect of this word is that it is associated with both instruction and decision. Hence, a scriptural reproof declares irrefutably that something is wrong, but it also calls on the person to turn from his errant way to go the way of righteousness. For instance, Proverbs 1:23 says, “Turn you at my reproof.” Later in Proverbs Solomon says “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent” (Pro. 15:5). Verse 32 of the same chapter says, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

      When a parent gives a scriptural reproof at the misbehavior of his child, he lays out exactly why the behavior is wrong and then calls upon the child to turn from that sinful way to do right. What he is leading his child to do is repent of that sin. II Corinthians 7:10-11 give a wonderful and thorough picture of repentance, including sorrow over the ungodly conduct, a diligence to do right, a distancing from the wrong, a desire for restored relationships, and a willingness to receive deserved discipline.

      What I see so often with parents when they deal with their children about misbehavior (sin) is that they do not attach the child’s sin to God as rebellion against God. They don’t view the sin as being against God, as a dreadful violation of God’s Word. As a result, there is no real press for the child to turn away from sin and toward righteousness. There may be a sorrow over the consequences of the sin, but not a sorrow over the conduct. Truly saved parents, on the other hand, can lead their children toward repentance because they themselves have turned away in humility from their sin.

      When dealing with your children about disobedience, make sure that the action is indeed a violation of God’s Word. Then point it out to your children. Use Scripture. This pricks the conscience and instructs the thinking, both of which lead a child to conversion. After you have administered the spanking, ask the child if he is going to obey. You are looking for his agreement to do right, an attitude of cooperation, and then action that fulfills your command. This is the full picture of what it means to use the rod and reproof.

                                                                              Sincerely,
                                                                              Pastor Sutton