Last year my daughter and I were able to watch a live broadcast between two scientists: Ken Ham, a creation scientist, and Bill

Nye, an atheist. After the debate, the online response was intriguing as atheists expressed their anger and confusion that someone speaking from such a ‘faulty perspective’ as creation could have won the debate. Ken Ham used his God given talents but spent years cultivating them so that he was ready in due season to answer when asked and,

according to the atheists, he answered well. Not only did this humble biologist answer well but he used the platform

to share the gospel with countless of individuals who tuned in only because they wanted to hear him fail. A short time in the spot-

light but a lifetime of faithful preparation.So what does that have to do with study skills? Today matters. It matters for today but it also matters so that we can be faithfully prepared for what God has planned for tomorrow. As illustrated in the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30) we are to be faithful stewards of the abilities and resources we are entrusted with and to cause them to grow. “Smart kids” don’t just simply get good grades - there are skills and habits at work behind the scenes and, though not always visible, they can be learned and cultivated. For the sake of visibility we will define them and break them down into three main areas – Motivation, Organization and Practics.

MotivationLet’s go with the old cliché: You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.

How about: We can lead our-selves to the desk but we can’t

make ourselves study. Without motivation our best efforts in organization and applying practical skills will eventually fizzle out and fade away. How many times have we start-ed the school year with great intentions and systems in place…only to find a few weeks later our backpacks are already jam packed with papers everywhere. Our best efforts will eventually fail if we don’t stay motivated in the process.

Motivation can come from two sources – external and internal. External motivation typically involves the rewards that can be easily seen and are more tangible. These are the rewards we can set for ourselves, a milestone in the process. Whether it be a 10 minute video game break after finish-ing Math or earning cell phone minutes by maintaining a certain GPA. But it can also extend to the praise we receive when we are voted MVP during a game or place 1st at TAPPS. All the hidden hours of practice and work are paid off publicly as we enjoy our time in the spotlight. Winning motivates us all. Identifying goals/rewards and achieving them give us that win we need that will en-courage us to go after the next one. Internal motivation is more difficult to gauge but also more powerful in impact. It is the one that keeps us going when all other re-wards fail. Whether we fell short of the goal, or the desired reward once achieved, just didn’t bring the satisfaction we expected. This inner motivation involves the hidden praise – finding strength and contentment in knowing that we did our best and believing that it still counts for something even if no

other value is awarded to it. It is also where our faith is revealed and defined. Learning to live our lives before God…and some-times only God. Choosing to stay commit-ted to the path He set us on, and to finish it well, simply because we believe it brings joy and honor to the One we love.So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31

So if inner motivation has the more powerful impact, what do we do when it is absent? Since it is from our heart that all the issues of life flow (Prov 4:23) it is essential to find out what is blocking the flow. When we dis-engage from becoming the best that God has called us to be there are often issues in the heart that have to be identified and ad-dressed. Is it fear of failure? What does it mean to us if we truly do give it our all and it still is not enough? Fear of man? Have we placed too much value on what other people think of us? Could it be laziness or self-centeredness? Would I rather spend my energy on my own wants and desires rather than what God may be calling me to? Iden-tifying the obstacles may be as unique as the individual. In my own life, I have found that inner resistance is typically a blend of issues and excuses. Each one then needs to be confronted with God’s Word and re-sponded to with confession and repentance as I seek Him for the healing and grace to overcome.

OrganizationOur best efforts can be undermined by lack of or-ganization. Ten minutes spent looking for a handout or a password for a required website is not only ten minutes of productive time lost but stress and frustration added. Motivation is

undermined as the task now starts with a loss rather than an optimistic win. In order to minimize stress and maximize efforts con-sider the following: Create a space that is reserved just for studying. This will train your mind to focus when you are there. Do your best to elimi-nate all distractions as each one interferes with the level of concentration you had pre-viously achieved. Create a schedule of when you work on each class and stay fairly consistent with it. For each class and even big projects, make a “to do list” so you can cross off each as-signment as it is completed. Using a plan-ner in class is a great way to take notes so you can make your list easier. Organize your binder and keep it organized. Plan for a ten minute check at the end of the day to file all papers and homework where they belong. Use this time to remove old papers and file them at home.

PracticsPractics “a way of doing something, method; prac-tice” One of the best ways to prepare for an exam is

to complete homework well. Prepare yourself for reading by

scanning the assignment and focus-ing on titles, diagrams and the assigned questions. Predict your own answers to the homework questions. While reading the as-signment take notes on main points and the answers you need. When recording your fi-nal answers be sure to rephrase the ques-tion with your response. When studying for the exam, plan for sev-eral short study sessions (daily) rather than one long session the night before. This al-lows the brain time to process the informa-tion reviewed. Actively review your notes by rewriting and recreating diagrams. Use

memory tricks but be willing to create your own. Humor helps memory retention. And whenever possible, practice testing in the format that you will be tested in. Online review games are beneficial but should not replace a practice quiz.

If your best efforts seem to bring little growth then do not hesitate to reach out to your teacher. Each instructor is skilled in their subject matter and can help you identify where to focus your energies for the most gain. They know the challenges as well as the tricks to eliminate the clutter and help you focus on the essentials.

May We Be Faithful The Parable of the Tal-ents indicates that our abilities are given to us by God but there is also an expectation that we will work with what we are given and bring increase. Most of us can think back and remember the times when we “pulled off” a grade we did not deserve. We rush into class, study for five minutes and still manage to get a grade that looks good to those who are watching. But did we grow? Read the story again. The in-crease does not belong to the servant but rather it is for the Master. The grade will fade away but did we gain anything of last-ing value that can be offered back to honor the one we serve? This parable also reminds us that success will not look the same for each of us. It is easy to get discouraged if we look around and begin to compare ourselves. Our growth will not look the same…nor was it ever in-tended to. It is the Master that declares “well done” and success is best defined by the Him. It may be that we are truly giv-ing our all and yet in the eyes of everyone

else we fall short. God alone knows what growth was possible in light of the abilities - and the challenges - He entrusted to us. If it is His voice we are listening for then we can be faithful to hold our course when all other praise and rewards fail. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24

Parent to ParentIf you would like some help navigating your first year at CDA or your first experience with a grade, don’t forget that Parent to Parent can help. We can pair you with a seasoned mom who can show you the ropes and answer any questions you have along the way. We call it our Pride of Lions program. If you are interested please contact your P2P coordinator.Contacts:Grammar School M/W contact - Jacque Younger Grammar School T/Th contact - Kimberley Lyons Logic and High School M/W contact: Kristen Downey Logic and High School T/Th contact: Donna Rector

Coram Deo Cafe“Encourage one another and build each other up”, 1 Thess 5:11Make plans to attend our November meeting in the Fireside Room! Visit CDA Connect for more informa-tion.

Moms in Prayer Join us for a powerful time of prayer! Praying together provides hope and strength to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children. This is a weekly opportunity for Moms. Moms in Prayer meets twice each week!Mondays at 1:30pm The Little Brown Chapel at St. Nicholas Church4700 Wichita TrailContact: Leah Clark

Thursdays after drop-off, 8:00amGrammar School BuildingContact:Tessa Nownes CDA Parents’ Book ClubAre you looking for an opportunity for intentionality and community? The Coram Deo Academy Parents’ Book Club might just be for you. Our selections range from topics of spiritual growth and parenting to litera-ture that is a part of our CDA upper school curriculum. The books have been chosen to challenge, encourage, inspire and stimulate. For more inforamtion visit the CDA Parent’s Book Club facebook page