Educational Resources

Spectacular Australian Flag glasses Prepared by David d'Lima May we ... lift up our banners in the name of our God (Psalm 20:5) Print these images on thick paper (perhaps 250 gsm) to make two A5 worksheets.

Sporting excellence and God’s plan for the nations David d’Lima - FamilyVoice Australia August 2020 Appreciating a biblical theology of sport Christian views on the value of sport arise from the Creator's interest in the goodness of the body and his pleasure in observing our astonishing physical capabilities. Those views continue as we appreciate how sporting analogies provided a compelling pattern for the early disciples, since several portions of Scripture describe the Christian life using athletic terminology. This is particularly the case in these excerpts from the Apostle Paul, whose love for athletics is clear, since sporting references are a persistent theme in his communications: “... if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace ....” (Acts 20:24). ... if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according the rules. ... (II Timothy 2:5). I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day... (II Timothy 4:7-8)...

The Australian Crown is at the heart of the civic system that has enabled Australia to enjoy a remarkable reputation as one of the oldest continuously democratic nations in the world. Our civic system, with the Crown at its heart, is characterised by constitutional stability. Yet the freedoms and the stability that we enjoy are appallingly taken for granted, and the role of the Australian Crown within our civic system is profoundly unrecognised, and is thought by many to be of no value at all. The Crown provides an essential ministry at the heart of our civic system. The Crown exercises a quiet but a profoundly important role, safeguarding the process of constitutional democracy in such an effective manner that it would be very difficult to replace. In the following short essay, several key features and benefits of our system of constitutional monarchy are explored....

Prepared by David d'Lima.

The Coronation speech of Queen Elizabeth II - 2nd June 1953 - When I spoke to you last, at Christmas, I asked you all, whatever your religion, toprayformeonthedayofmy Coronation - to pray that God would give me wisdom and strength to carry out the promises that I should then be making. Throughout this memorable day I have been uplifted and sustained by the knowledge that your thoughts and prayers were with me. I have been aware all the time that my peoples, spread far and wide throughout every continent and ocean in the world, were united to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity...

Prepared by David d'Lima.

The Lord’s Prayer: a resource prepared by FamilyVoice Australia - May 2021 - Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. - According to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662 Purpose To help children and families understand and memorise the words of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, as we comprehend its meaning and role to shape our civic culture. The lesson also enables the construction of a poster of The Lord’s Prayer, which may be displayed prominently to encourage memorisation and recitation. Students also appreciate the engraving skill of a soldier during the First World War who inscribed The Lord’s Prayer on a silver threepenny piece....

Using our time, treasure and talent within Christian education David d’Lima - FamilyVoice Australia, August 2020 The leaders of Christian schools do well to wisely steward the available time, treasure and talent, as resources that may encourage staff, students and the entire school community to achieve their full potential, guided by the following biblical principles: g All of God’s people are to ... excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness (2 Corinthians 8:7); g “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48); g “... use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9); g “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ ” (Luke 19:17). While we constantly perceive a lack of time, treasure and talent, our challenge is to better use the available hours while increasing the quantity of treasure and coaching ourselves and our colleagues to improve our talents. May our endeavours, offered in faith, be blessed and enlarged by Almighty God....