“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
I am not just an advocate for Christian Education and Homeschooling; I also believe wholeheartedly that it is the BEST choice for my children and my family. My children are not just mine, they are also God’s children, entrusted to my care for a brief moment and God will hold me accountable for what I do with them. Hence, the education (spiritual and academic) of my children is of utmost importance.
Equally as important is how and where it is done and by whom. I also have first hand experience of both the positive as well as the negative impact of private and public education on my child (and whatever affects my child affects my family). But the latter was enough to convert me. I have always wanted to homeschool my children and it was an easy decision for me to make, but it wasn’t the same for my husband. And in order for our children to be successful both parents needed to be in agreement. But praise God after a few miserable failed attempts at different schools, fervently praying, carefully weighing our options and figuring out what was best for our children and by extension our family we are now on the same wave length.
With bullying on the rise, negative peer pressure, mass shootings, and the need to conform to the secular worldview, the choice to homeschool is even easier. Like I said earlier, I know and believe wholeheartedly that homeschooling is the best and safest option for our children. But I will be the first to say homeschooling is challenging and at times even difficult at least for me. But the benefits outweigh the few discomforts I experience. I also do not profess to be the best at it or even great to say the least. But with a willing heart and allowing God to lead me everyday, I accept the challenge as a sacred charge from my Heavenly Father. Please do not get me wrong, I understand not everyone can afford to homeschool their children (I am eternally grateful to my husband for affording me this gift) and frankly it is not for everyone. But I would dare say, if you can afford to do it, do it. The end result will be greater than the challenges you will probably encounter.
When my four year old goes off to school everyday the main focus is academic, but with homeschooling it is more than just academics, it is about molding his character after the similitude of the Divine Creator. It is about teaching our three children the biblical principles that will govern their lives and draw them to God. It’s about meeting their individualized, unique learning style. It is about adjusting my teaching methods to each of my children’s learning abilities since no two child learn the same or at the same pace.
I know there might be those of you, who are reading this blog, who believe that all this can be done and should be done regardless whether or not the child is homeschooled. And yes, you would be correct. We should tap into our children’s unique learning styles. But that is not the concern here. The issue is who is influencing your child? Stop for a moment and think about my question. Everyday your child leaves home you give up control over what your child is being taught. That child is left to the mercy and care of those who will influence him/her. Think about it, if the word of God calls us to be “vigilant and guard our souls”, Joshua 23:11, how much more should we then protect our children if we can afford to? Knowing that our children cannot discern for themselves what spirit is influencing them, it is, therefore, the duty of the parents to exercise judgment and discretion on behalf of their child/children until they are capable of doing it themselves.
