I believe God has given parents the primary responsibility for raising their children. My parents didn’t “go with the flow” but instead chose to educate my siblings and I at home. And I am so thankful! Here are a few reasons why:
Homeschooling enabled us to grow up sharing life as a family. We learned alongside each other.
We were able to be taught scriptural principles all the time. Imagine how confusing it is when children are taught one thing at school and another at home. Who do you think is likely to win the battle for that child’s mind and heart?
Our schooling was never constrained to “bookwork.” Homeschooling gave us the opportunity to learn countless “real life” skills; for example: building a garage and cottage from the ground up, planning a menu and preparing it, dealing with attitude problems, serving other families in need, and running a business (which includes interacting with customers, marketing the product, and keeping financial records).
Homeschooling gave us much-needed flexibility. My youngest brother Micah was almost two years old when he passed away. I would have missed being a big part of his life if I had attended a typical school.
Homeschooling has given me the opportunity to observe my parents firsthand and see how marriage is lived out in day-to-day life. We don’t always get an accurate picture from books and movies!
Are you are discouraged today, wondering if homeschooling is worth the effort? Let me encourage you — it is worth the effort! Our adversary the devil wants us to be discouraged. He is “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter:5:8-9 [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
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We must “put on the whole armor of God … For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians:6:11-13 [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
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Take heart, “If God is for us, who can be against us? … We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans:8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
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I salute all of you Christian homeschooling parents. I firmly believe you are doing one of the best things in the world for your child (see Proverbs:22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
See All...). We need to raise up the next generation to stand firm for Christ in the face of a world that hates Him. Let us live for Christ’s approval alone, longing to one day hear Him say, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant’” (Matthew:25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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