Why We Home Educate ~Part 1

Bri's first official science experiment

August 23, 2001

There are many different kinds of homeschoolers and we each have our own reasons why we homeschool. Here is our unique blend of reasoning that led our family to the homeschool decision: 

First, and most importantly, God requires through His Word to "teach them [His commandments] diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). We are to be imparting God's commands virtually all of the time, this would be greatly hampered if we were separated from our precious ones for hours every day. 

God requires Godly offspring (Malachi 2:15). The word of God in Jeremiah 10:12 says, "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles..." or, as the NAS translates it, "Learn not the way of the heathen nations". Sadly, that is exactly what America has become. I think we can all agree that Sodom was a "heathen nation. God said in Jeremiah 23:14 that the prophets of Jerusalem "are like Sodom to me", what was it that made them "like Sodom"? "They commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers". The Bible also lays out in Genesis 19:5 that the city harbored homosexuality which is deemed "shameful" and "unrighteousness" in Romans 1:26-29. I will readily admit that there are good teachers out there- I have full confidence that my sister will become one of them! But, the bottom line is that even the good teachers are being held to a standard- that of a heathen nation. "A person who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40). Do we really want our children to grow up thinking and acting like the government school system which teaches evolution as fact and tolerance to homosexuality, yet becomes hostile at the very mention of teaching creationism and extremely intolerant of conservative views? Or, do we want children who love the Lord first and foremost? Raising godly offspring requires constant Godly input, not that of America's humanistic worldview. Timothy Dwight was president of Yale University from 1795 to 1817, he was also a follower of Christ who was educated at home. Dwight knew that: "Education ought everywhere to be religious education...parents are bound to employ no instructors who will not instruct their children religiously. To commit our children to the care of irreligious persons is to commit the lambs to the superintendency of wolves .". Hitler put great focus on Germany's youth and their schools. In his own words, "Let me control the textbooks and I will control Germany.", and he did just that. That sort of power should belong to no government, but just imagine the harm that could be wrought by a government devoid of God! 

We want our children to have real knowledge, not this world's counterfeit. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). We study science to explore this world God created for us, we are awed by the details and amazed at how EVERYTHING works together. We study history to see the hand of God- and as a warning of what can happen to nations who disown Him. We study math because it will help us to be good stewards of His gifts and to help us appreciate the order God designed into His world. Our children wouldn't learn in public school that, "by Him all things were created...He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17). Just as important as learning the facts is knowing why we learn them, to bring glory to God. "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17), even education. 

We are to "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21). Our children are God's (You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols...Ezekiel 16:20-21), so how can we say, "Here Caesar (Public School System), have my lambs for hours every day, for years on end". Since we see homeschooling as obedience to the Lord we can not "sacrifice" our children to a heathen system, even for the "righteous" cause of "saving souls", as some feel is a Christian kindergartner's duty. Remember, "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Please, "Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits." (1 Corinthians 15:33). More often Godly children are pulled down rather than the lost children being pulled up. 

We know "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child." (Proverbs 22:15), meaning that children are naturally foolish. How can any good really come out of a room with 20 hearts full of foolishness and one adult whose main objective is to do a job, not to raise God-fearing future citizens of Heaven. We desire to "Train up our children" (Proverbs 22:6), not let them marinate in foolishness. 

We love our children! We love being with them, reading to them, cooking with them, teaching them to read, having a steady supply of hugs and kisses, watching them love their siblings, and sharing our Lord and Savior with them. What a privilege it is to be able to homeschool. Praise the Lord!!!