Psalm 78:5-7 – “He decreed statutes…he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Part of what I used to do for 11 years as a county homeschool co-ordinator was help new homeschool moms get started in the adventure of educating their children at home. To me, this was the best part of the job description! In the process of talking with these moms I got to know them a little, I learned what brought them to the decision to homeschool.
Honestly, I am most encouraged by those who have prayed, read books, read magazines, asked dozens of questions and have come to the conclusion that it is God’s call. It has been my experience that these are the people who will go for the long haul. These are the people who will be most successful and their children will be the most well-rounded and motivated.
I believe that the homeschool “movement” is a revival. We are picking up the baton of godly education that those before us dropped. And when the baton was dropped in this country (in
the 1850s when the first Government-funded public schools opened their doors) it slowly started to roll…away. It picked up speed in the 1960s when prayer was taken out of public schools, a little faster in the 1970s when authority was taken away from teachers and principals to discipline students. And faster and faster through to the 1990s and the beginning of the twenty-first century when immorality and violence have become so rampant in our public schools that parents must wonder if they will ever see their children again after they walk out the front door.
Safety is a big issue, to be sure. But the bigger issue for us should be to raise children who will be effective adults for the Lord…Not homeschooling for the sake of homeschooling, not homeschooling so that they will be geniuses, not even for their safety. But that they will be those “first fruits” in a new generation of godly leadership…the first of several godly generations, should the Lord tarry. Most of all, we homeschool so that our children will live a love relationship with Christ begun in a life-style of faith.
I hope you will review the reasons why you homeschool, and I hope that it all begins with The Call.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf <><
Part of what I used to do for 11 years as a county homeschool co-ordinator was help new homeschool moms get started in the adventure of educating their children at home. To me, this was the best part of the job description! In the process of talking with these moms I got to know them a little, I learned what brought them to the decision to homeschool.
Honestly, I am most encouraged by those who have prayed, read books, read magazines, asked dozens of questions and have come to the conclusion that it is God’s call. It has been my experience that these are the people who will go for the long haul. These are the people who will be most successful and their children will be the most well-rounded and motivated.
I believe that the homeschool “movement” is a revival. We are picking up the baton of godly education that those before us dropped. And when the baton was dropped in this country (in
the 1850s when the first Government-funded public schools opened their doors) it slowly started to roll…away. It picked up speed in the 1960s when prayer was taken out of public schools, a little faster in the 1970s when authority was taken away from teachers and principals to discipline students. And faster and faster through to the 1990s and the beginning of the twenty-first century when immorality and violence have become so rampant in our public schools that parents must wonder if they will ever see their children again after they walk out the front door.Safety is a big issue, to be sure. But the bigger issue for us should be to raise children who will be effective adults for the Lord…Not homeschooling for the sake of homeschooling, not homeschooling so that they will be geniuses, not even for their safety. But that they will be those “first fruits” in a new generation of godly leadership…the first of several godly generations, should the Lord tarry. Most of all, we homeschool so that our children will live a love relationship with Christ begun in a life-style of faith.
I hope you will review the reasons why you homeschool, and I hope that it all begins with The Call.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf <><
I am so thankful for the past 19 years. I have laughed, learned, created and sometimes disputed with my children~I would not have missed it for the world. I am so thankful for the privilege and the freedom to do so! Time has gone so very quickly~I am glad I did not miss one moment!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great outlook on homeschooling. I really like this. Thanks for sharing and making me rethink my reasons.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post today, Kim! I'm a previous homeschooler...and throughly enjoyed the challenges, the fun, the laughter and even the tears I shared with my two during that period in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carrie...I wouldn't trade this for the world! Thanks for the encouragement to press on...
ReplyDeleteKathy
AMEN! I was interested in homeschooling in the beginning for many reasons....all the typical reasons people have, and definitely, at the top was passing on godly values, but I really got the call when I read from scripture about teaching our kids His commands, and I really knew that God had called me to be their teacher......for Him. It is easy to get side-tracked I think, when you get together with other moms and everyone starts comparing what their kids are doing, and you realize that you don't have your kids doing all the things those other kids are doing, and in fact, have one that is a little behind on her reading etc. It's so important to remember why you are homeschooling and for Whom.
ReplyDeleteAs a Momma who is going to be homeschooling as soon as her babe is old enough, I loved reading this.
ReplyDelete