All agree that as parents, choosing who will educate our children is one of the most important decisions we will make. Not only can the many options be a bit confusing, at the same time Satan would love to cause at least a little “coldness” between the families in your congregation who are making different educational choices. Don’t give him the satisfaction. Loving one another from a pure heart fervently and not being divisive on such matters is as important as making the right educational choice for your children.
We must not think that one is less than a Christian if they do or do not send their kids to a specific kind of school or home school. The truth is, not every family may be able to arrange what would be even their own first choice- much less what your first choice would be for another family. One family may deem private school best, but may lack the income. A single parent may deem home schooling best, but if he must be employed to support his family, that may limit his ability. One thing is for sure- whatever we choose, our motivation must be to “…do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), and I have witnessed some great glory to God come from all kinds of families.
If your choice is to public school “…do it all for the glory of God”. Public school will avail you of opportunities that no other option can. You are daily in the heat of spiritual battle, and that can teach you to be a spiritual dragon slayer. One public schooled young woman in our congregation, because she approached her science teacher with a respectful attitude, got his permission to organize a “sit out” to protest the Evolution unit in her science class. A couple years later, when the “Urban Voice Club” at the same school hung up a poster in the cafeteria in celebration of “National Diversity Week” this same student’s brother and some other dragon slayers, in the presence of a cafeteria full of students, removed the poster. This led to opportunities for him to be the representative for those students who agreed with his godly stand as he repeatedly met with school administration. When influence is flowing in this direction, what a difference a strong, outspoken spiritual warrior can have! Most of the young men my husband has trained to become gospel preachers were public schooled, and were motivated with firsthand observance of just how desperate the world needs the gospel. You are there to glorify God. Make the most of the opportunity.
If your choice is to private school “…do it all for the glory of God”. Private school will avail you of opportunities that no other option can. Statistically, private schools are faring much better academically than are their public school counterparts. Some attribute this to the fact that parents of private school students generally tend to be more involved in their children’s education, and when parents are involved, the opportunities abound for your children to enjoy friendships with other well-parented students of good character. Private schools enjoy more freedom from government interference and pushy political advocacy groups- so your children can focus more on learning what they need to achieve academic goals instead of “slaying dragons.” Private schools often have greater freedom to enforce campus and classroom discipline than do public schools, which again helps students reach their potential, with fewer distractions. More importantly, since most private schools are religious in nature, there is no where else your child will have more opportunities to meet a large group of people who realize the importance of seeking God, yet still need an Aquila or Priscilla to take them aside and explain to them the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). A child who from their youth has been instructed and grounded well in Biblical truth, and has a rock solid loyalty to what God says, holding the attitude, “…let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” (Rom 3:4), can make a vast difference for good in the lives around him at the private school. You are there to glorify God. Make the most of the opportunity.
If your choice is to home school “…do it all for the glory of God”. Home school will avail you of opportunities that no other option can. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1). Schooling at home removes many stumbling blocks, including slick persuaders in the form of New-agers, Humanists, Evolutionists, etc., as well as the stumbling blocks of evil companions who can corrupt the good morals parents work so hard to instill. Home schooling families are able to center their curriculum, from science to history, on Biblical truths. Most include a Bible class as an important part of their studies every day, and consequently many homeschoolers enjoy early an ability to understand and apply scripture.
Home school is efficient. Studies have shown that homeschoolers average 30% higher scores on the same achievement tests, than public school students, primarily because of the ultra-low teacher to student ratio. Consequently, most colleges are now eagerly accepting home-schooled graduates. Once on campus, these students often benefit from the skills they learned at home such as being self-motivated in their study habits.
Someone has well said, “The heart of socialization is The Golden Rule”. Home schoolers have more time than most to begin learning socialization in the home as they learn to honor those brothers and sisters they are with 24/7. The extra time spent together often makes for exceptionally close family relationships. Starting each day with a quiet, unrushed morning sets a peaceful tone for the day. Families are free to take vacations when it works best for their own schedule, or arrange specific days off that fit best with important events.
Contrary to common and unfair criticism, the homeschooled are often socialized well and early. They have learned to enjoy spending time in truly beneficial social interactions with people of all ages-- a great preparation for the real world. Dozens of opportunities like scouting, music, sports, jobs, and homeschooling co-ops abound where these kids can find great friends. At the FC camps my kids have attended, the campers are just as likely to vote a homeschooled kid “Most Friendly Camper” as they are a public schooled kid- and I think that says a lot about how well these kids are doing socially.
The word “home schooling” is for most of these families a misnomer, as some spend less time at home than one might think. Studies have shown that most homeschooled kids are involved in at least two extra-curricular activities, so homeschooling moms are often just as much an advocate coordinating the many instructors she has hired to give her children a broad education, as she is herself the teacher. Once the core subjects have been covered for the day, students can spend the rest of their time involved in the interests and activities that delight them most. Whether this activity is flying real airplanes (as one homeschooled sixteen-year-old young man from our congregation does) or whether it’s building things, the homeschooler can sharpen the skills he enjoys most. This often leads to a jump-start toward a fulfilling career.
If you are undecided regarding how best to educate your children consider the following introspective questions: Is your child a “Dragon Slayer” or is he a follower? Is your child thriving spiritually, emotionally, academically and socially in his present educational situation? Does your first educational choice still allow you to put first things first? Are you basing your present educational decision upon fear, confusion, convenience, or habit, or upon more noble motives? What will you wish you had done ten years from now?
Whatever our decision, as parents, let’s set an example for our children in honoring and supporting families that have made different choices than our own. If you use public schools, don’t pass on the attitude to your children that “All homeschoolers are weird”, if you home school, don’t pass on the attitude “All public schoolers are worldly”. Instead, enjoy one another and encourage each other in every way, and in every place to “…do it all for the glory of God”.
Cindy Dunagan
Author of the Journaling Toward Moral Excellence series of journals.
cindy@straightpathspress.com
Journaling Toward Moral Excellence
