Why We Homeschool
  (by Steve Thrash)

We have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and have been adopted as God's children by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has seen fit to bless us with children, and has impressed upon our hearts the duty of raising our children for Him. Since we believe that the Bible is the word of God, we will allow God's word to speak for itself. The following passages clearly tell us that the duty of teaching our children belongs to us, as parents, and not to the government.

Love God

First and foremost we are commanded to love God. He saved us, through no credit of our own, and He adopted us as His children. We owe our lives and our love to Him.

Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

Loving the Lord is about more than us having empty feelings or attending church on Sunday. It is about us having a personal relationship with the living God, walking in obedience to Him, and growing in His ways.

[Jesus said] "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

Rise above the sin of this world

The world we live in is a fallen world. It has been corrupted by sin. We seek to follow one of the great admonitions in scripture by avoiding the sin and practices of this fallen world.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Scripture makes it clear that the path followed by most people is not the path leading to heaven.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mathew 7:13-14)

This is true even for those professing to be Christians.

"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

These last two verses lead us to the conclusion that private Christian schooling is not a valid option either.

Learn from the source of all wisdom

We are warned to avoid learning and following the wisdom and philosophy of men.

The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. (1 Corinthians 3:19)

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. (Matthew 11:25)

People change their opinions and beliefs over time, but the word of God is unchanging and is the only true yardstick by which to measure anything.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (1 Tim 4:1-4)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." (1 Peter 1:23-25)

A solemn obligation

We view the teaching of our children as a solemn obligation and one not to be taken lightly. This should be a warning to anyone who undertakes to teach children.

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Malachi 4:6)

If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:6-7)

Instruct our children

The Bible outlines the responsibility of government to keep the peace, administer justice, and provide for safety and defense. We can not find a single instance in the Bible where the responsibility to teach our children is given to government. However, the Bible is filled with instructions to us, as parents, to teach our children.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9)

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. (Psalm 78:5-7)

The Bible also instructs us in what we should teach to our children.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Conclusion

God has made it clear to us that the duty of instructing our children has been given to us, and us alone. We view that as a solemn responsibility, and do not take it lightly. We seek to honor God in all that we say and do, and seek to raise up Godly offspring to further His kingdom.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

"As for me and my household , we will serve to LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Page created 6/14/03 by Steve Thrash