Why We Homeschool

First and foremost, we are a homeschooling family because that is what God has called us to be. God has not called every family to homeschool. Jeff and I feel that in this season of our lives, God has asked this of us. There may come a time when He calls us to place our children in a public or private school. We pray that we will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit should that time come. As parents, God has placed the awesome responsibility of raising our children in the way they should go in our hands. Every Christian parent's first priority is to teach our children to love God, regardless of where they attend school.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NASB

In a public school setting, your children will not hear their lessons and take their tests from a biblical worldview. Even if your child's teacher is a believer, they cannot teach your child to love God in a classroom setting. The teacher may discuss God if a student initiates the discussion, she/he may offer differing viewpoints, but they still must test on the standards given to them by the government. Those standards certainly leave no room for a Creator. Despite the best a classroom teacher can do, it is imperative to note that it is still not her/his responsibility to teach our children the precepts of God. God has given that privilege and joy to us as parents! We get to tell our children of the wonders of God! We have the honor of teaching them daily through our own walk and talk with Christ of the sorrow and passion and amazing love of the cross and the resurrection. When we inevitably make mistakes and fall short, it is a wonderful opportunity to share with our children the love and forgiveness that can be found on our knees.

I love reading books with Kaity and being able to stop and say, "Now why is that statement not true?" "What does the Bible have to say about that?" "Did this character make good choices?" "How would this story/situation have ended differently if this person had chosen to follow God's command?"

Honestly, we as a family are passionate about homeschooling. I'm a nerd, too, and that helps a lot! I just love the first day of school, new books, fresh pencils and paper ... I could go on all day! And not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the privilege of staying home with my children and teaching them.