HOME SCHOOLING -- A WAY OF LIFE

by Terri L. White 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when your rise up. (Deut. 6:4-7)

Home schooling is an ancient way of life. It is older than government schools and private academies. From the beginning, parents have held themselves accountable for the training of their children. There was no one else to do it. Who would have taught Cain and Abel but Adam and Eve? Highly intelligent and capable, the first parents imparted to their children the words of life given to them from God Himself. Practical skills were passed on from parent to child, thus rounding out one's education. So today, we who have stumbled onto this way are simply discovering one of God's good plans for families. This pattern, found in Deuteronomy, chapter 6, focuses on the LORD'S expectations for parents. According to this passage, God is concerned with every area of one's life and every part of one's day. Centuries later a wise man echoes these instructions to his own son:

My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; reproofs of instruction are the  (Proverbs 6:20-23)

Clearly, our primary goal as parents is to model and impart a love for God and His ways. Saturating our children's minds with scripture will train them to view life from God's perspective and to make decisions based on God's word, not man's. This foundation will enable them to read literature or the newspaper, study the sciences, view history, talk to neighbors, budget their finances, and participate in their community with discernment. The scriptures will carve character into our children as we  guide them in applying God's Word to everyday situations. Firmly planted in the garden of the LORD, our children will . . . set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments . . . (Psalm 78:7)

A godly home provides the proper atmosphere in which to train one's children. Home is where our children can learn the laws of "sowing and reaping." When they fall -- and they will -- they will land in our loving arms. Appropriate discipline applied to steer them in the right direction will provide lessons to be learned while young, consequently, avoiding some painful experiences as adults. Undisciplined adults lacking in integrity are generally the result of poor training as a child. Our availability as home schooling parents enables us to spot rebellion or character weaknesses as tiny sprouts and to nip them before they become full-grown trees. Opportunities for instruction or correction abound while sitting around the breakfast table, driving to the grocery store, reading a good book together, attending a field trip, visiting the neighbors, helping in a community service project, or studying math. Thus, the home serves as a "greenhouse" from which we tenderly nurture our children in preparation for adulthood.

And these words . . . you shall teach them diligently to your sons . . . (Deut. 6:6) Scripture is brimming with instructions for every area of our lives. Consider the content that Deuteronomy alone covers: history, art, warfare, marriage, child bearing, economics, criminal justice, education, health, agriculture, government, the poor, safety, ownership, manner of dress, business, self-defense, dietary guidelines, singing, and the attributes of God. A well-rounded curriculum is right at our finger tips. God has His perspective for all of life, and that is at the heart of our children's education. From this framework, we choose our textbooks wisely. Life itself, with Biblical guidelines, is what we are imparting to our children.

The Hebrew rendering of the word diligently denotes a sense of sweat and determination. In an age when most parents have abdicated the education of their children to the societal institutions, the diligent training required of home schooling families is a great contrast. It takes time, determination, conviction, and, most of all, a deep love for one's children. This does not mean that we parents are solely responsible for the whole of our children's education. We embrace the community, particularly the community of believers, as did the ancient Hebrews. It does, however, place the awesome accountability to God squarely on the parents' shoulders. Parental example and tutoring, along with the integration of community resources, combine to instill in our children the character and skills needed to be productive, godly adults.

Another crucial element of our children's training is companionship. Just as we obey God because we love Him, so our children will be encouraged to obey us if we establish relationships with them. Companionship develops while we . . . sit in (our) house, . . . walk by the way, . . . lie down, and . . . rise up. (Deut. 6:7b) Sharing hopes and dreams, playing games, reading a good book aloud, working together, or cooperating in ministry will build a bridge of trust that leads to healthy communication. The bond formed in companionship is like a well from which our children draw life and shape their futures, testifying that he who walks with wise men will be wise . . . (Proverbs 13:20a)

Home schooling is a way of life. It extends from our homes, reaching into the community. Our guide is God's word and our goal is to impart life. Not a fad, but a tradition rooted in ancient peoples from the beginning, home schooling challenges and strengthens the whole family. Like olive plants all around [our] table (Psalm 128:3b), our children will bring delight and rejoicing to our homes and communities.