(Disclaimer: This is my from my heart, and my opinion. :))
Over the the past few months, I have come across a whole lot of people asking the same question: Should Christians homeschool?
There are many different reasons people choose to homeschool, and most of them are valid. Many families choose to homeschool because it is convenient for their busy schedules. Many families choose to homeschool because they want to be with their children all-day-long-every-day (I'm one of those "crazy" people!). People choose to homeschool because they feel that their children will receive a better education at home, or because they want to filter the influences in their children's lives. People choose to homeschool because of their physical location. See, lots of different reasons.
Of course, there are also a lot of different reasons that people choose not to homeschool: the whole "socialization" issue, parents have to work, parents don't feel called to homeschool, parents feel that their children will receive a better education in the public school system, parents want their children to be able to play sports competitively. All of these are valid reasons.
However, I have heard many people lately say, "Christians should not homeschool their children because they need to be a light for Jesus."
Hmmm. I think this reasoning needs to be evaluated.
Children are children. They are young, they are immature, and most of them simply do not have the ability to be a "light for Jesus." Children cannot evangelize public schools when they don't know what they truly believe and why they believe it. When we believe something, believe in something, we are not influenced by others and what they believe.
In the Bible, Jesus himself is not reported to have started any kind of evangelism until age 12 when He and His parents went to the temple. Twelve years old is a mighty big difference from five, or six, or even 10 years old. A twelve year old has the ability to understand {more of} what s/he believes and why. So if the argument was that "I am sending my high school student into public school to be a light for Jesus," it may have a better argument behind it.
But it's many elementary school parents who are saying this, and that is what's being evaluated here. Children are the most impressionable beings on the planet. Children know better, but still do wrong all of the time. Do you tell your children not to lie at home? Do they? Do you tell your children to speak politely at home? Do they ever speak rudely? Do you tell your children to be kind to one another at home? Do they ever treat others unkindly? Do you tell your children that it doesn't matter what your brother/sister is doing, you still need to make your own decisions at home? Do you have to discipline your child for "going along" with poor behavior?
My point? You can raise your child in a Christian home, but you will still deal with human issues. If you are rearing your child at home with Christian values, but you still see sin in their lives - how is that going to change by sending them to public school? Many Christian parents today argue that their children should have an opportunity to influence the secular world and, thus, send them to public schools. They see themselves as using public school as a ministry opportunity. Question: Are they sacrificing their children and their faith on the altar of opportunity? Children are immature little creatures. Are they really ready to be a light for Jesus? Can you truly think of a situation in which a child will not be influenced - good or bad - at a young and impressionable age?
The Great Commission (which is what most parents are referring to when they say they want their child to be a "light for Jesus") says this: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I commanded you…" If our children do not understand and obey all that the Lord commands within our own homes, how will they "make disciples" in the public school? How will they, as children, not be influenced by the secular ideas that you teach against in your home?
I am not arguing whether public school is better or worse than a homeschool environment. If you feel that your child will receive a better education at public school - send him. If you think that your child needs socialization or exposure to sports - send her. But if your only reason to send your child to public school is so that s/he will be a "light for Jesus," I think you need to examine that. Children aren’t to the age yet to be disciples as they are still little sheep. And they are easily led astray.
Again, if public school is your choice because of academic standards or sports opportunities or because you work - that is a sound decision.
But if your decision to send your child to public school rests solely on the basis of your child being a "light for Jesus," I hope you will reevaluate your reason.
5 comments:
Well said, friend. God put me in charge of three tender hearts and I take that very seriously. I pray that they will be a light unto the world one day but when they are fully equipped and prepared to be that light. I believe it is part of my job as a parent to be concerned with my children's salvation before I can send them out.
Thanks for sharing! This is such a personal decision and I have SO much respect for all of you moms out there that feel the calling to home school and are obedient to it! You amaze me!!! I do agree that if the ONLY reason someone chooses to send their kids to school is to evangelize, then maybe they need to rethink that decision. That is a lot of pressure for a little heart. HOWEVER, I also have no doubt that my two girls, that are in public school, CAN be a light for Jesus! I also believe they are ready to be...in the simplest of ways. As a society, we underestimate our kids too much. Their understanding of the Gospel is basic and pure, and that's how they share it with their friends. I don't expect them to make disciples at this age, but they can invite their friends to church and show them the Fruits of the Spirit. I think that's what it looks like for my 5 and 7 year old to be a light for Jesus...and it is possible. So, all in all, I'm so thankful that God has created us, His children, all so uniquely...and we're all doing this thing called life for one reason...to further HIS Kingdom!!
Amber,
In my opinion, I think you're right on. The public schools and even some private schools are a spiritual battleground for our kids. I would love to hope that if I were to send our children to public schools that they would be "salt and light" but I"m also reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says: "Do not be deceived; bad company corrupts good morals." Most of the time, children are going to adopt the values of those they spend the most time, which makes it critical for parents who do not choose to home school to spend significant time teaching their children the truth of the Scriptures. My concern is have parents had enough time to do this with an elementary-aged child and/or are they mature enough to fully understand the value systems of non-Christian friends and teachers such as homosexuality, sex before marriage, abortion? Society is ready to shape our children's value system, worth, esteem and identity and they'll do it for us if we don't step up.
I remember when we were praying about the decision to homeschool, I came across this article. http://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool/10-big-reasons-not-to-send-christian-kids-to-public-schools-11603305.html I have it saved and often refer back to it when the days are LONG and HARD. Point #10 goes along with your point in this post. Thanks for being courageous and sharing your heart!
Thanks for sharing your heart and insight. We are still years away from having to make the public school/homeschool decision, but we've already been praying, researching, and evaluating...and this helps! Thank you!
Amanda, thanks for commenting! Not everyone is called to homeschool, and in no way do I feel that I am a better person or parent because I homeschool. My kids see more of my faults than anyone...that gives me the opportunity to show humility to them on a regular basis. ;) I am sure that your two beautiful girls can be a light for Jesus. Inviting friends to church is a wonderful way for them to do so! With strong leadership at home, your girls can continue to grow in their faith and keep on inviting their friends (and teachers!) to church with them. But it is a heavy burden for young children to bear if they are the ones doing most of the evangelism. I see how easily my Birdie is confronted with spiritual warfare just from playing with kids in our neighborhood. Those kids have been raised "well," but can still have a negative influence on my daughter. With God taken out of our public schools, children can only have so much influence on other children. I like what ML said below how "society is ready to shape our children’s value system, worth, esteem and identity and they’ll do it for us if we don’t step up." That is SO very true. I am a product of the public school system, and I was a public school teacher for five years. I am very aware of what a day looks like in the public school system, and I have seen many more children fall prey to a wolf than I have seen a lamb lead a lion. Parenting is a tough job, and none of us do it "right" all of the time. But we have the obligation to guide our children, "to fully equip them" as Meredith said, so that one day - when they are ready - they can be a light unto the world.
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