HSmomto4
September 20th, 2007, 10:08 PM
Tonight was our first homeschool meeting and this is what I talked about. I thought I would pass it on to other homeschoolers:
As we begin our new years adventure in homeschooling it is time to stop and priorities what the main goal of our home education should be. I often find myself thinking of all the History I want to get done and the equipment I will need for all the science that is to be done. I fill my calendar with fieldtrips that just can’t be missed and activities I feel the kids will just love. I also find myself planning out the amount of work each child is responsible for each day and when special book reports and papers will be due. What I have a problem doing however, is seeking the Kingdom first. I forget that my first and foremost responsibility is to train up my children in the ways of Lord. I let self-inflicted deadlines and worldly standards cloud my vision and find myself pursuing my own agenda instead of Gods.
Now I’m not saying it is wrong to have set schedules, commitments and goals because it is very important for us to have a clear direction about where we are going. But we need to remember to put God at the top of that list. Our main goal in homeschooling should always first and foremost be raising children who love the Lord and who are committed to following and serving Him.
While it is important for our children to know who founded America and how if 2 trains are traveling at the same speed which one reaches the train station first, it is more important for them to know what they believe, why they believe it, how to articulate their beliefs to others and how to live their beliefs consistently. Getting the right answers on a test is meaningless if a child doesn’t know about Christ love and how to share it with other. As parents we want our children to not only excel academically, but spiritually!
So this year I challenge to you to follow God’s purpose for homeschooling. Allow God to purify you first. Seek Him through His word in daily devotions and prayer. Don’t just talk TO Him, but stop and listen to what He has to say. If you feel God leading you in a direction that you had not planned on taking test it against His word and if it stands, follow it! If you ask God to lead, He will and you better be willing to do what He asked.
Next, serve Him. Start with yourself. Children learn more by watching than being told so by letting your child see you serving they are more likely to want to serve themselves. Volunteer to work with the elderly or pick up trash and then talk to your children about why you are doing it and read them scripture about serving.
It is also important to become the primary influence in your child’s life. Teach your values and talk about why as Christians we do the things we do or don’t do. Don’t be afraid to open up to them and talk to them about more grown up matters. Children can understand so much more than we give them credit for.
Finally, remember than homeschooling is a lifestyle decision and not just an academic alternative. If your main reason for homeschooling is to make sure your child is a better reader than Bobbies boy down the road then you are doing it for the wrong reason. Christian homeschooling is about developing a Biblical worldview in our children. Giving them the tools they need to decipher what is good and bad, to love God and giving them a solid foundation to stand on in the real world in order to be a witness and servant for Christ. When we are able to put the proper priorities in place, it isn’t so bad when little Jimmy messes up his timetables or Betty missed 5 out of ten spelling words in her spelling lesson because neither of those are salvation issues.
I know first hand how easy it is to get caught up in all the hoop-la of homeschooling. I’ve spent more time trying to find the perfect math program and what Science to teach than I have ever spent on trying to find the right bible study. My children could probably tell you all the animal classifications, but could they tell me what it means to be a good steward? I’m not sure…but by the end of this year I know they will because my focus has changed and I am putting God at the top of the list.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (including academics) will be added to us. Matt. 6:33
As we begin our new years adventure in homeschooling it is time to stop and priorities what the main goal of our home education should be. I often find myself thinking of all the History I want to get done and the equipment I will need for all the science that is to be done. I fill my calendar with fieldtrips that just can’t be missed and activities I feel the kids will just love. I also find myself planning out the amount of work each child is responsible for each day and when special book reports and papers will be due. What I have a problem doing however, is seeking the Kingdom first. I forget that my first and foremost responsibility is to train up my children in the ways of Lord. I let self-inflicted deadlines and worldly standards cloud my vision and find myself pursuing my own agenda instead of Gods.
Now I’m not saying it is wrong to have set schedules, commitments and goals because it is very important for us to have a clear direction about where we are going. But we need to remember to put God at the top of that list. Our main goal in homeschooling should always first and foremost be raising children who love the Lord and who are committed to following and serving Him.
While it is important for our children to know who founded America and how if 2 trains are traveling at the same speed which one reaches the train station first, it is more important for them to know what they believe, why they believe it, how to articulate their beliefs to others and how to live their beliefs consistently. Getting the right answers on a test is meaningless if a child doesn’t know about Christ love and how to share it with other. As parents we want our children to not only excel academically, but spiritually!
So this year I challenge to you to follow God’s purpose for homeschooling. Allow God to purify you first. Seek Him through His word in daily devotions and prayer. Don’t just talk TO Him, but stop and listen to what He has to say. If you feel God leading you in a direction that you had not planned on taking test it against His word and if it stands, follow it! If you ask God to lead, He will and you better be willing to do what He asked.
Next, serve Him. Start with yourself. Children learn more by watching than being told so by letting your child see you serving they are more likely to want to serve themselves. Volunteer to work with the elderly or pick up trash and then talk to your children about why you are doing it and read them scripture about serving.
It is also important to become the primary influence in your child’s life. Teach your values and talk about why as Christians we do the things we do or don’t do. Don’t be afraid to open up to them and talk to them about more grown up matters. Children can understand so much more than we give them credit for.
Finally, remember than homeschooling is a lifestyle decision and not just an academic alternative. If your main reason for homeschooling is to make sure your child is a better reader than Bobbies boy down the road then you are doing it for the wrong reason. Christian homeschooling is about developing a Biblical worldview in our children. Giving them the tools they need to decipher what is good and bad, to love God and giving them a solid foundation to stand on in the real world in order to be a witness and servant for Christ. When we are able to put the proper priorities in place, it isn’t so bad when little Jimmy messes up his timetables or Betty missed 5 out of ten spelling words in her spelling lesson because neither of those are salvation issues.
I know first hand how easy it is to get caught up in all the hoop-la of homeschooling. I’ve spent more time trying to find the perfect math program and what Science to teach than I have ever spent on trying to find the right bible study. My children could probably tell you all the animal classifications, but could they tell me what it means to be a good steward? I’m not sure…but by the end of this year I know they will because my focus has changed and I am putting God at the top of the list.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (including academics) will be added to us. Matt. 6:33