Christian Homeschooling

Christian homeschooling is the best way to impart your own Christian beliefs to your children. With any other method of education, including a private Christian school, you will be introducing another person’s values and ethics.

Christian Homeschooling families have a biblical foundation.

There are as many methods of Christian homeschooling as there are Christian homeschoolers. No matter which homeschool method you are drawn to, you can find Christian curriculum to support it. The basic homeschool methods, both secular and Christian, are:

• Unit studies
• Classical Education
• Unschooling/Relaxed homeschooling
• Textbooks

What is your motivation for homeschooling your child? It is important to know because it will help you to stand firm when trials come, and they will.

Most Christian homeschooling families believe that they are called by God to educate their own children. They often feel that it is not only a mission but it is also a ministry of discipleship. By teaching your child at home you will ultimately be able to impart your deepest core beliefs to them. Many Christian families believe that homeschooling helps their family stay close and focused on the Lord as opposed to other, less important things. Often these families will also develop home businesses that the children are involved in as well. It is a good idea to spend time in prayer and conversation with someone you trust to decide why you are homeschooling and what your foundation is. Creating a mission statement and a family homeschool motto are excellent ways to keep yourself on track.

There are some unique challenges to homeschooling from a Christian perspective. You will need to ask yourself some questions about why you are homeschooling and what you want to accomplish.

For example:

• What beliefs do you want your children to hold fast to?
• Will you teach evolution as a theory, as a fact, or not at all?
• Will all of the books have a Christian worldview or will you introduce other world views in your teaching?
• What will your priorities be?
• How will you handle secular influences when they show up?
• How will you teach Bible?

You will need to think through the influences you want around your children. If your church has a homeschool support group of like- minded people, then your job is much easier. If not, you may want to shop around for a support group that shares your values and core beliefs.

Many Christian homeschoolers hold their children to impossible expectations and standards. While expectations and standards are important, parents would do well to remember that children are children, Christian or not. Each child will have his own tests and trials on the road to adulthood and will need to find his own way through. With Christian homeschooling you can minimize a humanistic worldview but you will not be able to completely eradicate all influences of it on your child. Instead, give him the tools to follow the map for himself and see the truth for himself. Stumbling is a fact of life; as long as he gets back up you are on the right track.

In addition to local support groups and people you may know at church who are also homeschooling, there are some excellent resources on the Internet for Christian Homeschoolers.

• Homeschool Christian has thousands of pages of resources, interviews, and other helps to facilitate both the novice and experienced homeschooler.
• Christian Homeschoolers is another large website with excellent resource pages. Many of these are specifically for Christian homeschoolers that are also in the military.
• Design Your Homeschool takes you step by step through the entire process of planning your homeschool year from a Christian perspective. This is an especially good resource for new homeschoolers.
• Barb Shelton is one of the foremost speakers in Christian homeschooling. Her site is full of great ideas and advice.

Christians who homeschool also have opportunities to minister to their friends, extended family, and neighbors in ways other people are not able to. Make the most of every opportunity and make each day count.

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