I'm eager to see the day when the majority of Christian families in America are pursuing a Christian education for their children. I'm working on a couple of avenues to significantly change the status quo, and would appreciate some input.
Your answers to these questions will be greatly appreciated and considered.
-- Why aren't more professing Christians pursuing a Christian education for their children? (either by homeschooling or in a Christian day school)
-- What are the biggest impediments?
-- What do you think could change this?
-- How can individuals and churches help?
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1. Some Christians really believe that their "child can be an evangelist" in the public school system. Some simply do not see that public education is truly anti-God.
ReplyDelete2. Money is a big obstacle to many for Christian schools and lack of confidence, lack of support from family/spouse, lack of information, working outside the home, and/or lack of church support are some of the contributing factors in a decision not to homeschool.
3. Churches could set up scholorships for Christian schools for families who cannot homeschool. Homeschooling mentors could be identified in churches to encourage and educate people in the hows and whys of homeschooling. Sermons directly addressing the issues in public education should be preached boldly.
Until people no longer see public education as an option for their children, the status quo probably won't change. Christian education, whether it be day school or homeschool, requires huge sacrificies that a lot of people are not willing to make.
In Texas, I think that it is because of football.
ReplyDeleteThat's why it took so long for my sister to realize that she had to homeschool her youngest son.
And--this is the precise answer that I have had from more than one Christian parent--football.
I agree with Vicki that Christians are not being taught that government schools are really not an option for Christian children. However, I'd like to add laziness to the list of things that keep parents from homeschooling. It's HARD work, and I hear many people say (mistakenly), "Oh, I could never homeschool my children. I don't have the patience, nor do I have the expertise." Well, truth be told, neither do the rest of us! So, to sum up, lack of information, encouragement, and self-confidence (NOT self-esteem) are major factors.
ReplyDeleteAs for Christian schools, the cost sends most parents running to the local public school.
Many Reformed folks have been taught such things; it seems the sermons/teaching/encouragement are much more needed in the wider, mainstream circles.
Linda
Why aren't more "professing" Christians homeschooling? Because like so much of Scripture we have interpreted it in the least inconvenient way. We have ignored the commands of G-d so completely that we actually tell ourselves that our freshly baptized lambs are going to teach those secular wolves a thing or two. This is nothing more than sending sacrifices to Baal on a little yellow bus. We break the clear teaching of Scripture and dare to feel pious.The only reason to homechool is the best reason to homeschool: G-d has commanded covenant father's to educate the children G-d has blessed them with. Do not homeschool your children because you can give them a better education at home, although you certainly can. Do not homeschool your children because the government schools are awash with anti-Christian propaganda disguised as curriculum, although they clearly are. Homeschool your children because G-d Almighty told you to!
ReplyDeleteAnd for those who lament they cannot afford to homeschool and live on one income, remember the men of Israel left their fields and families three times a year to travel to Jerusalem. They kept
G-d's command and G-d kept their hearth and home. Is G-d not capable of sustaining His people as they seek to do His will? Absolutely,amen!
In a day when Islam is poised to infiltrate the city squares of America, should not G-d's people be raising up a generation who understand the necessity of keeping covenant with Jehovah? Mrs. Krumb who teaches your 10 year old self esteem and birth control won't do it.G-d commands covenant parents to train up their children. And could it be that there is a purpose for such children? And could it be that there is an urgency for such a purpose? And could it even be that that purpose might be for the blessings of the nations? Homeschooling is a big, difficult powerful task. It's kingdom building 101.And G-d has called us all to it for such a time as this. Be faithful, train up your covenant child and stay away from Mrs. Krumb. ~Amy <(((><
While my brother-in-law and his stay-at-home-wife send their children to a Chrisitan day school for the elementary grades, they go to public school for high school because "there is no alternative". There isn't a Christian high school near them that offers a 'good' education. And while they have quit trying to get me to give up home schooling, there is no way my sister-in-law feels that she could handle doing so herself. I imagine those reasons hold true for others - no adequate Christian school and an unwillingness to home school.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Texas lawyer hit it on the head.
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps the biggest gain could be made by getting some big bucks together to start home school sports leagues. Grades 5-12 especially.