The word EDUCATION means “to lead.” That begs the question…
WHERE?
Where are you leading your children? As a homeschool parent taking on the responsibility of educating your children at home, you have to know where you are going and why.
The public schools lead toward a standardized uniformity with their standardized tests, standardized curriculum, and standardized scope and sequence charts. They are looking to give every child the exact same education…the exact same leading.
But where they are leading, I do not want my children to follow.
I don’t want my children standardized.
I also don’t intend to raise super-geniuses. I’m not homeschooling because I think I can do a better job academically for my children. Even though I do believe I am providing superior academics because I am able to tailor each lesson to each individual child, I am not “leading” them toward this end.
So, where am I leading?
I am leading them to Christ.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
I am fulfilling the Great Commission right in my own home. I am making disciples. I am teaching the fear of the Lord, and therefore, I am offering knowledge and wisdom beyond what any other institution can offer.
My husband and I are responsible for leading our children in their education. We are responsible for where their hearts are turned. We don’t get to shirk this responsibility as we please. We don’t get to ignore God’s Word in favor of the latest legislation. We don’t get to spend our day focused on academics while avoiding the fact that the very knowledge and wisdom we are trying to give our children has been authored by the Almighty God.
How humbled I am when I realize nothing I do will ever be good enough apart from God. And nothing I offer my children in their homeschool day will ever bring forth the fruit the Lord desires in their lives if I am not diligently seeking to teach His precepts, His wisdom, His truth.
Where am I leading?
To the Lord. Everywhere else is a waste of time.
Kim S says
I love that…nothing I do in my homeschool will be effective apart from my seeking God. Such a great challenge to begin the day with. Blessings, friend.
~Kim {www.notconsumed.com}
Stephanie says
Amen, sista!
Teresa says
Amen, as we are only tow weeks off a long break, I so needed this today. I almost just said “Were done for the year” today. But we must also teach that we finish what we start. Jesus never quit. He never gives up on us when we are difficult. I fail so often, that’s why I need to read His word and keep going the best I know how. Our children are watching us and they are learning from not only our good behavior but our bad.
Karin says
I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Emily says
This was such a needed post for me today. The kids have been passing illness around for the last couple months and we’re currently fighting fevers, headcolds and just blah feelings. It has been hard getting school work even done when everyone is feeling like they are.
Your post was encouraging to me because my children definitely aren’t homeschool to be geniuses learning Latin and all that kind of stuff. Most days we have a hard enough time with just the basics and I often feel like I’m failing them. But like you mentioned, teaching them about God and His ways are more important that being standardized like all the others. My children are unique individuals with their own set of learning needs and learning abilities.
I was having some anxiety for my 5th grader who will be taking a standardized test soon. He is a terrible test taker and those tests are the worst. 🙁 We don’t study for those tests at all.
Thank you for the reminder that my job is to train my children in the Lord and teach them to follow Him.
Amy says
My state doesn’t require standardized testing, so I avoid them at all costs, but I know public schools spend a lot of money and manpower teaching to the test. I don’t want that. I’ll pray for you son’s test!
Emily says
Thanks so much for praying! Our state requires it in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have to. 🙁
Judy says
Amen! I know my children would get better academics elsewhere, and that is often tempting, too! But how would I teach then as I walk by the way (etc) with them if they aren’t with me?
Judy
Erika Teigland says
This es exactly what I needed to read today after finishing our standardized tests! Thank you!!!
Robyn Gates says
Thank you SO much for this! I can’t express how much this meant! I have been struggling, personally with the fear that I am NOT providing my children with enough academics. 🙁 This reminder just made my evening! 🙂 Sometimes I get too caught up in subjects and lessons and end up frustrating my self and the boys! Being a first generation homeschooler is hard but with support from family & friends I know I can succeed! AND I know my children will grow up to be fine men with knowledge in the word of the Lord! THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS! 😀
Amy says
You might need to print off what you just said and tape it to your mirror! Amen! 😉
Wendy M says
Great post! I shared it on my facebook page.
Kath says
That’s fine. However, other people will give their kid a more conventional education, and that child will grow up to make the laws. There are no homeschooled adults in the Senate or House.
It’s fine for liberals if you want to dis-empower yourself.
Morning Glory says
“Education” means “to lead out.” From the Latin: “ex” (out) and “ducere” (to lead). As in, to cultivate and bring forth what already exists within, rather than a “leading to.”
Words don’t just mean what you want them to mean.
Lovey says
Wow. Well put. I just keep discovering, over and over, how well-articulated your thought processes are. I keep bookmarking or making notes of individual posts because I’ll want to go back to them when I have children, when I have children old enough for homeschooling, when I have children doing XYZ…
Thank you for taking the time to write. I know it’s one of many things you fit into a full life. I appreciate the fact that you’re pouring out your life primarily in your home, and then secondarily to shine a beacon for others of us to follow. Thank you. Thank you.
LL~
Amy says
Thank you for your kind words. I do this because this is where God has me right now. I pray these are His words and not mine. 🙂