Public School Vs Homeschool (Copied from a friend)

[hsmominky]

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

How Doing Something "Good" Can Keep You From Obeying

"Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." I Samuel 15:22

• I woke up at 6am to write this blog post...and spent 45 minutes reading and answering emails.
• I have been convicted that I need to shed one of my volunteer activities so as to be able to focus my time and energy on God's current calling on my life...but I keep putting it off.
• A friend shared recently that her boys were so busy doing the dishes that when she said, "We need to leave for the grocery store, now"...they used the "good" of doing dishes as a reason to not obey.

I'm sure you can think of plenty of examples in your own life. We're all guilty of doing "good" things in the name of serving God, while at the same time neglecting to obey his Word.

Recently, I have been chastised by some Christian friends for speaking about home education in a way that is "offensive" to those who have chosen to send their children to public schools. After all, they say,  the education children are receiving in public schools is just as good as what you are providing at home, you can't keep your kids sheltered from the world forever, and any decision you make prayerfully about educating your children can be the right one for your family.

I used to believe this. I really did. I even said it a few times.

 

 

I was wrong.

I have been reading the writings of the Rev. Voddie Baucham and listening to some of his sermons (I love high speed internet!). He has convinced me that the Scriptures have a very clear teaching on what education for Christian families should be--and government schools are not in that picture.

Let me clarify my statements by saying that I don't condemn those of you who have chosen to send your children to public schools in the past or in the present. Government run education has become so ubiquitous--so normal--and home education so different--so counter-cultural--that it can be truly difficult to take what the Bible says about education at face value. That being said, I would encourage you to search the Scriptures on this issue. 

I would also encourage you to read the following blog posts by the Rev. Voddie Baucham:

Top Five Reasons NOT to Send Your Kids Back to Gov't School

Home Education: The Strength of Our Weakest Argument

Additionally, I would like to point out that a quality Christian school can also provide the kind of education deemed appropriate by Scripture. Private schools can be expensive, though, and each private school ought be carefully evaluated on its own merits. We chose home education because it is easier and less expensive for me to give our children a Christian education than it would be if we sent our children to the local Christian school.

 

 

So what kind of education is commanded in Scripture?

A Christian Education. Voddie Baucham summarizes it well:

"I am commanded to bring my children up in the nurture and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4), and to do so by teaching them God's statutes when I sit in my house, when I lie down, when I rise up, and when I walk along the way (Deut. 6:7).  I am also admonished not to place myself, or by extension my children, under false teaching (Col. 2:8), or to expose them to teaching that undermines God's Law (Matt. 5:17-20).  Instead, I must teach them to "take every thought captive" (2 Cor. 10:5), to refuse to be "conformed to the pattern of this world" (Rom. 12:2), and meditate on God's Law day and night (Ps. 1:2)."

I am amazed by how many Christians see government schools as the "default" when it comes to providing education for their children. Even more alarming is how many will use their faith as a justification for it. 

• "Our children need to be 'lights' in a fallen world." I'm sorry, but my five year old, as much as he loves God, is not a light--he is a sponge. Give him 15 minutes with a "questionable" television program--No, 30 seconds with a beer ad during a football game!--and he will have absorbed it. Public schools can be a great mission field for a spiritually mature adult, but they are no place for a young, impressionable child. Luke 6:40 states, "A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." Who do I want my children to be like when they grow up? What do I want them to become? If I want them to be like Christ, then I must provide them a Christian education. Then, they will they be prepared to be lights in a fallen world! A couple hours on Sunday morning is not doing it for our kids. An alarming 75-90% of the church's teenagers are "graduating from God" when they graduate from high school. They are walking away from their faith. Some 85-90% of Christian parents send their kids to government schools. Coincidence?
• "But, our schools are different!" The Beach Boys sang, "Be true to your school, just like you would to your girl." Public service campaigns have been pretty successful in getting people to believe that their schools are great and their teachers are all top-notch. Sure, maybe other schools are failing, but ours are wonderful. Even if they are academically stellar, your public school is not providing a Christ-centered education. Many Christians will also point out that there are Christian teachers at their child's school. This may be true, and I am happy that there are godly men and women stepping into this mission field every day. I am friends with several Christians who are also public school teachers, and their job is not an easy one. Nonetheless, no matter how godly and mature these believers are, they will not have a job for long if they start teaching from a Christian perspective. The foundational truths of the Bible--that God created us and loves us, that we are sinners in need of salvation--are necessarily absent from a government education. It is the responsibility of the public school system to provide a secular humanist education. When I remember that my primary responsibility in educating my children is to train them up in the knowledge of God, the decision about where and how to "school" them becomes more obvious.
• "We don't want non-Christians to believe that we think we are better than they are." It's pretty easy to get involved in a whose kids are better-smarter-more advanced kind of argument in an effort to justify our own choices. Arguments like this tend to miss the point, though. People can think all sorts of things. It is my responsibility to teach my children in a manner in accordance with the Scriptures.
• "But, what about socialization???" I've heard this argument for public schools over and over again, and it's a red herring. School is not supposed to be about socialization--it is supposed to be about education. For every story you can site about "socially awkward" kids who were homeschooled, I can site three stories of children whose ability to learn and develop to their full potential was negatively impacted by peer pressure, bullying, rude and uncaring teachers, and the like. The biblical model for socialization has always been the family and the faith community/church. The only example of the peer socialization model in the Bible is in the book of Daniel. In this case, the finest of the young Hebrew men were removed from their homes and families and were trained in the literature and customs of the Babylonians. (See Daniel 1:3-5) This was a blatant attempt by the government to rid the youth of their Hebrew customs and faith in YHWH. While we can admire and be inspired by the four young men who clung to the LORD and refused to conform to the Babylonian ways, we must remember that there were many, many more young Hebrew men who were part of this group. Of all of them, only four retained their faith and trust in God--Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Still think that peer socialization in a secular school is the best choice for your kids?

 

 

So, what does all this have to do with obedience?

I think many American Christians--the vast majority of us--have allowed ourselves to be deceived about government-run education for a long time. We've looked at the perceived "good" of our schools--whether it be academic, social, or evangelistic in nature--and ignored what the Scriptures have to say about education. There's a good chance that you will read this, be angry at me, or think that I am crazy. I'm okay with that. However, maybe, some of you, for the first time are being challenged to think differently about school and what it means for your kids and your family. If so, then I've done my job

[Mamagirlz]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 7:52 AM

Very well written!

[proud2Bmomma]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 12:16 PM

This is good.  I don't home school.  God would really have to work a miracle in my heart for me to home school.  We send our daughter (and by His grace and financial provision - the rest of our children) to a closed, small, private Christian school run by our church.  Our kids consistently score higher on the state testing than their public school counterparts.  The education is good and it is God centered.  We are very involved and we are VERY ENCOURAGED to be highly involved.  We work WITH the school to educate our children.  And here is my position on public schools.  I don't hate them.  I went to one myself and I'm a pretty smart cookie.  Even if there were no drugs, sex, rebellion, and outward chaos in public schools, there is a complete adsence of God.  The Bible teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  And when you remove God, and that fear, out of the public school, there can be no wisdom.  And because of the giant vacuum, it has be to filled with something.  That "something" is the wisdom of man.  THAT is what I don't want in my children's heads.  I want a God centered education, not just an absence of "bad influences".  I hope that makes some sense and others can see the distinction I'm making. 

[hsmominky]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM

The wonderful thing about homeschooling is the fact that we can give our children a god centered education and not have to answer to anyone about it. I do not have to worry about someone else's religious beliefs been imposed on my Children because it is my values that I am teaching my Children. I am a proud homechool Mom!

(Original Poster)

[MoM2fourGr8Kids]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 1:04 PM

Thanks for sharing this.  I too am a proud homeschool mom. I can not imagine my life any other way!

 

[MyGiftsFromGod]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Great journal!  proud2Bmomma- God DID work a miracle in my heart to get me to homeschool!!!  I was totally against it ten years ago!  I can't believe how wonderful it is having my children with me all day, and can't believe how blind to that I was before.  Not that you are blind, but I sure was!

[mama4Christ361]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 7:04 PM

I teach at a public school as a substitute. I have to say...

 

YOU ARE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The teacher I sub'ed for today was a single mom. Nothing wring with that, per se, I didn't know the circumstances.

BUT- one of the kids asked if I had kids. A six year old first grader asked if I had kids. i told her I had one, a little girl. She then asked if my daughter had a daddy or if I kicked his sorry butt to the curb.

I emphatically assured her my dd had a father whom i was in fact married to. i then asked her who she heard that kind of language from. She said the class' regular teacher said stuff liek that all the time about men because one left her with a baby.

 

I think my point is made.

[Kelly913]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 10:02 PM

mama4Christ361:  How sad!!  And no one has complained??  Good grief-I'd be all over that kind of talk.  Not that my kid would be there to hear it, but I think you get my point.  It obviously left an imprint on her or she wouldn't have asked you about your situation.  Like someone else said-they are sponges at this age and not yet ready to be "light in the darkness".

[Kelly913]

Oct. 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM

OK, now for what I wanted to say about the story.  How do we relly know when we are doing what God has called us to when so many things are worthwhile causes?  Taken away from homeschooling and applied to all other parts of life...I struggle with this and often wonder if I should be doing more or doing less!  Anyone have any suggestions or hints that have helped?

[HaydensMommy007]

Oct. 15, 2009 at 1:27 AM

I want to come back to this when I have the energy to focus on what is being said here.

[Hope4aGRL]

Oct. 15, 2009 at 3:53 PM

I think you have said this very well Amy, and although it is such a controversial subject, it is simply about the facts and our faith. I used to believe that everyone feels their own conviction, and I still think that is true, but I have realized that many people to choose to ignore their convictions as well, or even take the stance that "ignorance is bliss". It seems everytime I get into this subject I seem to irritate someone, but I have really prayed about this issue, and I have realized, many people lash out at you because of your stance on public school vs homeschool because they are generally the ones who have chosen to ignore their convictions.  Now, I am sure this is not always true, but in the cases I have experienced, it is. I know that this really angers people out there, but any parent that truly knows what God has called for all of us as parents, and the things that are happening with in the public school system, they would never send their child to public school.