Simple Steps to Home Education Biblical Parenting Basics for Christian Families

1. Simple Steps to Home EducationBiblical Parenting Basics for Christian Families Morningstar Educational Network www.msen.org

2. What makes for a successful and easy homeschool?

3. What makes for a successful and easy homeschool is applying a Godly foundation to your child’s education. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

4. Christian parents should ask themselves three questions when it comes to their child’s education.

5. 1. Who is your child’s teacher? “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:39-40 “Blessed is the man (and child), Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1

6. 2.Does your child’s textbooks rely on Biblical truths or secular doctrine? "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad”.Matthew 12:30

7. 3. Who are your child’s peers? The Bible has many references to the importance of having Godly friends. Learn not the way of the heathen. Jeremiah 10:2 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits. 1 Corinthians 15:33

8. Purpose of Education from a Biblical Perspective • All education should be based on truth, which originates with God. • Education is not to be separate from God. “An education without the Bible is useless.” Noah Webster All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:15

9. Today, there are six legal ways for schooling. For a Christian, the foundation must be Biblical, so which of these meet this requirement? • Public school • Private secular school • In-home public school program (Charter School, government funded) • Christian school using secular curriculum • Christian school using Christian curriculum • Christian worldview homeschool

10. Government Education Interesting point. Nowhere in Scripture, outside of forced slavery, did God condone a government education of His children.

11. Parents are out! Federal circuit court judges held in November 2005 in Fields v. Palmdale that "parents have no constitutional right ... to prevent a public school from providing its students with whatever information it wishes to provide, sexual, or otherwise, when and as the school determines that it is appropriate to do so.”

12. This a copy of survey at issue in the previous court decision, Field vs. Palmdale

13. This survey was given to public school children ages 7 to 10.

14. Schools now have full authority without your permission to discuss these issues in any manner, form or way they desire.

15. Is this the consequence of liberal sexual training? ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Twelve boys in the first and second grade at a St. Louis elementary school sexually assaulted a second-grade girl during recess. • http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/10/gradeschool.allegedassault.ap/index.html

16. Current Bills for Californiapassed the Senate 5/11/06 • SB 1437 expressly prohibits textbooks, instructional materials, and school-sponsored activities from “reflecting adversely” on transsexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.  Instructional materials could not only say “a husband and wife,” but must include “two wives who are married lesbians.”  Sex education assemblies would have to include information on sex changes. • Passage of the Bill will initiate the same requirements in public schools across America.

17. CNS news "SB 1437 means goodbye to textbooks that say you're either a boy or a girl, or that marriage is only for a man and a woman, or that the natural family is a father, a mother and their children.The measure would also lead to "radical curriculum changes that include transvestite speakers and transsexual videos, classroom handouts on sex-change operations and curriculum that tells children homosexual 'marriage' is normal. This bill is frightening for parents who want trustworthy schools, not schools that sexually indoctrinate their own children -- children as young as kindergarten!”

18. Government schools are required by law to be humanistic and secular in their instruction. Humanism and secularism are religions, and their doctrine is the exact opposite of Biblical teaching.

19. No God, Just Darwin. In December 2005, a federal judge ruled in favor of government schools indoctrinating children with dogmatic Darwinism. Darwinism – is the teaching that God does not exist. This teaching permeates all textbooks, not just science books.

20. Public Schools are no longer a positive reinforcer of traditional values. They reject Biblical teachings on man's origin, the proper role of sex, and promote the acceptability of homosexuality, abortion and premarital sex. 

21. “Parents must embrace their responsibility to educate their children by choosing a means of education that would ensure their physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with a goal of raising godly men and women who are thoroughly equipped to live as fully devoted followers of Christ.” Dr. Bruce Shortt, Author – Harsh Truth About Public Schools

22. 88% never return Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported to the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention that 88 percent of the children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18, never to return.

23. 92% never return Zan Tyler is the Author of 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential and has recently reported this: Quoting Zan, "One mother sought me out after the [homeschool] workshop and informed me that her husband works for Josh McDowell Ministry. She said the statistic they are now using for evangelical children (actually teens and young adults) abandoning the faith is 92 percent. 92 percent! That is catastrophic."   

24. 85% never return Dr. Robert Simonds, a 35 year ex-public school teacher and now President of Center for Excellence in Education found in his survey of Christian parents that 85% of children educated for twelve years in public schools reject Jesus or lack a Christian worldview by high school graduation.

25. Consequence of a Secular Education Between 85-92% of children receiving a secular education will be secular in their thinking when they graduate high school.

26. “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:16 Our children must have the opportunity to learn the truth in a comprehensive manner during their formative years. “Public schools are ruining the faith of a child. It is just the last place you would want put your child.” Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

27. Private Secular School Although private secular schools are not as strictly controlled by the government, they operate from the same worldview and would have the same teachings as public schools. Often they are even more extreme in their philosophies.

28. Public School In-Home Programs Though technically a “home school,” these types of programs, because they are so heavily regulated by the government, are secular. The regulations governing public schools, such as mandatory testing, psychological exams, “diversity” training, and secular textbooks are mandated for a in-home public school program. “As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b

29. Christian Schools Using Secular Curriculum • Secular curriculum, no matter what institution it is taught in, is in conflict with Godly principles. A Christian school teaching with secular curriculum is comparable to a Sunday school reading Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin to its church children. • Do not underestimate the damage that secular textbooks, secular counsel and secular peers will have on your child’s mind, emotions, actions and spiritual life. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Psalm 1:1

30. Christian Schools using Christian Curriculum This is a viable option for Christians. However, parents cannot assume that their child’s school peers are providing a Godly influence. Parental diligence over their child’s relationships is essential.

31. Christian Home Education • A Christian home education provides the safest place for your child to concentrate on his/her studies without ungodly peer distractions. • A Christian home education provides the best opportunity for families and siblings to bond with one another.

32. A Christian home education provides an excellent academic education that caters to a child’s natural learning abilities and God-given talents. • A Christian home education provides the only opportunity where a child can grow by learning all things through God’s perspective, and be able take moments throughout the entire day to pray, think about, and develop their relationship with Jesus.

33. Did you know? Today an estimated 2.6 million children are being taught at home by their parents.

34. Did you know? On average, homeschool students in grades 1-4 perform one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts.Lawrence Rudner,Scholastic Achievement and Demographic Characteristics ofHome School Students in 1998,Education Policy Analysis Archives, http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n8/. www.youcanhomeschool.org

35. Did you know? By grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average.Rudner, Figure 3. www.youcanhomeschool.org

36. I did not complete high school. How can I teach my children? A background in teaching is not necessary; in fact, "home educated students' test scores remained between the 80th and 90th percentiles, whether their mothers had a college degree or did not complete high school." www.youcanhomeschool.org

37. What about a diploma, graduation, & college? Homeschool graduates closely parallel their public school counterparts—about two-thirds go on to post-secondary education, and one-third directly into the job market. (Brian Ray, Strengths of Their Own—Home Schoolers Across America, NHERI, 1997.) www.youcanhomeschool.org

38. Is a Christian home education legal? “Because the United States Constitution is the highest law of the land, homeschooling has always been legal in all 50 states,” says Michael Farris. Chairman of the BoardGeneral CounselPresident of Patrick Henry College www.hslda.org

39. What about my child's special needs? Thousands of families are homeschooling children whose special needs range from Attention Deficit Disorder to severe multiple handicaps. Parents often find that when they bring these children home to be educated, they come out of the ‘deep freeze’ that has kept them from making significant progress. Gone are the comparisons, labels, social pressures, and distractions that a regular classroom may bring. Parents can offer their children individualized education, flexibility, encouragement, and support. www.youcanhomeschool.org

40. What about socialization & special interests/enrichment activities? Experience has shown that homeschoolers are well socialized and able to make lasting friendships across age and cultural divides. (See Figure 2 at right.)

41. I don’t have a teaching degree. Can I really teach my child? Yes, research and practical experience show that it is dedication and hard work, not special training, that produce outstanding educational results in a homeschool setting.

42. What do colleges think of homeschoolers? Homeschoolers “are the epitome of Brown students,” says Dean Joyce Reed. “They are self-directed, they take risks, and they don’t back off.”Brown Alumni Magazine,“Homeschooling Comes of Age,” January/Feburary 2002 www.youcanhomeschool.org

43. Definitely Prepared My parents decided to homeschool me because I had speech problems, and they didn't want to expose me to the teasing of school children. They taught me from kindergarten through 12th grade. I loved my "school" experience, and I don't believe I ever wanted to attend a traditional school, public or private. It gave me the unique opportunity to truly grow up with my three siblings. And I was involved in many activities, including 4-H, AWANA Bible club, and volunteering at a local hospital. Today, as a 2002 graduate of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, having earned a business administration degree with concentrations in accounting and information systems, I already have a job as a full-time accountant. Looking back on my schooling experience, I was definitely prepared for college—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. —Carrie Ireland

44. Getting Started Step 1: Biblically research God’s plan for training and educating children. The Bible is replete with God’s teaching as to how children should be educated. Take the time to research the Scriptures. The basis for Christian homeschooling should be obedience to God’s Word. The father should be the head of the family and a child’s education. Obedience in this area is as much for parents as it is the children. This is God's design for the family.  

45. Step 2:  Find a support group or mentor. Our goal is to connect you with groups and mentors that promote a Biblical worldview approach to home education. Visit www.ChristianHomeEducation.org to find a mentor or support group in your area.

46. Step 3:  Research Homeschooling Listed at www.msen.org is a variety of websites that cover homeschooling, preschooling at home, living on one income, single parent homeschooling and more. There are also many books available on homeschooling. Here are a few of the ones we recommend:  • Home Schooling:  The Right Choice, Christopher Klicka • Home Educating With Confidence, Rick & Marilyn Boyer

47. Step 4: Get a copy of your state’s homeschool laws from: Every state has a different set of requirements for home educators.  To obtain a copy of your state’s homeschooling law from the Home School Legal Defense Association’s website, visitwww.hslda.org and click on State Laws. Or, write or call them to request a copy (HSLDA, P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134, 540-338-5600).

48. Step 5: Consider the Freedom to Learn One of the blessings of providing your children with a Christian home education is the freedom for your child to learn according to their gifts and abilities. A homeschool environment allows God to show you and your children their God-given talents. And when He does, your children will delight in their educational experience.

49. Step 6: Choosing Curriculum  It is very important in today’s culture to refrain from using public school textbooks.  Even the public school’s simple readers convey beliefs, attitudes and information that are contrary to God’s Word.  While no curriculum is perfect, most Christian curriculum and books are written by Christians and from a Christian worldview. God will bless your endeavors if you are training your children from textbooks that give glory to Him. 

50. Curriculum There are hundreds of curriculum choices. And with homeschooling you have the freedom to change or create a curriculum that meets your child’s needs. Our website lists a variety of curriculum, or you can visit your local Homeschool Headquarters store, or attend a homeschool convention.