It’s That Time of Year Again

Typically in the spring, as the school year is coming to a close, parents begin to consider what their children will be doing in the fall. Many who have already abandoned the public schools have more peace of mind, as they continue with what they have already been doing.  Yet, there remains far too many professing Christians who continue to be consumers of the God-hating, morally-degraded, and socialism-oriented educational system of what we call the public (statist) schools.

We are at a pivotal point when it comes to helping Christian families return to their God given role in education. Many didn't consider the magnitude of the sin of turning their children over to the God haters in our society. With the events of the recent past, many are waking up to the dire situation in public education. The majority of parents don't have an escape plan to rescue their children.

Fortunately, the people of God are well positioned to help them, providing we are willing to think outside the humanist box and become biblically faithful. Families that are heavily in debt are the hardest hit and even though some have been plunged into debt because of illness or inflation, our job is not to solve their problems but to assist them, showing them how to assume their responsibilities as parents. They need to be convicted, they need to repent and change direction.

II Chronicles 714 says, “If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Notice the sequence and to whom each is assigned. For God's people, it includes: humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from their wicked ways. And then, we are told, God will hear, forgive and heal.

Believers need to take every opportunity to engage their brothers and sisters in Christ by pushing the antithesis between covenant keeping and covenant breaking, especially in the area of education. We need to be direct, but with solutions. As we engage with them, once parents see the need to be covenant keepers, the task becomes one of helping them choose the best pathway to obedience for their family. Among the options are:

Home schooling
If a parent is willing and able to teach, (or willing to learn as he/she goes), this would be the obvious choice for people who are financially able to live on one income and are motivated.

Christian schooling
This involves helping parents select a Christian school that is more than one in name only. The school should teach every subject from a biblical world and life view, preparing competent and faithful ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

While the cost might be out of budget, parents must take the necessary steps to eliminate worthless or unnecessary expenses. In order to pay for schooling, the cost of soccer leagues, ballet lessons, etc. must take a backseat to procuring a Christian education for their children. They can also ask relatives and close friends, to forego gift giving and instead help them with the cost of tuition. 

Christian tutoring via the local church 
Even though there are committed parents, some don't fall into either category mentioned. There is a need for the people of God to assist and become tutor-mentors. The goal is to provide a thoroughly Christian educational environment and utilize willing volunteers to assist those who need assistance.

Some may say, well, what about compulsory education laws? The answer is that just like the government has and continues to overreach in terms of lockdowns, masks, medical mandates, etc., telling parents that they must comply to the detriment of their children is an area where we must obey God rather than man.

We all have decisions to make and being faithful to God's call in our lives must take precedence. Some of the options are better than others. However, if we consider the status quo of statist education a viable option, then we, too, are equally in disobedience to God. I’ve often told parents that if they merely made sure their children could read, they would be better educated if all they did was give them books to read, the Bible being the most important one.

My vision involves established churches willing to open their doors for after school help.

We must echo the words of Isaiah 68 and in this very important endeavor respond, “Here I am.”

 I suggest the following links to assist yourself or others in the pursuit of a faithful, biblical education. Note many of these can be accessed online to read or listen to at no charge at chalcedon.edu.

The Philosophy of the Christian Curriculum
Lessons Learned from Years of Homeschooling
The Homeschool Life: Discovering God's Purpose for Your Family
Homeschooling Help (podcast series)
How to Tutor: A Step by Step Guide to Teaching the 3 R’s
Alpha Phonics (complete reading curriculum)
Indoctrination (video)
The Harsh Truth About Public Schools

Or look at all of our educational products here.