How to Homeschool

Your Unique Child

Here's the thing: homeschooling is not simply “school at home.” It is not a replication of the failing system of education, utilizing the books or procedures that the evidence proves do not work (just look at America’s report card and how we perform compared to our international counterparts that eschew our system). Homeschooling does not suppress and stamp out a child’s uniqueness. Homeschooling is an opportunity to employ proven educational methods and toss out the ineffective systems and ideologies that seek to shape generations of young people into a proscribed mold of beliefs and behaviors that are government-mandated by an anti-family teacher’s union. Homeschooling is about giving our children a true education—where learning and knowledge are the goal (not grades). For it’s still true what I wrote many years ago:

If the purpose for learning is to score well on a test, we’ve lost sight of the real reason for learning.

This should ease your burden. Why? Because homeschooling doesn’t need to look like traditional school. In fact, your homeschool should be shaped by the individual people who make up your family. Your homeschool style should reflect the adults and children God placed in your family and the unique purposes and plans He has for each one of you.

Remember that God knew you and your children before He formed each of you in the womb.

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

And he gave you passions, gifts, talents, interests, dreams, and desires that are suited to how he made you.

You were created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance that you should walk in. ~ Ephesians 2:10

Because this is true, know for certain that God created you to be your children’s parents, to usher them into the plans and purposes He has for them. You, not a teacher in a school, are entrusted with these young souls and are able to be led by God Himself as you guide your children’s education, activities, interests, and talents so they may discover the pathway to fulfilling their preordained destiny.

Just remember, we are co-educators. God is the Supreme Educator of mankind and will be the most active voice, the most inspiring guide, the most thorough teacher for our children.

The Lord will fulfill His purposes for our children. His steadfast love for them is greater than ours, and we can trust them into His hands. He will not forsake the work of His hands (our children). ~ Psalm 138:8 (paraphrased)

Thus, the burden is off our shoulders and squarely on His. We can rest in that. Our job as our children’s educators is to seek Him. The stronger our walk with God, the easier it will be for us to be led by Him in every decision regarding our children. Failing that, He will still fulfill His purposes for them—in spite of us.