GSI Articles:
Your Home
& Encouragement
for Education
© 1999 Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
Just an old sheepdog of the Good Shepherd
Genesis 1:1
Communicating conclusions
from 100's of PhD scholars (& children)
Supporting the authority of His Word
& the consistency of His character
Human Rights? Slavery?
- Animal Rights? Cruelty?
What about God's right to command compassion for all of His creatures?
* See also "GSI Seminar:
Education vs Indoctrination"
- see also Personal Philosophy of Education
(46 pages - Word Doc)
Everyone, in some way or another, educates at home, both academically as well as spiritually. The question is simply how much and why? Some parents provide help with homework that was given to their child by a public or private school teacher, along with spiritual training through family discipleship. Others have chosen to expand the academic training at home so that it becomes the primary source of education for their children. The reasons vary for the educational choices of different parents, from a desire for increased academic excellence to a desire to ensure the social and spiritual character of their little ones. But sadly, many parents have not carefully and prayerfully examined sufficient evidence in order to make their decisions. The result is that some homes, in their efforts to do good, fail to provide what is best for their children.
For example, some parents of public and private school children do nothing more than drop their kids off at school and expect the teachers to do it all. They don't help with homework, and they don't do anything to control what kind of friends become the primary socializing environment for their children. On the other extreme, are a few home schooling parents, who so over isolate their children, that both academics and socialization are hindered. Balance is the key principle.
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits."
I Corinthians 15:33
"The righteous should chose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray."
Proverbs 12:26
"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
Proverbs 13:20
So why do we encourage all parents
to get involved in their child's education?
The primary answer is simple:
Socialization
Ever notice that when one person yawns,
every else is also tempted to yawn?
My wife, Linda, and I desire to socialize our children toward the image and character of God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14; Rom 8:28-29; Eph 6:1-4). While we want our children to have an awareness of the ways of the world, we do not want to simply allow them to absorb, through social osmosis, the rebellious character of the youth sub-cultures that now dominate our society. In my ministry as a Biblical family counselor for nearly 20 years, I've seen an increasing percentage of "Christian" children (even pastors' children) who have picked up the world's selfish, disrespectful, even violent patterns of attitude and action. They roll their eyes and challenge authorities, without even knowing how to make a respectful appeal. By the time the get their first job, they're virtually guaranteed to get fired, or at least fail to get promoted. Their mistaken goal in life is personal happiness, more than personal holiness for God's glory and the blessing of others (Luke 9:23-26). These symptoms, which mirror those of the society at large, manifest in direct proportion to the amount of time the children spend in what Luther called institutions "in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God". Without the Word (counsel) of God, how can any child develop the self-giving character of Christ. Therefore, to the degree that your child is influenced by selfish and rebellious influences, to that same degree you as parents must actively provide a counter influence. Passive parenting will not work. Please see the two messages: "Survival of the Coolest", and "Child Training: Changing a Burden into a Blessing".
Academic excellence is the secondary reason why parents' should be actively involved in their children's education. Not everyone can or even should home school. But it has many benefits. Home schooling has allowed Linda and I to adapt curriculum to the unique needs and abilities of each of our six children, according to his or her own pace. We've had the privilege to home educate our children for over a decade now, and have found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives, and theirs. Even though they each have their own friends from church, the neighborhood, and home school associations, each one our children is very close to us and very close to each other. Sibling rivalry is a rare thing for them. They love home schooling, and none of them are "itching" to enter a public or private school system.
Linda and I have written this brief note of encouragement, because we've known so many good families struggling with their children both socially and academically. And folks, home schoolers are not exempt from these struggles. We could write volumes about our own mistakes, and as the Lord allows, we will. Yet, some who are struggling are losing the hearts of their children. Some home schooling parents have failed to develop a close relationship of love, trust, and respect with their children.
We realize that many parents (especially single parents) cannot home educate, and some married couples have decided that home schooling is not best for them. But remember, that simply means they won't be the primary source for their children's academic education. They can and must provide a significant amount of personal involvement to protect against the many destructive forms of socialization, which if left unchecked, can end up saturating any child's environment and heart. As the nightly news regularly reminds us, public and private school teachers cannot sufficiently replace passive parents. So please don't forget the contagious effect of yawning. Social, spiritual, relational osmosis is inescapable. Therefore, you must be the active, loving manager of the influences that surround your own little lambs. That is our primary responsibility as parents, and with God's biblical counsel you we change what seems to be burden into a wonderful blessing. When that happens, others will see the fruit produced and be drawn to join the Father's family as well. Your family can be the most effective evangelistic tract you could ever share.