I am asked frequently, why do you believe in Christian education and homeschooling? Of course, I have no problem explaining why I stand behind my beliefs but I also love to ask other believers, from a biblical perspective, why do you choose public school or even take it as far as believing that private education shouldn't exist?
When Jesus spoke about Salt and Light, he was speaking to mature adult Christians. Jesus understood that our children must first be filled with salt to bear fruit. Even if you are not a believer, most people agree on the brain science that full development doesn't happen until into your 20s. Christians, statistically, our children are leaving. Or developing a very watered down, sugar coated Christian faith. Why is that? (Watch the video below to hear the statistics.)
Christian education is an offensive (and I don't mean offending) strategy in the war to teach our children to love God's truth and goodness. Be proactive, not reactive.
Dr. Steve Turley said, "We've really dropped the ball in that we bought into the lie that education is simple information acquisition and it is not initiation to a culture."
There is no such thing as neutral education.
We all bring our worldview into the classroom.
If a student is learning 7 to 8 hours a day that God does not matter whatsoever in literature, science, history, music, art and life, there is no way we can make that up at the dinner table, Sunday morning for an hour and half or Wednesday night youth for an hour. They will encapsulate the idea that theology is irrelevant to all subjects. If we believe God created all knowledge, how can we learn and gain wisdom without him.
Have you ever thought or said, "They need to be exposed to the world so that they can adjust and not be shocked." Sometimes I wonder if we hear what we just said. We know that we have done our job when students are shocked at the evil and lies of this world.
A student that had been in Christian education through elementary and the family chose to put them into public education in junior high:
“Going to school feels like watching a rated R movie every day.” quote from a Christian, public, junior-high student
Two fish are swimming along and pass another fish. The passing fish says "How's the water?" and the fish says to his buddy, "What is water?"
As young children, we can be immersed into an environment, a culture, that we do not know any different. You will hear adults say, "I thought all families were that way." This happens in our home environment as well as our school environment. Children can be so consumed by the culture, they are no longer able to discern or even affected by the things they see, hear, watch, or are taught. It becomes a part of who they are. Do you want your child to be aware of the water in which they swim? One of the most precious gifts you can give your children is that when they arrive at college or in the workplace, that they are truly shocked at what they see. They should feel uncomfortable in a fallen world.
I actually have been told that parents want to get their children into the "system" so they can adjust and not be shocked too much. Really?
Providing a Christian education with a biblical worldview will give your children the ability to know the water in which they swim. Discernment must be taught and they should be shocked.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.