You should homeschool.
You should send your kid to private school.
You should send your kid to public school.
I'm really quite sick of it. Don't we know how fortunate we are to be a country filled with educational opportunities? Even Christians- fight over which realm of educating their children is "best" and most "godly' and I really think we need to just cool it and stop being so egocentric, arrogant, and self righteous. That's not the way to win souls for Christ or to share Christ's love. Really.
I think of the stories I've read about in No Longer A Slumdog (Free book- order a copy! Did I mention that it's FREE?). Imagine living in extreme poverty. Being a stay at home mom? What's that? Maybe you have to work a very undesirable job. Maybe you're so in debt to a corrupt government that you have to make your son or daughter work too. Um, no you can't home school. Um, no you can't afford to send them to a private school, and um- no....they aren't even able to go to the public school because either it's too far, too expensive to buy clothes and supplies, or they are too low of a class.
Sigh.
And we sit in our nice homes and say that homeschool kids will be socially awkward, that private school kids will be snobs, that public school kids will be druggies*. This is not a post about what kind of schooling is best. We each have our own opinions and ideas of what we would like to do for our own kids and family. I think good parents everywhere are trying to make good choices for their kids. And yes, I have my opinions as a parent and as an educator** about different kinds of education. That is besides the point for this post. And I don't think my opinion is scripture.
If you want to home school your kid and feel equipped...do it.
If you want to send your kid to private school and can afford it...do it.
If you want to send your kid to public school and can be discerning.... do it.
Any of those choices can be done well or poorly.
Fighting and debating over one way and calling other ways a sin or terrible.... it really takes away from the heart of the gospel. That Jesus came to earth to teach us, love us, and ultimately die for our sins so we could be in heaven one day. He wants a transforming relationship with us. Jesus isn't just for America. He's for every single person he created on every single landmass in the whole world.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV says...
"Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it."
The bible is clear that parents are to train their children. Your school of choice is not responsible for this. You are. As a Christian, embracing the ministry a parent has in helping their children become disciples of Jesus is key.
I know fabulous public school teachers who pour their hearts into their class to teach and support them. There are a lot of great things and opportunities in public education even in this unsettling economy. Take the time to notice them. There are fabulous private school teachers and biblical training/prayer in school. Thank those teachers for sacrificing a public school salary to do what they feel called to. There are terrific home school moms out there. For no pay at all, they work tirelessly to teach their kids.
How about this. We stop being so arrogant that "our way is the best way" and start really seeking to BE Jesus to those around us and honor the Lord with our choices and comments. It's really not all about us and how great our choices are. We do the best we can for our kids, in our situation, with our resources, with God's leading.
*NOTE: I am a "product" of the public school system. I also went to a public college. I have never done drugs. I consider myself to be a productive member of society. I really think that it matters less what kind of school (or lack-thereof) you go to and more about your family and parental involvement. And prayer.
**My college degrees are in early childhood/elementary education
And when he is old he will not depart from it."
The bible is clear that parents are to train their children. Your school of choice is not responsible for this. You are. As a Christian, embracing the ministry a parent has in helping their children become disciples of Jesus is key.
I know fabulous public school teachers who pour their hearts into their class to teach and support them. There are a lot of great things and opportunities in public education even in this unsettling economy. Take the time to notice them. There are fabulous private school teachers and biblical training/prayer in school. Thank those teachers for sacrificing a public school salary to do what they feel called to. There are terrific home school moms out there. For no pay at all, they work tirelessly to teach their kids.
How about this. We stop being so arrogant that "our way is the best way" and start really seeking to BE Jesus to those around us and honor the Lord with our choices and comments. It's really not all about us and how great our choices are. We do the best we can for our kids, in our situation, with our resources, with God's leading.
*NOTE: I am a "product" of the public school system. I also went to a public college. I have never done drugs. I consider myself to be a productive member of society. I really think that it matters less what kind of school (or lack-thereof) you go to and more about your family and parental involvement. And prayer.
**My college degrees are in early childhood/elementary education
