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2005-06, Issue 6 |
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January 2006 |
As the New Year approaches, it is customary, and probably natural to examine our lives and see if we’re doing things the way we should be doing them. We make all kinds of resolutions, and decide we’re going to do better at this, learn more about that, lose this much weight, etc. We tend to examine ourselves. For us as homeschoolers, of course we are going to include our home schooling regimen and focus in that "examination". Is our focus on what it should be? Is what we are teaching our children really important and eternally worthy? I want to submit to you that it is about more than readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmatic.
☺Now for you "seasoned" homeschoolers, I’m sure this is not the first time you have heard this. But if you’re like me, you can always use a reminder. For you "newbies", you are all a bunch of sharp people, I’m sure not many of you are saying "WHAT?! Is she serious? What else could it be about?" But I’m going to invite you all to think outside the cultural "box" with me for a minute. Fast forward a few years. Your child is just starting college or a career. They are out in the world. They sign up for classes or start a new job. Their professor or coworker happens to have philosophies that are different from our own Christian ones. Maybe they are gay or are living with someone, are atheist, or perhaps even more scary, profess Christianity but yet follow beliefs that are very different from our own. They are around that atmosphere 6-8 hours, perhaps more, every day. This person is not afraid to give their opinion, and they are well practiced at it. What can our child do about that? Is this the point where Saxon Math helps? Or perhaps all that grammar or spelling? Hey, they sure know how to write a good essay! Hehe I’m being a little facetious here.
I’m not trying to say that academic studies are unimportant. On the contrary, Math, Grammar, Science, History, etc truly are important, and in fact essential to their lives. All those are good and necessary things, but what I’m trying to say here is that our preparations need to go beyond those things. Perhaps the most important thing we teach our children, starting young, is Christian Worldview and the Bible is our textbook. You hear the word "worldview" a lot now in homeschool circles, what does it really mean? It simply means looking at the world through "Christian" colored glasses. It is our philosophy of life in the world we are living in. For us as Christians, our philosophy revolves around the Bible and our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to prepare our children to be able to function out in our world today as a Christian. It is a world that is rapidly changing. Their beliefs will be challenged each and every day. Secularism and Humanism abound, especially on college campuses. You even see evidences of it on Christian campuses! Their beliefs will be challenged. What can we do about it? This is where the Three D’s come in.
Firstly, we need to guide them to
define their worldview. They need to know WHAT they really believe. They need to embrace these beliefs as their own. Of course, as Christians, Jesus Christ is the center of all that we believe, with the Bible as our "lifeline". The Bible is the single most important "textbook" you will use during your years of homeschooling. Bible study books are good and appropriate as the Lord leads, but don’t be afraid to crack that Bible open and just read through that sometimes! Read it together, discuss it! Make it a class on your schedule. Even young ones benefit from early preparation.Secondly, they need to
discern. They need to learn how to apply their Christianity to everyday life. How does my worldview apply here? Discuss world events in the light of scripture. Watch the news together and discuss. As they are older, watch a movie together and discuss how it measures against the Bible. As they are ready, read books or newspaper articles together that possibly challenge their worldview a little, then discuss the "whys" behind it so they have your guidance. They need to know how to discern good and evil. They need to know how to pray over different issues for discernment We can all be deceived.The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
"No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." And "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.". Matthew 24:24 Obviously, discernment is and will be quite important in coming times. This is part of the reason we pick the books we do in the Jr High/High School CoOp class. We want the students to practice defining, discerning and defending their worldview in a safe environment, before they are out in the real world unprepared, when it can do them real harm.Thirdly, they need to know how to
defend their worldview. This means to know how to state their Christian beliefs in a prayerful, Godly, intelligent way. They need to know how to put into words what they believe about certain issues so they are not unprepared and are overwhelmed by those that are prepared. They need to know how to put what they believe about certain issues into words by writing, speaking, or in casual conversation.Many believe that homeschoolers are the next "wave of evangelism" coming in the world today. That is an exciting prospect, that the Lord could use homeschoolers in such a way! As homeschooling parents, let us pray over and prepare our children to be beacons of light in a dark world! When we think about it, that is the most important subject in school they have!! Joy to the World! Peace to you and your family in the New Year of 2006 and always!!
Blessings,
Lyndi Ruzicka
Dan and Lyndi Ruzicka are our DCHEA leaders for 2005-06.