Homeschooling FAQs

People often ask us questions about homeschooling, so with a new school year starting, I thought I would post some of the most common ones here...

Q: How do you decide whether or not it is God's will to homeschool your children?

A: First of all, determining whether you will homeschool is going to eventually come down simply to whether you want to do it or not. Homeschooling is a lot of work and is time consuming. It requires you to parent and discipline all day long. Some look at that and never try, others quickly give up. So, what would make a parent do something so crazy? In our case it simply comes down to two desires that outweigh the competing desires. First, we desire to be the primary influence in our children's lives by discipling them as much as possible. In short, someone is going to be with our children teaching them and influencing them throughout the bulk of their the day. It will either be teachers and peers, or us. We choose us. Second, we want to help our children to see and evaluate everything from a Christian worldview.

-Brian

Q: What are some of the benefits of homeschooling?

A: There are so many spiritual benefits to you that come along with homeschooling. Having your children around all day long is very sanctifying...and I'm listing that as a great positive. We truly want to be like Christ, right? I've found that He has used my children more toward that goal than marriage or trials or anything else.  Through my kids, the Lord has shown me sin that I never knew existed in my heart. And He has allowed this unveiling to drive me to pray for greater humility and dependence on Him. Trying to love children is such a great reminder of the unconditional, gracious love that we've been shown by the Lord. I have failed often, but am thankful that each day is a new opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness of my Lord and my kids. The cycle continues for good in the lives of your children, as they get to observe how a repentant sinner lives before the Lord and others. This day to day interaction has also helped me see my need to grow in unselfishness. It is always easy to do the most convenient, least stressful thing, and think of myself first. Homeschooling has really forced me to beg God for a tender, giving love for my children. -Myra

Q: How can I be sure that I would be able to do a good job teaching my children?

A: Everyone that sets out to homeschool their children lives with some degree of frustration and uncertainty; but whatever educational choice you make, that will be there because there is no perfect educational option.  I have felt anxiety over my skill at teaching a certain subject, over how to help specific children overcome their weaknesses and laziness, I've been distracted by other things that still need attention, and have struggled at times over just feeling overwhelmed. But God has met me at every turn with His grace and help and strength. One way he has done that is by providing curriculum, resources, and even other home educators to help, give input, and encourage us.

Being convinced of the great spiritual benefits to my children and me, I press on and keep praying for God to help me make progress in my weaknesses, and have wisdom to help my children with theirs. As the years have gone by, I can see that He has answered this prayer many times. We still have many children to go with only three graduated, and there are more lessons to be learned. But I know that God is faithful. As I've talked with many other moms that have chosen to send their children to school, the things that they are having to deal with, like immorality, drug use, ungodly peer influence all day long, anti-God agenda of the teachers and curriculum, and the lack of time to spend with their children in the Word-- I feel great hope for the struggles I'm facing each day. -Myra

Q: What has motivated you to keep homeschooling for so many years?

A: Homeschooling is an amazing opportunity for evangelism and discipleship. Above all else, this is what drives me on! When the Lord saved me 25 years ago, he put in my heart a desire for ministry. That's what took me to Guam on a short-term mission trip where I met Brian. And over the years of our marriage we have had many opportunities for ministry in the church. I've taught Bible studies and discipled women and loved it. But I have to say that the most rewarding and satisfying opportunity I've had is the evangelizing and discipling of my own children. And now the fruit of His word, as I've poured my life into my older children, is filling me with so much joy, that I can hardly describe it to you. My older children have become not only my close friends, but my sisters and brothers in Christ. Now they are encouraging me in my walk!! God desires to use you in the lives of your children. If He has chosen them, then He will ordain the means through which they will come. I want to be part of the means- a strong influence for the Gospel in their lives all day, every day that I can! Homeschooling affords a greater amount of time to build a relationship with your children for the sake of the Gospel. I'm so grateful for such an opportunity! -Myra