A Note to Fathers
As homeschoolers, families have made a decision to direct the education of their children, but who directs
that education? Who selects the curriculum? Who sets the grading scale? Who does God say is
responsible for educating the children?
God's Plan Are your children receiving a Godly education and learning about the God you love? On June 19, 1884,
in a message entitled "The Joy of Holy Households", Charles Haddon Spurgeon made a statement which I
believe sums up the education we should be providing to our children. He said, "As for you who go in and
out of the house of prayer by the year together, and scarcely ask a blessing upon your meals, much less call
your children to your knee to tell them about Christ, remember that you will have to meet those children at the
day of judgement. What will they say to you parents if you neglect their souls? You work very hard, perhaps,
to earn their daily bread and to put clothes on their backs, and you love them very much; but that is a poor
love which loves only the body and does not love the real child, the soul that is within."
A Father's Role DAD, YOUR ROLE IS TO BRING UP YOUR CHILDREN (This means all children in your
household!) IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD AND YOU WILL BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT CALL (Ephesians 4:6). You are responsible to first teach your children about
Christ and the salvation He has provided. If you don't know about salvation, click
here to find out more. Secondly, you are responsible to teach your child about the family, both the
immediate family and the family of God. And third, you are to teach your child about God in the world
around you (this is where homeschooling and academics are the tools).
God In The World Around You Try looking at the subjects this way:
History - Perry Miller wrote this of the Puritan view of history, "History is a memorial of the
mercies of God, so that posterity may know them, remember them, and hymn His praises." History is
not just eras and dates, it is an on-going testimony of God's love towards men.
Science - Science is the study of God's design. It is the study of the systems God has
made and the study of the how He created the universe. It is the opportunity to glorify God for the
wonder He has placed around us.
Math - This is the study of God's dimensions. We often speak of God owning the cattle
on the thousand hills or being all present. Math gives us the perspective to understand the limitless
nature of God. When we know the area required to stack 1 million $1 bills, we have a greater
appreciation for the magnitude of God.
Reading - The blessed way God shares with us. By reading God's Word, we are
able to gain a deeper understanding of God. It is interesting to me that of all the books written,
excluding the Bible, Jesus is written about in more different books than any one who has ever
lived on this earth. A distant second is Abraham Licoln. There are many languages like the
hieroglyphics in Egypt, or the Greek words which can only be read. Reading is a major means
of communication which God has provided to us.
Writing and Spelling - God has given man the capability to write so that we may
attempt to share His glory and meaning in our lives with others. David was given, by God, many
Psalms which were written down for us today. These have been handed down through the generations
in written form, spelled correctly or we could have lost much of the meaning. We have many great
poems and hymns which are written down so that we can enjoy the expression of what God means
to these people. Even the poems of the blind Fanny Crosby were written down for our enjoyment
today.
It is a father's responsibility to teach these things to their children. It is a father's responsibility
to oversee the education of the children God has given to him within the bounds of his household.
Dad, It is not the responsibility of the government! It is not the responsibility of a schoolboard
member! It is not the responsibility of a teacher! It is not even the responsibility of your wife!! God
has appointed you the head of the household, it is your responsibility!
I believe in most cases, the majority of the teaching will be done by the mother and the father
will be the bread winner of the family, but this does not remove a father's obligation of knowing
what is being taught and making sure of the content being presented and even assisting in the
teaching of certain subjects.
As a personal note, I spend a lot of time in other cities and other states, but this does not mean
that I am not involved in the education of my children. When my wife is having a problem, we discuss
it, pray about it and come to a resolution with in the home. We may get outside ideas or suggestions,
but the resolution is decided within the context of our homeschool. This includes schedules, subjects,
and content. This does not mean we have not had some times where I have missed teaching a class
or forgotten some thing, but overall, I am still responsible and an active participant in the education
of my children.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, the Word of God says, "And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up." This does not leave much time for teaching things other than God. And dad,
you are the responsible party for getting it done.
Fathers, I would encourage you to take time today and understand the basics of what your
children are being taght. Take time this month to understand the curriculum, and how it is being used.
Listen to your wife concerning the how's and why's of your child's education. Search the scriptures
and pray, both individually, and as a couple concerning your child's education. And then spend time
in discussion concerning these matters. Just you, your wife and the Bible. Write down the criteria
and goals this education needs to achieve and then evaluate the curriculum in the light of those
goals and the scriptures. The main thing is to know what your child is being taught and become a
part of that educational process. God has clearly put the responsibility on you and whether you
choose to accept it or not, you will be held accoutable for the education of your children.
Copyright © June 1998 By Mark Chism
As the Jews left Egypt over 4000 years ago, Moses, as commanded by God, instructed the fathers to train the
children of each generation, as to the meaning of those events (Deuteronomy 4:9). The Jewish fathers of this
generation are educating their children with the Passover meal each year. Dad's where do we stand in the
education of our children?
I recently attended a curriculum fair. Of those in attendance, I would estimate it was easily 3 to 1 mothers
versus fathers in attendance. As I talk to homeschoolers and potential homeschoolers on my travels, I find
myself speaking to homeschool moms. When I ask what the father thinks about the idea, a common reply
is "He left the education decisions to me." And when I pry a little deeper, I find, often times, the father has
had little or no role in the decisions.
How can we teach about God in the world around us? How can we teach about God in writing or
phonics?