I read a comment and follow-up article in the new TOS the other day that got me thinking. Basically, a homeschooling family wrote in to say that some public schools could be good places with Christian teachers who cherished children. TOS wrote a rebuttal article. They pointed out all the negatives of public school and then went on to say that it was a sin to send your kids to public school.

 My first thought was, "yup, I'm doing the right thing. One percent of Christian families are obeying God  by homeschooling, and the rest of y'all are sinners." Then it hit me. Could God maybe have a different plan for some families? Might God actually call some families to put there kids in public school? Those of you that are shaking your heads, saying "no way"....stop putting God in a box!

 Logically, keeping your kids out of public school is the best choice. However, when reading the Bible, we often see how God works miracles in the illogical.

 Homeschooling is what the Lord has called me to do, and if I was to disobey that calling, it would be a sin. If one day God tells me to send my kids to public school, would it be a sin to obey him?

 Lets be careful not to judge others. We were not in on the conversations between them and the Lord. Lets let God decide where the sin falls. ~Karlie

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Feb. 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

I did not get that issue. Did it REALLY say that it was a sin to send your kids to public school? So, my question is. Which chapter and verse was that one found in.

Since I've experienced many, many episodes of having my foot in my mouth......I feel bad for the author of the piece because I assume that her thoughts were based on her passion about homeschooling, rather than scripture.

Yep. My God is not in a box. But I have grace for the author because I've been inside my OWN box many times before.

It's a human condition we all seem to share.

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Feb. 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by grace4gayle

Wow, I missed that when reading through my issue. I've easily fallen into the, "The only RIGHT way is to homeschool" category but the older I get and the more I see God work I realize that what he calls some of us to do, isn't what He calls ALL of us to do. As far as I can see (and I'm still learning) there are only a few commands that God expects everyone to obey without equivocation....you know, the 10 commandments, homosexuality as a no-no, etc. So often we hear God speaking to us and think it's for the whole world and shame on whoever isn't on board! Oops!

Gayle

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Feb. 5, 2007 - I Agree

Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS

I think that it is a "Home" decision to homeschool. I know people who want to and their husband says no. If they disobey their husband, that's a sin. Since the Bible is clear on submission. I believe HSing is what God wants for my family, but I am very careful around all to say that they need to pray and ask the Lord what He wants for their family. I recently had someone tell me my kids were good because they were HSed. That is partially true, but the truth is I know many well behaved children who go to school and very naughty children that are HSed. That is why it is so improtant for people to pray and seek God for all the answers.
:>Michelle

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Feb. 5, 2007 - God in a box

Posted by Jolmer

It is wonderful to hear that our God is bigger than our way of thinking. I am reliefed that His ways are higher than ours.

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Feb. 9, 2007 - I needed this!

Posted by DanaKay

I have been home educating for 8-9 years now. My oldest is 16 and she went to a private Christian school for her first 2 years. Her 3rd grade year I took her out and started to teach her at home. I had our 3rd child and came into some complications after our daughter was born. I put hmy first child in school to finish off her 3rd grade year so I could recover. (Public school). She was too far ahead of the others and I hated her being there. I took her out and homeschooled her till this year. She is now a Sophomore. I put her back into a Christian school this year only to have her recently really want out of the school. It has not been a school that we were happy with. I wanted to teach her at home, but she really wanted to try public school. I have 3 others at home. I restled and restled with God about this. But in my own dis-belief of what I have done, I went today and enrolled her into the local public school. She is wanting to goto a special training school next year and I will be setting her free then. She is so mature for her age and she said, "Public school doesn't scare me mom. I m grounded in who I am and I know that God can use me there." There is so much more to our story ofcourse, but I have written all this to say that our homeschooling is a journey. One which if you had told me I would EVER put her into a public school I would have told you no way. But I feel a peace that God is doing something here and she has to take her faith and walk with the Lord and make it her own. I have always hated public school and I still do, but God is not just in our homes, Isn't He a God that is all knowing and everywhere? I have to trust Him. Some will say "How could you do this to her" but to that I say, "Who are you to judge and decide God's ways." I do not believe I am or she is lost and sinning if she goes to this school. I have trained her in the ways she should go and I am going to trust God that He has her in the palm of His hand. Thank you for this note. As I have felt once again defeated today, this is lifting my spirits and my heart to know, I will not put God in a box! :)

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Feb. 10, 2007 - It's not about the box

Posted by Anonymous

In humble respect, I have to disagree with the approach of some of the comments. I don't see where anyone has answered the question at hand. I think the question of homeschooling being a sin or not has nothing to do with whether God is big enough to save His sheep in our homes or in public schools.

God works out His sovereign plan in spite of our actions and uses those actions for His purposes. That doesn't always make our actions "right" in God's eyes. The Lord says to "Be Holy for I am Holy." God does not want us to sin. Obviously, I know that we all fall short and fall short everyday because of our sinful nature passed down from Adam.

I don't see where anyone has answered the question of whether sending your child to government schools is a sin. Just because God is big enough to work out His plan of salvation doesn't answer the question of whether sending a child to government schools is a sin or not.

So you have to ask yourself if it a sin or not. If it's a sin, don't do it. If it's not a sin, you are free to do it. The answer has nothing to do with whether God can save his sheep in government schools or not. It comes back to whether it is a sin or not. Focus on what the Bible says is sin and not on God's abilities to perform miracles in spite of ourselves.

Sorry to be the lone voice of objection here but I humbly and lovingly disagree.

I recently posted why we homeschool on our blog if anyone is interested.

http://www.larsonhomeschool.com/blog/?p=141

God Bless.
Carl (Blessed2BMom's hubby)
http://blog.larsonhomeschool.com/

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Feb. 10, 2007 - Hmmmmmm....

Posted by AHappyHome

I'm thinking about this. I think it's too easy to say that God calls us into different paths (sort of like toMAto tahMAHto); it is more difficult to debate and question things together in light of scripture (which should be our authority). And though there isn't a passage that I have found that says "You must homeschool your children", the only passage I can find of sending a child away to be schooled is the story of Samuel's upbringing. Furthermore, there are plenty of biblical references about training up and raising children, and as far as I can see, these passages are speaking to the parent(s), in light of having their children nearby at all times. I know I can be really wrong here (not the first time!), but putting your children into public schools in light of difficult circumstances (or a husband's command) doesn't mean that's the way it "should" be in a perfect world. Yes, God is not limited by our mistakes, but we should be wary of making them in the first place. If I have to put my children in school at some future time, I will, but it will not be without some grief, serious reservations and an eagerness to pray for a homecoming return. In the meantime, it is all right to question the why's and wherefores of what we are doing in light of scripture, and to encourage other people to do the same in their own set of circumstances. It is not casting judgement. It is a process that forms conviction on both ends, and stems from a desire to follow the Lord. In regards to the article, wouldn't you like to hear a response from the original authors? Either they have changed their minds, or have new, additional information that will create more of a steadfast opinion in the matter. I thought the TOS response (which was, after all, an answer to a letter that was sent to them) was done very well, and done in a gracious manner.



Blessings,

Keri

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