Frequently when I am discussing homeschooling with people who don't homeschool, and don't necessarily agree with homeschooling in general, the subject of fear comes up. The allegation that I am homeschooling out of fear and even any connection of fear to homeschooling really aggravates me. A recent debate on another blog prompted me to consider this idea of fear and its relation to homeschooling. I will be sharing my thoughts in the next few entries and appreciate your feedback.
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV). It is out of love for God and my children that I choose to home-educate them. And although this decision seems crazy to many, it is made with a sound mind and accomplished through His power. Using the sound mind that God has given me, I can examine the evidence of what is happening in the public school systems today and come to a reasonable conclusion that this is not a valid option for our family. This conclusion is not based on fear, but on evidence.
Those who argue that we homeschool out of fear, question our faith: Do we not trust God to protect our children in the public schools? This question reminds me of Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In Matthew 4: 6 Satan challenged Jesus, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, `HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and `ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " Note Jesus' response in verse 7, "Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, `YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.' "
Jesus knew that God would protect Him, but He also knew not to test His Father. Satan continues to tempt us in this way today! To knowingly put our children in an unsafe place and say, "I trust God to protect them," is putting God to the test. We would not throw our kids into the ocean, and then pray that God would keep them from drowning, so why would we enroll them in an ocean of temptation, false philosophies, enemies to the Gospel... and pray that God would protect them. Yes, God is capable of protecting them, but hasn't He entrusted them to us to do just that?
Throughout the Bible, we are instructed to "fear God, not man." Part Two will focus on the fear that should motivate us to home-educate our children. |
