The Basics

Part 3 of Homeschooling Daughters 

So, where do we begin with the teaching of our daughters?  Same place we should start with our sons...the basics.  But, what are the basics?  What the basics are will depend greatly on your worldview, so I would encourage you at this juncture to really examine who/what you want to glorify. 

Is it man?  All that man can learn and accomplish.  How "smart" he can be?  Are you hoping to be able to some day "show off" your child as a showcase of the human race?  Might wanna rethink that one.

As Christians, we are to glorify GOD.  Our children should reflect HIM.  Everything we do should be God-honoring.  What I am about to say is controversial, but I do believe it to be the absolute truth...

If you NEVER teach a day's worth of math, science, history, etc., yet you teach your child to honor and love the Lord, you will have done well.

It is here, I want to take a moment to give you something to chew on:

 

HAVE I BEEN EDUCATED?
by Carolyn Caines  

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been shown how to communicate with the Designer of all language .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED. 

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade you with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God's wisdom.... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I read Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of all books -- the Bible -- and have no knowledge of its personal importance... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God's Word in my heart .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

  If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One Who orders our universe .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can recite the Gettyburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him, ... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God's will, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of da Vinci, and even paint a portrait that earns an A+, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I were to graduate with a perfect 4.0 and am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

 If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of (or believe) the sinfulness of man and his hopelessness without Christ,... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me, THEN I HAVE BEEN EDUCATED!  

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 So, back to the basics.  The list I am about to give you is MY list.  It is what I believe to be the basics according to a Biblical worldview.  Your list may look much different, but truly consider why you put certain things on your list as basics before you move forward with calling them basics.

So, here is my list:

BASICS FOR MY DAUGHTERS

1)  TEACH HER TO FEAR THE LORD.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Prov 9:10a

Doesn't get much clearer than that.  THIS is the beginning point.  Teach your daughters about our Lord.  Immerse them in the Word.  Show them just how important the Scriptures are to you and your family.  Everything you do and say should start here.  Disciple, disciple, disciple.

2)  TEACH A LOVE FOR LEARNING

Learn to take advantage of those sparks of interest you see in her.  Help her figure out how to glean the information she needs to move forward with projects.  Teach her to use her Bible to understand how the things she is interested in can glorify Him.  Have lots of good books, encyclopedias, concordances, etc. available to her and make sure she knows how to use them.  Also, let her see you digging deeper for information.

3)  TEACH HER TO READ

She has to be able to read God's Word for herself.  A good grasp of vocabulary and the English language are important to understanding and expressing ideas.  A good way to show the importance of this is, as with everything, to model it yourself.  If you are reading and talking about books and Scripture, then she will more than likely follow suit.

4)  TEACH HER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OTHER SUBJECTS

Math, Spelling, History, Science, etc.  All of it; however, should be done in a manner that brings it full circle back to God...remember #1!  Much of this type of learning can be done in every day life as well.  You don't necessarily have to drill textbooks to instill this kind of information...see #2 and #3!

All of these build off each other with the foundation being the ONE TRUE GOD.  Once again, if you do nothing else, teach your daughters to fear the Lord, to honor Him, to glorify Him with all their being.  You can't get any more basic than this.