How to Raise a Generation Mighty in Spirit
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My wife Wanda and I had a clear vision and calling that our three children were to make a difference in their generation by walking mighty in Spirit.
Hopefully, they would then train their children to make a difference in their generation. We believed that would only happen if we took the time and made the sacrifice to educate our children at home.
Homeschooling does not happen just because parents keep their children at home, buy curriculum, and hold classes.
They must be very intentional, purposeful, diligent and disciplined.
Make no mistake. It is hard work. When done right, it requires planning, preparation, and team work. But, it is so rewarding!
Did I say you must be very intentional and purposeful?
The shotgun approach to home education is not as effective. Wanda and I had a vision. We had a calling. We also wanted to be very specific.
Time was set each July and August for planning and evaluation for the coming school year.
Evaluations were made each quarter, along with the report cards, to make certain we were staying on target.
A spread sheet was created for each child evaluating their character development and spiritual formation, as well as their academic progress.
Annual goals were set for each child in those areas.
These goals were broke down into quarterly objectives and the curriculum was planned and prepared for presentation accordingly.
It was a basic premise, if they were to make a difference in their generation and walk mighty in Spirit, they must have a biblical world view.
The curriculum selected reinforced a biblical world view but we needed to teach the concepts for living a biblical world view 24-7. Each quarter the subjects were connected to a particular set of biblical principles that reflected a biblical world view.
Practical lessons were presented to help them grasp the concepts and make application. Basic personal convictions were cultivated in the heart of each child regarding the Holy Bible, their bodies and godly behavior.
The Bible lessons and character development classes were designed to train them to love the Word of God and to love the ways of God.
It is important for children to learn how to view life and the events of their day from God’s perspective.
That is true wisdom.
They must also be trained in the skill of applying the principles and the precepts of God’s Word to daily life. That begins with the fear the Lord and learning the consequences of violating His commands and His ways.
These were not just taught in the classroom.
As we read the Box Car Children, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, connections were made to the character lessons.
The consequence of sinful behavior was discussed and application was made to biblical world view.
Table talk during dinner discussed events of their day; who they played with and events that happened were talked about.
As they shared stories about their friends and friend’s families illustrations were drawn that revealed consequences of good and bad behavior.
How to live godly character in an ungodly world was shared.
Read the whole series:
Pt 1: Raising a Foundation For Many Godly Generations
Pt 2: Raising a Generation Mighty in Spirit
Pt 3: Developing a Biblical World View in the Heart of a Child
The biggest difference between homeschooled families and all others is that the (diligent) homeschooler KNOWS that they are “schooling” 24/7 and the others have compartmentalized “schooling” as somehow separate from the rest of life education. They simply don’t realize that ALL parents are, in actuality, homeschooling their child(ren) for better or worse, 24/7. I am impressed with the authors “fruits,” three children serving in full-time ministry! It is not stated, however, how many children the author has. Coming to the L-rd late in life at age 35, the L-rd blessed me with four children in my “older age” who were homeschooled (more or less!) exactly as the author recommends but, w/o the blessing of both parents in agreement. My husband was/is a “cultural Christian,” and very compartmentalized. After a marriage of 4 years, he woke up next to a complete stranger (after my conversion!). Even so, our marriage lasted for 30 years as the L-rd made provision for me to stay at home and focus on “…raising up a generation mighty unto the L-rd.” Two are strong Believers despite the many and great challenges found within the church itself, and two are not (much grief there!). I believe that ALL Believers are “in full time ministry” (whether they know it or not!) no matter what they do for a living! One is a Registered Nurse, the other a Mechanical Engineer. I just wanted to make the point that homeschooling (even 24/7!) is not necessarily a blueprint for the salvation of our children. They do have free will despite ALL our efforts!. And yes, I have no doubt but that the other two may yet become Believers with the strong foundation laid through 24/7 homeschooling. Actually, I praise G-d for their stubbornness and resistance b/c I know they may become The Most Committed (stubborn) Believers in the Remnant Resistance of all! Their “book” is not finished! Homeschooling IS a challenge, but it is a Wonderful Challenge with many and great benefits. I left a fulfilling career as a Surgical Intensive Care RN (very challenging!) to go to the house and raise G-d’s Blessings G-d’s Way and have NEVER been more “challenged,” or “blessed” by ANYTHING else I have ever done.
Thank you so much for your well thought-out comment. It was very encouraging. I have 3 children and all three are serving in full-time ministry today. Yet, I do agree that all believers serve (or should serve) the kingdom full-time no matter where they are.
I too agree that homeschooling must be very intentional, purposeful, diligent and disciplined. One must remember that homeschooling my not be the correct answer for your situation. Homeschooling requires parental teamwork! While one parent is totally evolved in the instructional side, schooling discipline and educational results, the other parent should be available to teach specific lessons or class as needed.
Hard work is an understatement when it comes to homeschooling but you are correct in assessing it to be rewarding. Not only is it rewarding there is more complete family bonding that happens. I have seen the shotgun approach to home school education and it does lead to many problems for the student and teacher. Maintaining schedule classes, class times, educational discipline, and required learning benchmarks help overcome many issues that shotgun approach. For the parental teacher understanding the concept of time management and applying them to life help reduce daily stessor.
“The curriculum selected must reinforced a biblical world view but also teach the concepts for living a biblical world view 24-7.”
This a great article on homeschooling! Thank!
“Not only is it rewarding there is more complete family bonding that happens.” – yes, I completely agree. I am so glad you stopped by to chime in on the conversation. Your comment was very helpful and informative.