Christian Homeschooling
As Believers, having the option of Christian Homeschooling in Montana is important to us. It is one of the most inspiring, challenging, and ultimately fulfilling endeavors I have, or ever will undertake. What a thrill to hear them reading! What an accomplishment to see a son excelling at math or a daughter who can’t get enough of the classics. I will be the first to admit, homeschooling is not for everyone. But for those who desire to teach their children, I would like to share with you our experience with homeschooling here in Montana.
The Montana Legislature has acknowledge homeschooling since 1895 and 1903. There have been times when Montana homeschool was threatened, such as in 1980 when Attorney General Mike Greeley issued an opinion that homeschooling had been terminated by the 1971 legislature. Each time something like this happens homeschoolers have flooded the capital of Helena, lobbied, and filed lawsuits. And each time the government officials have backed down. We have found the current laws to be respective and courteous to homeschooling. (More on the Montana Homeschool Laws in our next article.)
We are very thankful that Montana law is accommodating to home schooling. While there are a few states that have almost no requirements on homeschooling, it is important to remember that there are states where homeschooling is not permitted or only under the basis of a “church school”. We view homeschooling as a privilege. It should be the desire of parents, whether homeschooled or not, that our children be taught the ways of God, not the ways of this world. Satan is seeking to destroy us and our families. Shielding our children at young ages from the influences of poor music, vices of drugs, smoking, alcohol, and keeping their hearts are part of why we choose to take on the responsibility of homeschooling our children.
All parents– yes, ALL PARENTS– have the responsibility for the education of their children. If a child is in the public school or a private academy the parents still need to ensure that the children are completing their work and getting the help they need. It is not solely the school’s problem. At the end of the day we believe it rests squarely on the parents shoulders.
We strongly believe Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon the gates:
And the ensuing promise is found in verse 21: “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children,…”
When you choose to home school you are taking the responsibility for that child’s education. It is important to remember how important that is. I have met some home school parents who do a fantastic job. I have met others that did a poor job. Remember, if you home school those around you will know it because they see you and your children together at normal school times. So are you a good reflection of what homeschooling is about, or are you a poor reflection. The root of why we teach our children is because we want our children to grow up for the Lord, not just because we can safe guard that they get a solid education. Give the world a reason to praise homeschooling, not a reason to scorn it.