The homeschool world is experiencing a major rift, and it saddens me to see so many people in such pain. There is a lot of bitterness and difficulty coming from “methods” of parenting typically associated with the homeschooling world, and prominent homeschooling leaders who espoused these “methods” are falling from their pedestals right and left, leaving the homeschool world scratching their heads and wondering, “What next?”
Yet, I am hopeful that from all of this will come a greater understanding of the TRUE GOSPEL. We must stop relying on “methods”, learn to forgive our own hurts, and start afresh discipling our children in God’s Holy Word!
As Christian homeschoolers, we should not need to be told what is meat and what is bones. We need to be Bereans. We need to study the Word for ourselves and let the Holy Spirit guide our lives and our homeschools. It is not up to a homeschool convention to spoon feed us. It is not the responsibility of homeschool speakers or homeschooling websites to tell us what to think. We can learn from others without being exactly like them. We must be diligent not to become sheep, following every new thing that comes along.
The “methods” that have been called into question, and the leaders who have resigned their positions are not all wrong and all bad. There was meat amongst the bones, but as with everything outside of the Bible, there ARE bones, and there are people who misread and misconstrue Scripture. If we know our Bible, we know that beating children to death is never right. If we know our Bible, we know that fathers ruling families with iron fists is not the example God gives us. If we know our Bible, we know the clothes we wear and the music we listen to are not salvation issues. If we know our Bible, we know that not every Christian looks the same, nor do they have the same function within the Body of Christ.
Satan is about the business of dividing Christians. He is about the business of distracting us from what is really important. Homeschooling is NOT a cure-all, safe haven from sin. We can’t homeschool because it is THE “method” that will guarantee us Christian children. We can’t check our brains at the doors of our homes. We have to be thinking Christians. We have to be homeschooling our children because we are leading and guiding, not because we are pushing and creating arbitrary rules. Everything must be tested and tried by Scripture.
When I go to the Teach Them Diligently Conventions, I am not only a speaker, but also an attendee. I go to help further their mission of leading families to Christ, and I go to listen to other speakers who have the same mission. However, if you come to one of my sessions (or another speaker’s session), I pray you bring your discernment. Homeschoolers are not carbon copies of each other. Christianity is not a method. Homeschooling is not a method. The Gospel of Christ must be our number one priority.
You will get lost occasionally. You will get too focused on curriculum. You will find yourself dividing with other Christians over issues that are bones and not meat. You are human. You are fallible. But if you are diligent to fill yourself and your children with Scripture, it will not return void. Do not use Scripture to push and divide, but rather lead and love.
(If you interested in learning more of what Teach Them Diligently is all about, read here.)
Linda Ash says
This is the best article ever!!!!!
Amy says
🙂 Thank you, Linda. I really don’t like to get into controversies, and prefer to stay out of divisions, but I felt I needed to say something because if we are not diligent, we will be divided.
Jillian says
I must admit that I’m kind of out of the loop and I’m not sure what you’re referring to, but I love how you said
‘We must be diligent not to become sheep, following every new thing that comes along.”
That’s so true. We can’t be blown away by every wind of doctrine or even homeschooling “methods.” We need to put our trust in Jesus- not man, not how we dress or what curriculum we choose. That was really good, Amy. 🙂
Amy says
Out of the loop is ok. I’m usually out of the loop too, but some of this directly affected people I know personally. I feel like good can come from this, but we have to avoid dividing over the little stuff.
Kersten says
Amen! I thought for a long time if I could fit in a “box” everything would be perfect. Do abc then xyz will happen. And then God showed me how foolish and unscriptural that was! I learned the hard way but I am forever grateful that the walls of my box are crumbling and that I can see His beautiful sky.
Amy says
I did the same thing, Kersten! I think nearly everyone goes through that sort of thing as their faith in Christ grows.
Sonja says
I love this and thank you for writing it! I’m new to homeschooling so I don’t know the rift taking place or what controversies are happening. This is my first year going to any homeschool convention and I’m excited to be going to TeachThemDiligently in DC. I wanted to go to this convention because it seems centered on God and raising a family focused on God.
Amy says
Focusing on the Lord is always the right answer! Enjoy the conference!
Kelly says
Amen! This is SO true. Thank you, Amy.
Tami says
This is a terrific article! It isnt about curriculum, or public vs homeschool, or the “extra-curricular” activities that we line up to “make our children well rounded”or perfectly passing SATs, or anything but pleasing Him. I am constantly thinking “how am I representing Christ?”. There are so many times when I am not doing a very good job. Those are the humbling moments. I turn to Him.
It is ALL ABOUT HIM! Nothing but Him!
Thank you for this Amy!
Your Sister in Christ,
Tami
Amy says
AMEN!
Amy Sparks says
Well said.
annadeer says
Hi Amy,so glad you’ve pointed this out.All the recent goings-on have come as a shock to a number of people and I think we are all having to stop and think how much we can afford to just go with the flow,and follow others.And yet,though to totally discredit the ‘leaders’ who have lost their status also feels wrong.They have had some great innovations,ideas,and inspirations.Sometimes the fact we are human and sinners just gets in the way of things and we fall into temptation.
Deana Wood says
I have no idea what you’re referring to but you wrote an excellent article. Nobody knows our family like we do and we all have to be so careful to not judge others. We can’t walk in their shoes. But we can fellowship together in the fact that we are all imperfect but we are all redeemed by Christ. Great thoughts for homeschoolers! Thanks Amy!
Rhoda says
Like a previous comment, I have no clue what you are talking about. But I guess that is a good thing. Something to add to your meat and bones analogy. I know in Scripture that we are to pursue meat and not stay on milk as we grow in the Lord, but I did want to mention about bones. If you let them simmer long enough (put through the fire!) you can get some really good life giving nutrients from them. Even bones, when the Lord is in it, can give life. Maybe, if whatever has happened, God is allowed to apply His fire and simmer things a while, new life will come out of this for the good of not only homeschool land, but our country as a whole. Thank you for reminding us that we all are responsible to search the Scriptures and to not rely on the words and examples of those around us, but on the Lord.
Rachel Bueckert says
LOVE this post!
Reba C says
I know the current events of which you speak far too well. I’m just starting out as a second-generation homeschool mom, and was raised immersed in the teachings of those to whom you allude. Many thanks for your wise response to these matters! Posts like this are the reason I love your blog. Thank you, Amy!
Amy says
It is very painful to watch, but I really do believe a lot of good can come from this. Thank you for your words as a 2nd gen homeschooler!
Kate says
What an interesting and thoughtful perspective! Thank you!
Kaitlyn Regts says
This is amazing!!! Thank you!
Shannon Wallace says
Absolutely true, Amy! This sort of reminds me of Lifestyle of Learning (Marilyn Howshall). Before learning about LOL and reading her material, I found myself floundering and going in one direction because “that’s what most homeschoolers are doing, so it must be THE way.” It’s freeing to know that we have the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter, and His way is THE ONLY WAY! 🙂 It’s also freeing to release myself from reading this book and that, and this blog and that, and just let Him lead (of course, when I cooperate with Him). Thanks!!!!
Amy says
We are all so different – we have to respect that and look to the Creator Who made us so different!
Josi says
Well said Amy! I appreciate your words.Thank you. I am finding the need for Holy Spirit leading and discernment to be ever increasing as I hear one Christian say one thing and then another Christian contradict it. The enemy can use it to cause confusion at times. My desire is to hear the Lord’s voice louder than I hear anyone else’s.
Lindsey says
Amy,
You are so wise. Seriously. Almost every time I read your blog I come away like I’ve just had a breath of fresh air. I pray God continues to bless you as you bless others through your blog. Thank you.
Amy says
When God says write, I write – truly, this is His blog. 🙂
Amanda says
Thanks! Needed to hear that.