Christian parents should ask themselves 3 foundational ...



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Simple Steps to Home Education

Biblical Parenting Basics for Christian Families

Syllabus

Morningstar Educational Network

Post Office Box 2305

Orange, CA 92859

(714) 633-8074



What makes for a successful and easy homeschool?

What makes for a successful and easy homeschool is applying a Godly foundation to your child’s education.

Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Christian parents should ask themselves three questions when it comes to their child’s education.

Who is your child’s teacher?

“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:39-40

“Blessed is the man (and child), Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1

Does your child’s textbooks rely on Biblical truths or secular doctrine?

"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad”. Matthew 12:30

Who are your child’s peers?

The Bible has many references to the importance of having Godly friends and the consequences when you do not.

Learn not the way of the heathen. Jeremiah 10:2

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

Do not be deceived, Evil company corrupts good habits. 1 Corinthians 15:33

Purpose of Education

from a Biblical Perspective

All education should be based on truth, which originates with God.

Education is not to be separate from God.

“An education without the Bible is useless.”

Noah Webster

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15

Today, there are six educational options. To teach truth, the foundation must be Biblical, so which of these meet that requirement?

Public school

Private secular school

In-home public school program (Charter School, government funded)

Christian school using secular curriculum

Christian school using Christian curriculum

Christian worldview homeschool

Public Schools & The Law

Government Education

Interesting point.

Nowhere in Scripture, outside of forced slavery, did God condone a government education of His children.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 9 EDUCATION SEC. 8. No public money shall ever be appropriated for the support of any sectarian or denominational school, or any school not under the exclusive control of the officers of the public schools; nor shall any sectarian or denominational doctrine be taught, or instruction thereon be permitted, directly or indirectly, in any of the common schools of this State.

Parents are out!

Federal circuit court judges held in November 2005 in Fields v. Palmdale that "parents have no constitutional right ... to prevent a public school from providing its students with whatever information it wishes to provide, sexual, or otherwise, when and as the school determines that it is appropriate to do so.”

This is the survey at issue in the Field vs. Palmdale lawsuit administered to 7-10 year olds in a public school.

Schools now have full authority without your permission to discuss these issues in any manner, form or way they desire.

This is not an isolated incident. This type of teaching occurs in every public school.

Could this conduct be a consequence of sex training at young age?

 ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Twelve boys in the first and second grade at a St. Louis elementary school sexually assaulted a second-grade girl during recess.



Current Bill for California

passed the Senate 5/11/06

SB 1437 expressly prohibits textbooks, instructional materials, and school-sponsored activities from “reflecting adversely” on transsexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.  Instructional materials could not only say “a husband and wife,” but must include “two wives who are married lesbians.”  Sex education assemblies would have to include information on sex changes.

CNS news

"SB 1437 means goodbye to textbooks that say you're either a boy or a girl, or that marriage is only for a man and a woman, or that the natural family is a father, a mother and their children.

The measure would also lead to "radical curriculum changes that include transvestite speakers and transsexual videos, classroom handouts on sex-change operations and curriculum that tells children homosexual 'marriage' is normal. This bill is frightening for parents who want trustworthy schools, not schools that sexually indoctrinate their own children -- children as young as kindergarten!”

Government schools are required by law to be humanistic and secular in their instruction. Humanism and secularism are religions, and their doctrine is the exact opposite of Biblical teaching.

SB 1437 Update

May 25th, 2006 news reports suggest that the governor of California will veto this Bill. While we applaud this action, many homosexual promoting Bills are in some form of passage right now in most states that will affect what is taught in the public schools.

No God, Just Darwin.

In December 2005, a federal judge ruled in favor of government schools indoctrinating children with dogmatic Darwinism.

Darwinism – is the teaching that God does not exist. This teaching permeates all textbooks, not just science books.

Public Schools are no longer a positive reinforcer of traditional values. They reject Biblical teachings on man's origin, the proper role of sex, and promote the acceptability of homosexuality, abortion and premarital sex.  There is no longer a Godly foundation to the public schools.

“Parents must embrace their responsibility to educate their children by choosing a means of education that would ensure their physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with a goal of raising godly men and women who are thoroughly equipped to live as fully devoted followers of Christ.” Dr. Bruce Shortt, Author – Harsh Truth About Public Schools

88% never return

Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported to the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention that 88 percent of the children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18, never to return.

92% never return

Zan Tyler is the Author of 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential and has recently reported that new research reveals 92% of children from Christian homes will reject Jesus:

Quoting Zan, "I spoke this winter at Sally Clarkson's Whole-Hearted Mother Conference in Dallas on "Seven Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential." One mother sought me out after the workshop and informed me that her husband works for Josh McDowell Ministry. She said the statistic they are now using for evangelical children (actually teens and young adults) abandoning the faith is 92 percent. 92 percent! That is catastrophic."   

85% never return

Dr. Robert Simonds, a 35 year ex-public school teacher and now President of Center for Excellence in Education found in his survey of Christian parents that 85% of children educated for twelve years in public schools reject Jesus or lack a Christian worldview by high school graduation.

Consequence of a secular education

Between 85-92% of children receiving a secular education will be secular in their thinking when they graduate high school.

Private Secular School

Although private secular schools are not as strictly controlled by the government, they operate from the same worldview and would have the same teachings as public schools. Often they are even more extreme in their philosophies.

Public School In-Home Programs

Though technically a “home school,” these types of programs, because they are so heavily regulated, end up being almost totally secular. Many of the regulations governing the public schools, such as mandatory testing, psychological exams, “diversity” training, and secular textbooks are mandated for a in-home public school program.

“As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b

Christian Schools using Secular Curriculum

Secular curriculum, no matter what institution it is taught in, is in conflict with Godly principles. A Christian school teaching with secular curriculum would be comparable to a Sunday school reading Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin to its church children.

Do not underestimate the damage that secular textbooks and secular counsel will have on your child’s mind, emotions, actions and spiritual life.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Psalm 1:1

“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:16

Our children must have the opportunity to learn the truth in a comprehensive manner during their formative years.

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“Public schools are ruining the faith of a child. A public school is just the last place you would want to put your child.” Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

Christian Schools using Christian Curriculum

This is a viable option of Christians. However, parents cannot assume that their child’s school peers are providing a Godly influence. Parental diligence over their child’s relationships is essential.

Christian Home Education

A Christian Home Education provides the safest place for your child to concentrate on his/her studies without ungodly peer distractions.

A Christian Home Education provides the best opportunity for families and siblings to bond with one another.

A Christian Home Education provides an excellent academic education that caters to a child’s natural learning abilities and God-given and directed talents.

A Christian Home Education provides the only opportunity where a child can grow by learning all things through God’s perspective, and be able take moments throughout the entire day to pray, think about, and develop their relationship with Jesus.

Did you know?

Today an estimated 2.6 million children are being taught at home by their parents.

Did you know?

On average, homeschool students in grades 1-4 perform one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts.

Lawrence Rudner,

Scholastic Achievement and Demographic Characteristics of

Home School Students in 1998,

Education Policy Analysis Archives, .



Did you know?

By grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average.



I did not complete high school. How can I teach my children?

A background in teaching is not necessary; in fact, "home educated students' test scores remained between the 80th and 90th percentiles, whether their mothers had a college degree or did not complete high school."

What about a diploma, graduation, & college?

Homeschool graduates closely parallel their public school counterparts—about two-thirds go on to post-secondary education, and one-third directly into the job market. (Brian Ray, Strengths of Their Own—Home Schoolers Across America, NHERI, 1997.)

Is a Christian home education legal?

“Because the United States Constitution is the highest law of the land, homeschooling has always been legal in all 50 states,” says Michael Farris. Chairman of the Board, General Counsel, President of Patrick Henry College, Home School Legal Defense Association

What about my child's special needs?

Thousands of families are homeschooling children whose special needs range from Attention Deficit Disorder to severe multiple handicaps. Parents often find that when they bring these children home to be educated, they come out of the ‘deep freeze’ that has kept them from making significant progress. Gone are the comparisons, labels, social pressures, and distractions that a regular classroom may bring. Parents can offer their children individualized education, flexibility, encouragement, and support.

What about socialization & special interests/enrichment activities?

Experience has shown that homeschoolers are well socialized and able to make lasting friendships across age and cultural divides. (See Figure at right.)

I don’t have a teaching degree. Can I really teach my child?

Yes, research and practical experience show that it is dedication and hard work, not special training, that produce outstanding educational results in a homeschool setting. (See Figure a left)

What do colleges think of homeschoolers?

Homeschoolers “are the epitome of Brown students,” says Dean Joyce Reed. “They are self-directed, they take risks, and they don’t back off.” Brown Alumni Magazine,“Homeschooling Comes of Age,” January/Feburary 2002

Definitely Prepared

My parents decided to homeschool me because I had speech problems, and they didn't want to expose me to the teasing of school children. They taught me from kindergarten through 12th grade. I loved my "school" experience, and I don't believe I ever wanted to attend a traditional school, public or private. It gave me the unique opportunity to truly grow up with my three siblings. And I was involved in many activities, including 4-H, AWANA Bible club, and volunteering at a local hospital. Today, as a 2002 graduate of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, having earned a business administration degree with concentrations in accounting and information systems, I already have a job as a full-time accountant. Looking back on my schooling experience, I was definitely prepared for college—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Carrie

Getting Started

Step 1: Biblically research God’s plan for training and educating children.

The Bible is replete with God’s teaching as to how children should be educated. Take the time to research the Scriptures. The basis for Christian homeschooling should be obedience to God’s Word. The father should be the head and both parents should have as their goal to train up their children and disciple them in the ways of the Lord. Obedience in this area is as much for parents as it is the children. This is God's design for the family.

 

Step 2:  Find a support group or mentor.

Our goal is to connect you with groups and mentors that promote Biblical worldview home education and not secular government in-home programs. 

Visit to find a mentor or support group in your area.

Step 3:  Research Homeschooling

Listed at is a variety of websites that cover homeschooling, preschooling at home, living on one income, single parent homeschooling and more.

There are also many books available on homeschooling. Here are a few of the ones we recommend: 

Home Schooling:  The Right Choice, Christopher Klicka

Home Educating With Confidence, Rick & Marilyn Boyer

Step 4: Get a copy of your state’s homeschool laws from HSLDA:

Every state has a different set of requirements for home educators.  To obtain a copy of your state’s homeschooling law from the Home School Legal Defense Association’s website, visit and click on State Laws. Or, write or call them to request a copy (HSLDA, P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134, 540-338-5600).

Step 5: Consider the Freedom to Learn

One of the blessings of providing your children with a Christian home education is the freedom to learn according to individual gifts and abilities. A homeschool environment allows God to show you and your children their God-given talents. And when He does, your children will delight in their educational experience. 

Step 6: Choosing Curriculum

 It is very important in today’s culture to refrain from using public school curriculum.  Even the public school’s simple readers convey beliefs, attitudes and information that are contrary to God’s Word.  While no curriculum is perfect, most Christian curriculum and books are written by Christians and from a Christian worldview. It is imperative to train and educate your children based upon these precepts. God will bless your endeavors if you are training your children from textbooks that give glory to Him. 

Curriculum

First Year Homeschool

It is our recommendation that for the first year a parent purchase a ‘boxed set’ of curriculum, which includes all subjects and teacher manuals.

After the first year when you have learned more about how your child learns you can opt for different methods of education.

What about preschool?

Research shows that young children develop best emotionally, academically, physically and spiritually when they have been raised by their mothers and apart from daycare and preschool.

The original meaning of the word "kindergarten" is "a children's garden". This definition brings to mind a picture of a place where children are nurtured, loved, and cared for and where they are able to grow and develop better at their own speed.

Berkeley/Stanford found in a recent study that children in preschool had more emotional and behavioral problems than children who stayed home. For more information on this study, and for resources and articles, visit:



Preschooling at Home

Children in an emotionally stable and loving home will develop their learning skills naturally and according to the development of the brain. A simple Sunday school book is a great way to teach your young children about Jesus and help them develop a love for learning.

Reading to them daily will help them develop their phonetic skills for later reading.

What about chemistry and biology, and those other difficult high school courses?

Most colleges today have classes available to high school students for these subjects. There are also many on-line academies that offer these subjects.

A Few of the Curriculum Programs

DVD Homeschool Program

A Beka has a program where they filmed one of their classrooms for each grade and it is available on DVD along with the curriculum for homeschoolers. The children watch the classes for 2-4 hours per day depending on the grade, working in their own books (included with the price) along with the class on the DVD. The parent corrects the work. With homeschooling you can schedule the instruction for any time during the day or break it up to fit in with field trips. This is a great program for moms who need to work part-time, or are in ministry.

Alpha Omega Publications

Students excel using Alpha Omega's award-winning Switched-On Schoolhouse Computer based CD-ROM curriculum. Alpha Omega has a fully accredited and affordable on-line academy. – Click the very top “AO Academy.

Christian Liberty Homeschool

The Christian Liberty Academy School System (CLASS) is an independent and non-denominational K–12 home school program.

When you enroll, CLASS assembles the curriculum best fitted for your child based on achievement test scores and other academic information. Books and materials are chosen from a variety of carefully selected publishers.

Homeschool Headquarters [pic]

Homeschool Headquarters is a program that places curriculum sections inside Christian stores throughout the country. This is a great opportunity to look through the curriculum before you purchase. It will also give you a sense of confidence knowing that together you and God can teach your child. To find a store in your area, go to:

Single Parents

Single Parent Homeschool: There is a wonderful website with resources specific to single parents along with a support group for single parents.

Living on One Income

One Income Homeschool: Resources, ideas, articles to help you to manage the household on one income.

Working and Homeschooling

Working parents can and do homeschool. One parent may be able to take their child to work with them, or perhaps the business is home-based. When both parents work and want to homeschool it may require some juggling of schedules, but where there is a will there usually is a workable way. Getting family, grandparents or friends to get help is ideal. Ask other homeschooling families if they can help one or two days a week.

With God nothing is impossible so take the step of faith, and God will provide the way.

The Lord Shall Teach

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13

When the Lord is teaching your child through textbooks that glorify Him and through a parent that loves them, great shall be their peace.

Parental Responsibility

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

God commanded parents to teach His Word diligently to their children. God makes no exception anywhere in Scripture for the parents not taking the responsibility of teaching His Word diligently during school time.

A Homeschoolers Testimony

"The best way to light our world is to be distinct from the darkness, and homeschooling certainly helps to set us apart from the worldly culture in which we live. I have had more opportunities to share the gospel because I was homeschooled than I ever would have had in a public school."

- Israel Wayne, Author, Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview and Homeschool graduate

The Bible is blessed!

The simple truth is we love our children more than any teacher could possibly be expected to love them. That's not to our credit; it's just a fact of life. They’re our children, whom God has given to us to "teach diligently" as it says in Deuteronomy. A Christian home education is simply obedience to God’s instructions regarding how His children are to be taught.

When children learn all things from a Biblical foundation, they will be blessed, their education will be blessed, and their lives will be blessed. God cannot bless teachers, curriculum, or any other secular instruction that trains children in contradiction to the truth. Children deserve to learn to know God and His truth in their education.

Home Schooling: the Right Choice

 "God's truth and His principles are the foundation of all knowledge; children must not only be taught to believe as Christians but also to think as Christians; God's principles must be taught to children in a comprehensive manner on a daily basis; God's truth speaks to every academic discipline.  Where would Satan like our children to be taught?  Sending our children to modern public education is like playing Russian roulette with their souls!"  Christopher Klicka, author (pp. 446)

“It’s time for parents to get their kids out of the public schools. Homeschool is the answer” - Tim LaHaye, Pastor, Author of Left Behind novels.

Why Homeschool?

94% of homeschooled children keep the faith of their parents. Dr. Brian Ray, National Home Education Research Institute

Why Homeschool? Because it’s necessary to place Biblical authority first in all that your child learns. Homeschool for the sake of your childs spiritual growth, emotional well-being, physical safety and for academic truthfulness.

Start homeschooling today! For more information visit:



Notes & Local Resources

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