Why homeschool? You can share your faith in God with your children on a daily basis!
Before my husband and I had children to homeschool, I taught other children in public school. Barb Wigg was a second grade teacher who I dreamed of my own children being taught by someday. She loved each and every child in her classroom, she played guitar and sang, she loved finding amazing books to read, she came early and stayed late, she loved teaching, but even more importantly – she loved Jesus. Perfect, right? Well, I was right about Barb Wigg – she truly was a fantastic teacher, and she probably still is today. Just one thing was wrong; she taught in a public school. And that meant as much as she loved Jesus, she couldn’t share her faith with her students.
2003: Wigg vs. the Sioux Falls School District
In October 2002, “The Good News Club” (or the “Club”) requested to use 5 of the 26 elementary schools in our school district after school hours. Many other groups met there already, like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). The Club’s request was also accepted. In December of 2002, Barb Wigg decided she would enjoy teaching in the Club. It was a Christian Bible study group for children, which Barb loved. However, when Barb attended the first Club meeting after school hours, the school district said she could not attend any more. Barb stood up for her rights, and that was the beginning of a long, expensive, and exhausting year in the court system. In fact, Barb Wigg eventually wound up in the United States District Court and on Fox News.
Changes in Our School District
Though Barb did win, and she did go on to teach children about Jesus after school hours, she still couldn’t share her faith with the children in her classroom. In fact, she had to be extra careful she didn’t share anything – ever – about her faith in her classroom because now the school district was watching. Very closely. In fact, they were watching all of us very closely. I saw many changes in our school district after that. Our Christian music teacher did her first Christmas concert without Christian songs. The school calendar committee changed “Easter Break” to “Spring Break,” and “Christmas” to “Holiday Break.” High school valedictorians had a ‘moment of silence’ instead of a prayer at graduation. The school talent contest banned violinists and pianists from playing Christian music pieces. Coaches quit praying with their players before games.
Even the most wonderful Christian teachers can’t share their faith with children in public schools!
As I had my own first son, my dream of having Barb Wigg as his teacher began to fade. Barb Wigg was still an amazing teacher, and she still had an incredible heart for the Lord! But I began to realize, even the most wonderful Christian teachers can’t share their faith in public schools. I began to look ahead and try to handpick the best Christian teachers I could for my son. For first grade, there was ‘so-and-so,’ and for second grade there was ‘so-and-so,’ and for third grade there was ‘so-and-so.’ But there were a few problems with this. First of all, each of the ‘so and so’s were at different schools. Second of all, some grades didn’t seem to have any ‘so-and so’s. Third of all, I was a Christian myself, and the truth was I knew I’d lose my job if I shared my faith with my own students. I had to assume other Christian teachers were in the same predicament.
In homeschooling, you can share your faith in God with your children every day!
Every day I wake up thankful I can share my faith in God with my children as I homeschool with Heart of Dakota. I don’t have to be careful what I say, what music I play, what books I read, what questions I ask, what discussions I lead. No, I can choose because I am the teacher in my own home, and as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. What an incredible blessing! What a gift to cherish! We start our day with Christian music. Each meal we begin with prayer. Throughout the school day, we pull out our Bibles to seek God’s wisdom. When we get the call my Dad has cancer, we cry and pray and pray together, as a family, right there in the middle of our homeschool day. Sometimes I run into my former students. They are old now! Married and with children themselves. We hug and catch up with one another, but one thought makes my heart ache – I taught them so much, but I didn’t teach them about God. That grieves me.
No one will share their faith in God with your children like you can.
Children can have the best teachers in the world, but no one will share their faith in God with your children like you can. You don’t have to be the most eloquent, you don’t have to have all the answers, you don’t have to be perfect – no one is. All you have to do is live it. Your greatest testimony is your own personal faith in God, your own relationship with Him, your own walk with Him. You have within your power to daily share your own faith in God with His greatest blessings He’s bestowed upon you – your children. Don’t convince yourself someone else can do it better. You can. You are the one for the job, and no one can do it better. Dig in! Your children await.
In Christ,
Julie
This Post Has 6 Comments
Love, love, love this, Julie! Such an affirmation this morning to “keep on keeping on”
Oh good! Friday – we made it, right?!? This blog content was good for me to remember and to reflect on again. In some ways it seems like just yesterday I was having my first son and pondering whether I should homeschool or not. He’s 19 now and graduated having done HOD from start to finish – oh my! Time feels like it’s on fast forward sometimes. Thank you for your kind comments here, and I pray the Lord continue to bless you choosing to home your children in a Christian way with HOD! We will press on together, Heather!
In Christ,
Julie
This is so beautiful! Touched my heart! I’m crying! Thank you for sharing this
May the Lord bless you, Jessica, as you share your faith with your precious children in your homeschooling each day! Thank you for your response here; it has encouraged me so much today!
In Christ,
Julie
Beautiful! Even with homeschooling, I plugged into Good News Club for years and my children attended as well. Pray for our GNC’s around the world. Jesus is the victor! Thank you for this affirmation and push to keep on keeping on!
Love this. Thanks for sharing, Julie! Lord give us boldness wherever we are!