Who is Responsible for Education? Reason 2 of Why I Homeschool
Who is responsible for education? I begin my answer with a simple fact; children are given to parents. It always takes a mother and a father to create life. The obligation to nourish and care for helpless, dependent little ones belongs first to the family. The state may step in only if biological parents give a baby in adoption or if a child is being harmed. So if God gives children to parents, why is the civil government in charge of education?
According to the United States Constitution the purpose of government is to
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.
It can be argued that education promotes the general welfare of this country. Welfare is defined in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary as “the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government.” Ignorance does not lead to civility, peace, or prosperity, but I do not think that government mandated education will either.
The state uses force and coercion to protect its citizens, but how well does that work in the realm of education? Promising that a degree equals a good job, threatening suspension, or paying students to stay in school seems to miss the point. Isn’t education about preparing to live in the blessings of liberty secured to us in the Constitution? In Life Nurturing Education I wrote,
Children may know how things work, have all the facts memorized, and graduate when they’re sixteen, but it’s more important for them to know how to live.
Children learn how to live from their parents. That is why God commanded parents to teach “diligently…when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 In all of life, every day, everywhere, we are to instruct our children. This does not mean that parents are the sole teachers of their children, just the primary ones. It is easy to criticize the school if our children are not learning, but the responsibility for education is ultimately up to us.
Complete series:
1. Safe and Smart
2. Who is Responsible for Education
3. No Degree Required
4. Fulfilling the Purpose of Education
5. Freedom’s Future
Absolutely – Scripture is so absolutely clear on this – I always think of how God held Eli accountable for the wickedness of his sons. I am always amazed to sit in on Bible studies with Christian parents who put their children in the PS and listen to them talk about how we need to support missions and be ready to go if God calls us to them – or how we need to take new believers in under our wing and spoon-feed them with the milk of the Word – or how we need to be the salt and the light to our neighbors so that they will come to know Christ – but yet they don’t see these same needs for their very own children who are just babies physically and spiritually – they don’t see that their children are their mission field – that they need to be kept under their wing and be spoon fed the oh so important truths of God’s Word – and that they need to be that salt and light first and foremost to their children.
It truly breaks my heart.
In Him,
Mandi
Mandi,
I agree with your analysis of feeding our own little ones, but I think we need to be careful about how we view families whose children are in public schools. God is gracious to lead us and we have to trust that he is leading others. Some have never even thought of home schooling and those that have might be too fearful or unable. I understand your frustration but continue in hope. Many of us who are teaching our children at home attended public school.
The purpose of this post was not to say if parents don’t home school they are wrong. I do not believe that; however, parents are obligated to see that their children are educated. Too many have abdicated their responsibility to the school and teachers bemoan that fact.
I see we are on the same page so far!
Yes Renae I agree and please don’t think that I am saying homeschooling is the only ‘right’ option. It is for me and my family as i know that this is what God has called us to, but that is not to say that this is true for all Christian families.
But with that said I do believe Christians are making a huge mistake when they place their children into the PS (we may just have to agree to disagree) and this view only comes from measuring the PS against Scripture. I say this not in arrogance (although I have had to guard my heart against it on this issue) ) : but in standing on the truth of God’s Word (in love, of course). ( : I recognize that the errors in many Christians thinking on this matter are the same ones I had just a few short years ago (and I have many more errors in my thinking that God is working on right now! LOL) but He who began a good work in me will be faithful to bring it to completion and I do know that He will in all Christians lives.
I do find it hard though to look at the present state of the church here in America and not be saddened though. ) :
Love,
mandi
I’m enjoying reading and re-reading your reasons to home school. They are so different from mine!
Mandi,
My sentiments are the same as yours, yet I don’t see any other way than to stand on grace. I know of single moms struggling to provide for their children who have no other way to educate their children. With God all things are possible, but faith grows little by little and there are many who have only begun the journey.
The church could step in to help pay for Christian school or provide it for free, but many are still convinced that education is the state’s responsibility. I agree that this is sad. Thankfully God doesn’t give up on his church. We must continue to stand fast. Yes, God will complete the work he has begun!
Connie,
Thank you for reading and rereading. It really encourages me. Have you written your reasons for home schooling somewhere? I would be interested to read them.
“Have you written your reasons for home schooling somewhere?” No, not yet. But when I do, you will learn how truly bizarre this family is. We may be the only family in America who owes our home schooling adventure to a stubborn teacher and a persistent group of small, wingless insects.
This is so true! Thank you for putting this out there so clearly! I find it hard to see why so many do not grasp this concept.
Connie,
I look forward to reading your story!
MamaArcher,
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Part of the reason people have abandoned the concept of parental responsibility is because moms and dads have been told for generations that they are not qualified for the task. Thinking that we need to leave education in the hands of the professionals has hindered us and placed a great burden on teachers.