By R.E. Olsen
The Bible does not explicitly mention homeschooling, since that is a modern word. However, the Bible does emphasize the importance of education and encourages parents to raise their children in a way that honors God (Deuteronomy 6:5-8).
In fact, Deuteronomy 11:18-20 instructs parents to teach God’s commands to their children at all times and in all places. Some biblical figures, such as Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15), Moses (Acts 7:22), and Jesus (Luke 2:46-47), received education at home or from their relatives.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… God has delegated the authority and responsibility to teach and raise children to the parents. Parents can delegate their authority to teach and raise children to someone else, but they can never delegate their responsibility to teach their children. God will hold parents responsible for the education their children receive (whether from teachers, books, media, or peers).
Here are some Bible verses that can guide Christian parents in their educational choices. Whose wisdom are your children being taught?
Deuteronomy 6:5-8
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
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. 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. And thou shall write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates.”
Joshua 24:15
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Psalm 1:1-2
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”
Psalm 25:4-5
“Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach my thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.”
Proverbs 1:2-8
“To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: to understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 4:1
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.”
Proverbs 6:20-23
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 23:12
“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”
Proverbs 24:3-4
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge…filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Ephesians 6:1-4
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise); that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Colossians 2:8
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
I Timothy 6:20-21
“[Avoid] profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”
II Timothy 2:15
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
II Timothy 3:14-15
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
II Timothy 3:16-17
“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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
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