Tag: Homeschooling

How Homeschoolers Celebrate Christmas All Year

How Homeschoolers Celebrate Christmas All Year

Posted on | by Sadie Aldaya | Leave a Comment on How Homeschoolers Celebrate Christmas All Year

By Arron Hebbard

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7.

It is that time of year, a blessed time of year, when we celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas season, of course, celebrates His birth, while the Advent season, which precedes Christmas, looks forward to His second coming. He is born, a Son given to us, who will rule and reign in peace and health.

Over what, however, does He rule? Our answers may not always match our actions when we answer this question theologically or philosophically. Coincidentally, the idiom, “Actions speak louder than words,” may reveal more of what we actually believe as an answer to this question.

The Meaning of Christmas and How Homeschoolers Celebrate It Year Round

Christian homeschool families reveal something of this by their choice to homeschool. Keep in mind, of course, that this is not to say others do not. But Christian homeschool families reveal, by their choice to homeschool, their acknowledgment that Christ’s government extends to history, science, math, literature, language, theology, philosophy, and logic.

We choose to educate the way we do, with the content and methodology we use, precisely because we want to understand each of these subjects in light of Christ’s Lordship of them. We can read pagan authors, mathematicians, and scientists precisely because we recognize that Christ is Lord—King—of the subjects they write about. Whatever their opinions, Christ is King, and studying them under His rule helps us, as my pastor would say, “Chew up the hay and spit out the sticks.” We are learning to judge, as our King does, the truth in their words and the falsehood.

Christian homeschool families also recognize that Christ’s rule as King is not a temporary one. He is not the Lord of math today and not tomorrow. He is established on His throne from that time (the time of His birth, Isaiah 9:6) forward and unto ages of ages.

We, therefore, communicate to our children the multigenerational aspect of His Lordship by our choice to homeschool. Mom and Dad lead the learning and pass that on to their children. Their children become learners who will lead others in learning. The task of education and of to know God and to make Him known is not one that begins and ends with me as a homeschool parent but is one that is modeled and passed down to my children and their children and their children’s children. The task of education and of to know God and to make Him known is to bend the knee and confess that Jesus is King from this time forward and unto ages of ages.

As a parent and as a Christian, I love having the opportunity to celebrate the birth of my Lord during this season, as well as the giving of gifts that accompany it. I love the connection between Christmas and what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25:35-40, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.” When asked when they saw Him thirsty and gave Him a drink or hungry and gave Him food, He answered, when they gave these things to the least of them, they gave them to Him. Just as the wise men gave Him gifts, I too am giving Him gifts when I give to those around me.

I love, even more perhaps, having the opportunity to celebrate the Kingship of Jesus year round as my wife and I homeschool our children. As we teach them under the authority of Jesus, the King, and as we teach them, by our own modeling, that this authority is an everlasting authority unto ages of ages.

I love, too, that there are so many others—all of you—out there on this journey with us. We are not alone in this endeavor, and it is comforting and encouraging to know there are others striving to serve the Lord and raise up a generation of children who will do the same. It is especially comforting to know that we are all praying for one another, as well. I offer my prayers on behalf of you and your families this Christmas season! Merry Christmas, and may God bless you all!

Enjoy other Christmas blogs here.

This article was originally written by Aaron Hebbard in 2013 and last published by Classical ConversationsÂŽ in 2022.

National Homeschool Day of Prayer

Posted on | by Jennifer Bright

By Lauren Gideon

Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More

If you are a mom like me, homeschooling is not new to your family’s rhythm. My oldest is a senior, and I have been his primary teacher since he was born. Right now, my prayers naturally turn toward asking for wisdom for this new season and what lies ahead for him and our relationship. I also naturally pray through the changes our family has been going through this last year and the changes still to come. I pray over the new events and trials for others in my life. I pray for the “new trees.”

In the forest of my life, sometimes I lose sight of what’s going on around me because it all looks the same. Most people have heard of nose blindness to the smells we’ve become accustomed to, but could there be a blindness to the consistent rhythms of our lives? My cousin once told me of a lady she knew who would literally stand in the bread aisle and pray over which loaf of bread to buy. That has never been my style, but could there be a chance that I am missing out on paying attention to and praying for the things that aren’t new, the things I find ordinary?

Today is National Day of Prayer

When I learned of Homeschool Freedom’s National Homeschool Day of Prayer, my thoughts turned to prayer. Here is the list of ideas this organization suggests should inform your prayers.

PLEASE JOIN US AND OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WE:

  • Give thanks for the freedom we have to homeschool our children,
  • Pray for homeschooling families in your own nation and around the world,
  • Pray for upcoming elections and the impact they may have on homeschooling,
  • Pray for your state’s homeschool organization and its leaders,
  • Pray for your elected officials to recognize that the education of children is the responsibility of the parents, not that of the nation,
  • Pray for your own family—your homeschooling journey and the Lord’s guidance as you take that journey, your relationships with one another, your own children and their futures, as well as seeking ways your family can minister to others,
  • Rejoice in God’s mercy and His faithfulness in all things.

If you’re like me, it’s good to have these reminders to help us see what we have become accustomed to seeing. If you are reading this, I’m praying for you, too. Wherever you are in your homeschooling journey, I pray that you will see the tiny miracles of grace happening in yourself and in the lives around you, that you won’t take a single school day (which is every day) for granted, and that you will invest each moment for the sake of the kingdom and for the smile of your Father.

Read other blogs by Lauren here.

Lauren Gideon is the Director of Grassroots Advocacy for Classical ConversationsÂŽ and she teaches through an organization committed to raising citizenship IQ on U.S. founding documents. She and her husband homeschool their seven children on their small acreage, where they are enjoying their new adventures in homesteading.

a person holding up a cardboard sign that says "Act Now"

Stand Against Oklahoma Bill HB 4130 Requiring Permission to Homeschool

Posted on | by Jennifer Bright

By Elise DeYoung

Recently, House Bill 4130 was introduced to regulate homeschool families in Oklahoma. Americans must strongly oppose this bill to restrict and regulate families, because its narrative of abuse in homeschools is fabricated. This bill would introduce extreme government overreach into the realm of home education.

Homeschoolers have the fundamental right of autonomy to educate and disciple their children apart from state overreach. A more detailed analysis of this bill is coming, but due to urgency of action, here are some reasons to oppose it:

  1. Children do not belong to the state, but to the parents.
  2. Therefore, the Civil government has no authority or jurisdiction over homeschooling.
  3. The reasons for restricting and regulating homeschooling are baselessly supported, fueled by fear tactics.
  4. If passed, the state will require social security numbers and background checks for the purpose of tracking every home resident.
  5. If passed, parents may be subjected to home inspection visits.

For these reasons, we’d like to stand with our friends at HSLDA and oppose Rep. Amanda Swope’s bill. 

To join our efforts opposing HB 4130, please contact Rep. Amanda Swope to let her know that you oppose this bill.

Join the Fight to Keep Your Homeschool Freedoms:

  1. Tips For Contacting Your Lawmakers
  2. Letter and Phone Content Template
  3. Join the Oklahoma Capitol Day 2024
  4. Find out more about Constitutional Home Educators Alliance

Elise DeYoung is a Public Relations and Communications Associate and a Classical Conversations graduate. With CC, she strives to know God and make Him known in all aspects of her life. She is a servant of Christ, an avid reader, and a professional nap-taker. As she continues her journey towards the Celestial City, she is determined to gain wisdom and understanding wherever it can be found. Soli Deo gloria!

The Free-Market Education Table at the Potluck

Posted on | by Collin Blank

By Lauren Gideon

As I travel from state to state I find there are two tables of homeschool resources. Those that are total free-market options, and those that are fully or partially taxpayer funded. These resources could be tutoring services, classes, extracurricular activities, sports, fine-arts, and so much more. What I have found remarkably interesting is just like a gluten-free table, free-market options are either spars or plentiful; bland or diverse.

An Illustration From My Gluten-Free Friends

Nearly, every potluck I attend has an accommodating table, based on the reality that a large segment of our population has chosen to abstain from gluten. We know there are a spectrum of reasons. Nearly every gluten-free consumer has some moderate to severe negative consequence they are trying to avoid, and yet others take a proactive approach.

I also bet there are some on the train because… well, they get on all trains.

Motivations aside, in my lifetime the potluck scene has completely changed to accommodate this demographic.

Ok, nothing against my anti-glutenomist friends… If I still have you, follow me with the illustration.

The gluten-free consumer made a decision (forced or voluntary) that altered a major portion of their life. They have their position prior to any potluck. Once there, they are either delighted or depressed with the variety of gluten-free options. The most strict in this demographic choose only from this table. Rarely in their disappointment do they ever compromise and decide to browse the non-gluten free selection. (If you know someone like this who has had accidental gluten contamination, you know why).

To be specific, if there is no cake on the gf table, the consumer does not reluctantly go to the other table to get their cake, they simply go without cake. If this happens enough times, one of two things will probably happen. The friends and family of this individual will have compassion and bake a diet-friendly cake, or the consumer will get frustrated enough to bake their own cake.

How in the world does this intersect with home-schooling?

As we evaluate options on the two tables, we must first step back and evaluate our commitment to the homeschool resource “diet.”  What are the pros and cons of only consuming free-market options? Are there any consequences to sampling options from the subsidized table if you don’t find what you like in the free-market? Some states provide an “all or nothing” choice. In these states, for those that have chosen to homeschool, no state funded options are available.

Do you know what they DO have? They are serving a feast of quality, diverse, competitive, free-market services. How do they have such options? There you will find a rich legacy of groups and individuals who found a way to make a gf cake – by that I mean a robust free-market buffet because the consumers in the state required that accommodation. In other circumstances we find that families solved their own dilemmas with conviction and creativity.

In Many States the Free-Market Table is Lacking

If you are in a state like mine, the free-market table is lacking. One reason this is true is due to the fact that the other table is easily accessible. Families discouraged by the free-market are welcome to browse the state-funded options. At first glance, this seems warm and hospitable. Consumers say things like, “I do not have a choice, the option I wanted (or a quality version of this option) was not available on the free-market.

When this is our outlook, do you know what happens to our table? Nothing. It stays sparse and bland.

What will drive change? The options are the following:

(1) Families will set their “diet” and commit to it before they ever attend the potluck,

(2) Families will ONLY chose the bland options,

Or

(3) Families willcreate better options for the next generation.

We all have a choice, and as we all know; all choices yield outcomes.

Lauren Gideon is the Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for Classical Conversations. She co-leads and teaches through an organization committed to raising citizenship IQ on U.S. founding documents. She and her husband homeschool their seven children on their small acreage, where they are enjoying their new adventures in homesteading.

a closeup of someone's hands holding someone else's hands

Homeschool Provides Opportunity to Cultivate Deep Love

Posted on | by Lauren Gideon

Homeschooling, and our freedom to do so, provides ample opportunity to cultivate the heart of gratitude and love in our families. We can be intentional about forming a heart of thankfulness and gratitude. We can also be intentional about loving deeply and sacrificially.

In his short blog post, “Giving Roots to Love,” Michael Farris observes:

“The world about us thinks that love blossoms only when things are pleasant … if you want a love that grows deep roots in your heart that cannot be swayed by the winds of change or trouble, then the old formula is the best. Time. Sacrifice. Hard work. Inconvenient hours….Homeschooling gives us all a uniquely intense opportunity to fall deeply in love with our children and they with us.”

Published by Homeschool Freedom November, 2021. Michael is president and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom. Farris was also the founding president of Homeschool Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College.

Become an active participant in maintaining your homeschool freedoms. Look at your state homeschool organization’s planned Capitol Day. If you don’t see a date or link for your state, bookmark the site and keep checking back as it will be updated as we hear from state more organizations.

Here are homeschooling resources to assist you, or someone you know, with homeschooling in your state. These resources include state homeschooling laws and event information. 

an overhead shot of a table with pumpkins, fall leaves, and a sign that says "be thankful always"

Thankful to Have Homeschooling Resources

Posted on | by Lauren Gideon

Over this Thanksgiving holiday, have you been blessed by spending more time with family? Have you considered homeschooling but are at a loss for how to get started? Do you have friends that don’t want to send their children back to school? Perhaps these resources could help you get started:

Maybe you want facts and statistics? Check out the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). You can also catch Dr. Brian D. Ray, President of NHERI, on Refining Rhetoric, a podcast hosted by Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations.