ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX (August 25, 2014) Plastic folders, crayons and those timeless tools of learning, pencils and paper, currently fill store shelves to capacity. The sight makes me sentimental for yesteryear, when I had school-age children. Not that I’d like to repeat those years. But the opportunity to influence fresh hearts and minds is as precious and fleeting as youth.
My husband and I sought to raise our children with the knowledge of God, and we hoped to provide them with a good education too. Now, years later, I’ve figured out the surest way to accomplish both.
I’ve observed many hundreds of kids from various school settings by teaching children’s Bible classes on Sunday for over 25 years. My “clinical study” provides a compelling conclusion—at least to me. I believe the home and family environment, not the school choice, is a better indicator of a child’s success, academically, emotionally and spiritually.
Even so, with those “dear old Golden Rule days” a thing of the past, Christian parents should well consider their children’s educational environment. But when school choices are less than desired, or when family circumstances won’t allow better choices, we can prayerfully make our best decision, and rest in knowing that God “has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . . . (2 Peter 1:3; ESV), and that “all things work together for good” for those who love God (Romans 8:28).
C. S. Lewis, beloved author of The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity and much more, survived rather than thrived in the weak schools of his early 20th century childhood. But the influence of his parents’ proved stronger than the educational opportunities in their remote region ofIreland. Their passion for reading fostered his interest-driven learning. And their faith-filled and happy home marked Lewis’ formative years, before his mother’s death. At age 18 he gained admittance toOxford, where his very excellent education failed to offer lasting joy, leading him to discover—or rediscover—that Jesus Christ could.
Parents who choose either public or private secular schools for their children should diligently teach them God’s ways: “talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7).
And parents who choose a Christian school, or decide to home school? They should do the very same thing.
By Blue Ribbon News guest columnist Patti Richter of Heath. Patti is a journalist who writes news and feature stories, book reviews and more for Christian publications.
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