One thing that most people who are new to homeschooling ask me is “How do you teach ALL the subjects?” I will admit, teaching everything from the ABC’s and algebra to World History and Zoology is a big task but “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” [James 1:5] I often ask the Father to fill me with knowledge and understanding so that I can teach the kids the things that they both need to know and want to know. But, I am getting ahead of myself. The first and most important thing to understand is that we are NOT mimicking a public school education in our home. We are not setting our primary goal as “raise the smartest kids in the world.” There is nothing wrong with having intelligent children but that cannot be your primary mission for homeschooling. So where do we start?

The first thing to consider when deciding to homeschool your children is your goal for them. This needs to be the same as the Father’s goal for them. We have to instill in our children the wisdom and understanding and knowledge that comes from the Ruach (the Holy Spirit) and the Word. We have to homeschool in spirit and truth. I read an article recently that really hit home with me. As Torah observant believers in Yeshua, we focus a lot on instructing our children in the Torah. There is nothing wrong with that but are we raising moral kids or justified kids? Since the Torah doesn’t save us, we should be pointing to Messiah first and foremost. We have to remember that the gospel is not about making bad people into moral people. The gospel is about making dead people alive in Messiah. We have to teach our children about our Savior, why we need a savior, etc. The Torah simply defines the problem (sin) and points to the solution (Yeshua). We cannot leave out the Brit Chadasha (New Testament) from our homeschooling.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

So where do we start as parents? We start with our relationship with and calling from the Messiah. We (as mature believing parents) are obligated to be a light in our homes and communities and let the love of Messiah shine through us. This is through our works. But our works do not save us. Our works draw others to the Messiah. It seems like a big responsibility and yea, it is but this is the Father’s plan to have the gospel preached in the world and to have His truth broadcast throughout the nations. The Father needs you!

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Messiah.

Be excellent in the basics in your parenting and your homeschooling. Shine before your children. Show them the love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and patience that the Ruach ha Chodesh (the Holy Spirit) has planted, watered and grown in your heart as you live a life obedient to and solely for the Father.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Messiah Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

The most important thing that we have focused on in our homeschooling and parenting is helping the kids remain in right standing with the Father. We all need the Savior. We all make mistakes. When our children make a mistake, we correct them lovingly but then immediately offer them the opportunity to pray and repent before the Father. Teaching them how to quickly and truly repent and how to approach the Father to get rid of the guilt they feel is the cornerstone of our parenting. We want to make sure the kids will (1) not be afraid to confess their sins to us and (2) not be afraid to confess their sins to the Father.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

Romans 3:21-26 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Yeshua our Messiah to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Messiah Yeshua. God presented Messiah as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Yeshua.

James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

Trust God! Depend on Him moment to moment.  Let Him love your children through you. The next step is to add in academics. In my next post, we will focus on academics.