Homeschooling: COVID-19 Consequence or Calling?

Many parents today are facing a homeschool dilemma. Are you one of them? And by default, an increasing number of grandparents find themselves in this same category as they help to care for their grandchildren. Coupled with the anti-biblical curriculum taught in many school districts, parents find themselves thrust into a position of homeschooling to some degree.

Before we go further, as a Jesus-loving parent, you are called to homeschool at some level. We mustn’t allocate the teaching of biblical principles to someone else. If we leave it up to the school system, our children will likely become atheists. The church has a part to play, but we cannot leave it fully there either. It is impossible to escape the fact that the bulk of that training has to be taught and modeled in the home.

“Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life” (Prov. 22:6, TPT).

So, for those of you who cringe at being a homeschool parent—by God’s standards, you already are!

Let’s take this a step further. What if you are being called to teach your children to read and write at home? Or how about algebra, physics and economics? Some people step into this naturally, while others enter the homeschool arena kicking and screaming.

When God made it abundantly clear that we were to homeschool, I began kicking and screaming. Not only was I not qualified for this by the world’s standards, but I also was not qualified by my own standards. I had a million excellent reasons not to do this crazy thing, but God had one very compelling reason with the power to override my reasons. His reason was that He was calling. When God calls us into something, we can be assured that the call will always carry the ability to be successful.

Well-meaning people told us that our kids would be socially stunted and awkward. I had to fight the fear that I would ruin them academically. We had to walk through seasons where it was easy and seasons where it was difficult. But what we did was continue to put one foot in front of the other and do a lot of praying.

At this point in life, I am well beyond the homeschool years. However, I will remember the fear and trepidation. I also have a gift from God: hours with my children that I would have missed had I not been obedient to God … memories that never would have been created. And the knowledge that for our family, God was calling us to homeschool.

Are you struggling with your ability to homeschool and all the questions surrounding that decision? If so, this episode of Real Truth With Ruth on the Charisma Podcast Network has been created specifically for you.

Furthermore, if God has allowed you to leave your children in a public or private school setting, remember, you still homeschool! You are the one called to bring them up in the things of God! And we bless you in your journey.

Either way, if you have been given the gift of children, you are a homeschooler. Don’t underestimate how God will use you in the lives of your children. Keep an ear turned to Him, and don’t allow the culture to speak louder than the Father. You’ve got this! {eoa}

Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her latest book, Everyday Prophetic, will help you find the prophetic voice that God has given you. Visit her at her website at ruthhendrickson.org or find her on Facebook and listen to her podcast Real Truth with Ruth.