I've Been Thinking About Thinking
“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)…” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Refuting arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Thought: The product of mental activity; The intellectual activity or the ideas, opinions, etc.; to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions; to employ one’s mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation.
I’m thinking about my children’s thoughts. I’m thinking about how science and math and history and all the other “subjects” are thoughts. I’m thinking about giving my children a biblical worldview - a lens in which to see, discern, and know about the world around them. I’m thinking how all of it must be taken captive to the obedience of Christ.
I’m thinking about teaching and training my children to be able to refute arguments and theories and reasonings that set itself up against the true knowledge of God.
I’m thinking…
that I am more passionate than ever about home educating.
Good stuff, Sarah Mae. This is something on my heart, too – something I'm praying over for my family. In a world where education and "degrees" seem to matter, and yet offer nothing but endless (mindless) futile work – the heart of my children and their character are absolutely precious. I pray that whatever my husband & I agree to where our children's education is concerned, we will do everything we can to guide them and steer them into a better relationship with our Lord and into the fullness of His calling on each of them.
.-= Debbie´s last blog post … Monday Bliss =-.
It is so vital for me to always keep that in the forefront of my mind. With home educating, it can become so easy to go from day to day and not give much thought to the "why" of our decision to educate our children at home. The "Why" for our family is to first give them a biblical world view.
Thanks for the check-up Sarah Mae!
.-= Kela´s last blog post … Fear is NOT Normal! =-.
We are 7 months into our homeschooling journey and I can say this: NEVER, NEVER will my kids go back to a 'typical' school. And they were in a Christian private school for 3 years! Yet, that Christian school had already shaped their young minds on how to think about specific things that we completely disagree with {from a Christian perspective} My main beef: They had the kids say the prayer asking for salvation CONSTANTLY. Now we are dealing with issues of our oldest two saying 'but I've said that prayer a lot'…
I was told a few weeks ago, in reference to my spoken thoughts that my kids would never deal with bullying in a school setting, that 'yeah, and never experience real life' Well, if that is real life, you can have it. I'll teach my kids about God from a Biblical perspective and THAT is the life they will experience! ;)
.-= Mirinda´s last blog post … Bye Bye 2009, Hello 2010!!! =-.
Sarah Mae…. I just cannot believe that my daughter will be 4 this year. My husband and I have not made a final decision about what we will do with school for her.
I'm praying… asking God for His best in this situation, for our family. Won't you pray for us? Thanks girlfriend!
Love,
Traci
.-= Traci´s last blog post … Give Me A Break =-.
Wonderful thoughts. My husband and I were just talking about this after church yesterday. How important it is for Godly parents and a solid church family to our children. I struggled with your post when we moved and my children would no longer be in a private Christian school. What will they be taught? Will it be worldly? Will my kids have discernment? One thing I have found by being in ministry, it's the home that truly develops children. I'm praying for you in your decision girl.
.-= Mariah´s last blog post … How Far Have We Come? =-.
AMEN to home education!!!!!
XoxoGapGirl
That's what I love most about home education. You can teach them TRUTH!
Amen sister!
HUGS
Kim
.-= Kim´s last blog post … Maybe They'll Fit Better Now! =-.
I couldn't agree with you more! Home education is an opportunity to 'right' so many 'wrong' thoughts in secular education…it is priceless in building character and true understanding of God and the world He created! The kids and I studied, just this morning, all the paganism of Easter…that's a loaded subject, but well worth research. We take for granted the origins of our beliefs without ever questioning…God say to 'prove' His Word!
.-= Kelly Howard´s last blog post … New look for this blog! =-.
Me too, passionate about home education, where we're able to mold our little men and women into His molding. Even among our flesh, His Spirit is able. What a blessing and precious how our time, while still in our care for this process of growing. Because, I'm THINKING, those days approach faster than while we're living them. I'm THINKING, the end will come and we'll THINK, wow, already!?!
.-= Tammy@if meadows speak…´s last blog post … PROMISES IN THE SKY =-.
I needed to read this just now. Because we are doing school today when the public school kids are out, Kiddo decided that he would rather go to public school. He has no idea how much that hurt my heart. I know it may be expecting too much for a ten-year-old to understand the sacrifices we make for him to have what we think is the best education experience for him, but I do expect a little. After thinking about it for a while, he has since decided that he was wrong. I think he enjoys the freedom to do school in his pj's more than having an extra holiday!
.-= Heathahlee´s last blog post … A Hero Once More….My Husband Rocks! =-.
I love this. And makes me want to homeschool so badly. It is a desire of my heart. But here is where my struggle lies…my husband does not want our children homeschooled. So I follow his leadership but there is not a day that goes by that I do not think and pray for one of our hearts to be changed (and selfishly pray for it to be his).
Jessica – Give it all to God that you will trust your husband no matter what he chooses…but you can pray – pray that your hearts would be aligned, no matter what.
Jessica, I know that last year when we were researching curriculum I came across several books that were about discussing homeschool with a spouse who wasn't on board, how to address concerns, etc. I'm sure a search could turn something up for you. I wish I had written them down because a few friends are going through the same thing.
.-= Mirinda´s last blog post … Bye Bye 2009, Hello 2010!!! =-.
Amen. Biblical worldview is so important. Everything we see, say and do everyday as Christians should be weighed against the Word. Thanks for this.
.-= Southern Gal´s last blog post … Pinewood Derby Grand Prix =-.
I totally agree that it is a Christian parent's responsibility to instill a biblical worldview into their children. However, to add to the discussion, I believe that a parent can do this no matter how their child is schooled. Whether teaching your child through schooling at home, a Christian school, or a public school, it is still very possible for your child to have a biblical worldview impressed into their hearts, all due to you and how you present and teach the Word at home.
.-= Stacey @ The Blessed Nest´s last blog post … Kitchen Makeover: Decisions, Decisions! =-.
I've been the mom wanting to homeschool, watching tearfully as her sons careen down a slippery path. Then being the newbie homeschool mom dealing with mean comments from her children as they speak hurtful words in their own childish ways. Now I am a 2/3 empty nester, helping my last through the high school trail, grateful for homeschooling and being able to help my children learn the art of hemming our thots in obedience to our Savior.
Thank you for such a wonderful and thoughtful post!
.-= Cee Tindall´s last blog post … Soaking Up Rain =-.
Count your blessings! It is unlawful to homeschool children in Malta. I so wish I could do it!
Amen to ya sister! I've been thinking about the same thing…being very concerned that my children are able to do the same thing.
I was just talking to my son a couple of weeks back and I asked him to tell me why he believed what he believed.
We always come to those Christian Worldview questions when they watch The National Geographic channels and read other books, oh, my and when we go to the museum the questions come up again.
But I hear ya, I've been pondering on those questions too and am so thankful that God has given me homeschooling as a means to explain, teach, and address some of them.
.-= Angela´s last blog post … Are you creating a passive-aggressive child? =-.
I heard a great talk on this by John Stonestreet called, " A Biblical Worldview Education". It was given at FPEA (Florida Home School Conference) I think in 2007. It really was awesome! Not sure if you could track down the recording or not, but worth the hunt! It really changed the way I thought about education and how I wanted my kids to learn.
.-= Stacey Thacker´s last blog post … Multitude Monday =-.
Oh, Amen. I constantly thank God that we have the opportunity to homeschool! (and great laws in NV, btw!)
I agree that you CAN teach the children Godly world view whether or not you homeschool… BUT :-) why would I want my small children to have to have to go back and forth (within their selves) about what the teacher (peers/ TV/ society/ culture…well, you get the point!) and his parents are teaching.
I feel like these days we are really swimming up stream. I want to make it easier on my children NOW, so that when they are strong in their faith, and have gone thru some trials (under our watchful eye!) well, then they can go into the world, and conquer! (or, at least try..) lol
anyway, God is so good… he provides everything we need. including (Jessica!) the catalyst to prompt our hubby's (or ourselves) to change our hearts. :-)
whew… that was long winded. lol sorry, I'm blurry eyed from little sleep. lol
Alexia
.-= Alexia´s last blog post … HAPPY NEW YEAR! =-.
Bravo, Sarah Mae! I began allowing my teen girls to learn about various religions, with mine and their dads guidance. It has actually grounded them in their faith in Jesus Christ. They would not have had that kind of education anywhere else. Even the 'Christian' school they used to go to would not teach that. People live in fear of learning about other religions, but when you already know the Truth and that Jesus is Truth then other religions aren't scary. I love integrating their Science, History etc studies with Jesus, the Living Word. He is our Master and Teacher.
.-= Sisterlisa´s last blog post … My Carpenter =-.
I just want to interject a few thoughts here from my own experience on the issue since I didn't see them reflected in the comments (unless I missed them).
I grew up in a bible believing, born-again Christian home (Baptist denomination), my mom was a PK (preachers kid)…
I went to private Christian schools through 9th grade. My last 3 yrs were in public high school.
Totally unrelated to my previous statements, the Christ.school I went to the longest had decided at some point to shut down their high school dept after coming to the conclusion after research that kids who graduated from Christian schools seemed to have fallen away from Christ.
What was the point in having your kids stay in Christian school if they were not following Christ as a result? Right?
I can even recall in about 9th grade the pastor's son and his girlfriend making out at school which was in the church and they weren't in some dark corner.
We are called to be "salt" and "light" in the world. Apparently being in a Christian school was no guarantee of that. (Obviously).
Regardless of who teaches kids their ABC's and 123's- it is a parent's job to teach their kids God's word like Duet. 6 says- and do it anytime, all the time basically.
My kindergarten is learning to follow God from us at home and his Sunday school teachers. We are teaching him right from wrong and when he goes to school he has spoken up. And when he comes home sometimes we talk about what he's heard, etc..
We are fortunate though, he has a good school to go to in a good area. Its not an inner city/ dangerous type school.
I've thought about homeschooling him but I'm not sure that would be the right thing for us if the only reason I have is to shelter him from the little bit of the world he's seeing. He is learning right from wrong and in a place to practice making the right decisions. If I see that being in a public school is doing more harm than good when it comes to righteousness then I could see homeschooling him for those reasons.
.-= Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms´s last blog post … My Blissfully Domestic challenge update. =-.
Hi Tracey – good thoughts, thank you for voicing them! If you have time, watch this video: Whoever Controls the Schools Controls the World http://bluebehemoth.com/album/52740/ I promise it's worth the $7.95 to download! I'd love your thoughts after watching it! :)
I love your thoughts. I am just starting to homeschool my son, and know I will never send him to another one. Home is the best!!! I know it's important to teach them ourselves and not let it up to the world to influence and teach them. How I wish we could put a shell around them and protect them from so much that is out there, but all we can do is teach them the proper way to look at things and pray for them, and ourselves to be able to teach them the best way. Blessings to you…
.-= Lois´s last blog post … Harmony in the Home =-.
Sarah Mae,
Thanks for the video recommendation, I did stop over there to take a peek. I didn't pay to download b/c it doesn't make sense to me to pay for something that I don't know much of anything about (re: Voddie and his products).
I do find it disturbing that he would make people pay to see it if it is indeed all that important. His teaser wasn't that informative either.
Tracy – I can understand…but I promise that the $7.95 is worth it…heck, I'll get it for you if you'd like. :)
I am a home educator myself and I think it's a great way to go. However, it is not necessarily indicative of better education and/or a more grounded child spiritually. I know many homeschooled children who are rebellious, bitter against God and religion, and aren't ahead at all in their studies. On the other hand, I know many public schooled children who are lovely Christian children.
As parents we all make choices we feel are best for our children. But that doesn't make our choices better.
SarahMae and Tracy, just wanted to let you both know that for those interested in getting a little clip of Dr. Voddie Baucham's sermon that was mentioned, it is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq_tcyPV7Vg . We've watched it and passed it on many times :o) Hope that helps! ~Jaime