Due to the pandemic, most parents with school-aged children have been introduced to the world of homeschooling, like it or not. Even before the pandemic, many Christian families chose to homeschool their children, and they feel their children learn better in this type of an environment. Regardless of how parents choose or are compelled to educate their children, it is vital that all parents home Bible school their children. This is especially important since the pandemic has interfered with our regularly scheduled children’s Bible classes.
The Bible teaches us that it is our job and responsibility as parents to train our children in the ways of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 teaches us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (NKJV).
Then, in the New Testament, Ephesians 6:4 commands, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Further, we learn in 2 Timothy 1:5 and 2 Timothy 3:15 how Timothy was taught the Scriptures from his youth by his mother and by his grandmother.
Josh McDowell once wrote, “God emphasizes the importance of parents teaching the Bible to their children. The church and Christian school [Bible School as well] cannot be used to escape from this responsibility.” Please do not misunderstand; I am very happy that we have Bible classes for our children, and we have great Bible class teachers who do a wonderful job at teaching the Bible. Yet, they cannot take the place of parents in teaching the Bible and God’s truths.
Children watch and learn from their parents every day. They know what we believe and how we live out the teachings of the Bible – or not. They know if we lie or cheat, pray, or read our Bibles. So, are we home Bible schooling our children? Here are some suggestions on ways we can teach our children the Lord’s Word at home.
- Have daily Bible devotionals where Bible reading, teaching and praying takes place.
- As you go through your day, and children have questions, try always to point them to the Bible. Have older children look up the passages in their Bibles to find answers to their questions.
- Work with your children to know where the books of the Bible are found, memorize the names of the Old and New Testament books in order as they appear in our translations, give them memory verses and encourage them to read the Bible.
- Talk about your child’s Bible class. Have them review the lesson and encourage them to do any homework the teachers assign, and if they need to return a homework paper, then make sure your child follows through.
- Live the Bible in your everyday life so your children know what it means to be a Christian – to be kind, loving, joyful, and dealing with problems of life in a biblical way rather than in a way the world would deal with them.
Parents, we cannot leave our child’s Bible education to chance. Are you home Bible schooling your children?
