A few days ago a lady called about our upcoming homeschool convention. Well, that was rather curious as neither poster nor registration form was out yet. But what was curiouser was her asking if the convention had anything to do with a certain ‘homeschool center’. “What’s the difference, and which is better?” she asked. Now, that’s a loaded question! I replied that we were not part of any learning center, as parents who actually homeschool and educate their children themselves at home.

The misappropriation of the term ‘homeschool’ is unfortunate. Short of getting involved in a semantic dispute, I explained that parents who teach their children at home are convinced that’s what God’s wants them to do. There is a place for learning centers I’m sure: parents who are uncomfortable with regular schools, or are not ready to do the job themselves may send their children there.

So which one is better, learning centers or homeschool?

To begin with, I think that’s probably the wrong question to ask. The right one is, what does God want me to do? It’s a personal conviction. As a homeschooling parent I think the Old Testament provides sufficient discourse on the importance of educating one’s own children while the New Testament supplies urgent reasons for it.

For instance, 2 Timothy 3:4-7 warns against behaviour to avoid in the last days. Notice how these words mirror our present godless times? Perched on the slippery slopes of the 21st century, faced with the dangers of compromise and corruption, how should we then live? What kind of children do we want to raise? I take comfort in v14 –15 where Paul commends Timothy who “from infancy” learned Scripture which is able to equip a person for righteousness – as long as he or she continues in it. Timothy also enjoyed godly familial nurture that undoubtedly prepared him for the Lord’s service.

In our day, an environment that gives families a better chance at instilling Biblical values intentionally and systematically can be realised through homeschool. If there is a better way, I don’t know it. What’s ‘better’ is never the last word. Contenders abound and tomorrow brings more and better offerings.  So as for my family, we’ll stick with homeschool. It’s done us a world of good.