Simple Steps to Home Education
Biblical Parenting Basics for Christian Families
Morningstar Educational Network www.msen.org
What makes for a
successful and easy
homeschool?
What makes for a successful and
easy homeschool is applying a
Godly foundation to your child’s
education.
But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and His
righteousness; and all
these things shall be added
unto you. Matthew 6:33
Christian parents should ask
themselves three questions
when it comes to their child’s
education.
1. Who is your child’s teacher?
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not
both fall into a ditch? A disciple is not
above his teacher, but everyone who is
perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:39-40
“Blessed is the man (and child), Who walks not
in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in
the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of
the scornful; But his delight is in the law of
the LORD, and in His law he meditates day
and night. Psalm 1:1
2. Does your child’s textbooks
rely on Biblical truths or secular
doctrine?
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and
he who does not gather with Me
scatters abroad”. Matthew 12:30
3. Who are your child’s peers?
The Bible has many references to the
importance of having Godly friends.
Learn not the way of the heathen. Jeremiah 10:2
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But
the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Proverbs 13:20
Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts
good habits. 1 Corinthians 15:33
Purpose of Education
from a Biblical Perspective
•
•
All education should be based on truth, which
originates with God.
Education is not to be separate from God.
“An education without the Bible is useless.”
Noah Webster
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:15
Today, there are six legal ways for schooling.
For a Christian, the foundation must be
Biblical, so which of these meet this
requirement?
1. Public school
2. Private secular school
3. In-home public school program (Charter
School, government funded)
4. Christian school using secular curriculum
5. Christian school using Christian curriculum
6. Christian worldview homeschool
Government Education
Interesting point.
Nowhere in Scripture, outside of forced
slavery, did God condone a government
education of His children.
Parents are out!
Federal circuit court judges held in
November 2005 in Fields v. Palmdale
that "parents have no constitutional
right ... to prevent a public school from
providing its students with whatever
information it wishes to provide,
sexual, or otherwise, when and as the
school determines that it is appropriate
to do so.”
This a copy of survey at issue in
the previous court decision,
Field vs. Palmdale
This survey was given
to public school
children ages 7 to 10.
Schools now have full authority without your
permission to discuss these issues in any manner,
form or way they desire.
Is this the consequence of
liberal sexual training?
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Twelve boys
in the first and second grade at a St.
Louis elementary school sexually
assaulted a second-grade girl during
recess.
 http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/10/grades
chool.allegedassault.ap/index.html
Current Bills for California
passed the Senate 5/11/06

SB 1437 expressly prohibits textbooks,
instructional materials, and school-sponsored
activities from “reflecting adversely” on
transsexuality, bisexuality, or
homosexuality. Instructional materials could not
only say “a husband and wife,” but must include
“two wives who are married lesbians.” Sex
education assemblies would have to include
information on sex changes.
 Passage
of the Bill will initiate the same
requirements in public schools across
America.
CNS news
"SB 1437 means goodbye to textbooks that say
you're either a boy or a girl, or that marriage is
only for a man and a woman, or that the natural
family is a father, a mother and their children.
The measure would also lead to "radical
curriculum changes that include transvestite
speakers and transsexual videos, classroom
handouts on sex-change operations and
curriculum that tells children homosexual
'marriage' is normal. This bill is frightening for
parents who want trustworthy schools, not
schools that sexually indoctrinate their own
children -- children as young as kindergarten!”
Government schools are required by law
to be humanistic and secular in their
instruction. Humanism and secularism
are religions, and their doctrine is the
exact opposite of Biblical teaching.
No God, Just Darwin.
In December 2005, a federal judge ruled in
favor of government schools indoctrinating
children with dogmatic Darwinism.
Darwinism – is the teaching that God does not
exist. This teaching permeates all textbooks,
not just science books.
Public Schools are no longer a positive
reinforcer of traditional values. They
reject Biblical teachings on man's
origin, the proper role of sex, and
promote the acceptability of
homosexuality, abortion and premarital
sex.
“Parents must embrace their responsibility to
educate their children by choosing a means
of education that would ensure their
physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual
well-being, with a goal of raising godly men
and women who are thoroughly equipped to
live as fully devoted followers of Christ.”
Dr. Bruce Shortt, Author –
Harsh Truth About Public
Schools
88% never return
Southern Baptist Council on Family Life
reported to the 2002 Annual Meeting
of the Southern Baptist Convention
that 88 percent of the children raised
in evangelical homes leave church at
the age of 18, never to return.
92% never return
Zan Tyler is the Author of 7 Tools for
Cultivating Your Child's Potential and has
recently reported this:
Quoting Zan, "One mother sought me out after
the [homeschool] workshop and informed
me that her husband works for Josh
McDowell Ministry. She said the statistic they
are now using for evangelical children
(actually teens and young adults)
abandoning the faith is 92 percent. 92
percent! That is catastrophic."
85% never return
Dr. Robert Simonds, a 35 year ex-public
school teacher and now President of
Center for Excellence in Education
found in his survey of Christian parents
that 85% of children educated for
twelve years in public schools reject
Jesus or lack a Christian worldview by
high school graduation.
Consequence of a Secular
Education
Between 85-92% of children receiving
a secular education will be secular in
their thinking when they graduate
high school.
“But shun profane and idle babblings, for
they will increase to more ungodliness.”
2 Timothy 2:16
Our children must have the opportunity to learn the
truth in a comprehensive manner during their
formative years.
“Public schools are ruining the faith of a child. It is
just the last place you would want put your
child.” Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel
Costa Mesa
Private Secular School
Although private secular schools are not as
strictly controlled by the government, they
operate from the same worldview and
would have the same teachings as public
schools. Often they are even more
extreme in their philosophies.
Public School In-Home Programs
Though technically a “home school,” these types of
programs, because they are so heavily
regulated by the government, are secular. The
regulations governing public schools, such as
mandatory testing, psychological exams,
“diversity” training, and secular textbooks are
mandated for a in-home public school program.
“As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15b
Christian Schools Using Secular
Curriculum


Secular curriculum, no matter what institution it is
taught in, is in conflict with Godly principles. A
Christian school teaching with secular curriculum is
comparable to a Sunday school reading Origin of
the Species by Charles Darwin to its church
children.
Do not underestimate the damage that secular
textbooks, secular counsel and secular peers will
have on your child’s mind, emotions, actions and
spiritual life.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly. Psalm 1:1
Christian Schools using Christian
Curriculum
This is a viable option for Christians. However,
parents cannot assume that their child’s school
peers are providing a Godly influence. Parental
diligence over their child’s relationships is
essential.
Christian Home Education
A Christian home education provides the
safest place for your child to concentrate
on his/her studies without ungodly peer
distractions.
 A Christian home education provides the
best opportunity for families and siblings
to bond with one another.

A Christian home education provides an
excellent academic education that caters
to a child’s natural learning abilities and
God-given talents.
 A Christian home education provides the
only opportunity where a child can grow
by learning all things through God’s
perspective, and be able take moments
throughout the entire day to pray, think
about, and develop their relationship with
Jesus.

Did you know?
Today an estimated 2.6 million
children are being taught at home by
their parents.
Did you know?
On average, homeschool students in
grades 1-4 perform one grade level
higher than their public and private
school counterparts.
Lawrence Rudner,
Scholastic Achievement and Demographic Characteristics of
Home School Students in 1998,
Education Policy Analysis Archives,
http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n8/.
www.youcanhomeschool.org
Did you know?
By grade 8, the average homeschool
student performs four grade levels
above the national average.
Rudner, Figure 3.
www.youcanhomeschool.org
I did not complete high school.
How can I teach my children?
A background in teaching is not necessary; in fact,
"home educated students' test scores remained
between the 80th and 90th percentiles, whether
their mothers had a college degree or did not
complete high school."
www.youcanhomeschool.org
What about a diploma, graduation,
& college?
Homeschool graduates closely parallel their public
school counterparts—about two-thirds go on to
post-secondary education, and one-third directly
into the job market. (Brian Ray, Strengths of
Their Own—Home Schoolers Across America,
NHERI, 1997.)
www.youcanhomeschool.org
Is a Christian home education
legal?
“Because the United
States Constitution is the
highest law of the land,
homeschooling has
always been legal in all 50
states,” says Michael
Farris. Chairman of the Board
General Counsel
President of Patrick Henry College
www.hslda.org
What about my child's special needs?
Thousands of families are homeschooling children
whose special needs range from Attention Deficit
Disorder to severe multiple handicaps. Parents
often find that when they bring these children
home to be educated, they come out of the ‘deep
freeze’ that has kept them from making significant
progress. Gone are the comparisons, labels,
social pressures, and distractions that a regular
classroom may bring. Parents can offer their
children individualized education, flexibility,
encouragement, and support. www.youcanhomeschool.org
What about socialization & special
interests/enrichment activities?
Experience has
shown that
homeschoolers are
well socialized and
able to make
lasting friendships
across age and
cultural divides.
(See Figure 2 at
right.)
I don’t have a teaching degree.
Can I really teach my child?
Yes, research and
practical experience
show that it is dedication
and hard work, not
special training, that
produce outstanding
educational results in a
homeschool setting.
What do colleges think of
homeschoolers?
Homeschoolers “are the epitome of
Brown students,” says Dean Joyce
Reed. “They are self-directed, they take
risks, and they don’t back off.”
Brown Alumni Magazine,
“Homeschooling Comes of Age,”
January/Feburary 2002
www.youcanhomeschool.org
Definitely Prepared
My parents decided to homeschool me because I
had speech problems, and they didn't want to
expose me to the teasing of school children. They
taught me from kindergarten through 12th grade. I
loved my "school" experience, and I don't believe I
ever wanted to attend a traditional school, public or
private. It gave me the unique opportunity to truly
grow up with my three siblings. And I was involved
in many activities, including 4-H, AWANA Bible
club, and volunteering at a local hospital. Today, as
a 2002 graduate of Shenandoah University in
Winchester, Virginia, having earned a business
administration degree with concentrations in
accounting and information systems, I already have
a job as a full-time accountant. Looking back on my
schooling experience, I was definitely prepared for
college—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
—Carrie Ireland
Getting Started
Step 1: Biblically research God’s plan
for training and educating children.
The Bible is replete with God’s teaching as to how
children should be educated. Take the time to
research the Scriptures. The basis for Christian
homeschooling should be obedience to God’s
Word. The father should be the head of the
family and a child’s education. Obedience in this
area is as much for parents as it is the children.
This is God's design for the family.
Step 2: Find a
support group or
mentor.
Our goal is to connect you with groups and
mentors that promote a Biblical worldview
approach to home education. Visit
www.ChristianHomeEducation.org to find
a mentor or support group in your area.
Step 3: Research Homeschooling
Listed at www.msen.org is a variety of websites that cover
homeschooling, preschooling at home, living on one income,
single parent homeschooling and more. There are also many
books available on homeschooling. Here are a few of the ones
we recommend:
• Home Schooling: The Right Choice, Christopher Klicka
• Home Educating With Confidence, Rick & Marilyn Boyer
Step 4: Get a copy of your state’s
homeschool laws from:
Every state has a different set of requirements for
home educators. To obtain a copy of your
state’s homeschooling law from the Home
School Legal Defense Association’s website, visit
www.hslda.org and click on State Laws. Or,
write or call them to request a copy (HSLDA,
P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134, 540-3385600).
Step 5: Consider the Freedom to Learn
One of the blessings of
providing your children
with a Christian home
education is the freedom
for your child to learn
according to their gifts
and abilities.
A homeschool environment
allows God to show you
and your children their
God-given talents. And
when He does, your
children will delight in
their educational
experience.
Step 6: Choosing Curriculum
It is very important in today’s culture to refrain
from using public school textbooks. Even
the public school’s simple readers convey
beliefs, attitudes and information that are
contrary to God’s Word. While no curriculum
is perfect, most Christian curriculum and
books are written by Christians and from a
Christian worldview. God will bless your
endeavors if you are training your children
from textbooks that give glory to Him.
Curriculum
There are hundreds of curriculum choices. And with
homeschooling you have the freedom to change or
create a curriculum that meets your child’s needs. Our
website lists a variety of curriculum, or you can visit your
local Homeschool Headquarters store, or attend a
homeschool convention.
First Year Homeschool
It is our recommendation that for the first
year a parent purchase a ‘boxed set’ of
curriculum, which includes all subjects and
teacher manuals.
After the first year when you have learned
more about how your child learns you can
opt for different methods of education.
What about preschool?
Research shows that young children develop best
emotionally, academically, physically and spiritually when
they have been raised by their mothers.
The original meaning of the word "kindergarten" is "a
children's garden". This definition brings to mind a place
where children are nurtured, loved, and cared for and
where they are able to grow and develop better at their
own speed.
Berkeley/Stanford found in a recent study that children in
preschool had more emotional and behavioral problems
than children who stayed home…For more information
on this study, and for resources and articles, visit:
www.preschoolingathome.com.
Preschooling at Home
Children in an emotionally stable and loving home
will develop their learning skills naturally and
according to the development of the brain. A
simple Sunday school book is a great way to
teach your children about Jesus and help them
develop a love for learning.
Reading to them daily will help them develop their
phonetic skills for later reading.
What about chemistry and
biology, and those other difficult
high school courses?
Most colleges today have classes available
to high school students for these subjects.
There are also many on-line academies that
offer these subjects.
Homeschool Headquarters
Homeschool Headquarters is a program that
places curriculum sections inside Christian
stores throughout the country. This is a great
opportunity to look through the curriculum
before you purchase. It will also give you a
sense of confidence knowing that together you
and God can teach your child. To find a store in
your area, go to:
www.homeschoolheadquarters.com
Alpha Omega Publications
Students excel using Alpha Omega's
award-winning Switched-On
Schoolhouse Computer based CD-ROM
curriculum.
Alpha Omega has a fully accredited and
affordable on-line academy.
www.aop.com – Click the very top “AO
Academy.
Christian Liberty Homeschool
The Christian Liberty Academy School
System (CLASS) is an independent and
non-denominational K–12 home school
program.
When you enroll, CLASS assembles the
curriculum best fitted for your child based
on achievement test scores and other
academic information. Books and materials
are chosen from a variety of carefully
selected publishers.
www.homeschools.org
Abeka DVD Homeschool Program
A Beka has a program where they filmed one of their
classrooms for each grade and it is available on DVD
along with the curriculum for homeschoolers. The
children watch the classes for 2-4 hours per day
depending on the grade, working in their own books
(included with the price) along with the class on the DVD.
The parent corrects the work. With homeschooling you
can schedule the instruction for any time during the day
or break it up to fit in with field trips. This is a great
program for moms who need to work part-time, or are in
ministry.
www.abeka.org
Single Parents
• Single Parent Homeschool: Resources
specific to single parents can be found at:
www.singleparenthomeschool.org
• One Income Homeschool: Resources,
ideas and articles to help you to manage
your household on one income.
www.oneincomehomeschool.org
Working and Homeschooling
Working parents can and do homeschool. One
parent may be able to take their child to work
with them, or perhaps the business is homebased. When both parents work and want to
homeschool it may require some juggling of
schedules, but where there is a will there
usually is a workable way. Getting family,
grandparents or friends to get help is ideal.
Ask other homeschooling families if they can
help one or two days a week.
With God nothing is impossible so take the step
of faith, and God will provide the way.
The Lord Shall Teach
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And
great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah
54:13
When the Lord is teaching your child through
textbooks that glorify Him and through a parent
that loves them, great shall be their peace.
Education is training. It will
either instill Godly or worldly
principles. Each one sets a
future course in your child’s
relationship with Jesus.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And
when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Parental Responsibility
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.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
God commanded parents to teach His Word
diligently to their children. God makes no
exception anywhere in Scripture for school time.
Homeschooler’s Testimony
"The best way to light our world is to be distinct
from the darkness, and homeschooling certainly
helps to set us apart from the worldly culture in
which we live. I have had more opportunities to
share the gospel because I was homeschooled
than I ever would have had in a public school."
- Israel Wayne, Author, Homeschooling from a
Biblical Worldview and Homeschool graduate
God says parents are to
teach diligently.
The simple truth is, we love our children more
than any teacher could possibly be expected
to love them. That's not to our credit; it's just
a fact of life. They’re our children, whom God
has given to us to "teach diligently" as it says
in Deuteronomy. A Christian home
education is simply obedience to God’s
instructions regarding how His children are
to be taught.
The Bible is blessed!
When children learn all things from a
Biblical foundation, they will be blessed,
their education will be blessed, and their
lives will be blessed. God cannot bless
teachers, curriculum, or any other secular
instruction that trains children in
contradiction to the truth. Children
deserve the truth.
Home Schooling: the Right Choice
"God's truth and His principles are the foundation
of all knowledge; children must not only be
taught to believe as Christians but also to think
as Christians; God's principles must be taught to
children in a comprehensive manner on a daily
basis; God's truth speaks to every academic
discipline. Where would Satan like our children
to be taught? Sending our children to modern
public education is like playing Russian roulette
with their souls!"
Christopher Klicka, author (pp. 446)
“It’s time for parents to get their kids
out of the public schools.
Homeschool is the answer.”
- Tim LaHaye, Pastor, Author of Left
Behind novels.
“Blessed is the man (and child), Who
walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly, Nor stands in the path of
sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the
scornful; But his delight is in the law
of the LORD, and in His law he
meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1
Why Homeschool?
“94% of homeschooled children keep the faith of
their parents.” Dr. Brian Ray, National Home
Education Research Institute www.nheri.org
Why Homeschool? Because it’s necessary to place
Biblical authority first in all that your child learns.
Homeschool for the sake of your child’s spiritual
growth, emotional well-being, physical safety
and for academic truthfulness.
Start homeschooling today!
For more information visit:
www.msen.org
Questions & Answers