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Homeschooling in a way that honors God requires careful consideration of curriculum. We must train up our children through quality academic study built on the solid foundation of Truth. In this article, I have contemplated the significance of curriculum options, and given some specific recommendations as well. I have also considered the pursuit of academic excellence and the ultimate goal of homeschooling.
What’s the Big Deal?
Many families choose to homeschool so that subjects such as science and history can be taught from a Biblical worldview. Public schools are in a quandary—attempting to maintain neutrality in the area of religion as it pertains to these subjects. They simply cannot be neutral. Formal education necessitates that something is taught to explain our existence and the origin of man.
I believe the Biblical account of creation. Others may believe in the theory of evolution. Because we were not there to observe the beginning of our existence, scientific study in this arena is based on assumptions. Belief in the Biblical account requires faith. Belief in evolution also requires faith. The public schools have simply replaced one religion (God) with another religion (evolution). There is no neutrality. We either take God at His word, or we don’t.
Recognize the Battle
A barrage of worldly wisdom is being fed to us. It abounds in our television programs, movies, books, social media, and museums. Consider the egregious lie that man evolved from apes. This corrupts the sanctity of human life, which has been created in God’s own image.
“ . . . in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
Such significant harm is done in the hearts and minds of children when they are led to believe the lie of evolution. Few institutions have taken a stand on the authority of Scripture. Most of our public schools and universities teach a counterfeit truth.
So our children must be trained to recognize the difference, and to confront worldly philosophy with Scripture. As parents, let’s recognize this battle. We must teach God’s Word. And it must be treasured in our hearts and minds.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
Curriculum with a Biblical Perspective
There are opportunities for Biblical emphasis in almost every school subject. Handwriting offers penmanship practice using Scripture. Literature is enriched with the study of books by authors such as C. S. Lewis. And Latin sayings such as “Solus Christus” remind us of the truth Christ alone. Art and music display man’s curious consideration of the heavenly realms.
Even the study of math, as unassuming as it is, reflects God’s order. Consider, for instance, the Fibonacci sequence.
A good curriculum will contemplate the complexity of our universe through a Biblical lens. That does not mean our children will be ignorant of ideology such as “millions of years” and “prehistoric man.” These ideas are given appropriate consideration in a solid, Christian curriculum. However, the assumptions are uncovered, and the fallacies are noted.
History and Science Curriculum—Seeing God’s Hand at Work
His Story
When history is taught from a Biblical perspective, we see God’s hand at work over the span of thousands of years. We contemplate the motives of individuals who have wrought evil. We ponder our role as citizens. This shapes our response to the culture we live in today.
Over the past eleven years, I have taught three different sets of history curriculum. My all-time favorite is our current (high school) curriculum from Notgrass History. While man’s ideas will never be infallible, I appreciate that the Notgrass content has been through the sieve of Scripture.
Science
When science is studied from a Biblical perspective, we are inspired by numerous Christian men and women. While leaning on the foundational truth of the Bible, they have developed and tested theories about the great phenomena of this universe. This cultivates an awe-filled appreciation of our Creator.
For middle school and high school science curriculum, we have enjoyed the Apologia series written by Dr. Jay Wile. With an engaging tone, he presents solid science from a Biblical viewpoint. He also gives appropriate consideration of other beliefs. The series is an excellent choice for high school students considering careers in this field. Dr. Wile no longer writes for Apologia. He now links to BereanBuilders.com for a helpful overview of his course sequence and prerequisites. We have used and appreciated the Exploring Creation with General Science (7th grade), Exploring Creation with Physical Science (8th grade), and Exploring Creation with Biology (9th grade) sets. (This series has been around for awhile, and it’s getting harder to find. You might find it at a discounted price or used.)
Another exceptional resource is Answers in Genesis (AiG). AiG offers an abundance of teaching material. We have appreciated their God’s Design for Science curriculum (grades 3-8), and numerous other homeschool resources. (I love their VBS and children’s church curriculum too—it is soaked with Scripture!) We also subscribe to AiG’s Answers Magazine.
Invest in the Eternal
God’s Word is Truth, and while it does not require evidence to uphold it; God, in His grace, has given us a universe that declares his handiwork. Too often, as parents, we don’t think twice about spending hundreds of dollars on entertainment or extra-curricular activities that have little or no eternal benefit. Our culture promotes this mentality. But we shy away from focusing on and investing in things that are of eternal value. I have not always appreciated the value of having Biblical resources in our home. May our hearts be burdened with the desire to nourish our children’s minds with Truth.
Sinking Sand or Solid Ground?
My (teenage) son and I regularly listen to the AiG live broadcast Answers News. The hosts include Dr. Georgia Purdom, who holds a Ph.D. in molecular genetics; and Bodie Hodge, who has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Topics from current news headlines (such as climate change, transgenderism, and evolution) are addressed from a Biblical worldview. We sharpen our critical thinking skills as we consider these issues. This semester, we completed the workbook “The Art of Argument.” Along with the AiG broadcasts, this has been an engaging study of informal logic. (Our children can learn how to argue better. But it’s a good thing. Really.)
Logic gives us the ability to counter the fallacies that swirl around us. I’ve noted our favorite history and science curriculum because these key subjects build on a foundation of either sinking sand or solid rock. Sand will inevitably shift. But the rock stands firm.
Will Our Children Excel Academically?
When I first started homeschooling, I worried that using Biblically-focused curriculum would leave holes in our children’s education. My husband and I both graduated from public universities. I particularly feared that my little ones would not do well on college entrance exams. I eventually found research facts showing that homeschool students are keeping up with public-school peers, and even outscoring them on academic achievement tests.
In our state, we have the option for free standardized testing through our local Area Education Agency. We meet with other homeschoolers for a morning or two and enjoy free cookies and encouragement from the testing staff. While I wouldn’t suggest this for younger children (who may test inconsistently); the standardized tests relieved my angst early on in our homeschooling journey, when I feared my children wouldn’t keep up academically. It’s important to remember that there is simply no substitution for the custom-tailored instruction that homeschooling can offer.
Enhanced Academic Pursuits
While homeschooling does require a tremendous amount of work, there are so many options for enhancing academic pursuits. Learning can take place along-side others in a homeschool co-op, or in a public-school classroom through dual-enrollment or open-enrollment. Our high school students can participate in courses offered by colleges across the country. There are many online classes available for grades K-12. Free resources such as Khan Academy are a tremendous help. Our children can also pursue interests through volunteering or job shadowing. Did I mention the field trips? With the flexibility of homeschooling, there are countless opportunities to enhance our children’s education!
If our children will be pursuing further education, we must be diligent to prepare them. (Consider the subject requirements for a few select colleges and work toward that). We need to outsource subjects when we’re in over-our-heads, or when time or resources are limited. But with prayerful consideration and perseverance, our children can certainly excel academically as homeschoolers.
The Ultimate Goal
God calls every believing parent to train up their children in the way they should go. We can train up our children through quality academic study built on the solid foundation of Truth. I am so grateful for authors and experts who love God’s Word and also excel in their field of study. Many times over the years, I have said a prayer of thanks for how God has been at work—guiding our homeschooling efforts. In the areas where we are lacking, God fills in the gaps for us. He meets our greatest need as our Savior. And He meets our day-to-day needs as we strive to educate our children in a way that honors Him. Let’s be faithful in this pursuit!
(Check out my recommendations in this post—to help you further your curriculum search!)
