Foundations: Back to the Basics (Part 8)
Categories: Léo’s Insights 2023-2024, Back to the Basics
The most fundamental component of any structure is its foundation. We all know this, yet when it comes to raising children – essentially building a life – we often forget the importance of building upon a solid foundation for living. This is not usually the case for the home educating, as the most common reason for deciding to home educate in the first place is a general dissatisfaction with the school system, particularly regarding faith issues.
This may be a mouthful and will likely not rest well with some, but faith-based schools are not much better than secular public schools. In fact, I personally view faith-based schools as potentially more dangerous than the others. My reason for believing this is rooted in pragmatism. Parents for whom faith is important are more likely to intervene in a child’s school life if they are going to a school that does not advance faith as its foundation. On the other hand, there is a much greater possibility of parents abdicating their responsibility to teach their children about God if the children are attending a school and/or church that portends to being faith-based.
We would do well to notice something about the often quoted biblical mantra of home education, Proverbs 22:6. While it states “Train up a child in the way that he should go”, I am amazed that so few people have considered who that passage is addressing. It can only be the parents of the child. Nothing else makes sense. That training does not mention Math or English or Science for that matter. I take that to mean that the establishment of a solid faith foundation takes precedence over everything else. This is what is actually required of parents. If we seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, all things, including the academic “requirements” for each individual child will be added onto (unto?) them. This is the only standard expectation that should motivate people of faith.
To learn more about faith foundations, see the Worldview Series: https://leogaumont.com/index.php/category/blog2017/worldview/
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