By guest author Samantha Parker

I believe God has given parents the primary responsibility for raising their children. My parents didn’t “go with the flow” but instead chose to educate my siblings and I at home. And I am so thankful! Here are a few reasons why:

1. Homeschooling enabled us to grow up sharing life as a family. We learned alongside each other.
2. We were able to be taught scriptural principles all the time. Imagine how confusing it is when children are taught one thing at school and another at home. Who do you think is likely to win the battle for that child’s mind and heart?
3. Our schooling was never constrained to “bookwork.” Homeschooling gave us the opportunity to learn countless “real life” skills; for example: building a garage and cottage from the ground up, planning a menu and preparing it, dealing with attitude problems, serving other families in need, and running a business (which includes interacting with customers, marketing the product, and keeping financial records).
4. Homeschooling gave us much-needed flexibility. My youngest brother Micah was almost two years old when he passed away. I would have missed being a big part of his life if I had attended a typical school.
5. Homeschooling has given me the opportunity to observe my parents firsthand and see how marriage is lived out in day-to-day life. We don’t always get an accurate picture from books and movies!

Are you are discouraged today, wondering if homeschooling is worth the effort? Let me encourage you — it is worth the effort! Our adversary the devil wants us to be discouraged. He is “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

We must “put on the whole armor of God … For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Take heart, “If God is for us, who can be against us? … We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:31, 37).

I salute all of you Christian homeschooling parents. I firmly believe you are doing one of the best things in the world for your child (see Proverbs 22:6). We need to raise up the next generation to stand firm for Christ in the face of a world that hates Him. Let us live for Christ’s approval alone, longing to one day hear Him say, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant’” (Matthew 25:21).

About the Author: Samantha Parker

Samantha Parker loves to encourage others in the Lord through writing. She also enjoys working with her family, reading good books, catching up with friends, and volunteering with the Home Educators Association of Virginia. A homeschool graduate, Samantha is the oldest of seven children and writes from Gloucester, Virginia.