by Yvonne Strachan

“What is the point?”

This is one of the most common questions children ask about academic study. Thank God for this question! It presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on and convey the true purpose behind your home education efforts.

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).

Since God’s Word is relevant to every area of life, we must effectively disciple our children through every subject. But how do we do that? After all, what does God have to do with language arts or math? Read on to find out! You may be surprised by what you discover!

Home Discipleship Through Language Arts

I remember the first year when I started homeschooling my oldest child. Initially, I thought I would only ask my daughter simple questions about the stories she was reading to help her recall what happened. I did not anticipate asking more profound questions to encourage her to think about the characters’ situations, their reactions, and how these relate to what the Bible teaches. These deep critical thinking questions helped both of us understand the impact stories can have on people and, therefore, significantly impacted my efforts to disciple all my children throughout their educational journeys.

Teaching your children to read, spell, and write is the first step in helping them become effective communicators. As they progress through the study of language arts, you can guide them in learning to evaluate information, various forms of media, and interactions with others through the lens of the Bible. As your children learn to research and write, they will formulate opinions based on the unchanging Word of God. They will also sharpen deep reasoning and clear communication skills, empowering them to intelligently and unwaveringly address the issues we face in culture today. As a homeschool parent, you can help your children logically and skillfully navigate our world and better position them to impact the culture for Christ!

Home Discipleship Through Math

Many do not realize that humankind did not create math. The fact that we can discover and describe consistent patterns and rhythms throughout creation is proof of our great and wise God. These consistencies are found throughout the universe, transversing space and time; proof that math existed before us, originating from God in the beginning. It is the discovery of remarkably consistent patterns and rhythms throughout God’s creation that has allowed us to establish fundamental, reliable, and unchanging mathematical laws. This realization inspires a sense of awe and wonder, emphasizing the profound connection between mathematics and the underlying logic and structure of the universe. As homeschool parents, we can demonstrate profound examples of stability and organization within our universe day after day in math class. After all, has five plus five ever equaled any number besides ten?

Even when we feel the monotony of day-to-day math problems, we must help our children understand that math is not just about learning facts and formulas. As our children learn new mathematical processes, contemplate missing information, and understand the relevance of ifs and thens, they also learn how to think through problems systematically and logically. You can help your kids light up in wonder and excitement while studying math as you point out God’s intricate geometric patterns that reveal formulas like the Fibonacci sequence in nature while observing snowflakes, seashells, and more.

Finally, you can help your kids understand the relevance of math every day as you serve your family and others through various activities, such as grocery shopping or measuring ingredients while cooking a meal.

Home Discipleship Through Science

As Christians, we must understand and embrace a biblical perspective of creation, considering all aspects of life within the context of the Bible: God’s creation, humanity’s fall, and our salvation through Jesus Christ. The fact that God made us in His image, with the ability to think, reason, and evaluate, is evidence that He exists. Sadly, in our fallen world, people often leave God out of historical science.

As we teach our children science, we must consider that human presuppositions impact how we observe and understand the world around us. Therefore, we can highlight different perspectives on nature and examine varying interpretations of its evidence. As we study God’s creation, we must examine discrepancies widely accepted by the secular scientific community while pointing out how the same evidence aligns with the Bible. For example, we can point out that the secular scientists’ position that dinosaur tissue somehow remained pliable for millions of years doesn’t make sense. Instead, the evidence supports the biblical timeline in the Book of Genesis. We can also point out that polystrate fossils (leaves, tree trunks, and marine life) span through multiple rock layers, evidence of quick burial during the flood. 

Additionally, we can help our children understand how they can use what they learn in science to help others and glorify God. For instance, meteorologists can utilize data from weather stations to create computer models incorporating temperature, wind, and other factors. This data helps them predict the area that might be affected by an approaching hurricane, enabling them to provide preparedness and evacuation recommendations to residents in the potentially impacted area.

As you work through experimentation and discussion, your children can develop an understanding that science is not the foundation of truth; rather, it is a tool to help us better understand God and His creation and how to wisely use the resources He has given us. 

Home Discipleship Through Civics and History

Studying history allows us to delve into the intricacies of human behavior and the far-reaching impacts of societal decline. Delving into the intersection of Bible study and historical analysis enables us to discern evidence of God’s grand design within the ascension and downfall of various civilizations. When you study history this way, it will become apparent that societies prosper when they embrace faith and uphold God-aligned values. In contrast, those who deviate from this path lose the safeguard of God’s protection. This historical exploration provides profound insights into how people’s perspectives, ethical frameworks, and fundamental beliefs mold societal transformation and discord. It also reveals that despite advancements in academia, societies can succumb to moral decay, greed, and violence. Such reflection underscores the significance of comprehending our inherent God-given rights and freedoms and the importance of opposing governmental intrusions encroaching upon them.

As Christians, our salvation through Jesus Christ enables us to experience a peace many cannot comprehend. As you study history with your children, remember to share real-life stories where ordinary individuals shine as beacons of hope for others, such as in The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Remind your children that even during our most challenging times, we can be a light in others’ lives by sharing the source of our hope.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight (Proverbs 9:10 ESV).

So, what is the point of academic study? It is not for our children to amass knowledge so that they can live a consumer lifestyle. The point of academic study is to help our children recognize that God is the foundation of all life and all knowledge and to encourage and equip them to combine their knowledge, gifts, and compassion to serve others and glorify God in all they do!

Your homeschooling friend,

Yvonne Strachan

P.S. How have your home discipleship efforts inspired and equipped your children to serve others? Please share your testimony in the comments below!

Did you miss our blog post about home discipleship outside of academics? Read it here!

About the Author: Yvonne Strachan

Yvonne Strachan is on a mission to inspire and empower parents as she and her husband disciple their children, including one who has special needs. She is the author of the book Inspirational Homeschooling, writes blog posts, and has had her articles published in magazines. She also supports the homeschool community by interviewing others as a radio show host. Drawing from her professional experience consulting with parents who are educating their children at home and teaching homeschool art classes for nearly a decade, Yvonne co-founded a home education support group in her community. What joy it brings her to combine all these passions as she serves homeschool families with CHEC!