Guest Writer: Kathleen Kwasniewski
Over thirty years ago, a young couple prayed over me that I would be a good mother. At first, I was a little annoyed because they were not much older than I was and probably didn’t know anymore than I did and I already thought I was a good mother! Then, as I humbly prayed, I felt led to homeschool my daughter. I knew I did not want my child to be taught in worldly ways. I was not a teacher; I had no idea how, or where, to begin. So, I embarked on a wonderful journey of training my child in not only mathematics, reading, science, and other subjects, but also about God and His amazing word.
At the time, I was a young Christian and not well versed in the scriptures, so it was a learning experience for both of us, and it was a marvelous one. Of course, we had our differences and squabbles, but we can look back now with fond memories of that time. I continued to homeschool my second daughter with much the same results and absolutely no regrets. I was doing what the word tells us to do without knowing it. In Deuteronomy 11:18-19 it says:
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Now, I didn’t have God’s words tattooed on my hands or wear funky bandanas, nor did I always get it right, but I did my best to live and talk about the Lord in everyday situations.
That is my story, but God always has better ones. For instance, the story of Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as told in Daniel 1:8 & 3:17. These young men had resolved not to defile themselves or worship any other god than the One True God of heaven and earth.
I am convinced Daniel and his friends were a product of Deuteronomy 11:18-19 training. Their parents lived under the reforms of king Josiah and taught these boys how to revere the God of heaven and earth, so that even as captives in a hostile environment they were able to remain committed to the Lord their God. They held high positions in Babylon, survived a decree to kill all the wise men, came out of a fiery furnace unscathed and untouched by a bunch of hungry lions in a closed pit! What a testimony to a life lived for God.
Timothy is another example of being raised and taught in a Christ centered environment. It says that Timothy knew the scriptures from infancy. As Paul admonishes and encourages Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14-15, he says: “but as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures.” Does continue sound familiar? The Bible tells us to “train our children in the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not depart from it.” —Proverbs 22:6. Paul also remembers Timothy’s grandmother’s and mother’s faith and how they passed that unto him. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” —2 Timothy 1:5. I like how he says that sincere faith lived in his grandmother and in his mother. The word lived, sounds like every day life was centered around Jesus, and taught not only with words but by example. His grandmother and mother lived their faith and let Timothy to Christ, and Timothy became one of the churches great leaders that changed the world.
So, how important is it to give our children a Christ centered education? Some may wonder if it is really that important. As we watch the growing apostasy in our world, it may be the most important thing a parent can do. We need to help our children grow in their faith and understanding of Jesus Christ. We need to give them a space where their faith is welcomed and where the Lord can be celebrated. We need to do all that we can to help them resolve in their hearts to be committed to the Lord. When we can study Psalms as poetry, discuss Creation in science, and explore Biblical themes in art and music, we can help solidify their beliefs through a Christ centered education.
I am praying for each student that attends Christian Virtual School, that they will be strengthened in their faith, that their confidence in God’s word grows, and that they live a Christ centered life.
Be greatly blessed and encouraged in the Lord.
