The Bible As Curriculum

In just a few weeks, for children, summer comes officially to an end, as schools around the country open their doors for another year of education.  There are parents who are delighted, because they once again have their freedom to come and go as they please without the burden of either taking the children with them, or finding a sitter to watch them while they are away.   

Other parents loathe the idea of school starting again, as they enjoy the time spent with their “littles.”  I admit, I was one of these kinds of parents.  When my children were small, homeschooling was not yet an appealing option of the “educational world” and was honestly frowned upon.  As time has passed, however, we see more and more families taking charge of their family’s education!

As I thought about this, it struck me how uncompromising the public education system is about including Biblical teaching within the curriculum.  It is not only frowned upon, but illegal in most areas!  While visiting a southern state last year, my husband and I were thrilled to hear how one school system not only allowed, but encouraged, the local church congregation to come in their school (before doors opened in late Fall) and pray over every single locker in the school, the teachers and administrators, the hallways, classrooms and lunchroom, as well as, every single potential student that entered the building.  What an incredible testimony!

The response was so great over this prayer walk, not only did that school system encourage the event, but the church congregation was contacted by yet another school who had heard of the previous incident, and asked them to come in and pray over their school, students, and administration, as well!   

While “Believing public school teachers” are compelled to steer away from anything Christian, homeschooling parents often choose this path because they have the freedom to include Bible teaching in their regular curriculum.  One homeschool mom even uses the Bible as her center and works every other subject matter around these fundamental truths found in the Word. She literally uses Bible passages to teach Language, History, Science, Literature, Phonics, Art, Geography, and more!   What a novel idea!

It’s amazing to see how our lives are intertwined with the Bible in each of these specific subjects!  It’s a great reminder to know our lives can be defined (and should be) by the words that fall into this context!  While the Science section seems unlikely, given the reach Science has in our world through technology, there is a wealth of information there…..and it’s interesting to note how often Science, even if inadvertently, will eventually prove the Bible accurate in this field!

Young children, who are taught The Word, are growing in ways unparalleled to their counter parts, who receive no Biblical foundation.  They are taught love and respect, kindness and understanding, forgiveness and a willingness to help one another.  I’m not saying these attributes aren’t taught elsewhere in other homes (or schools), but adding Christ to the equation adds an entirely different dimension. 

I challenge you to evaluate what your children are learning, whether in public, private, or in a homeschooling environment.  Are they learning the Bible, as well as, the fundamental “Reading, Writing, and ‘Rithmetic?”   As parents, it’s our responsibility to know they are!