a LETTER TO PARENTS | SermonIndex

O

OK2PRAY Oct 22, 2007

A letter to the parents;

It is important when talking to kids about the subject of prayer in school we don't use harsh or militant words towards the school system.
We should be careful not to pit the school and the student against one another as to make them enemies.

The school will be a major influence in the life of the student...they spend a great deal of time there. That’s why I felt the need to explain this in a way that shows kids that the school will allow them the right to pray.... Instead of the attitude that says...the school can't keep you from praying.

We can teach our kids to stand up for Christ without breeding rebellion to authority!
Sometimes I think that more damage has been done (to confuse and distort the facts) by those who fight for prayer in school than the actual law has done. Not intentionally, of course, but, perhaps, by not keeping the mind of Christ and the spirit of love when confronting this issue.

There are school administrators and parents who will be miss-informed as well.... That’s why we want to educate students to there privilege as Americans, and Christians, to pray.

God Bless Roy Belt

http://www.ok2pray.com

sermonindex Oct 22, 2007

Or better yet... homeschool your kids instead of allowing our government to indoctrinate them with humanist values and evolutionary thought.

To be honest, no where in scripture can I find any justification for putting our kids in such a setting. In fact, scripture says just the opposite. Psalm chapter 1 to start with.

Krispy

O

OK2PRAY Oct 23, 2007

although i would readily agree with you...i will, however point out that there are circumstances beyond ones control that often require that one send their child to the public school system. In such cases, whether it be financial or relational, we must make it our priority to equip these kids to be Godly lights in the society that they will live in for the rest of their lives!
God Bless:
Roy :-)

S

seanjol Oct 23, 2007

Krispy,

Thanks for that comment on Psalm 1. I am rather dim and have never equated that passage in light of homeschooling our children. I know that it was not written specifically for homeschooling but it does provide a great biblical reason to homeschool along with some of the other much quoted passages.

We recently have had family and some aquaintences over and they always comment about our children's manners and behavior. Inevitably though they will ask how long we plan to homeschool, as if we will deprive them of something great by keeping them out of high school. I will keep Psalm 1 in mind for these times. Thanks again.

Sean

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

although i would readily agree with you...i will, however point out that there are circumstances beyond ones control that often require that one send their child to the public school system. In such cases, whether it be financial or relational, we must make it our priority to equip these kids to be Godly lights in the society that they will live in for the rest of their lives!

Absolutely, and I will not stand in judgement on those who decide to put their kids in public schools.

Some Christian kids do manage to be a light in a very dark place, but I would venture a guess that most Christian kids are more influenced by that environment than the other way around.

Krispy

M

Miccah Oct 23, 2007

KrispyKrittr wrote: Absolutely, and I will not stand in judgement on those who decide to put their kids in public schools.
Some Christian kids do manage to be a light in a very dark place, but I would venture a guess that most Christian kids are more influenced by that environment than the other way around.
Krispy

I agree. I also believe that there are circumstances where christian children need to be in public schools when no other option is available for these children. My children are home schooled.

This question arises. What constitutes putting your child into a public school? When you truly look at the situation, is it dictated by time, money, effort? If you are sending your child to ublic schools because you don't want to do, or loose some of these things stated, I would suggest rethinking your strategy on child development.

Many many times 'Christian' parents will send their own children into the lions den because they (parents) truly serve money over God. I do not say this accusingly, but just what I have seen. These parents are too bond by worldly items and wants over the true needs of their children... and that is a place of learning where truth in the Lord is taught, saftey is given, and parents stand up and become what they were called to do when the Lord gave them children...be teachers to them.

Again, I am not trying to generalize every christian family that chooses public schools, but only the vast majority of Laodicea.

Miccah

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

Many time both parents "have to work". Yet, I know many many families that have 7 or 8 kids and the father works two jobs just to keep mom home so they can homeschool.

Look at George Muller
http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpmueller.html

He started a home for orphans with absolutely nothing. He trusted God to provide every need, and He did. Muller never asked for donations, yet people all over England donated food and money.

Most families do not homeschool because they do not trust God. They trust employment. I've seen God miraculously provide for many families... including my own.

What I dont have patience for are families that say they cant afford to homeschool, yet they have new SUV's, $400,000 house, and toys galore. These things are not a sin in and of themselves, but if a set of parents sacrifices their children in order to have that kind of materialistic lifestyle, that is a sin.

And then I see families trusting God day to day, and they manage to do a wonderful job of homeschooling... on extremely meager incomes... and their is such joy I've witnessed in these families. They may be poor materially, but they are very rich spiritually.

I'd rather be rich in spirit, and poor in the eyes of the world. Fortunately God has blessed my business... but what I say is true.

Krispy

M

MSeaman Oct 23, 2007

In the case of my children, I would love them to be homeschooled. However, my husband will not allow it. He knew a family growing up that homeschooled their children. That family had some issues, so he is against homeschooling altogether. It makes no sense to me to compare our family with that family because we are different people. But I guess that excuse is as good as any.:(

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

In the case of my children, I would love them to be homeschooled. However, my husband will not allow it. He knew a family growing up that homeschooled their children. That family had some issues, so he is against homeschooling altogether. It makes no sense to me to compare our family with that family because we are different people. But I guess that excuse is as good as any.:(

I've run into people who say kind of the same thing as your husband... "we knew this family that was totally screwed up and really messed their kids up by homeschooling. So we keep them in the public school."

While there are some parents who are not homeschooling correctly, are we to believe that the public schools are perfect institutions that crank out perfect citizens? I went to a rural public high school... learned to cuss by the time I was 6, smoked my first cigarette in the bathroom, smoked my first joint in 7th grade behind the football stadium, was drinking heavily by the time I was in 8th grade, lost my virginity in 9th grade, played football which gave me access to cheerleaders... oh, almost forgot... saw my first porn magazine on the bus in 3rd or 4th grade.

All the while being told we decended from apes, asked to consider that other religions are just as valuable to society as Christianity, taught that abortion is a choice, etc etc...

Out of a graduating class of 87 in 1985, 8 of my classmates are dead. 7 are currently in jail. Less than 30% went on to college. 22 of us joined the military rather than work at McDonalds for the rest of our lives. (I went to college when I got of the military)

Yea... I'd say the public school is great alternative when I consider the small percentage of families that are not homeschooling in a correct manner.

Maybe someday your husband will open his eyes. I'll remember you in my prayers.

Krispy

PS... there was a movie that came out in the early 80's called "Teachers". I dont normally recommend movies on here because I've simply quit watching 99% of what Hollywood is churning out... but for parents who are riding the fence about homeschooling, I recommend this movie. After watching it you will never send your kid to a public school again. And this is not how Hollywood intended people to view this movie... but if your spiritual eyes are open, you'll see.

M

MSeaman Oct 23, 2007

Krispy,
thanks, I will see if I can find that movie and get my husband to watch it...although his spiritual eyes are still closed pretty tight. I agree with all you have posted. There is a charter school in town that I've heard isn't like the public school. A lot of Christians send their kids there if they can't homeschool or afford Christian education. It seems that will be my best choice if I can convince my husband.

On a side note, you have revealed your approximate age to me and you are way younger than I figured you to be. I guess that proves that wisdom doesn't only belong to older people. :)

Thanks for the prayers as well.

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

I will warn you... that is an R-rated movie, and for good reason. This movie holds the teachers up as heroes, however in light of scripture they are unregenerate lost souls. I only suggest this movie because it does a good job of representing how awful schools were... in the 1980's. Compared to today, it's much worse now.

I loved the movie when I was a kid. Now I find it repulsive.

By the way, yea... just turned 40 a month ago.

Krispy

PS... before someone accuses me of casting all public school teachers as unregenerates, I am well aware that many are not. In fact, I am all for Christians becoming public school teachers IF, and only IF, the reason they want to be public school teachers is to make a difference for Christ in the public schools.

M

MSeaman Oct 23, 2007

Thanks for the warning. I looked it up and I won't be watching it. I knew as soon as I saw Nick Nolte, it wouldn't be something I would want to see. It is amazing how things we liked when we were younger (or unsaved, whichever applies), just don't appeal anymore. I always hope that just means that God is working that out of me. :)

I went to public schools and they are way worse now. How can people be so blind.:(

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

Yea, that was kinda my point. I hesitated recommending that movie, but it so illustrates how backwards the world has it. I dont have the stomache for those kind of movies either.

Anyway, you get the idea of what I am talking about.

Krispy

H

HisDaughter Oct 23, 2007

Krispy-

How saddened I am by your input in this thread as it echoes what I know to be true. My heart yearns to homeschool my children, yet it is not a possibility as a single mother. I agree wholeheartedly that public schools have a much greater risk of covering the light that our children might shine in such a dark place. I too have seen the impact of public school on my own life as a "Christian" youth, and fear the impact on my children. My greatest fear in this world is that my children would choose to turn away from God and His ways as they are exposed to such darkness. Lord be with me and many others who must expose our children to the depravity of this world daily.

I pray that many Christian parents who have the option of homeschooling, yet choose not to, would see the terrible risks that they are taking with their children's lives by throwing them into the lions den. My heart breaks daily while taking my children to school and I pray that the Lord would keep them from evil while they are still young and vulnerable.

Lord I pray; save this generation of youth from the world and the evil one!

sermonindex Oct 23, 2007

How saddened I am by your input in this thread as it echoes what I know to be true.

As I read the first half of this sentence I prepared myself to be rebuked... only to be broken in my heart for your situation.

It is tough, and in your situation it is nearly impossible for you to homeschool (tho somehow, some have made it happen). I dont have an answer for you, tho I wish I did.

Perhaps God has a Christian man out there for you and will make this a possibility. Perhaps God has other plans... I dont know.

But do know that my heart goes out for you, and my hat is off to you for having the guts to raise your children on your own. I dont know what that's like, but I know it is difficult.

Matthew 6:33 ~~[i]~~But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and ~~[b]~~all[/b] these things shall be added unto you.[/i]

Not some... all.

Krispy

O

OK2PRAY Oct 23, 2007

We are called to protect our kids! That's what i am hearing you all say...and i agree. I, personally, prefer christian school (for the social setting and the social interaction it promotes with other kids) I think homeschooling is great! And my prayers go out to all the families who can't homeschool (for real reasons beyond their control.) But keep in mind that the home is the most effective place of influence and God is bigger than the school your kids go to! If your husband won't allow homeschooling or you can't afford christian school, or whatever the situation... have confidence in God that he will help you raise your kids and you train them up in the way they should go...and God is faithful to help you do just that!
I've known kids who went to public school (and i'm 35 by the way) and they turned out great and on fire for God...on the other hand i've known kids who were homeschooled and even spent 12 years in a christian school that won't darken the doors of the church house today!
"The home..." thats the place of Godly (or ungodly) influence. Be of good courage and take heart....God is bigger than the problems we face: yes, even with our children!
God Bless:
Roy Belt :-)

sermonindex Oct 24, 2007

I, personally, prefer christian school (for the social setting and the social interaction it promotes with other kids)

I agree with most of what you said, but that line I quoted above did make me chuckle... anyone who thinks homeschool kids dont get socialization is sadly misinformed about homeschooling. Are there some families that seclude their children from everybody and everything? I'm sure there are... but they make up about 1% of homeschooling families. There is so much for homeschoolers now-a-days. The old "socialization" issue is a joke to most of us.

I'm asked all the time "what about socialization?" to which I reply "I'm not trying to raise socialists!" LOL

It's become such a joke, actually, that on our van there is a bumper sticker that says "CAUTION: UNSOCIALIZED HOMESCHOOLERS ONBOARD".

As for homeschoolers and Christian school kids who grow up and reject God... I would blame that on the parents, not the style of education they received.

Krispy