Ecc 12:12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books [there is] no end, and much study [is] wearisome to the flesh.

This is also very true in homeschooling circles.  There are so many books being made continually.  It is hard to keep up with them all.  For moms who are new to homeschooling it can be particularly wearisome to attempt to choose from among so many homeschool programs.

I sometimes wonder as I hear of new homeschool materials, do we really need another phonics program or another math work book.  Aren’t there enough already out there?  This verse in Ecclesiastes seems to fit so well.  There are so many materials. 

There are a lot of good programs available to homeschoolers.  This is in stark contrast to the first decade of the homeschool movement in which there were barely any choices at all.  Many families had to make their own materials.  Parents had to learn for themselves how to teach as some publishers wouldn’t even sell to homeschoolers.  It’s laughable now to think of how they missed such a financial opportunity. 

Yet that very self reliance of those ‘pilgrim’ homeschoolers helped to ensure that they didn’t pass off many workbooks onto their children.  Of necessity those parents focused on the most important skills and were in fact forced to learn how to teach.

Compare this to the economic history of our nation.  The Pilgrims who first arrived had to be completely self sufficient.  They were so careful to study the scripture.  After seeing how their children had been influenced by worldly ideas in Holland, they wanted to provide a Biblical community for their families.  They didn’t have much in possessions but they did prize the Bible and made it the foundation of their homes.

Then as the course of our nation’s history brought about better and better economic standing the Bible became less and less important.  Of the making of much merchandise there seems to be no end in America.  And the heart wrenching part is that as a nation we have forgotten God.  We have not kept the Bible central in our homes to constantly remind us of who He is and to follow in His ways.  Citizens and laymen have virtually lost the skill of being able to study the Bible; we need preachers to interpret it for us.

I see such a clear parallel in homeschool materials.  Homeschooling has gone from the Pilgrim stage to the affluent stage.  Homeschooling is now a multi-billion – with a B – dollar per year industry.  Consumerism has settled into homeschooling but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad.  As with anything, moderation and wisdom must be exercised.

But what I am concerned about is the commercialism.  I have talked with so many moms who have been experiencing success with certain materials - and then hear from a friend about how about much she is enjoying a different program - begin to have doubts about their own materials.  Madison Avenue has trained our society well; if we don’t have just the right product then we won’t be successful in (you name it) or be happy.  That thinking has fallen into the marketing of homeschool materials.  Some ads even play upon the fear of parents that their kids won’t get a good education.  Many other moms I have met with are looking for the latest, greatest, homeschool workbooks to hand off to their kids.

None of that commercialism is Biblical.  God calls the parents to be diligent in teaching their own.  The methods of instruction found in the Bible are not dependent upon marketing hype.  They are timeless, proven methods for any people in any era.  That means that workbooks are not necessary for training children.  That means that we don’t need to do a lot of shopping just to homeschool.  We don’t have to give in to frustration over the right selection of materials for our homeschool.  God has already provided all that we need for raising our kids in the Bible.  In modern America we may need some paper and pencils which I have no doubt that God will supply. 

Rather than falling into that consumerism I want to encourage you to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matt. 6:33’.  Put God first.  Make the Bible the central text for all subjects.  That includes math, history, and science.  Ask God to give you guidance and peace to replace the commercialism.

At Bible First Family Ministries we want to help you in very practical ways to learn to use the Bible to teach all subjects.  We offer workshops and materials to do just that.  It is our prayer that we are not adding to the confusion of a multitude of books but rather pointing families back to the one, True Book.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.

 

TESTIMONIALS

More and more I am realizing what a gift from the Lord it was that I was able to connect with you several months ago. The Lord truly used it in so many ways to direct me beyond the homeschooling issues. Your input was pivotal and life-changing for our family. What a Godsend you were to me!
Rebecca B.

Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate what you are saying. I really believe I get bogged down sometimes because I’m trying to do what others are doing – and yet I want a different outcome. I struggle constantly with not giving into peer pressure even with the kinds of books I choose to study.
Denise K.