As we approach upon the new school year, that question always arises: why do I home school?

Is it to give my children an excellent education, far superior to public schools? Is it so that I can shelter them from outside influences? Is it so that I can teach them at their own pace, and individualize their curriculum to suit their learning styles?

While all these do have there place in my reasons for homeschooling, they are really minuscule in the grand scheme of things.

For the most part, my husband and I are first generation Christians. As children, we attended church sporadically and were taught some basics, but being a Christian didn’t influence how we thought, what we did, or who we were. It was just something that we did on Sunday. The little strings of faith that we had then certainly helped us to get where we are today. and we are grateful for the faith that was given to us. But we have a much larger vision for our own family.

Since we have become parents, suddenly imparting our faith and values took on a whole new meaning. Having children gave us an urgency to train them up in righteousness, holiness, faith and love and to pass that onto the generations after us. It opened our eyes and hearts to see that training our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord can not only affect their souls for eternity, it can impact this sin darkened world far beyond the four walls of our home.

Our reasons for homeschooling extend far beyond academics. Homeschooling goes far beyond their “educational” years. It isn’t about getting through high school, passing a test, or having a good career. It is about building their foundation on the Rock, brick by brick, stone by stone (Matthew 7:24-27). In my little corner of homeschooling, I am training warriors for His army, disciples, future voters and leaders, men and woman who will impact this world for years to come. We believe we can steer the course of a nation through diligent, Godly training of our children, and their children, and the children after them. God’s vision for family has always been multi generational (Deut 6:2) and ours should be as well. We may not reap the harvest right away, but we are sowing into that harvest as we work to teach, guide, and love our children as God has called us.(Deut. 6:7)

The actions of my children will be based on what they believe. How they view marriage, careers, money, God, creation, law and theology, to name a few, will be a reflection of what they believe. If they are not trained in truth according to God’s word, then they will be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14) Instead may my children love God with all their heart and mind, from infancy know the holy Scriptures, grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God, take every thought captive to Christ, dwell on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable so that they can be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So why do I home school? Because if I am not teaching my children doctrine, someone else will. If I am not shaping their beliefs, someone else is. If don’t have their hearts, someone else does. Homeschooling is a lot of work, it is hard, it has caused us to sacrifice many things in this life. No matter the difficulties, whatever the sacrifice, there is no other choice for us. What good is it if I gain the world, yet lose my children’s souls? I would much rather live this life being able to proclaim that I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk with the Lord.

By Guest Contributor Stephanie Glidden