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by Mike McHugh
The book of Proverbs states in chapter twenty-nine, verse fifteen, “A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” It may also safely be said that a child left to himself will bring a home school endeavor to shame and ultimate ruin. Contrary to the priorities of some home educators, God emphasizes the importance of developing households where children are submissive to righteous parental authority. The Word of God clearly informs parents of the truth that foolishness is bound up in the heart of every child and, therefore, it is incumbent upon mothers and fathers to correct and discipline their children on a regular basis. Home school parents who are serious about success must also be serious about correcting and disciplining all of the children in their household, for no parent educator can hope to succeed while there is unchecked rebellion in their camp.
As one turns back the pages of biblical history, it is clear that a number of famous parents failed to confront their children when they were in sin. The Lord alone knows how many schools, families, churches, and kingdoms have been undermined over the years as a result of negligent parents. In order to keep us humble, the Bible reminds us of the fact that even God-fearing men and women have made foolish and costly errors as parents. King David, for example, failed to deal with his children’s sins on a consistent basis and the results were devastating. Amnon’s incest, Absalom’s pride and treacherous rebellion, and Adonijah’s scheming ambition are all showcased within Scripture along with an explanation regarding why things went so wrong; namely, David’s overindulgent ways as a father. In the case of Adonijah, in 1 Kings 1:6, readers are informed of David’s great blunder as a parent, for we are told that, “His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why has thou done so?” The obvious lesson that parents must not fail to take away from this story, is that if David (who was a man after God’s own heart) reaped massive problems in his household as he neglected to discipline his children, then surely we will do the same if we refuse to shepherd our own offspring.
The good news is that home school parents are in an ideal position to guide and correct their children because they do not have to fear that local secular school teachers will undermine their parenting goals. In addition, home educators also have more opportunities during each week to identify/correct their children’s faults in a biblical manner. This good news in regard to the opportunities available to home schoolers in the area of child discipline must also be tempered by the sobering reality that if these same parents fail to take advantage of these opportunities, they will have nobody to blame but themselves. After all, home school dads and moms do not have the luxury of assuming that other adults outside of their household will be able to help them to get their children under control.
Regrettably, due to the general decline in the American family over multiple generations, it is no longer safe to assume that just because parents chose home education for their children that they are also aware of how to approach the task of child-training in a biblical manner. The plain fact is that even Christian parent educators often struggle to figure out how best to approach the disciplining of their children. Those parents who need help in formulating a sound biblical plan for disciplining their children, would do well to obtain the book entitled What The Bible Says About Child Training by Richard Fugate. This classic text, which is also available in audio CD or DVD format, provides caring adults with practical and Bible-centered advice on how to succeed in the task of disciplining children.
Author and lecturer Richard Fugate, has provided seminars at hundreds of churches and dozens of home school conventions over the last twenty years on the subject of biblical child training. His writings and lectures emphasize how important it is for parents to teach their children that parental authority comes from Almighty God and is governed by His infallible Word. He also emphasizes the importance of setting clear standards and expectations before youngsters at an early age. Parents will also be instructed in regard to the details of when and how to rebuke a wayward child, and how to extend forgiveness to a repentant young person. In addition to these points, Mr. Fugate provides mothers and fathers with an understanding of how best to communicate with children at varying age levels, as well as the correct use of chastisement.
The helpful parenting resources by Richard Fugate can be obtained through Family Ministries at 1-800-545-1729 or by visiting www.familyministries.com .
Christian home school parents must never be deceived into believing that their child’s education is under control if their attitudes and actions are out of control. Trying to teach a rebel is like attempting to camp out in the middle of a forest fire; sooner or later you will get burned! If you have children that are not submissive to your leadership, then determine today to do something biblical to address the root cause of the problem. To do anything less may well cause you to lose more than a home school program, you might also lose your child to the world and the devil.
Copyright 2006 Michael J. McHugh
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