Which Schooling Option Shall I Choose?

Over the years I’ve answered this question dozens of times. Parents love their children and want what is best for their children.

By Bryan Clark
Senior Pastor

They hear various opinions of schooling options on Christian radio and from other parents and find themselves confused over which option is the best option.  So what do I say?  Is one option more spiritual than another option?

I tell people each option has strengths and weaknesses, so you must prayerfully consider all factors and choose as God leads.  I don’t believe one option is more spiritual than any other.  We are fortunate in Lincoln and the surrounding areas to have very good public schools.  For many, that is a good option.  We are also blessed to have a couple of very good Christian schools: Lincoln Christian and Parkview Christian.  There are also many families who do a wonderful job homeschooling their children.

Each parent should prayerfully consider which option best fits the needs of each individual child.  I’ve known a few parents who have utilized all three options because of specific needs in their children during different stages of their children’s development.

Parents need to consider several issues when making their choice.  What is the emotional and spiritual maturity of my child?  What are my child’s greatest needs?  Who is best equipped to meet those needs?  What are the financial issues?  What is the emotional and spiritual condition of our home?  What are the gifts and skills of the parents?  The answers to these questions may change year by year, so schooling options may reflect those changes.

It is very important that parents not sit in judgment of other parents’ choices.  No one option is best for every family.  There is no option that is more loving or more spiritual than another.  I believe God leads families to pursue all three options.  What is most important is that we are guided by our faith and our desire to seek what God would have for our children.  No decision should be motivated by fear or a desire to hide from the world.  Jesus commanded us to be in the world but not of it.

Our responsibility as parents is not just to protect our children, but also to prepare our children to live godly lives of obedience in the midst of a contaminated culture.  Each child, regardless of the schooling option, should be taught and trained to do his or her part in reaching lost people to fulfill the mission Jesus has given us.  If the goal is to avoid the very people God has called us to reach, then we’ve misunderstood our responsibility as Christians and parents.  I can assure you God has not called any of our children to sit on the sidelines and watch others fulfill the mission.
    
Over the years I’ve seen highly effective, mission-driven kids come from all three schooling options.  While each option is different and has its challenges, each can produce outstanding Kingdom builders for God’s glory.  At the end of the day, that’s what matters most to God.  Ask people from each of the three schooling options what have they experienced.  What have been the benefits and what have been the challenges of their schooling choice?  Find teens that model what God wants and find out how their schooling option has affected what they have become.  Then prayerfully seek God’s will and make your choice accordingly.
    
To be sure, the greatest impact will come from parents modeling what they desire their children to become.  No schooling experience can compensate for parents who are not seeking God themselves.  Remember, it’s the responsibility of parents to disciple their children to follow Jesus.  Schools and churches may play a role in that development, but we, as parents, are ultimately responsible.