Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
If you are reading this, you are already doing great! Not because of this article, but because you are putting the time in to get ideas and learn, to make an educated, and hopefully Biblical, decision about discipling and educating your child! Well done, Dad! Well done, Mom! (Well done, Grandparent!?)
As Christian parents we want the best for our children. I would hope that we can all agree on that.
As Christian parents we want the best for our children… but what is “best”? On this point, our agreement may quickly start to break down.
Just focusing on education we may disagree on who should educate our children, what activities they should participate in, how to handle screen time, and many other topics.
There is certainly room for variety in what is meant by “best”, but ultimately what is “best” isn’t what we, as parents, decide, but what God has told us clearly in His word.
We begin instructing our children from the day they are born (if not before). Before they can talk, they will be internalizing the culture of the home. What are the values? How do we treat each other? etc.
This post is going to focus primarily on the education of our children in the “school age” years. However, our prayer is that it would encourage Christian parents to think more broadly into what we value and how those values are being passed along to our children… or more importantly, What does GOD value and how are those values being passed along to our children?
Rather than our writing, we are going to provide a logical organization of links to several other resources. Among so many resources out there, we have found these to be a good starting place when thinking through God’s view of education and how we are going to answer God’s call to, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4).
Where are you coming from?
Before we begin, here are some questions to consider. We recommend writing your answers to help you solidify your thoughts more clearly.
What influences your decisions?
- How do each of the following impact your view of how to raise and educate children?
- Your Own Experience
- The Surrounding Culture
- God’s Word
- What does God’s Word say about raising and educating children? (Give verses)
Who should educate children?
- What role should each of the following have in educating children?
- Parents/Grandparents
- Church
- State/Government
- What are your thoughts about each of the following for educating children?
- Public school
- Christian school
- Homeschool
- What is the “right way” to educate children?
Let’s start at the beginning…
(If you haven’t answered the above questions yet, we suggest doing so before continuing.)
Before looking specifically at what God has to say about education, we found it to be helpful to understand what education is, and what it has looked like throughout human history.
While human nature tends to be drawn to “the Bad”, be sure to start at the beginning with “Part 1: The Good”.
Video (Audio only): The Underground History of Education, Part 1: The Good
Video (Audio only): The Underground History of Education, Part 2: The Bad
These two recordings by Robyn van Eck (Grammar of Grace) were presented at the 2024 Branson Teach Them Diligently conference. Videos of the talks from a 2022 Grammar of Grace practicum are available, but I found these audio recordings to have better sound quality and be slightly updated.
What does God have to say?
Now that we have an understanding of the history of education, we need to consider the more important question, “What does God have to say about it?” Does God even give clear, specific direction in His Word?
While listening, please don’t pay attention to what Israel Wayne has to say… pay very careful attention to what God has to say through His Word.
Video (Audio only): Education Does God Have an Opinion
This talk by Israel Wayne (Family Renewal) was presented at the 2026 Branson Teach Them Diligently conference. His book of the same title is also available.
Let’s Put it Together!
So we’ve looked at the history of education and we’ve seen what God has to say. Now let’s put the two together and look at some action points.
Voddie Baucham, Jr. looks at the history, effects, and Biblical view of education in “Children of Caesar, Part 1”.
(Note: Part 2 is also good, but is about parenting and discipleship of our children, not about school choice.)
Video: Children of Caesar, Part 1
Heidi St. John (heidistjohn.net) looks at a lot of the same basic information with additional insights.
(Recorded at Teach Them Diligently 2024 Branson)
Video (Audio only): “The Battle for the Heart of Education in Woke America”
Encouraged? Convicted? Where to Begin?
Follow up questions
- Look at your answers above. How have your views been challenged or encouraged?
- What does the Bible say about how we are to disciple and educate our children?
- What action points do you need to take to more fully align with God’s view of discipleship and education?
All of the above may have encouraged you. It may have convicted you. As you think about what to do next, it may have scared you.
The goal of this post is simply to awaken and give the vision. Other posts and resources give ideas and step by step guides for beginning a journey in discipling your children at home. If your heart has been awakened, enjoy the joyous, God given blessing of growing together with your children! You don’t have to be good enough. God is good enough, and the best thing that the whole family can learn is to trust him fully! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, Knowledge, etc.
Additional Resources
Hopefully the above resources have caused you to think. Here are some additional resources to consider.
Documentary: IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America
- I recommend listening to the above before watching the documentary. Some things go quickly in the video, and having the background in place will be helpful.
- The documentary also looks at the impact Christian teachers can (or can’t) have in the public schools.
3rd Culture Living 