How many of us as parents have ever thought that? As we look at the culture around us, we wonder why we’d EVER send our kids to the “wolves,” so to speak. I know I have. Some send their kids to Christian school or teach their kids at home to protect them from the evil that our world has to offer. While protecting our kids is a good thing, is it always the right thing? Now, I’m not saying that private or home schooling isn’t good, but should we as Christians also consider that, by sending our kids to public schools, they could be a witness? Instead of cursing the darkness, turn on a light. Are we known more about what we’re against, our what we’re FOR (which is Jesus)?
Suggested Reading: Matthew 4:16, Matthew 5:16, John 1:5, John 8:12
I disagree! First your scripture verses are taken out of context and are being applied to children, who may or may not be saved. Every believing parent desires for their children’s justification, by grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone.
However, this message may cause parents to doubt or change their minds about homeschooling, and in a sense, give them another excuse to justify sending them to a public or private institution to be instructed in the “traditions of man”.
I am even more concerned about most “Christian schools” being a safe place for my child to be educated.
This idea about sending immature children believers into the darkness of public education sends the wrong message to them concerning “authority”. We teach our children to respect their parents, elders and teachers and then you send them to a public school that teaches them that they can be what ever they desire and that their parents are wrong about everything, while disparaging them in front of their peers. I love your Keys for Kids, but the Parent Minute, not so much.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart with me. I truly appreciate your passion for protecting kids and pointing them toward Christ. Please know that my intention wasn’t to suggest that homeschooling or Christian schools aren’t great options—they certainly are, and many families have found them to be the best place for their children to grow both spiritually and academically.
What I was hoping to communicate is that I also know some parents who feel called to keep their kids in public schools so they can be a light in that environment. That’s certainly not the path for everyone, and I would never want to make it seem like it should be. But just like missionaries who live and serve in spiritually dark places overseas, some families believe God has placed them in their local schools to shine His light there.
Ultimately, each family needs to prayerfully seek God’s wisdom for their own situation, trusting Him to guide them. I deeply value your feedback, and I’ll continue to strive to encourage parents in a way that uplifts, strengthens, and points all of us back to Christ and His Word. Thank you for loving your kids well and for loving this ministry.Thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart with me. I truly appreciate your passion for protecting kids and pointing them toward Christ. Please know that my intention wasn’t to suggest that homeschooling or Christian schools aren’t great options—they certainly are, and many families have found them to be the best place for their children to grow both spiritually and academically.
What I was hoping to communicate is that I also know some parents who feel called to keep their kids in public schools so they can be a light in that environment. That’s certainly not the path for everyone, and I would never want to make it seem like it should be. But just like missionaries who live and serve in spiritually dark places overseas, some families believe God has placed them in their local schools to shine His light there.
Ultimately, each family needs to prayerfully seek God’s wisdom for their own situation, trusting Him to guide them. I deeply value your feedback, and I’ll continue to strive to encourage parents in a way that uplifts, strengthens, and points all of us back to Christ and His Word. Thank you for loving your kids well and for loving this ministry.
In terms of context — If someone were to say these verses were written about kids in school, then yes—that would be out of context. But if they are being used as an encouragement that Jesus is the Light, and that those who follow Him are called to reflect His light in dark places, then it’s a fair application. The key is to be clear that the text points to Christ first, and that our kids (if they are believers) reflect Him, not replace Him. I certainly didn’t do that well. It’s hard to do in 60 seconds.
I’m sorry you’re not a fan of Parent Minute. I ask God, each day, to help me be a blessing to parents who are sometimes struggling and dealing with daily life. It can be so hard. But God is good and even uses our mistakes to shape us AND our kids. I hope God has blessed you with at least one small nugget from Parent Minute over these years.
I hope you’ll look up some of the other Parent Minute subjects we’ve done on home and Christian education. I’ve talked about all of them over the years.
Greg, thank you for your efforts and ministry.
As to today’s program, I had the same very negative reaction to that specific broadcast and echo many of the same concerns as expressed in the comments by David J McCarthy, listed above. We have sadly seen the spiritual and moral shipwrecks of generations of students who, although ,raised in Godly environments, fell by the wayside in large part by the influences of public school peer pressure. As a 17 year former music teacher in the public schools I also too often saw children compromise morals and behavior as the peer pressure of public schools pressed them to not stand out, not be different. And this was while their parents assumed that these dear children were being shining lights for Jesus in a dark environment. Their downfalls were all too common, their being a “witness” too rare..
The tone of your comments about home schooling and private schools seemed overly negative, even to the point of disdaining and perhaps even ridiculing those forms of education. That surprised me, and perhaps I am overly sensitive to voice tone in so saying–however, that was my reaction both in hearing the broadcast and in listening again on your site.
The positive results of home schooling and private schools cannot be over emphasized; I speak as a former 17 year public school teacher, 30+ year home school support group leader, home schooling parent and now grandparent, and one who is active in area home schooling cooperative gatherings, and as such very familar with the positive and consistently remarkable results of home schooling.
And, as the board president of our local Christian radio station, WHWL, in Marquette, Michigan, I too am concerned about the possible stumblingblock of doubt this program may bring to the homeschooling arena, particularily during difficult days when the parent may be tempted to simply abandon the effort and dedication needed and simply take an easier route–to send the child to a public school. Unfortunately, this can lead to a sad result in the changes in the child’s behavior, relationship with the parent and siblings, and overall with the relationship and walk with the Lord.
And in so saying my intent is not to judge every parent who actually feels that the Lord is calling them to send the child to the public school setting, but merely to emphasize that there is a spiritual battle going on for the hearts and futures of these children.
Again, Greg, thank you for your ministry and God’s blessings to you.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt message. I can hear your love for kids and your deep desire to see them walk faithfully with Christ. I also appreciate your long experience in both public education and homeschooling—you’ve seen firsthand both the struggles and the blessings, and that perspective is valuable.
I want to be clear: I was not intending to ridicule or demean homeschooling or Christian schools. In fact, I believe wholeheartedly that both can be wonderful and wise options for families who feel called that way. At the same time, I also know parents who feel the Lord has called them to keep their children in public schools so that they can be a witness. That isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t the “better” choice—it’s simply where God has led them. Just as with missionaries who are called to shine the light of Christ in spiritually dark places, some parents believe their children are to do the same in the public setting.
You are absolutely right that the spiritual battle for our kids’ hearts is real. We all have seen kids raised in Christian homes who have walked away, whether they were homeschooled, in private schools, or in public schools. That’s why I want to emphasize what you already know well: it is God, through His Holy Spirit, who brings our kids to saving faith in Christ. No educational choice guarantees salvation. Our job as parents is to faithfully teach and model the Word of God to our children, as the Lord commands in Deuteronomy 6:6–7: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
We are to be wise, prayerful, and discerning about how we raise and educate our kids. For some families, that means homeschooling. For others, Christian school. And for some, it means public school. None of these choices saves our kids—only Christ does. But in each case, God calls us to shepherd their hearts toward Him. Our kids are our first mission field.
Thank you again for your gracious spirit, for standing for truth, and for your encouragement to me personally. I’m grateful for your ministry and for your example of faithfulness.
Greg, thanks for your response and insights. Continued blessings to you and thank you for your ministry. And yes, without question, it the Lord’s work in our kids’ lives that we pray for and diligently encourage.
Blessings,
Jim