I Went To Public School
and I Turned Out Okay.
Can’t My Children Do The Same?
The short answer is yes. Just like you did, your kids can turn out okay. Maybe even better than okay. But our arrival at a place called “okay” does not necessarily mean that all our choices along the way were the right ones, or that our educational experience was the best one.
The real questions are these: Are you the same person today that you would have been had you attended Christian school? And what about the journey that brought you here? Might it have been a little more joyful, a little less troublesome? Is it possible that God could have used you for His glory even more than He already has?
These are questions only you can answer, and if you haven’t already, why not do it right now? Give this issue an honest, thoughtful look, and then ask God what His will is regarding your children’s education.
Many Of My Friends Say They Want Their Kids To Be Salt And Light In The Public Schools. Shouldn’t We Do That?
Many Christian parents share this sentiment. And it’s a noble one, too. Every one of us should strive to be salt and light wherever we find ourselves. But we have to be mindful that young children (before high school) are generally not equipped to defend their faith and influence others. Even with high schoolers, it is the unusually well-grounded student who can impact others for the Kingdom. However, even with the strongest testimony, we would not recommend that “salt and light” be the primary reason for sending your child to a public school.
No matter how well-grounded your children are, it’s highly unlikely they can be the kind of salt and light Jesus was talking about. Can fifth- graders, or even junior high students, effectively explain the Gospel? And what about high school upperclassmen? Are they, on average, capable of defending their faith to the degree to which they can be genuine salt and light to their non-Christian peers?
In the vast majority of cases the answer is no. Simply put, most kids are not mature enough for the job, emotionally or spiritually. They are still at a time in life when they need to receive salt and light, not provide it.
And in those rare cases in which a young person might be up to the task, placing your child in public school for that reason would put him or her under tremendous pressure. Sending a child into an environment that is anti-Christian in philosophy subjects the mind of your child to daily teaching that is determined to replace God in every area of life. It’s a dangerous experiment, one that could have lasting repercussions.
What If We Can’t Afford A Christian Education?
This is a very real problem, and one of the most common parental objections. Christian schools cost money. A lot of money. However, before we get too carried away with fiscal concerns, we need to ask ourselves an important question: Do we have a moral obligation to give our children a Christian education? If so, then God will do for us what He does anytime He gives us a command. He’ll give us the means to obey it.
Statements like “God will make a way” or “If He’s called you, He’ll equip you” may sound a little trite. However, they happen to be true. If you have a biblical mandate to provide your children with a Christian education – and all of us have to make that determination for ourselves – God won’t let a little thing like insufficient funds stop you from obeying Him. Not if you’re committed to hearing and obeying His will in the matter.
He may give you a raise. He may show you how to cut a few corners. But one way or another, He will make a way – because if educating your children in a Christian setting is a genuine responsibility, the financial cost becomes a genuine need. And God has promised to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
If I Put My Children In Christian School, Will I Be Sheltering Them From The Real World?
There’s no denying it. You’ll be sheltering them from part of secular society. But even Christian adults have been instructed to keep the world at arm’s length – to be in it but not of it. How much more should we endeavor to protect our children, most of whom are nowhere near ready to withstand the more sophisticated worldly temptations.
But make no mistake. We haven’t bought into the common misconception that Christian schools shield children from every temptation and all exposure to sin. This is not only untrue, it’s impossible. Christian schools have the same type of kids non-Christian schools have. Sinners. They’re all prone to offensive behaviors such as selfishness, anger, and malicious talk. And no matter where your children attend class, they can hardly escape the worldly influences found in movies, books and television.
The difference in the Christian school is that it can apply the Bible to every instance of sinful thought or action, and with God’s help, renew the mind of the child. By doing so, Christians schools have a better chance of helping parents produce adults who have been trained in the fine art of godly living and thinking. And when they finally enter the “real” real world, they’ll be much more equipped to handle it.
There are other ways God may provide the necessary funding. In some cases, churches have been known to assist their members. Talk to your pastor and see if that’s a possibility. In addition, many schools offer financial aid to needy families or scholarships to academically-gifted students. Contact the admissions department at your local Christian school.
At the end of the day, God may ask you to take a step of faith. Then another. Then another. Pretty soon, you’ll be walking in a promise that’s been repeated so often it’s become the quintessential Christian cliché. When God calls us to a task, He equips us to fulfill it. The Red Sea was no match for Him. The red in your checkbook won’t be, either.
My Child Wants To Play Sports, And The Local Christian School Has A Weak Athletic Program. What Should I Do?
Let’s clear one troublesome hurdle right from the start. Not once does Scripture even hint that athletic competition is sinful or immoral. You and your children are no more prohibited from playing sports than you are from eating a hamburger. In fact, the Bible encourages healthy competition.
Unfortunately, too many Christians presume that once the lawfulness of an activity has been established, they are free to pursue it the same way the world does. Many Christian parents place their children in secular schools solely because of the athletic program. For them, the pursuit of sports has taken precedence over the pursuit of wisdom. This is an anti-biblical mindset.
While we sympathize with parents who want their children to have every opportunity to succeed in athletics, the truth of the matter is that they can participate in sports without attending public schools. Many Christian schools offer sports programs, as do parks and private leagues. And for those of you who have particularly gifted children, it may help you to know that college and professional sports rosters are dotted with graduates of Christian schools. If your kids are good enough, the scouts will find them.
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