Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Can I get your opinion on this?
I saw Voddie Baucham speak at a recent conference and was challenged by his take-no-prisoners approach. I tend to retreat from encouraging others--even those who I know in my heart of hearts would make great homeschoolers--to abandon public schooling. Instead, I find myself reigning in the urge to answer the question "Why do you homeschool?" with "Why DON'T you homeschool?"
I'd love to hear what readers have to say about this clip.
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16 comments:
Mary Grace,
The clip you posted has me so excited! Voddie Baucham is speaking at our state's homeschool conference next month, and that clip has piqued my interest.
I have a hard time talking with others about homeschooling......we don't know anyone else in our area that homeschools. My dh and I are making some great friends in our church, but every time we talk about homeschooling, people get really defensive. And, that's after they have asked me why we homeschool. So, I have started not talking about it too much. Plus, since this is only my first year, I certainly don't feel like I have a total grip on everything that homeschooling entails.
I really wish I knew how to talk to people about what my family is doing without them feeling like I am somehow judging them!
Anne
PS - Thanks for stopping by my blog awhile back. I hope I can get back to it at some point.
Wow! I wish I could hear the full speech.
I talk about homeschooling to whoever will listen, lol. Most listen, then say they could never do that...not organized enough, can't give up working full time, can't imagine all day with the kids (that one makes me the saddest), etc...
Thanks for sharing the clip...I'm going to be looking to see if he's going to be speaking at our conference!
April
Thanks for the clip- very inspiring! I find myself being tugged in both directions whenever the topic of school comes up. The questions about why, when and how we homeschool, I can handle. It's when I hear friends and neighbors complaining about the school system and how their children are doing (behaviorally and academically) that I find it so hard to ask the simple, "Have you thought about homeschooling?" question. I guess I'm afraid to come off sounding like we know best- even when we DO know what's best for our kids. So, I end up praying that our example (homeschooling in general and also the generally positive behavior, attitudes and school achievements of our children) will encourage others to think about homeschooling and that when someone is actually open to hearing my question, the Lord will nudge me to ask it.
Let me start by saying I LOVE Voddie! I do, I have been listening to him for years. He says everything I think and feel, but am not bold enough to say.
I have the DVD that clip is from and even after watching three or so times, I still get all riled up and excited shouting AMEN's, but for those of us most likely to view such a tape(christian homeschoolers) he is preaching to the choir.
I have been passing this DVD around in my homeschool group and they are all loving it, but to be honest I have a few friends I really want to watch it, and yet I hesitate to give it to them. While I hope it would enlighten them, I fear it will terribly offend more than enlighten.
While I think Voddie is great and right on and can't wait to see him at EXPO this Friday, I think his style/approach will offend those who don't agree. I don't think his approach will win over those who don't agree.
His audiance is with christian homeschoolers, but he's preaching to those who already agree with him. While it's a nice pat on the back for me, those who need to hear and understand the most what he has to say, will have closed ears I fear because of his almost militant approach. I don't mean to use such a harsh descriptive word, but I fear that's how many will see it.
When there are challenges in our homeschool, God usually hits me with just this answer. He did it today through your post. Thank you. The reality is that parents are called to educate and disciple their children, and allowing the state to have control over academic education also means the state is controlling our children's moral, spiritual, emotional, social, etc education in this culture. Homeschooling is sometimes tough, sometimes even feels overwhelming, but the true benefits are enormous and will not even be fully realized for years, maybe decades, when we will hopefully see more Christians than Romans. No thanks, Caesar!
Let me say - I love seeing a strong, Christian, African-American man speaking about homeschooling!
My only concern with the Baucom's ministry (and not only theirs, but many in the HS movement) is that sometimes it seems that they are more about preaching homeschooling than the gospel.
That said, I think he is right on! We cannot send our children to Caesar and not expect them to come home quite Romanized.
I homeschool - and have for over 6 years - and am very proud of it. I've gotten all the questions. I've heard all the "concerns", excuses, and doubts people have. But it does come down to a family decision...no schooling is perfect...but homeschooling is an excellent choice!
It's a great clip, and it's sad that so few christians see homeschooling as an option for their families.
I like the quote about sending our kids to caesar, but it's also important to realize that just because our kids are homeschooled that doesn't guarantee that they will never stray from the Lord.
Okay. This is not so much a comment on the clip (which is what you asked for) but more of a response to your statement about encouraging others to homeschool.
As you know, I love to talk about homeschooling! (I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if I didn't.) I am thrilled to answer questions to help parents get started. And I can answer the questions: "What about socialization? Is it legal? Where do you get your curriculum?" But I'm like you... I don't push it on my relatives, friends, and neighbors who choose to send their children to public school. I guess I'm afraid of offending them. I'm afraid they will take it as a reflection on their parenting. Still... I do have to wonder how so many parents hope to have an actual influence on their children when they are with their children such few hours.
I dunno. Is it our responsibility to help them see "the error of their ways" before it's too late and they are the parents of grown children wondering, "Where did we go wrong?"
I would never presume that his convictions are, or should be those of all Christians. God has need for the light and salt to be in many places. My daughter who is now on the mission field impacted many kids for Christ her 13 years in public school. My two daughters that I homeschool are at home because that too is God's plan for them.
11 years ago, I was ready to hear this message. 12 years ago, I was not.
As one poster said, homeschooling does not guarantee our children will not stray from the Lord. However, I do believe that Christ-centered homeschooling does a far better job of equipping our children to live in this Babylonian world that sending them to public schools.
Still, there are parents who homeschool and yet "check out" by buying curriculum that hardly involves the parent at all.
Is this what you wanted when you decided to homeschool? Really?
Interesting.
I have only been homeschooling for a few months, as you know MG, and while I tihnk it is a great fit for US- I realize it isn't for everyone, every family. My husband has been in public education for eight years, teaching, gasp, science to 15 year olds. And this fall he will start a new job as a vice principal at a public JH. How can we resolve these two? Well, he can be a great voice and influence to a generation of children who need to learn- but who are in families who cannot bear that load of teaching at home.
And this guy- Voddie- he seems seriously abrasive. I would not want to hear him speak much more then 2 minutes and 19 seconds. Oh no- am I a bad hs mom?
I enjoy listening to Voddie. One thing I appreciate is that he stands behind his convictions. I think too often, we as Christians and/or homeschoolers don't speak up in fear we will offend. Even if you don't agree with Voddie, you have to respect that he stands up for what he believes in.
I dont know much about Vodie. But MY CHILDREN arent MY CHILDREN they are God's Children.. Just my 2 cents.
Now I realize that I have only heard this snippit of Vodie and am going to research him further before I condem him but that was my initial thought on Vodie. :)
I'm going to agree with Vicki.
I have homeschooled, public schooled and private schooled. Different things for different children. All God-led.
Homeschooling is not the answer. Strong Christian families and the ability to live in the world but not of it are.
I love homeschooling but I don't agree with Vodie.
I hesitate to respond since I imagine I'll have an unpopular comment, but here goes. I agree with Vodie. Following Christ is never going to win us a popularity contest. Sometimes it takes a booming voice to wake the sleeping masses.
In Deut 11:19, God commands us:
"And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
I fail to see how that could ever be possible when they are away 6-8 hours a day. Add the fact that schools now teach the "religion" of humanism; evolution, moral relativism, etc. The teachers are actually taught how to encourage children to question or blatently ignore the teachings of their parents.
There are far more details that could be argued but the figures speak for themselves. The lowest percentage I've ever heard of kids who fall away is 75% and usually it's more like 80-90%. Everyone seems to think these are "other peoples kids". With a figure that high, why would anyone be willing to take that chance?
Amanda
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