Greetings PAACH homeschooling families. I hope this month finds you well and thriving in your homeschooling activities. As we dig into the school year, I wanted to remind you of the reasons we homeschool. We want our children to have the best education possible and nobody wants your children to succeed more than you. More than this, we want our children to grow in a biblical worldview and to know and have their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Homeschooling is how we meld these two things together as we “train our children in the way they should go.” (Prov 22:6)

First, we want our children to get the best education. It is important to keep in mind that our children are individuals with unique personalities and gifts. As homeschoolers, we can tailor each child’s education to grow them in their specific gifts and interests. Doing this gives them a head start towards excelling in those subjects of interest. For example, my second oldest daughter spent the last two years of high school studying and training along side other women 5-15 years older than her and completed her doula certification right after she graduated. Many of those women told her they wished they had started their training at her age. This same daughter started her own business career at the age of eighteen, has attended multiple births as a doula, and even had the opportunity to deliver a baby when the midwife was held up. I share all this to say that your children will have advantages and opportunities that others their age do not because you are homeschooling.

We also want our children to grow in a biblical worldview. We want them to know who God is and that He has created them for a purpose. We have the privilege of helping them discover what that purpose is, or at least help to point them in the right direction. In order to accomplish this mission, we must endeavor to know them better and grow in our relationship with each of them. We also need to show them how to relate to God and others by how we live and serve. We want our children to grow up into contributing members of the church and in the world. We must warn them about the difficulties waiting for them as they go out into the world (John 16:33) and how to turn to God in their weaknesses. (1 Cor 1:26-31 We must teach them how to stand on the rock of Christ and walk in His ways. We must point them to the simple command to love God above all else and to love others.

Homeschooling is ripe with possibilities and opportunities to grow our children up in “the fear and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4), and to teach them to use their gifts to honor Him. It is the best way to help them grow into fruitful believers who want to serve God and His people. It is also the best way to grow ourselves as we learn together. Don’t get too caught up in repetitive daily schedules where you miss the many opportunities to plant seeds and water your children’s souls. Finally, remember to leave all your worries and shortcomings in the gracious hands of our sovereign God and his providence. (1 Pet 5:7) He knows the path they must walk to find Him and trust in Him. (Ps 37:23, Job 23:10)

The PAACH board desires to help and support you throughout your homeschooling journey. We also desire to help you disciple your children by providing encouragement, wisdom, and resources that will enable you to be godly parents who lead your children toward Christ. We pray that your family learns together, grows together with others in community, and glorifies Christ in everything you do.

James Cox
PAACH President