In our classical Christian home school, Scripture takes priority over all other subjects or activities. Why is that? Are we “Bible-thumpers” who learn Scripture so that they can correct others? No, we want to drink deeply of Scripture because we find that the Lord regularly reveals His character through His Word, and we want to know Him better! We also find that He uses regular time in His Word to transform our minds and hearts so that we look and act more like Jesus.
The Protestant Reformers knew this truth, and if you’ve ever heard the Latin term “sola Scriptura” which means “by Scripture alone,” you are probably familiar with the assertions that (1) the Bible authenticates and interprets itself, (2) the Bible is clear to the average reader, and (3) the Bible is sufficient to be the final authority for Christian doctrine. You may recall that the Protestant Reformers were pushing against the idea that experts (ordained clergy) were necessary to reveal and interpret God’s Word; they also opposed the idea that man’s traditions could determine doctrine.
Anyway, in our home school, Scripture takes priority in our list of 7 essential elements, and we consider it central to all learning. God’s Word is the lens through which we see the Lord, ourselves, and the world. Thankfully, David takes his responsibility from Deuteronomy 6 seriously and joyfully. He would never delegate this privilege to another. There is nothing my husband enjoys more than being in the Word! Every morning before the kids do any other homeschooling assignments, we gather around kitchen table and read the Word together over breakfast. We take turns selecting the book we read, and everyone is expected to read out loud. David doesn’t tell us what the text means; rather, he asks leading questions so that we come to understanding in community, and it’s amazing how the Lord does give us fresh insights that we may not have had if reading alone. We cherish our daily time together at table in the Word, and it keeps us all on the same path. It also shapes our worldview so that when we encounter ideas in our classical education we can evaluate them for truth and meaning.
Additionally, when the kids were around 12 years old, we felt it was time to introduce them to their own private quiet time with the Lord. They each retired their precious picture Bible to the closet and received a “real grownup” Bible. We shepherded them in making time with their Lord the first priority of their morning so that when they came to table, they were already in conversation with Him. The format for quiet time is flexible: we encourage reading of Scripture, prayer, journaling, taking a solo walk, or just getting away to a quiet spot for retreat time. The important condition is allowing your spirit to grow still so you can listen to His Spirit speak.
If your husband is not already leading the family in daily Scripture time, I’d encourage you to begin praying that the Lord would whisper His will to your husband. Don’t nag him about it…wait on the Lord to convict and provide the desire to guide your children (and you) in understanding and applying the Word. I’ll be writing more posts in the future about Scripture since it is such a critical component of our home schooling. Look for the next post on our belief that both Mom and Dad need to be involved to provide the richest classical Christian home education experience!
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Learn more about the 7 essential elements of a classical Christian homeschool. Don’t forget to rate this article by clicking on the stars above the headline. Thanks!
It is rather arrogant to assume a book written by primitive men living in caves, scared by the power of nature and the unpredictability of it all, could somehow explain the origins of the universe.
BG,
In our family, we don’t view Scripture primarily as a science textbook that explains the origins of the universe, but rather as a love letter from the Living God to men and women. It’s a narrative compiled over many centuries by men who have been awed by the supernatural nature and character of God. Explaining something extraordinary like creation is not something that even our sophisticated scientists can accurately do! The primary message of Scripture is love for the immortal God and love for mortal humans. Thanks for commenting! I appreciate your candidness.
Very well said! God bless.
[...] find that the Lord regularly reveals His character through His Word, and we want to know Him better!read more | digg story [...]
Great topic with excellent information. Highy recommended.
Nicola
http://www.themoneygym.com
It is honorable to recognize and submit to God and His Word and His church but I must obejct: no book interprets itself! As for #2, “the Bible is clear to the average reader” did you know that Paul prayed for a dead man? Well, if we didn’t have experts trained in theology how would the average person know this from reading (after prayer to the Holy Spirit, of course) 2 Timothy 1: 16-18. Would the average reader know the difference between a bible by a Jehova’s Witness and RSV? Would the average reader know which sense to apply to each type of book in the bible, literal, allegorical, etc? Would the average reader just look at one verse or the entire big picture of the Old Testament with the New?
Hi DeeAnn,
I agree that no book interprets itself, but in a classical education, we (1) observe, (2) interpret, and (3) apply. So we read Scripture together in community, discuss the observations that we all have, interpret the meaning of the passage with the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and in context of the rest of Scripture, then we apply what we’ve learned to our own lives. The more one digs into Scripture, the more one sees, so yes, I think a dedicated reader could see the difference between a Jehovah’s witness text and a Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish text. Thanks so much for the conversation!
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