Each day, I am overjoyed to homeschool my children, and my life has become richly blessed by educating my children in a home environment. Not only has God allowed me to homeschool, but he has provided all the resources we need to both spiritually and materially accomplish our mission to educate our children. Yet, our experience in teaching our children through homeschooling would be incomplete without a community to share all our experiences, trials, lessons, joys, pictures, and lots of fun. Although the homeschool experience takes place at home, with most of the time being amongst siblings, community fellowship is essential for a robust and healthy homeschool family life for your children, and yes, you too!
KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE
There will be school days that will be hard, and some days you’re going to feel like throwing in the towel. These challenging days are why being part of a homeschool community is so important. In the book of Colossians, Paul says, “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:2-3) The Lord wants to knit us together so we can encourage one another to stay the course, persevere thru the trials we face, and grow together in the knowledge of His Word.
Having a community of like-minded God-fearing parents who attend a local church and follow the Lord helps us be answerable to the work the Lord has set before us. Remember that our work is to train up our children in the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 should be our mission statement for our at-home classrooms, and our community is the proving ground for accountability for fulfilling this mission.
COMMUNITY
In Hebrews 10:24-25, we read, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The word here says to stimulate one another and to assemble to encourage and provoke good works in each other. In a community of believers homeschooling their children, you will find encouragement, prayer, friendships, love, bible studies, sharing of curriculum, best schooling practices, playground dates, and more! Our homeschool community, Revival Christian Academy (RCA), provides many different opportunities for fellowship. We offer field trips, Academy Days, parent support meetings, and Bible study. We share how the Lord is working in our lives and pray together. We share the struggles we are having and help work through them together. We also take the time to rejoice together over accomplishments. Our children are beginning lifelong friendships with other believing children.
What a wonderful blessing for our children that they may enjoy rich, deep, and meaningful godly friendships that will last their lifetimes through meeting other believers’ children in the community. Likewise, as parents, we are making Christ-centered friendships along the way.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO IT ALONE
In a community, we remind each other that we are not alone. That what we are doing is enough, and we are not crazy. We are doing the Lord’s work, and He is faithful. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” (Ecc 4:9-12) We are stronger when we are knit together in Christ. The enemy is out to destroy our children. Please make no mistake about it.
God’s people must come together, stand together, and shine bright together! Please consider participating in and sharing your talents with your local homeschooling community so that you can find community and support in your journey. May God richly bless your family and lead you to a community you call family.
Written By: Lisa Durant