JUST BECAUSE IT'S RECOMMENDED...

"I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless."

Psalm 101:2-3

Over the years, our family has become more and more scrutinizing when it comes to what we read and watch, both in terms of entertainment and also education (a blurred distinction at this point). We do this because the Bible tells us to. Jesus lived a blameless, holy life and He calls us to the same as imitators of Him. His Word calls us to guard our hearts. It is a high calling.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Proverbs 4:23

As homeschooling parents, seeking to make wise decisions, we tend to look left and right in hopes of inspiration or even at a much more organic level, guidance. After all, we all need teachers. But ultimately the Word of God should be our constant source of inspiration as well as the litmus test for whether or not a recommended resource is worthy of our time and attention. Daily I'm grateful for the best Teacher we could ever have, the One who never makes mistakes and I'm grateful for His Word and Holy Spirit to guide. Eyes and ears open, homeschooling parents must be cautious of what we place before our children's eyes, hearts, minds. For that matter, we must guard our own hearts carefully, lest we miss the opportunity to protect our children.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

When it comes to recommended homeschool resources and in particular book lists and DVDs for the use of education, we need to remember a key component in every decision. We need to ask ourselves, "Does this glorify God?" "Does this line up with Scripture?" And, if it doesn't, if it contradicts biblical truths or exposes our children to that which the Bible says is sin, evil, abominable...then it doesn't matter how highly recommended it may be, the reality is we should NOT read/watch it.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

One way in our family that we strive to be sure we are ingesting good content is to periodically browse our collections of books and DVDs, scouring with a fine-toothed comb to ask ourselves the important questions above. Is this resource acceptable in our home? To do this well, we must have on biblical lenses. We must desire to do all things according to Scripture. I will admit there have been times where it was hard for me to let something go that I've enjoyed over the years and often this has mostly to do with nostalgia. But, as the Lord has grown our hearts and as we continue to mature in Him, it's clear He is gradually removing scales, near blinders if we're honest, and prompting us to weigh our every decision before His Word of Truth. This means, our collections of books and DVDs grow smaller in some ways, but richer in what we do keep and purchase to enjoy. It feels right.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."

2 Timothy 3:2-7

Book lists.

This one comes up a lot. Every "good" homeschooler wants to read every recommended book list under the sun of course, but as I contemplate what we will read in our home, I'm pressed to remember that there are many things in our lives that are broadly "recommended" by someone else's standards (mainly the world, but surprisingly even other homeschooling Christians) which we do not adopt in our family. The same goes for reading lists, curriculum, and other recommended or widely accepted homeschooling resources. Some things just might not be right for us, even if others are loving it!

We're ok with going against the grain as Jesus did, as He calls us to be set apart. We're ok with thinking hard about our choices and not just blindly doing what the rest are doing without really prayerfully considering the content. I believe this is what God would have us do...and challenge others to consider as well.

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 

since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

1 Peter 1:15-16

As we meditate upon the truths of Scripture it becomes clear in regard to book lists that just because it's recommended...doesn't mean we should be reading it. There are MANY books recommended even by Christian homeschoolers that suggest our children read content including witchcraft, sorcery, lying, stealing, cursing, romantic themes well beyond our children's maturity level, atheism, evolutionary themes, rebelliousness, disobedience or disrespect to parents, siblings, authority, friends, and no doubt I could go on....but the point is that if we really look deeply into the content of the recommended lists and even "classics" we will find that many of them have no place in our God-fearing homes...that is IF we fear Him.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding."

Psalm 111:10

So, where do we go from here?

"I will ponder the way that is blameless."

Psalm 101:2

The Bible says we need to think. We ought to ponder these things and search the Scriptures for Truth.

We shouldn't just go with the flow and unknowingly wander down paths of unrighteousness.

We need to read the Bible, day and night, and dwell upon it intently. This will enable us to make wise choices.

"Blessed is the man

 who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

As we set about a new school year (though it's safe to say we've officially become year-rounders over here, always learning), it is our hope to grow more and more in the grace of God which enlightens our hearts and illuminates that which lurks in the darkness, that which the enemy of our souls would rather keep hidden. It is our desire that every single thing we place before our eyes and allow access to our minds would glorify God and encourage us to grow in the fruit of His Spirit. This requires intentionality and sometimes hard things, like throwing away an old favorite or even something WE used to recommend. It's so important to remember that it's a GOOD THING to grow! This shouldn't be embarrassing. This should be encouraging as we see that we are blooming while we draw nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ! It's also important to remember that choosing to hold tight to our convictions according to the Word of God may come with criticism or even persecution. The Bible says it will.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

2 Timothy 3:12

So, when that persecution comes, we'll need to stand strong. But, truly, it is a blessed and peaceful place to be, in the shelter of the Almighty! Every Christian should desire that. Every Christian parent should want to please God with even small decisions. Every Christian should look to the Bible, the breath of God as our primary source of ALL things! And, we need to teach our children to do the same on their own accord. We parents don't just scratch off things we've allowed to enter our homes that shouldn't be there without letting our children in on the process. In fact, I've seen that at times our kids have been the ones to urge us, the parents, to remove something from our library or DVD collection because of THEIR conviction! When this happens, we always go with it to validate our children's hearts! Fortunately, this discarding and filtering process gets easier and easier as time goes on and we regrow sensitivity to subject matter that God does not want for us. Desensitization is a slippery slope. We'd like to keep the things that do not please God and reflect His character at a distance...hot potato as we like to say.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:15-17

Oh, that we might run the race well and see progress as we do. May we (and our book/DVD collections) look DIFFERENT from the average, go-with-the-flow home. May we be SET APART for God's glory as homeschooling Christians, and may we remember with boldness that just because it's recommended...doesn't mean it's for us.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:14-17