Michelle's Family

Recently a homeschool list I'm on had a conversation about how colleges effect Christians kids.  The conversation has now turned to views on preparing our children for the world.  As a mom with a son going into 11th grade, I can certainly relate to the concerns that the original poster had when she asked how secular colleges affected Christian kids.

Anyhow, I've been thinking about this topic alot.  I made this reply this morning on the topic.  So this is what's been going through my mind for the past couple of days.

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I cannot thank you all enough for adding your comments to this conversation.

I also agree completely. My husband is an assistant pastor, and as such we had a lot of "expectations" put upon us young parents to have our kids behave certain ways....even though our son was only 2 at the time! We have always felt like this was only people wanting a performance out of our children. Our children are not "performers". People were more concerned with my children's outside than they were with their inside. As their mother, I am MUCH more interested in seeing them come to a personal and very real relationship with Christ. I don't want to force my views on them....I want to lead them to the right views and for them to choose Christ on their own. Anything forced into them, can be easily picked out of them.

On the other hand, how do I know that they have truly accepted Christianity? I'm sure I would find out pretty quickly if they went to a college where their professed belief system was attacked repeatedly. At that point, we would know if they truly believed what they professed because people will not be persecuted for OTHER people's beliefs! I think the true test on whether a child has truly accepted Christ is what beliefs they adhere to when facing persecution or an assault on their beliefs. I can't help but go back to the thought that Jesus himself did not start his ministry until he was 30. He did things within the church prior to that, but you do not find him venturing out on his own in full fledged ministry until 30.

Personally, I don't want to find out that way. Not all kids develop at the same rate. Some truly accept Christ and the Bible's teachings earlier than others....they have made the Bible and it's teachings their own...not their parents beliefs, but made it their beliefs. Some kids have never faced or challenged what their parents believe and teach them prior to leaving for college. So when faced with these new challenges, they don't know how to respond. And if they don't have the answers....

My oldest is going into the 11th grade. Time has flown. He will soon be embarking on his college life. He's leaning towards a VERY conservative Christian college. I think that's the only way I'd even consider him leaving for college anyhow. He goes to forums to read debates on evolution. He's studied what other religions teach. He's written numerous papers on what HE believes....and he's been expected to back it up both scripturally, morally, and logically. I think he's prepared. I'm scared to death to find out if I'm right. I don't want to send my son....my baby sheep-soldier prematurely into the world.

My signature is the essence of why I homeschool.

Why I homeschool:

"there is a big difference between sending fully trained disciples into

enemy territory and sending recruits to our enemy's training camp. If we do

the latter, we shouldn't be surprised when they come home wearing the

enemy's uniform and charging the hill of our home waving an enemy flag."

-from Family Driven Faith By Voddie Baucham, Jr.