Homeschool Curriculum and How to Teach with the Bible
Homeschool Curriculum and How to Teach with the Bible
Are you a Christian parent who desires to use a homeschool curriculum and know how to teach with the Bible? That is to say, do you want to keep the Bible at the heart of education? I thought so. Indeed, I thought we were kindred spirits the moment of your arrival here. Welcome to Principled Academy, where we help parents learn about Biblical Classical homeschool curriculum and how to teach with the Bible. I’m excited to share you with about the whole concept of homeschooling with the Bible. Please make yourself at home…
When I First Started Homeschooling
My natural parenting style and my heart has been to teach our children about what God says about matters of life. Of note, that most likely has to do with the way my parents raised me.
You know the parent who pauses during story time or movies to discuss things from the Bible? That’s me. Some may think that’s a way to kill joy, but it’s taking time to highlight teachable moment and help our children be discerning. Happily, I can report that our adult children take great care about what they choose to watch, read, and listen to. Instead of justifying different forms of entertainment that wouldn’t be pleasing in God’s sight, they shun what Scripture says to shield ourselves from. This is because they’ve formed convictions by being in God’s Word.
There are several ministries that help parents teach with Biblical principles and reasoning. For example, Answers in Genesis is and Northwest Treasures are excellent science resources that accomplish this. Another example is Crown Financial Ministries’ small group study on Biblical principles and reasoning in the area of finances. Of note, I highly recommend all three of these resources for Biblical Classical homeschoolers.
Teaching With the Bible Involves Philosophy
What is philosophy?
“PHILOS’OPHY, noun [Latin philosophia; Gr. love, to love, and wisdom.] 1. Literally, the love of wisdom.”
Firstly, how to teach with the Bible involves a philosophy of life and learning. And this means that we see that…
- God is Sovereign over all (Job 42:2)
- Jesus Christ is the focal point of History (HisStory) (Psalm 78:3-4)
- God’s Providential Hand in the lives of men and nations (Acts 17:26)
In effect, this is what all Christian life and learning is about. However, depending on where an individual is at in his or her discipleship, he or she may need to see how to implement this in the sphere of education.
As we apply this philosophy, we keep our eyes on our Lord and Savior. Additionally, we see His love, care, purposes, and provision in the lives on men, nations, and subjects. By and large, we even see His provision for His whole creation. Plus, it increases our faith and trust in Him.
Additionally, we think…
- Internal to external
- Cause to effect
- And governmentally (self-government through Christ)
As we do this, we transform because our minds are renewed due to God’s Word. With this in mind, it helps us to see where we need to continually yield our hearts to Christ. Also, as we challenge ideas, attitudes, and actions by learning what God has to say about them, we put into practice self-governance through Christ.
Teaching with the Bible is the Christian’s Way
Applying Biblical principles to life is a way—it’s a method. For subjects, we have four actions steps to take which help us to:
- Find the Bible Principle (Bible Truth) in each subject and topic we’re learning.
- Find the Leading Idea (the theme) that supports the Bible Principle. This binds the content to the principle.
Here are the four action steps taught by Rosalie Slater:
- Research. In short, we do a word study from the vocabulary the subject you’re studying contains. We use Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to define the word of choice. And we use a concordance to help us find Bible verses containing the word(s) we define. For this is how we can find the basic truth (Bible Principle) about the idea, attitude, or action we’re going to talk about.
- Reason. We reason (conclude) about the attitude, action, or idea and what God has to say about it in Scripture.
- Relate. Then we have discussions about what God has to say about it and how it’s applicable to the individual.
- Record. Notes are taken and we journal our thoughts on the subjects. And we file them in our 3-ring binders.
Teaching With the Bible is Huge
Important to understand is that when we say we’re teaching with the Bible, we’re not meaning that a Bible verse is sprinkled here and there. Therefore, let’s use Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to define the word with:
“4. Noting comparison; 5. In company; 6. In the society of; 7. In connection, or in appendage.”
-Webster’s 1828 Dictionray
In essence, what we’re doing when we teach with the Bible in each subject we’re:
- noting comparisons of ideas, actions, and attitudes according to what God says about them
- in the company or society of God’s Word
- acknowledging that our education isn’t separate from what God’s Word teaches
- seeing that education is connected like an appendage
If you see last point in the same light, imagine what it would be like to have it cut off from your family’s education. Needless to say, it’d be painful and a great detriment.
Why the Leading Idea is Important and Effective
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines leading as:
“1. Guiding; conducting; preceding; drawing; alluring…”
-Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
In journalism, they start with a lead in because it allures their readers into the report. Or, it’s typically done by authors, speakers, and pastors to guide their readers into the content they’re sharing about. If you consider how it engages you from the start of a talk or read, you’ll see the benefit of applying it. For this reason, using a Leading Idea is effective.
It’s important because it sets the stage. The Leading Idea may be a statement that supports the Bible Principle that relates to the subject. Or it may be a question that relates to the Bible truth. As a result, you’ll help your students see the connections between the subject and what God has to say about it.
It Begins with the Individual
Specifically, it begins with you dear parent. Yes, it all begins with you. As an individual, you need to work on thinking governmentally and modeling it for your children. Also, you need to own your own education or re-education as the case may be. Most of us have been given a humanistic form of education to some degree. And, even if we’ve had a Biblical Worldview taught to us, have we had Biblical Truths taught to us in each subject?…
How You Can Get Started
The following articles may be helpful to you…
How to Understand the Approach to Bible Principles
How to Easily Pull Together Lessons for The Principle Approach®
See How Easily You Can Write Reason and Relate Questions
How to Write Lesson Plans for a Top-Notch Christian Education
How to Teach Different Grades in Your Homeschool
Why Christian Homeschooling Moms Need a Philosophy of Education
America’s Historical Form of Education is Being Restored
There’s a growing number of families who are restoring America’s Historical form of education via their homeschools. If you’re like-minded, our facebook community, Christian Homeschooling with Bible Principles may be an excellent fit for you.
You Can Do It!
It’s wonderful to have a growth mindset and to choose self-governance through Christ. And it’s amazing to mature as a Christian and to be able to disciple our children. May you find joy in your Christian homeschooling journey.
