Education

Fruity Homeschooling

There are people in the world who think anyone who considers homeschooling a fruitcake--but that's not what "Fruity Homeschooling" is about. "Fruity Homeschooling" has to do with the results--the fruit--of homeschooling.

Our Foremost Resource for Homeschooling(God's Word) tells us that the only way to have a "Fruity Homeschool"
is to "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)

Warren Wiersbe describes "abiding" as: "It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit".

I don't know about you, but as the branch on the vine I sure would like all the time, money, and effort I have put into homeschooling to amount to something-something that has eternal worth.For me, that means children who love God and seek His will in their lives. THAT is the kind of fruit I desire.

When I don't abide in Jesus, then there are all kinds of diseases, fungus, & pests that can attack this ol' branch and stunt the fruit.

Some common problems that inhibits a "Fruity Homeschool" with their solutions are.....

Indecision-This usually occurs in regard to the decision to homeschool or not, and with curriculum choice. Furthermore, this can apply to knowing how to deal with our children's sin nature. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him". James 1:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths". Proverbs 3:5-6 Then, there is the easiest-but because of our pride, the hardest-way to make a decision. Pray, then ask our husbands and let God speak through them... "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord". Ephesians 5:22

Fear of What Others Think-Actually, I have found that those who are the most opposed to homeschooling are usually the most ignorant about homeschooling. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1 "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil". Proverbs 1:33

Feelings of Inadequacy-If this particular pest is bothering your "Fruity Homeschool", it is true if you are not abiding. You are inadequate trying to homeschool by yourself!! "..His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:19

Worry That You Will Ruin Your Children-Yep! It will happen! You will NOT be the perfect mother! Just remember that there are no perfect school teachers, either! They are just as capable of bungling up your child as you are. BUT! YOU have a solution to this disease, and the school teacher may not! "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." Jeremiah 3:22a We branches are in need of God's grace:a gift we do not deserve. We need His help, not His resistance, because we will make mistakes. "...Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:5-7

The mom(branch) in a "Fruity Homeschool" needs to always remember that "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."(1 John 4:9-10) Remembering how much God loves us makes it easier to abide. We can trust in Him to provide what is needed in order to produce fruit, instead of giving in to our fear or our pride and trying to do grow that fruit with our own resources. "Fruity Homeschooling" is possible--abide in Jesus, who loved you and gave Himself for you(Galations 2:29).

Gwen, aka Nebraska_Granola
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianhomeschoolingmoms/

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