Overcoming Obstacles to Home Education

I. The primary obstacle to successful home education A. Children lacking WISDOM – those who are "FOOLISH" Prov 10:1 … A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother Prov 17:21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. Prov 15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Prov 23:24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

B. Children grow up "FOOLISH" if they don't receive our LOVE expressed through DISCIPLINE Prov 3:12 … the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Prov 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. Prov 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Prov 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him Prov 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Prov 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you smite him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Smite him with the rod and save his soul

II. THE MOST BASIC OBJECTIVES OF PARENTING A. Lead our children to a genuine faith in Christ B. Train our children to have self-control – the foundation for maturity

C. This will require that children learn from us to SUBMIT their WISHES to ours. Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

 Young children do not know what is BEST or SAFE for them. Therefore...  ...the early years are the time for them to learn to ACCEPT our LEADERSHIP  Parents accidentally raise NARCISSISTIC, HEDONISTIC children by catering to their preferences

D. The Bible says that we ARE ALL BORN HEDONISTS and NARCISSISTS   Psalms 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. Genesis 8:21b ..."Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood... Gen 6:5; 8:21; Eccl 7:20,29; Ps 14:2-3; 51:5; Job 4:17-19; 15:15-16; 25:4-6; Is 59:7; 64:6; Jer 13:23; 17:9; Mark 7:20-23; John 2:24-25; Rom 3:10-18;7:18

E. Most basic objective of child training is to teach our children to say NO to themselves and YES to what is right

III. WHAT DO WE DO TO RAISE CHILDREN FULL OF "FOOLISHNESS'? A. We WITHHOLD DISCIPLINE from them. Prov 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you smite him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Smite him with the rod and save his soul. Prov 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Prov 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

 They must learn that their WRONG CHOICES bring CONSEQUENCES Gal 6:7 ... A man reaps what he sows.

 We must require that they OBEY QUICKLY every time we SPEAK John 14:31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me …

B. We strive for their AFFECTION – We need their APPROVAL – Try to be their BUDDY

C. We live for their HAPPINESS

C. We live for their HAPPINESS  Children are most happy and secure when BOUNDARIES are in PLACE Ps 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

D. We rescue them from SUFFERING TRIALS

D. We rescue them from SUFFERING TRIALS 1. We hold the view that childhood is a LONG RECESS before adulthood

D. We rescue them from SUFFERING TRIALS 1. We hold the view that childhood is a LONG RECESS before adulthood 2. Childhood is not a time for freedom from RESPONSIBILITY, it is a time of PREPARATION for adulthood.

3. Helping them AVOID TRIALS is postponing maturity

4. Acquaint them with those who TRULY SUFFER

E. We INDULGE them

F. We allow them to share in PARENTAL LEADERSHIP

IV. A Key to gaining influence in our children’s lives A. We must balance our discipline with love

> It is possible to INTIMIDATE them into SUBJECTION, but fail to WIN their HEARTS into submission. Prov 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways > Intimidation may foster SELF PRESERVATION

B. Our children must know we accept them, whether they achieve our standards or not

1. Do not POSTPONE ACCEPTANCE until they achieve your standard

2. Quickest way to DEMORALIZE loved ones is to communicate that they do not measure up

2. Quickest way to DEMORALIZE loved ones is to communicate that they do not measure up 3. They may GIVE UP and begin to PATRONIZE you

4. ACCEPT them as God ACCEPTS you. Eph 3:16 ... I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.