Christian Homeschooling that Goes Beyond the Curriculum
Having a Christ-centered curriculum for your children's education is important. Learning about Jesus Christ through Bible stories or conversations about the whole Bible doesn't have to be hard. Even though the pressures of our culture tend to shy away from that type of educational experience, creating a Christ-centered education through your homeschool is a beautiful experience you can give to your kids.
If you want to keep the Biblical truth in your homeschooling day every step of the way, homeschooling resources provide a great foundation. But putting that foundation into action by having opportunities outside the walls of your own home is extremely important to crafting that well-rounded Christian experience.
Effective Learning and Engagement through Christian Experiences
Keeping your homeschooling fun and engaging is so important! When crafting your homeschool routine, Gospel themes that bring about the experience in a loving way can completely transform your learning experience!
Find ways to take an unplanned trip to a charitable organization with the kids and then talk about the goodness of God. Cook for someone in your neighborhood who may be having a hard time. Visit a nursing home, take a mission trip, and create cards for children in hospitals. Go outside on walks and proclaim the glory of God in nature.
Learning about the light of God doesn't mean that you have to sit and read a Gospel story from the Bible. While it's important to do that, you can also take that Biblical worldview and Bible curriculum and go out into the world to fulfill The Great Commission.
An engaging experience makes learning come alive! The process will teach them what the Bible is talking about in a hands-on and real-world approach.
Ideas for incorporating Gospel themes into subjects
Teaching about God's image isn't typically done in public school, but homeschooling offers that amazing opportunity to teach in a way that fits your family dynamic. From young children to high school students, conversation and direct quotations are great ways to build strong Biblical families.
Using a Bible curriculum is a great way to infuse Biblically-based learning with enriching educational elements, but the experience shouldn't stop there! By taking Christ outside the curriculum, you are continuing the faith-filled approach throughout their regular routine and life.
One of the best ways to do that is by reading the Bible with your kids. Using the words directly from the Bible is a great learning resource.
God's words and lessons stretch across any grade level and any understanding and can be taught and discussed in ways even the smallest children can comprehend.
Start by choosing a reading plan or topic that you want to focus on. If you want to talk about forgiveness and faith, have an open conversation with the children about what that means. Talk to them about a time in their lives when they've been hurt and how they overcame and forgive.
This simple theme discussion is a great lead into other aspects of the Bible and breaks down some of the walls that might be lingering regarding open communication.
Then, read scripture directly from the Bible that pertains to forgiveness and faith to give concrete evidence of your beliefs that are derived directly from the heart of God.
Another great topic for discussion is to talk to the kids about temptation. Have there been times in their lives when family and friends have tempted them, or just overall peer pressure in general?
Think of the stories in the Bible that talk about overcoming temptation and battling fear and relate to the kids in that way.
Sometimes, you might be able to draw from your own past experiences so that you seem and are more relatable to the kids. Going through the journey of discovery and faith shouldn't make anyone feel alone.
The Importance of Conversation
When learning ways to incorporate the Gospel and the Bible into your daily schooling, don't forget that having open communication is key. Kids are curious and may not be able to fully understand or grasp certain thoughts and content from the Bible – and that's okay.
These are the times when we listen and help answer questions as best as possible. And if we don't know an answer, or we can't find the words to answer the question, many other great books and resources can help.
The moment the conversation stops, the curiosity and the want to learn will shortly follow. Reading the Bible together is a great way to bond as a family, encourage curiosity, and want to learn the world of God while also spending time together with those who have the same beliefs and morals.
Learning about the word of God at home is the start of creating a beautiful Christian curriculum that all ages can follow. Use this to create a structure in your home, and the rest will follow.
A List of Experience Opportunities to Show Godly Character
- Organize a community-wide event that honors Christ
- Visit a charitable soup kitchen
- Offer to teach a Sunday school class
- Host a Bible study for preteens or teens
- Be faithful to church as a family
- Call for a church-wide prayer meeting
- Pray for others
- Visit a nursing home
- Donate to a charitable organization
- Offer a helping hand to your neighbors
- Inquire about community service actions
- Cook a meal for community servants
- Put together care packages for service members
- Donate to a fundraiser that helps Christians
- Buy a Bible for someone
- Serve on a mission trip
- Participate in community outreach with your church.
- Send cards to terminally-ill children
- Be kind, polite, and show Christ-like character
In what ways do you exemplify Christ and teach your kids about Him in your daily life?
