The following is a quote by the late Christopher Klicka, Senior Counsel of HSLDA, a Christian homeschool father, who went home to be with the Lord October 12, 2009, age 48, after a 15 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He is survived by his wife Tracy and seven children. Mr. Klicka personally helped thousands of homeschool families secure the right to homeschool. I met and talked with him on several occasions. He was a true blessing to many. Pay attention to what he has to say!
“God has delegated the authority and the responsibility to teach and raise children to the parents first. Parents can delegate their authority to teach and raise children to someone else, but they can never delegate their responsibility to teach their children to anyone else. God will hold parents responsible for what education their children receive. To whom much is given, much is required.”
This a true statement based on God’s Word. Psalms 127:3-5 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:” Our children are gifts from God and it is our responsibility to educate them and raise them (Deut. 6:6-9) We have choices to make to fulfill this responsibility. I am convinced that most of our problems as a society are a direct result of parents not taking this responsibility seriously.
Many parents have delegated this responsibility to the public education system. Since the early 60’s, when prayer and the Bible were banned from our public schools, we have seen our nation lose its way. We are in a black hole of no morals, no character, no responsibility. It’s everybody for himself. We have become a materialistic society wanting more without having to work for it. We are on the brink of destruction, unless there is a drastic change of course. Only God can right our sinking ship and he needs us, as families, to do our responsibility and teach, train, and educate our children in His ways. The Public Schools cannot accomplish this. It has no moral compass to teach right and wrong. When a public school teacher is asked by a student, “Where did we come from?” What can they tell the student? They cannot mention God. When asked, “Is it OK to have sex with my boyfriend?” Can they teach moral principles from God’s word on purity and God’s beautiful design of sex and how he designed it only within bounds of marriage between one man and one woman? When asked, “Do I have to obey my parents, when I think they are unreasonable in what they are telling me to do?” Can the teacher quote God’s command, “Honor and obey your parents” as proof that they should do what their parents have said. The public schools have no absolute right way or wrong way about anything. It is an ungodly system, since God and His Word has been officially removed.
Children deserve a Christian education based on God’s truth and it is up to parents to fulfill their responsibility. In 1983, my wife Susan and I where expecting our first child. We understood our responsibility from God’s Word. We determined to raise our children for His Glory. We understood that they were a gift from God and still are. We dedicated and offered our children back to Him and promised to raise them His way. That first child was a girl who we named Mandy. She had red hair and was full of life. She has never met a stranger and has a wonderful smile and laugh to prove it. In 1986 we had our second child, also a girl, Melanie. She had blond hair and was full of energy. Always ready to play and run. In 1988 we had Miriam. You guessed right, another girl. A brunette with eyes and a smile to die for. With two older sisters she never had to worry about anything. By this time, Mandy was 5 years old, so we began our journey of homeschooling. We determined the best way for us to fulfill our responsibility was to train and educate her ourselves. We decided not to delegate this authority to anyone else (and that is a very important principle, no double standards to worry about). Our homeschooling journey was and still is a blessing as we watched each child grow and learn. We became better parents along the way as we grew and learned as well. In 1993 we had our fourth child, a boy. He had red hair just like Mandy’s. He is the last one being homeschooled. He will be a senior next year in our academy. He is almost as tall as me, but better looking. He is fine young man, since he has had four mothers to raise him. He works part-time at Chick Fil-a, helps with the music at our church, plays the piano and trumpet, serves in our children’s church, and has plans to go to a Christian College.
About our daughters: Mandy graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 2006 and married Luke Bowman that summer who, also, graduated at that time and eventually earned his Master’s degree in 2009. In January 2009 they had our first grandchild, Elliot Bowman (best looking baby boy ever). Luke and Mandy serve on the staff of a church in the Pensacola area. Melanie graduated from Pensacola Christian college in 2008 and from a Medical Assistant program in 2009. On January 2, 2010 she married Chad Libby who is a graduate assistant, working on a Master’s degree in Graphic Arts at Pensacola Christian College. Melanie works at a pediatrician's office and, of course, they live in the Pensacola area as well. Miriam has completed her third year at Pensacola Christian College seeking a degree in Early Childhood Education. She will be working at “The Wilds Christian Camp” this summer as a counselor. I share this personal information with you, so you can see how God has blessed us in keeping our responsibility to Him.
God has kept His word. His promises are true. Our children have been a blessing. They faithfully serve Him in church. They seek to know and do His will for their lives. We have never had one instance of rebellion. We are confident they will raise their children the same way. They have married fellow Christian believer’s who also love the Lord and want to serve Him. My wife and I are truly blessed. I am confident you can have these same blessings and results, if you will determine to fulfill your responsibilities to God concerning your children.
Some of our parents are being enticed by their children to send them to the public school, so they can have a social life, or they feel like they cannot teach them at home through the high school years, or they are struggling with a rebellious child. Remember your responsibility. The outcome of your child depends on what you do with that responsibility. We are here to help and give encouragement. We know what works. You, the parent, have to determine to stay the course and do whatever it takes to fulfill your responsibility. It may take trusting God for the finances, making changes in your life, facing the reality that we may be the reason our child has become rebellious, or learning to choose our child’s friends and not letting them fall into the pit of the socialization myth. If you have to face the Public Education or Christian Education question, which way will you go? God can give you the grace to fulfill your responsibility. We are here to help!
We appreciate all of our families that God has given us to serve. Our mission is to help each family fulfill this responsibility. We want to encourage you to continue to meet your responsibility in raising your children and thank you for sacrificing to give them a Christian education at home. God will reward you abundantly. Our home towns, our churches, and our nation will be blessed as well in your keeping and fulfilling this responsibility.
