He Is Sufficient

By DiAnna Brannan (9/04)

All over the nation homeschoolers are knowingly or unknowingly being recaptured by the public school system. Many public schools have created programs that call themselves homeschooling programs. They go by many names: charter school, alternative learning program, independent study program, distance learning program, etc. But while we may share the same learning environment with some of these programs - the home - there are significant differences in laws, freedoms, and authority structure. These programs are creating a distorted view of homeschooling.  They give officials and lawmakers the false belief that homeschoolers are willing to accept more regulations and oversight in exchange for government handouts. Worst of all, they may encourage others to believe that this is how homeschooling should be conducted.

These public school programs have won over many homeschoolers and many have become zealous for them.  I have seen support groups break up, churches split, and friendships be destroyed due to the division these programs create. In Washington State, during the last legislative session, a battle over a bill that would have recklessly expanded these programs caused the two major state homeschool groups to be on opposite sides. Washington State has not seen an increase in numbers of homeschoolers for the past six years, some leaders estimate that one-third of homeschoolers have left homeschooling to join these public school programs

In the book of Judges, God chastises the Israelites for their disobedience in not driving out the other nations.

Judges 2:3 I will not drive them out before you, they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.

Judges 2:22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their forefathers did.

Is it possible the public schools are a thorn in our side? Have their gods become a snare to us? Is God using them to test His people? I say yes! These programs play upon our fears, doubts, selfishness, apathy, and lack of faith. They assure us that we are still homeschooling. They tell us whatever we want to hear. Later, they play an old sales trick called the bait-and-switch. Their platform is deceptive, and they encourage deception among staff and parents. To maintain enrollment, some sites encourage Christians to use religious curriculum, even though this is in violation of state law and the state constitution. 

Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I am blessed to attend a church where most of the children are homeschooled. I have seen many challenges and struggles within our church family.  At the same time, I have had the privilege to see the awesome hand of God in the lives of these faithful parents and the godly seed they have produced.  The source of their success is not special programs but God and God alone.  I am confident that whatever the struggle God is bigger!

Matthew 6:32 The pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

DiAnna and her husband Scott have been married for twenty years. They have two children and reside in Kent, Washington. They have served in several capacities within the homeschool community. Currently they serve on the board of a homeschool cooperative, where they both teach. They also serve as legislative liaisons for their state homeschool group. They are founders of the Christian Homeschool Network of Washington (www.chnow.org). CHN’s mission is to communicate legislative and local issues that affect homeschooling in the state of Washington.