Here at The Utmost Way Magazine, we have begun a conversation about the very idea that Home Schooling Parents are entertaining the idea that they NEED to have their children participate in sports at their local public school.
We don’t quite understand the NEED to send home school children into the “wolves den” for something they could gain in other ways. Aren’t their public-facilitated sports avenues, such as little league? Why don’t all these wonderful Homeschool Associations provide the opportunity for homeschool children in the area of teams and sports? We know that some do?.
Our suspect is that some parents, other than thinking wrongly that home school is just and extension of public school – witnessed by how they run the academic part of their home schools, think the only acceptable sports avenue is the public school ones. Maybe they believe that their sons and/or daughters NEED to be a part of a scholarship challenge that will take them back into the public area by the time they reach college. Frankly we do not get it. So, we are hoping you will politely help us by telling us, using the comment box below. Here is chance for you to politely speak up and be heard.
Music "in balance" with the heart beat
December 15th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Some of us with athletic home schooled children cannot afford college tuition, and not all sports are
represented in club sports. So by participating on high school teams they can get noticed by college
recruiters.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I am confused by your statement “wolves den”? Do you really believe because a child goes to public school they are to be compared to an animal ? All children are Gods children and I personally know many who attend our local public school who love and serve the Lord. I feel for your children and the impression you could be giving them about the world outside thier home or comfort zone. Our Lord is everywhere even at the public school sporting events. I would encourage homeschool parents to educate themselves on the sports offered at your local school, a child can learn so much from playing sports such as self discipline and confidence in themselves
Editor’s reply: The reference of wolf’s den was on the public school system, not the children who are forced to attend the same. Anyone who thinks that the public school systems and their extra curricular activities have anything to do with God is a victim of the thinking of a godless society. There is no better standard for self discipline than the Bible. Jesus did not even one time teach about concern with one’s self. Rather the center of concern was on God and other people. Competition is at odds with humility. Self is to be crucified and serves a greater purpose in Christ. This is something that no non-Christian can understand. Home schooled children have a much richer life than any children who are indoctrinated day-by-day in the ways of a godless world. Those who love the world have not life and are at enmity with God.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Unfortunately, my son is too young yet to be allowed into sports. But when he is of age I will let him sign up for the public sports that are available. One of the major reasons is to allow him to interact with unbelievers…that’s right, I believe that as Christians we should allow our children to be in the world but not of it. What use is our doctrine if it is not able to withstand the test of the secular world? Sports are in many ways simply a avenue to allow young people to gain an understanding of what they will face later in life. They will face worldly ideas, crude jokes, foul language, and foreign ideas.
But on top of that, not all sports are bad. My boss was recently describing the Code of Conduct that his son is expected to follow while enrolled on the local public high school football team. To my surprise, it was very Biblically sound. “You are what you do when no one is looking” was their motto.
There are many many things that can be derived from secular sports. As a martial artist, I found that the large majority of values taught by my instructors were about honour, respect, and authority. These are things that will only reinforce what I teach my son in the home.
Editor’s comment: Scripture says it best: “..know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
May 27th, 2010 at 3:26 am
I think you, the editor, might want to look at your prideful, rigid adherence to a way you think you’ve found to make your children invincible and perfect. Most of all I question your condemnation of any other way of living than the one you have decided on for your family.
Editor’s response: I thank the commenter for her earnest statement. It is easy to think that way. The editor bases the things put forth in this magazine on sound Biblical principles. Often, when people are critical of what Biblical principles teach about the Christian walk, it is because of one undeniable fact. If the dissenter were to believe them and begin to follow them, he or she would have to change things about his- or herself to which he or she has become accustom. This unwillingness to change for the good, is to the detriment of the soul and fights against the sacrifice which lies at the foundation of their Christianity and leaves oneself open to the wiles of the devil. If believing in following the principles of God’s Word is pride, then give me pride, for I am not ashamed. Being rigid is required for dedication and running the race. There are literally hundreds of people who would testify before the commenter as to my children and many like them. Nobody is perfect, but that is no excuse for refusing to strive for excellence.
June 15th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
The thing that has always bothered me concerning home -schooling is the isolation from the world.
If we are preparing them to serve Christ , to “preach the Gospel to every creature”, to stand against the wiles of the devil; that’s hard to do if children are sheltered from the world. Are we that insecure about what we teach and live before our children? Are we so doubtful concerning how they will hold up in the world? I’m not talking about friendship with the world; I’m speaking of functioning in the world. My children were educated in our Christian School until a disaster destroyed the Church property When we rebuilded, nobody wanted to return to the Christian School format – everyone wanted to Home School. I had to home school my 2 younger children. The Christian School afforded opportunities to participate in competition nationwide in academics, music and athletics. It provided social contact with others students which many home schoolers lack. WE as parents worked together in the School to educate our children just as we work together as a church in serving the Lord. What a concept, huh? I often read of Christians in public schools forming organizations, bible study groups, etc. in their public school. After all, they have the same right to use public facilities as the ungodly groups do. We can teach our kids everything there is to know about the Christian Life but if we don’t live and practice it in our own lives, how can we expect them to stand. By the way, all of my children have a heart and are burdened for the lost. My kids were involved in public school activities while homeschooling and are/were soul winners in college. I have seen both sides of this through the years. The strong Christian kids are the ones that practice what they believe – both homeschoolers and public schoolers. It all starts and ends with how their parents practice what they believe.
Comment from the Editor: Several misnomers appear in this otherwise good comment, namely: Home schoolers lack socialization, home schoolers are isolated from the world, home schoolers don’t get to participate in sports (non-competitive is ok — and the point of my article), and home school parents do not adequately prepare their children to live a Christian life and to spread the Gospel. These ideas cannot be farther from the truth. Home schoolers are out front when it comes to practicing and living their Christian belief. No true home schooling parent would make the sacrifice it takes to home school their children, without a great dedication to a higher standard. It may seem sensible to live and act like the world, while attempting to be Christian, however, it is those little compromises that hinder us from true fellowship with God. We are called to be separate from the world and that is what stands out the most by those who do not know Christ.