Fleshy Teaching

Do you remember the day you decided to homeschool? You knew you needed to make a change in your child's education, but you had no clue how to get started. You felt helpless and utterly dependent on God's guidance, and you waited on His leading to know where to go and whom to talk to for advice.

Now that a few years have passed, your dependence on the Lord has begun to wane. You're homeschooling more each day in your own fleshy effort, and you've forgotten about your total dependence on the Lord. Left unchecked, your homeschooling efforts are headed for a major failure without God's strength and wisdom each day. "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD" (Jeremiah 17:5).

How would you rate yourself as a homeschool parent today? James 3:1 reminds us that teaching our children is a great and awesome responsibility: "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." The judgment that falls on us as teachers is stricter than if we had chosen not to teach. Christ illustrated this point to the disciples in Matthew 18:6: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

What you teach each day influences and shapes your little ones. Be careful not to teach in your own efforts. Go to the Lord and ask for the Holy Spirit to give you the confidence of being in His will instead of controlling things yourself. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

Father, forgive me for homeschooling in my own strength. You have a perfect lesson plan for my children each day. Help me to seek Your face every morning in prayer, so I can teach my children what they need to know. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(9 comments)

CONNIE R 11/26/2009 08:49:52

Well said, thanks for the reminder. Connie R.

DANA M 11/26/2011 04:56:05

Thanks for the devotion. I recently had a picture of myself, running a potter's wheel, molding and shaping my kids. I kept praying for the Lord to help me, I knew that He is the potter. If I left the wheel, that would be wrong, but if I tried to shape them alone, that would be wrong too. Then, during worship the Lord gave me a picture....He was running the Potter's wheel and He said..... just rest your hands on mine.

CHERYL M 11/26/2011 07:42:30

Thank Lord for Providing a great curriculum for my Children that is Christ centered and back by people that care enough to put out devotional like this :)

Praise you Lord because I know it is you not them that is running the show at AOP.

CHRISTINA F 11/26/2011 11:28:47

I can't say that I came to homeschooling because my children's education needing changing. The Lord led me along the homeschool path from their birth. However, I can totally relate to getting off His track for our children. There are many bunny trails that look very enticing. I am convinced it's relationships, not curriculum choices that are paramount, though. My children and my relationship with the Lord, and also with each other is the most important. Thank you for reminding me of that!

HOLLY R 11/26/2012 04:26:27

Holly R.

I thank you for your reminder this morning it was truly a very fitting message.

FAWN G 11/26/2012 08:18:23

Fawn G.

I so needed this today! I have been praying about starting homeschooling for our son for next school year. He is in public school. Ow, and we are researching if homeschool is right for him and us. I was laying in bed last night just praying for God to give us a \"Yes\" so that I know that I know we are on the right path. This devotion was it! Thank you.

SHARON M 11/26/2012 12:07:26

SOBER Reminder...thank you for bringing this to the surface. I appreciate the Bible verse so much - good ones to memorize!

Thanks again, and God bless!

JENNI S 11/26/2012 16:25:15

This impacted me for opposite reasons. I have been feeling like a failure as a homeschool mom. This is another reminder that God has a plan for my kids. I am his tool. What an honor to be so. The reason I\'m failing? Not putting my trust in the greatest Teacher of all. Thank you for the reminder.

DONNA JOHNSON 11/25/2013 14:03:08

Mmmmm hmmmmm... just shaking my head, YESssss. Thank you so much. Timely word. Much needed reminder.

I pray I can meet you all one day and hug your necks in person.

Love this devotional.

Shalom!

~Donna


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