Set an Example

"Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 

-1 Timothy 4:12

The most important influence on your homeschooled children is the environment in which they grow. When parents demonstrate a healthy relationship between each other and with the Lord, their children's perspective about themselves and their world is influenced for good. Parents who fear the Lord and live according to his Word have a far greater impact on homeschooling's success than parents who worry about having the best curriculum or the latest computer. Giving your child a Christian education, therefore, requires a homeschooling parent to be completely in line with God's will.

The life of Timothy in the New Testament is a wonderful example of a young person who benefited from the godly influence of his family. Timothy enjoyed a relationship with Jesus Christ because he first saw the fruits of a spiritual walk in the the life of his mother and grandmother (see 2 Timothy 1:5). Through their sincere fruit, Timothy learned the truth and became a Christian. Later, when meeting the apostle Paul, Timothy proved himself to be a worthy disciple, capable of enduring great hardships for the sake of the gospel.

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What kind of example are you setting for your child? In your day-to-day living and homeschooling, is your child seeing you seek God's strength, comfort and wisdom? Are you serving in humility and incorporating the Scriptures into your decision making If you want your child to be successful while homeschooling, make sure the example of your life leads toward Christ instead of away from Him. Even as Paul exhorted young Timothy, "set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).

-From the Homeschool Mom's Bible; devotions by Janet Tatman; p. 610