The Goliath Academy...part 2

As I have shared, I am in a reflective mood these days. This is one of the many side effects of graduation! This graduation is just a bit different from the two before it...this one is the last graduate of The Goliath Academy. Therefore, I am just a bit more sentimental these days about school.

When we started our school, we knew we would get questions as to why we had decided to go this route with our kid's education. Brian and I decided we should sit down and write up a document that would explain our choices. I thought today I would share that document with you

Haynes Homeschool Notes (we had not yet named our school at this point)

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, 
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
Psalm 127:3-4 NKJV

Parenting is a tremendous responsibility and blessing from the Lord. Listed below are some of the reasons we have decide to homeschool our children.

We believe it is up to each family to pray about and decide which school choice God has led them to as a family.

The top ten reasons the Haynes family has chosen to homeschool

1. It is a more efficient use of time.
2. It provides positive curriculum choices.
3. The opportunity to integrate spiritual truth into life experiences.
4. The freedom to customize the curriculum to meet the child's needs.
5. Teaching our children in areas that they have an interest.
6. The negative impact of socialization in the public school.
7. God has given us the desire to homeschool our children.
8. God has given us the ability to homeschool our children.
9. Learning is a life long process that is not limited to "school hours."
10. God has entrusted these children to us and we answer to God a to how we were as parents and stewards of these young lives.

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
 Ephesians 5:15-16 

And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 2:2 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, 
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
 Jeremiah 29:11

This form is dated August 3, 1998

The whole process in deciding whether or not to homeschool and then figuring out exactly why God was leading us this way was a great experience for Brian and I. We have always tried to be intentional parents. When we set forth a rule for our children, we wanted it to be for a reason, not just because "we said so." Therefore we didn't want to go into something as big as homeschooling without having a plan and a purpose behind it. As parents, we should all put forth much prayer and thought into the ways we raise our families. If we do not go in with a plan, society and the world will take over our parenting for us. That is my prayer for parents today...that they pray about how to raise their children and follow the plans God has set forth for them. All our paths will not look the same, but if we are all following God then we will be on the right path!

Next week, I will share some of the common questions, comments and misconceptions we have heard over the years.