Success in life depends so much on our perceptions about life. Homeschooling is uniquely qualified to realize and address these perceptions biblically on a daily basis as we do life together with our children. When parents share their concerns with me that they are not doing a very good job teaching their children at home, I remind them of the valuable life lessons that are wasted at public school because a parent is not there to take advantage of a teachable moment. Praise God for homeschooling!
The most important lessons in life are not transferred in great gulps but in manageable sips. They are seldom found on physical paper in book form but are written in the moments of each day. They are as much caught as they are taught. Nowhere is that more true than in the arena of responsibility. It is in teaching our children to make their bed each morning and to put their toys away each evening that we communicate the importance of being responsible. It is when we train them to pick up the piece of paper that fell on the floor when they missed the trashcan. No, there is no school subject called Responsibility 101. Neither will our children receive a letter grade that a future college would recognize on their transcripts. Institutions ignore these manifestations of responsibility because many of these brick and mortar establishments teach only the theory of social constructs and not reality. The truest reward for being responsible will not be handed out on stage by academia but in eternity by the giver of all life.
Responsible. Response – Able. Human beings are fashioned differently than everything else in the creative order because we do not live by instinct but we are able to respond to the circumstances of life that come our way. The whole concept is liberating. We do not have to be bound by the indiscretions or sinfulness of others. When we are cut off in traffic, we do not have to exhibit road rage but can choose to bless that person instead of cursing them. When we are experiencing a frustrating day in the home—yes, every day is not a Little House on the Prairie day—we can take responsibility for our building frustration or condemnation and submit them to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, who is consistently conforming us into the image of the Son. He too had His own bad days but rose above them to the glory of the Father.
As we enter the month of August, our day of prayer and fasting—along with praying these requests with our children on a daily basis—is focused on asking God to reveal to us parents and our children how we can demonstrate responsibility in every area of our life: spiritually, physically, emotionally, academically, vocationally, etc. In a day when so many are running away from responsibility, we want to embrace it as part of God’s gift to His creation.
Many see responsibility as a very difficult thing. Some don’t want to “grow up” because they enjoy the irresponsibility of youth. This infatuation with the freedom of youth is a false perception that leads to diminishing returns throughout the long haul of life. As parents, we want to teach our children accurate perceptions that include taking responsibility as a way to add Divine purpose to life.
Please join me on the second Tuesday of August—or on a day that works best for you—to pray for the following for our homeschooling household specifically and the homeschooling community at large:
1. We observe through life that God moves on people as He wants, when He wants, for His purposes to be fulfilled. We pray that He will give each of our children a real understanding of and a real desire for being responsible.
- And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.–Exodus 36:2
- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. –1 Cor. 15:10
2. Pray that God would give parents discernment to know age-appropriate responsibilities as well as what standard of excellence should be expected according to that age.
- And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,–Phil. 1:9
- And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,–1 Kings 4:29
3. Pray that we would properly train our children and then show sensitivity in delegating home responsibilities to our children. May we give them opportunity to display their own uniqueness in properly fulfilling these commitments.
- And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. –Exodus 18:22
- For each will have to bear his own load.–Gal. 6:5
4. Pray that we parents would be moved by purpose and intent and not anger when our children do not exhibit the level of responsibility we believe that are capable of.
- for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.–James 1:20
- She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.–Proverbs 31:26
- Pray that our children’s level of responsibility will open wonderful doorways of opportunity in their future.
- And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.–1 Samuel 18:5
- His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.–Matt. 25:21
6. Pray that our children will carry a greater sense of responsibility in our absence than in our presence.
- Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.–Col. 3:22
- Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,–Phil. 2:12
7. Pray that in a day of increasing masculine abdication, our young men will be especially determined to demonstrate biblical responsibility by showing initiative.
- Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” –1 Samuel 14:6,7
- When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.–1 Samuel 17:48
8. Pray that in that name of responsibility the Lord will give our children a keen sense of what needs to be done and when it is to be done, whether it is at home, church, or the workplace.
- Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.–1 Chronicles 12:32
- O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”–2 Chronicles 20:12
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