Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (Matthew 7:13)

How powerful are these words of Jesus. And how befitting for our role as parents as we lead our children along life’s way. Each day is filled with choices and judgement calls. How should we plan our days? What books should we allow our children to read? With whom shall they spend their social time? We could take the well-tread path that is so common in our culture today, common even among many Christian families, to sail with the fair winds and base our decisions on what is easy, popular, or familiar. Or we could enter by the narrow gate.

What does taking the narrow gate look like on a daily basis? As Jesus continued, “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14). Let’s face it, the homeschooling way of training up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord is hard work. And on some days, that big yellow school bus sure looks easy. But we must take God-directed steps if we are to be among the few seeking a different path, one that we pray leads to life.

Perhaps no one felt more convicted of this truth than the early pioneers of the modern home education movement. What a courageous, God-trusting group! If you’re having a tough day, imagine what it was like just a few decades ago when homeschoolers had to hide in their basements, facing the threat of arrest.

At a time when the state did not recognize parental rights to train up their own at home, many battles were fought to secure those freedoms that we now enjoy today. Furthermore, the networking among homeschool families and the plethora of resources that we have at our fingertips today was not available during those early years. The trailblazers of the homeschool movement sacrificed so much for the cause of bringing the education of our children under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And to them, we are quite thankful! Ultimately, God gets all the glory—His hand was evident through the victories He granted these faithful homeschool families. Today we can homeschool with much more ease.

Still, it’s a narrow gate and a path that may sometimes seem difficult to follow. We look to God to illuminate the road we travel upon, and we trust in His provision each step of the way. When we take time to study God’s Word, we understand the obedience factor in educating our families. Scripture helps us to define our goals and the Holy Spirit enables us to stick with them.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105).

Listen to our February guests, Dr. R. C. Sproul, Jr. and Christopher Klicka, as they inspire us to use God’s Word as a path lighter. The rewards for doing so will shine for generations to come.

May God light your path as you Homeschool for Life!

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