Making Biblical Family Life Practical Hal Young and Melanie Young

You can feel it when you walk in the door - families have a particular culture or personality! Whether intentional or not, every home will develop its own manner of living and interacting. The question is - how can you encourage a healthy family culture that will strengthen as it goes on? How can you avoid a negative, or even toxic, family life that drags everyone down?

Resources We Mentioned

Sonya Shafer at Simply Charlotte Mason

Podcast Episodes:

"Potty Mouth" - A Big Deal, or Not? - “What should I do about my kids’ ‘potty mouth’?” asked a young father in our church. Learning appropriate behavior and speech patterns is part of socialization, but is there a bigger issue than being “socially acceptable”?



Encouraging More Edifying Speech - The Bible says a lot about the power of the tongue – the question for us is, how do we train and encourage our families to speak in a more gracious and edifying way, when the culture around us grows more unkind and profane every day?



Raising Kids to Love Their Siblings - Is sibling rivalry just something to expect? Is it a foregone conclusion that our kids are going to be simmering with jealousy, rivalry, and unkindness toward one another? Or is there a way to promote friendship and affection between brothers and sisters? We have eight kids, and while they’ve had their moments of conflict, we’ve been blessed to see them grow in genuine love as they’ve matured. How can we foster this sort of relationship in the home?



Name-Calling and Why It's Important - Sticks and stones … right? We’ve all heard that, and probably told our kids that one time or another. Yet name-calling is not only a plague of childhood, it’s actually a problem throughout life … and we adults are warned by Christ Himself to be wary of the temptation! This episode, we look at what the Bible says about a deceptively simple and “harmless” practice that can trip us up when we least expect it!







 





We Joined the Thirty-Percent Club!

We recently finished three events in Alaska (Sterling, Anchorage, and Fairbanks) and recorded this episode in a cabin between Fairbanks and Anchorage. It's an amazing state!



Locals told us that only 30% of visitors actually get a clear view of Denali - but we did! We took this picture from Talkeetna, about sixty miles away. The day before, you couldn't see any mountains whatsoever - the weather just covered that whole 20,000-foot peak. We consider ourselves blessed to get a sighting on our first trip - some people visit for years and never see it.



 





UPCOMING EVENTS

We'll be speaking at three major conferences in the coming weeks:



* May 26-28, 2022 - Orlando, FL - The Florida Homeschool Convention (FPEA)

* June 9-11, 2022 - Richmond, VA - The Virginia Homeschool Convention (HEAV)

* June 17-18, 2022 - Albany,

With the world full of resources available online, you can develop your philosophy, order your materials, and start homeschooling without ever meeting another parent-educator. That’s a blessing in many ways, especially if you live in a rural area or a foreign culture. But sometimes we think we’ve found what we need when we join the right group on Facebook and know which bloggers we want to follow and which website we like to order from. You may have found part of it, but there’s more!







 



God tells His people, in Hebrews 10:25, that we must not forsake gathering together. That command didn’t change when our grandparents heard Billy Sunday on the radio or Billy Graham on TV – those were great resources, but they weren’t substitutes for real-life people. We need more than information, we need interaction.



Homeschooling is not church, but it definitely involves spiritual warfare. It’s important to find a flesh-and-blood network to support your homeschooling and provide you with opportunities to help others, too. We’re big fans of local support groups, for just that reason.



But conventions add another dimension – the sheer energy of being in a hall with hundreds, or even thousands, of people walking the same path you’re on. You might have different plans or destinations for your students – college, career, military, home – but you’ve all set out on the path marked “Home Education,” which is one of life’s greatest adventures. And it’s exciting to meet travelers on the same road.



Don’t be shy about talking with other families. You have one little boy, and they’ve got four? Ask them how it works. They have a teenaged daughter and yours is a few years younger? Ask if they have any insights for the next step. You notice they’ve bought a curriculum you’re considering? Strike up a conversation.



Don’t be shy about authors and speakers, either. Most of us speakers are teachers and counselors at heart. We want to reach out and help people.  We expect to meet lots of folk whose opening words are, “I have a problem …” or “I was wondering …” That’s what we’re here for. And conventions are the place where you can actually get one-on-one interaction with the people who write the books and curriculum.



You can bless them, too. We love our readers who buy from the big online bookstores, too. But did you know that when you save a dollar online, the author probably earns two dollars less? If you can, please buy directly from the author or the publisher whenever you can. That helps them pay the bills so they write the next book or curriculum you’re looking forward to!



And don’t forget the people who put on the convention. Most conventions are organized by volunteers, and the proceeds support the year-round services they provide – monitoring the legislature, training support group leaders, answering questions from new homeschoolers, and talking with skeptical reporters. They’re working to promote and defend your freedom to homeschool. Let’s pitch in and support them, too!



(This article first appeared in The Homeschool Minute, a publication of The Old Schoolhouse magazine)





UPCOMING EVENTS

We'll be speaking at four major conferences in the coming weeks:



* May 5-7, 2022 - Pigeon Forge, TN - Teach Them Diligently

* May 26-28, 2022 - Orlando, FL - The Flor...

 



If God has called you to teach your children at home, that’s what you need to do! But it’s easier if everyone around you is cheering you on. What do you do if your parents or in-laws or extended family are skeptical? How do you and your family keep on the path when there are headwinds? How do you handle questions, criticisms, or other opposition? And what can you do to find the encouragement you’re not getting from the family?

LINKS OF INTEREST

Census data shows the number of families homeschooling doubled during the pandemic (from 5.4% to 11.1%) and among African-American families, increased from 3.3% to 16.1%



Census Bureau: "Survey shows significant increase in homeschooling rates in Fall 2020" - 3/22/21





National Black Home Educators





Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)



Search by ZIP code to find support groups (state and local) 

DEALING WITH FAMILY SKEPTICS

Assume concern is well-intended unless proved otherwise!



Figure out where their concern is focused, then address it with facts and experience



Go ahead and commit to a period of time, like a full school year. That gives kids a more stable educational experience, and it gives both parents and students a chance to adjust to a new way to "do school." It reduces the temptation of constant second-guessing, too.



Go to a conference! It's a great way to encourage yourself, and it's an eye-opener for skeptical family. Even a small conference is likely to be much larger than your family has pictured. And invite grandparents to activities when your kids are involved - whether it's homeschool sports, a science fair, a talent show - whatever your family is connected to.



Think ahead about "difficult" people - the ones who want to argue with your decision, or the ones who want to interrogate your kids. Coach your kids on the obvious, likely questions - "What grade are you in?" (which is really more like, "How old are you?") - "What do you like about homeschooling?" - "Do you like to read?" - "What are you learning now?" - "What's your favorite subject?" Kids sometimes go blank when an adult throws an unexpected question - go head, coach the witness!



Remember, you don't have to argue and convince everybody (whether homeschool skeptics, or homeschoolers who are taking a different path than you!). Smile, be polite, but be confident. It's your family, and your kids - not theirs!



More content ...







 

SPEAKING OF CONVENTIONS ... Come see us at one of these great events!







* March 18-19, 2022 – Metamora, Ill. – Peoria Area Association of Christian Homeschoolers Convention

* March 31-April 2, 2022 – Round Rock, Tex. – Teach Them Diligently

* April 30, 2022 – ONLINE – Association of Christian Parent Educators of Quebec virtual conference

* May 5-7, 2022 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – Teach Them Diligently

* May 26-28, 2022 – Orlando, Fla. – Florida Homesch...

One of the unexpected results of the pandemic has been the expansion of online-church opportunities. Even small churches like our own were able to use inexpensive tools and software to broadcast streaming worship services – without a technical crew! But is this a useful expansion to the church’s ministry and outreach – or a distraction, or even an enemy, to real worship and fellowship?



Join us for this discussion as we seek a Biblical balance about church broadcasts of all sort - and how to make the best use of them!



Passages of Interest



Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.



Acts 2:42, 46-47 - And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.



Mention of believers gathering as churches in private homes:



Romans 16:3,5 - Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ... Likewise greet the church that is in their house



1 Corinthians 16:19 - Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.



Colossians 4:15 - Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.



Philemon 1:1,2 - To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ... and to the church in your house:





Upcoming Events

We'll be speaking at several conferences and events this year ... here's a partial list:







* March 18-19, 2022 – Metamora, Ill. – Peoria Area Association of Christian Homeschoolers Convention

* March 31-April 2, 2022 – Round Rock, Tex. – Teach Them Diligently

* April 30, 2022 – ONLINE – Association of Christian Parent Educators of Quebec virtual conference

* May 5-7, 2022 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – Teach Them Diligently

* May 26-28, 2022 – Orlando, Fla. – Florida Homeschool Convention (Florida Parent Educators Association)

* June 9-11, 2022 – Richmond, Va. – Virginia Homeschool Convention (Home Educators Association of Virginia)

* June 17-18, 2022 – Salem, Ore. – Oregon Christian Home Education Conference (OCEANetwork)



If you'd like to have us speak at your church, conference, or other group, CLICK HERE to find out more! 

How do you balance everything, between your commitments to church programs, holiday recitals, shopping and cooking and cleaning for the family ... and providing a quality home education for your children? Is it even possible? Should it be? This episode, we're talking about how we learned to manage it with eight kids ... no cape or phone booth needed!



We're celebrating our 26th Christmas while homeschooling! You can do this! Just maybe not all of it at once ... 

This week we're talking about gift giving - it's Biblical, you know!  But how do you manage it without being immersed in the commercialism of a secular holiday, while glorifying God and having fun together? We've found that being more intentional and deliberate in choosing gifts and even in how we open them together, and encouraging our children to think of people rather than stuff at Christmas, has great benefits!

Biblical Passages We Mentioned

The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus - Matthew 2:1-11





The people feasted and shared with each other over joy in God's word - Nehemiah 8:9-10 - And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God ... Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”





How Our Family Christmas List is Structured

We described how our family keeps up with everyone's "wish list" - not just at Christmas, but all year long! Here's the basic framework - each person's section of the family list is divided into price brackets, and it's the responsibility of each person to keep their list up to date. And when the shopping happens, gift-givers quietly delete items so others don't duplicate their gift!

NAME

Updated: (be sure to make a note here when you make changes to your list!) 



* $1-$5 Gifts: Your categories may differ, depending on the ages in your family and your personal budgets. We have to consider young children, teenagers, college students, and adults of all sorts.

* $5-$15 Gifts: If you have specific items in mind, you might include links to places these might be found. Many in our families are avid readers, so we often have lists of books here - and links to Amazon.com or Thriftbooks.com to make it easy

* $15-$30 Gifts:  Grown-up level

* Big Gifts: Because you never know when someone might find a great deal, or several people collaborate

* Crafts, Work, and Services: Busy people may appreciate help with a particular hard-to-schedule need. One of Hal's hopes last year was for help replacing our garage door - and two of our adult sons came over and made a weekend project of it!