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The other seminal text, is, of course, Proverbs 22:6.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6
So far as I can discover, Old Testament scholars are unanimous that the best reading of this would be, “Train up a child in the way that is appropriate to him. . .” That is, the way which best matches his gifts, talents, and abilities. Far from indicating a fixed curriculum, this text advocates a child-focused approach. Discovering through observation those things which promote this particular child’s learning, and cooperating with his innate needs.
Children need structure in their lives, but not necessarily in their learning. Superimposing an arbitrary structure on the child’s learning would be contrary to God’s counsel in Proverbs 22:6. This text comes close to mandating an unschooling approach. Certainly, the traditional school approach matches no one’s gifts and talents very well. If we’re going to heed the counsel of Proverbs 22:6, we’re going to have to have some patience, and let the child lead us in the realm of learning.
Any parent with more than one child soon comes to realize how different they can be. And an often misunderstood scripture affirms that each one of us is unique, and unpredictable.
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8.
Long used to demonstrate the utter unpredictability of God’s Spirit, this verse actually says something else just as surprising: “. . .so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Want your children to walk in the Spirit? Then they will be unique, and will do the unexpected.
You’ll see their minds working, you’ll discover the results of their learning, but you will seldom know where they’re coming from, or where they’r e going. That’s what the text says is true of “everyone who is born of the Spirit.” You can treasure their uniqueness, you can accommodate it, but it’s difficult to plan for, except in the most general terms. Hence, unschooling.
Yes, we know about their need for character training. That’s best accomplished through household chores and regularity in their bedtimes and mealtimes. Help them build self-discipline, diligence, and thoroughness in their household chores. These are tasks that are easily measurable, and must be done for the household to function. But don’t try to subdue their minds and battle over the sound of “a”. Not only will you lose that battle, you will make learning more difficult. You will teach them to dislike the process of learning. This, in turn, will inhibit their mental development, and mar God’s handiwork and His image in them.
So, to the question, “Can a Christian be an unschooler?” I reply, “Yes!” In return, I ask, “Can a Christian prescribe a fixed curriculum for his unique child, and remain a Christian?” Next page