Restoring the Foundations of Education: It Starts at Home

For generations, education was understood to be about far more than preparing children for a career; it was about forming the whole person by developing wisdom, character, responsibility, discernment, and an understanding of truth.

That responsibility begins with the family.

Scripture is clear about the importance of intentionally forming the next generation. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Parents are not simply responsible for feeding, clothing, and protecting their children; they have been entrusted with the responsibility of shaping their character, beliefs, and understanding of the world.

That makes education one of the most important issues facing families today.

Education Shapes Worldview

Every child is being educated not only in math, science, history, and reading, but in the foundations upholding their Godly identity, morality, purpose, authority, and truth.

As our August SALT curriculum explains, education is one of the most powerful forces shaping a child’s “worldview, moral compass, and identity.” When education is grounded in truth, children can develop wisdom, resilience, and moral clarity. But when academics take a back seat to ideology, parents have a responsibility to pay attention and become involved.

The goal should not simply be teaching children what to think but equipping them with the knowledge and critical-thinking skills necessary to understand how to think.

Christians have an additional responsibility to help children view what they learn through the lens of biblical truth.

That doesn't mean every family will make the same educational choice. Some will choose public schools while others will choose private or Christian schools, charter schools, microschools, or homeschooling. What matters is that parents recognize that no school can replace their God-given role in the formation of their children.

Parents Are the Foundation

Family expert Scott Donnell is our guest faith leader in this month’s SALT video and in his message on restoring the foundations of education, he challenges parents to think deeply about what we are preparing our children for. Education shouldn't simply produce children who can pass a test or get into college. We should raise young people prepared to become capable, responsible adults who can think, create, lead, solve problems, build strong families, and live with purpose.

That begins at home.

Our children are watching how we live. They learn responsibility by being given responsibility. They learn stewardship by practicing it. They learn courage by watching us demonstrate courage. And they learn faith when faith is something we live, not simply something we talk about on Sunday.

Restoring education, therefore, cannot be outsourced entirely to teachers, administrators, school boards, or government. Parents must reclaim their place as primary educators and advocates for their children.

From Concern to Action

It's easy to become discouraged by what we see happening in education. But Christians aren't called simply to identify problems. We're called to faithfully engage.

Start with your own family. Know what your children are learning. Look at classroom and library materials. Talk to your children about what they encounter at school and online. Reinforce biblical identity and truth at home.

Then look beyond your front door.

Attend a school board meeting. Support teachers who are committed to academic excellence and truth. Learn who serves on your school board, and who is running to replace them. Encourage strong leaders to run. Consider whether God might even be calling YOU to serve (and we’re here to help)!

Most importantly, share what you learn. One informed parent can inform another family. One courageous teacher can influence a school. One principled school board member can affect thousands of students.

Restoring the foundations of education will not happen overnight. But it can happen, one family, one classroom, one school, and one community at a time.

Hear More from Scott Donnell at Your Family on the Ballot.

Arizona families will have an opportunity to hear directly from Scott Donnell, Founder of Mentor Family, when he joins us as keynote speakers at the Your Family on the Ballot event.

Join us September 18 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Valley Christian School in Tempe for an evening focused on the issues and candidates impacting Arizona families.

Because ultimately, education policy isn't abstract. School boards, elected officials, parents, and community leaders make decisions that affect what happens in our children's classrooms and shape the culture our children will inherit.

Our children are worth showing up for.

Watch Scott's message on Restoring the Foundations of Education, then make plans to join us at Your Family on the Ballot. Bring your spouse, your friends, and other parents who need to hear this conversation.

It's time to get informed, get involved, and help restore an educational foundation built on truth, wisdom, responsibility, faith, and strong families!