Should Christians Send Their Kids to Public Schools?

Foundational Principles from God’s Word

From God’s Word we do get answers to the following foundational questions:

• Who owns children? Parents and, ultimately, God.
• Who is responsible for the education of children? Parents—fathers in particular as the spiritual head of the home.
• What is the priority of education? The spiritual/biblical worldview—there’s nothing more important than our children trusting Christ for salvation.
• What should we understand about children? They are not miniature adults, and they have a sin nature.
• What warnings are there? For one, bad company corrupts good character.

Okay, keep all this in mind as we dive into this question of public schools.

Are Kids Missionaries?

Many people in the church have told me their children should be in the public school to witness to other kids. But what’s the biblical basis for this? When I ask, I’m usually told, “We are to be light and salt in this world.” Yes, this is true, but one can only shine light if one already has it to shine. Yes, Matthew 5:13 states, “You are the salt of the earth,” but Mark 9:50 also states, “Have salt in yourselves.” Your kids can’t be salt until they have salt.

And by “salt,” it means they are to be filled with biblical truth but also prepared with answers (1 Peter 3:15) to be able to withstand the attacks of the devil in the world they live in. That’s why Answers in Genesis provides all sorts of curricula for churches and homes to help raise generations filled with biblical truth and equipped to defend the Christian faith against the attacks of our day.

Now Scripture also warns in Matthew 5:13 that,

If salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Before our kids can be a witness to the world, they need to be filled with salt, as uncontaminated as possible, to know what they believe and why and to be equipped to defend their faith.

In other words, contamination destroys. Before our kids can be a witness to the world, they need to be filled with salt, as uncontaminated as possible, to know what they believe and why and to be equipped to defend their faith.

Whatever School Choice You Make, Keep the Right Priorities

Let’s face it, most of the public school system indoctrinates kids for six or so hours a day in the anti-God secular worldview of evolutionary naturalism and sexual humanism. According to studies, most churched kids have not survived the public education system and have walked away from the church. A small number of children from churched homes survive and are able to be salt and light. But they are rare exceptions. All are contaminated to varying degrees, but most become severely contaminated. This is reflected in the fact there’s been a massive generational loss from the church.

Bottom line, are you putting your own kids at risk from contamination because you want them in the system to witness to others? And how much have you as a parent (and the church) really made sure such children are truly filled with salt to be able to do this?

Most families and churches have not taught apologetics, and most have compromised God’s Word in Genesis, opening the door for that contamination to take hold. Most fathers have not been the spiritual heads of their houses as they should. Look at the evidence! Most of the younger generations have walked away from the church. That is undeniable. Generation Z is the first post-Christian generation and is generally very atheistic in their worldview.

When considering this question of public schools, remember that when your kids are born, they don’t know about the Bible, Adam and Eve, sin, the promise of the Savior, the flood, Babel, the cross, the resurrection, the saving gospel, or how to answer the attacks of our day. Our job as parents is to make sure they are taught and equipped so they can live for God’s glory and impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Where are your kids spiritually? What legacy are you leaving in the younger generations? Who really has the greatest educational impact on your kids and grandkids?

Ultimately, whatever school choice you make for your family—homeschool, Christian school, or public school—remember that, first and foremost, your job is to disciple your kids from God’s Word, filling them with salt and light. No one else can or should be doing that for you, Mom and Dad—it’s your job and it’s the most important job you can have! Now you can certainly delegate some of that to others, but you are still ultimately responsible before the Lord.

Two Resources to Help You in Homeschooling

Now, if you do homeschool or are considering beginning, I have two resources I want to highlight for you. These resources are designed to help you teach your children from God’s Word, equipping them with answers and building that biblical worldview.

• Answers Bible Curriculum for Homeschool. This four-year program for grades K–5 teaches through the whole Bible chronologically, emphasizing biblical authority, apologetics, and the gospel message. It’s rich, deep, and easy-to-use—you will love it! There’s nothing else out there like it!
• Answers Homeschool Experience. This five-day homeschool experience, May 8–12, 2023, is packed with faith-building sessions from our keynote speakers, including Martyn Iles, filmmaker Alex Kendrick, Heidi St. John, and more. We’re also offering fascinating hands-on programs for all ages (these optional add-ons are filling up fast!). And, of course, you’ll tour the Ark Encounter, Creation Museum, our zoos, and botanical gardens and enjoy concerts and so much more. Families loved our sold-out experience last year—don’t miss it!

You can find more homeschooling resources at AnswersBookstore.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.