R.C. Sproul, Jr.

I finished this book in less than a day (it's pretty short), and loved it!

The primary focus of this book is on answering three questions: What is the goal of education? Who should teach our children? What should our children be taught?

This book is written for parents, those who do and do not homeschool their children. Sproul takes a very strong position that all parents should homeschool, not merely send their child to a Christian school, and certainly not send their child to a state-run school where Christ's name can't even be mentioned. There is no doubt that many Christians will take offense at his strongly worded arguments, but I would encourage anyone in that boat to keep reading and pray to see the heart of the message; I don't even have children to homeschool, yet I was very encouraged and convicted by this book, because of the overarching theme of the goal of education, which can easily be applied to my life.

"The goal of education, biblically speaking, is the goal of everything."(pg 17) Sproul attests that we are called to live our lives serving the Lord, for His glory. "Education is discipleship." (pg 21)

Our goal for ourselves should be to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5), and this is the same goal we should desire for our children. So the goal of education is to raise and teach our children in such a way that they will love the Lord with all their heart and all their soul and all their strength.

I loved the point that "all education is inherently religious" (pg 15) - this hearkens back to the biblical concept that one cannot serve two masters. Either you teach your children to love God, or you teach your children to hate Him. There is no compromise, no in-between state. "Education cannot be 'neutral'." (pg 16)

Sproul's writing is very easy to understand, and I found his arguments engaging and easy to follow. I especially love that he doesn't approach the subject as an "expert" but, instead, is very humble and quick to admit his own failings. Because of this, I felt the book was quite grace-filled.

I was personally quite convicted of what I value - it is very easy to fall into the trap of valuing what the world values, and just slapping a "Christian" label onto it. This book continually kept bringing me back to acknowledging the fact that Jesus is all I need and my goal should be to live a life in obedience and service to Him. All additional education, be it history, math, reading, etc., all additional activity, whether tennis or washing dishes, is second to my ultimate goal of glorifying God. I can glorify God through these things, but they are not the end goal.

I would recommend this book to parents and non-parents alike. It is convicting, challenging, and encouraging - certainly worth the read!… (meer)

One can not help but think of great Christian writing when one hears this name. In fact his children's books are some of my favorites because they also are perfectly suited for adults to enjoy over and over again. However, this book is especially touching and sweet. It is one that will strike a deep chord with anyone who chooses to pick it up.

Through very personal and candid stories of his family and children he explores what God's love for his children is and what it is truly like to have child-like faith. This mirrors so many of my personal thoughts as a mother of 5 that I was amazed! Each day God truly does reveal himself in a more intimate personal way through my children. Not only in their wonder and faith but also in their disobedience and failures - for it is then I understand the grief that I must cause my father when I depend on my own knowledge instead of his loving guidelines set in place to protect and care for me.

Truly this book will be one that will touch and change many lives. The candid writing and personal style will immediately capture any audience and change the way people think of Christ. R.C. Sproul has most certainly done what he does best - explore and expound on scripture in a way that any one who reads the book can relate and understand.

Thanks to Tyndale for this very generous review copy.… (meer)