As Christian homeschool parents, God has given us the responsibility of being missionaries to our gorgeous children. We are to walk the walk, talk the talk, and spread the gospel through our actions and speech. Our children may not have much gospel input when they study their homeschool curriculum. But we can change that and put it in there ourselves.
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This will help our children see God’s Hand at work in all things.
God isn’t just an abstract concept children learn about in Bible or religious studies.
God is in all and works through all. God’s truths need to be interwoven with our knowledge and understanding.
By doing this, children are inspired with wonder and awe of God, which leads to wisdom and worship.
They can also look at the world through ‘biblical worldview glasses.’
Having children with a biblical worldview and gospel-centered way of thinking ultimately means we have kids who can glorify God and impact the world effectively for Christ.
Okay, let’s talk about how we can put the gospel into our homeschool curriculum subjects English, History, Geography, Science, and of course … Mathematics.
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The Gospel in…ENGLISH
Let’s start with English.
The most obvious way of incorporating the gospel into English is through Bible Stories and Parables.
You can use the Bible to teach English to your children.
Using the Bible as a child’s primary textbook was common a hundred years ago.
As you read various Bible stories like David and Goliath or the Good Samaritan, try to go deeper than just the Bible story and instead see how David is a type of Christ and how the Good Samaritan represents Christ. Use these to lead you back to telling your children about the core of the Bible, the gospel.
Also, encourage scripture memorization. Make sure to memorize some good gospel nugget verses like John 3:16 and Romans 1: 16.
As you teach English, discuss how God uses our words to spread the gospel.
There’s a quote that’s been attributed (probably wrongly) to St. Francis that says, “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”
Discuss what’s wrong with this quote – namely that this isn’t practical nor faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Also, explore impactful speeches, sermons, or passages from literature that exemplify effective communication.
You can then explore the use of symbolism and metaphors in the Bible, showing how Jesus taught using parables to explain the gospel and how we can use stories to help make sharing the gospel easier.
Writing is also important.
Encourage your child to write about their thoughts and reflections on the gospel using English.
They can write journal entries, poems, or short stories inspired by their understanding of biblical principles and how these practically inform and shape their behavior.
If your child loves discussion and debate, talk about moral dilemmas or ethical issues in the Bible.
For example, was Rahab’s lie morally acceptable?
Why did a good God destroy whole cities?
Encourage them to express their opinions, support their arguments using narration skills, and consider different perspectives (as if they were on the opposite side of a discussion in a debating team).
This debate can improve their critical thinking, speaking, and persuasive writing abilities while exploring the principles of the gospel.
Encourage children to clearly narrate and present the gospel verbally.
Many adults don’t know how to clearly explain the gospel – that we are sinners who need a savior because we can’t save ourselves.
God sent His son, Jesus, to be our savior. We need to repent and turn to Jesus as our King.
And that’s the gospel.
Simple, but well worth learning.
The Gospel in…HISTORY
What about History?
Well, history is maybe the easiest way to teach about the gospel. And that’s because you can anchor other historical events to what happened in Israel or the church throughout history.
Discuss the historical significance of figures like Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. Help your child understand the historical setting in which God’s redemptive plan unfolded.
In history, you can show how faithful God has been through His providence.
Highlight how God’s hand can be seen throughout different historical periods, shaping events and working through individuals and nations to fulfill His purposes.
Point out instances in history where God’s providence is evident, such as the spread of Christianity or significant societal transformations.
Then, of course, there’s Church History.
Start with the early church (I love Eusebius The History of the Church and Foxes Book of Martyrs), then move to the Reformation and modern missionary movements.
You can also discuss the lives of figures like Paul and Martin Luther or missionary pioneers like Hudson Taylor.
Talk about the Martyrs of the faith.
Highlight how their faith and actions shaped history and how God used them to spread the gospel.
Discuss their sacrifices, unwavering convictions, and the enduring impact of their witness.
Talk about how the gospel has impacted Christian values and shaped history – think of the abolition of slavery, the fight for civil rights, or the establishment of humanitarian organizations.
Help your child understand the positive impact of the gospel on individuals and communities.
Try to reflect on God’s plan of salvation and how that intersects with historical events. Think about the significance of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection in world history.
Help your homeschoolers understand the profound impact of these events on humanity and how they are central to God’s redemptive plan.
If you can go on field trips to see significant sites, museums, and artifacts, this is great!
Why?
Because seeing physical remnants of the past can help your child develop a tangible connection to historical events and gain a deeper appreciation for the gospel’s impact throughout time.
The Gospel in…GEOGRAPHY
How do we connect the gospel in Geography?
Well, there are many ways.
If you can, one of the best is to visit the Holy Land. You can do this in person, but you can also do this virtually these days or with a map.
Check out old maps (usually found in the back of your Bible) and see how geography has changed over time.
Then talk about the significance of various locations like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, or the Sea of Galilee.
Help your homeschooler understand how these places’ physical geography influenced the events of the Bible and the ministry of Jesus.
Also, trace out the missionary journeys of the early apostles as they spread the gospel.
Talk about the challenges they faced, their impact on different regions, and how the geography of the place played a role in shaping the spread of Christianity.
Take out a global map to visualize the spread of the faith across continents and countries.
Discuss how the gospel transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together under the common belief in Christ.
You can use your global map to pray for the people of the nations. Help your homeschooler develop a heart for intercession and compassion for those who have not heard the gospel.
You may also want to talk about how the message of salvation is understood and lived out in different regions, showcasing the richness and diversity of God’s Kingdom.
The Gospel in…SCIENCE
Okay, let’s move on to putting the gospel into your science homeschool curriculum.
God’s creation is evident to every man who looks at nature.
As a parent, you can highlight examples of intricate ecosystems, complex biological systems, and the beauty of nature.
Consider how these observations reflect God’s handiwork and emphasize the importance of stewardship, caring for the Earth as part of our faith.
Science is where you want to encourage your child to ask questions about nature. This might be an excellent place to discuss Creation vs Evolution.
No matter your perspective, it’s good to familiarize your child with the views out there so they won’t be bewildered when they hear the other side and have no answers to give!
Also, discuss miracles and natural phenomena as you think about exploring God’s world and how there are specific natural laws like gravity.
Discuss how these events challenge our scientific understanding and can be seen as demonstrations of God’s power and intervention in the natural order.
Think about why Jesus did miracles.
Was it to proclaim himself as the sign of the savior? Were there other reasons?
Talk about it.
Also, talk about scientists of faith, like Isaac Newton.
Introduce your homeschooler to notable scientists who were also people of faith.
Share stories about scientists who contributed significantly to their respective fields while maintaining a strong belief in God. This can help your child see that science and faith are not mutually exclusive but can coexist harmoniously.
The Gospel in…Math
Okay, we’re almost there.
But what about Math?
This is probably the one you’ve all been waiting for!
Mathematics is an incredibly ordered study.
Explain to your child that just as mathematics reveals order and design in the world, the gospel teaches us that God created the universe with purpose and order.
You can discuss how the precision and structure in mathematics reflect God’s divine design – mathematically, consider how impossible it would have to orchestrate events so perfectly to fulfill Isaiah 53 in Jesus’ time – let alone have the rest of the biblical prophecies fulfilled.
Also, think about how God is the Ultimate Mathematician.
Discuss with your homeschooler how God’s wisdom and knowledge are limitless and how mathematics is a tool that allows us to explore and understand the patterns and complexities of His creation.
Show them examples of how mathematical concepts, such as Fibonacci sequences or the golden ratio, appear in nature, highlighting the beauty of God’s design.
You can also use mathematical concepts as analogies to teach biblical principles.
For example, you could relate the concept of multiplication to the story of the loaves and fishes, where Jesus multiplied the food to feed the multitude.
Help your child see how the story illustrates God’s ability to provide abundantly in times of need and how he ultimately looks after us, as shown in the gospel story.
Also, think about stewardship and sharing. Teach your homeschooled child about the importance of using mathematical skills responsibly and for the benefit of others.
Discuss how the concept of giving, sharing, and being good stewards aligns with:
- the principles of mathematics (such as division and sharing equally) and
- the teachings of the Bible.
Talk about how we are good stewards because we want to obey God because he has saved us.
Our good stewardship doesn’t come from feeling we need to do something to earn our salvation; rather, it overflows as a result of how thankful we are for what God has already done in our lives.
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That’s Exhausting!
I have to admit, I find it hard to get the gospel into all my subjects all the time. I’m thankful for various homeschool curriculum programs that do that for me so I don’t have to reinvent the wheel – because I feel my child can’t hear enough of God’s plan of redemption! If you want to check out some great gospel-centred homeschool curriculum programs, you can do that by watching checking out this post on the Best Curriculum Programs with a Biblical Worldview.
