"The best teachers are not PhDs!" states Rev. Rousas John Rushdoony in The Philosophy of a Christian Education.

No matter what your educational level, you are divinely qualified to teach your children. God created parents to love their children more than anyone else possibly could. That makes the teaching effective and the yoke easy. I won't deny that there are challenges - I've wanted to quit many times. Yet, stepping into God's will is stepping into provision and blessing. If we lean entirely on Him, He will bring victory - not only each day, but especially in the end result of children who bring glory to God. This is our vision and our goal in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).

Rev. Rushdooney also tells us that education is clearly either Christian or Humanist. With public education, children learn the philosophy of man, with its bitter harvests. A Christian school is an option, but educational methodology is the same. Homeschooling was my choice. It was clearly and Scripturally the will of God for us. I wanted my children home! I had no doubts or fears about homeschooling because I trusted God and I also knew that I could easily do better with my own children than the schools had with me.

When we make the decision to obey God - when we step into His will - He enables and provides. Effective homeschooling requires neither rigorous methods nor extensive curriculum. A simple formula and basic tools produce the best results. When you start with reading aloud from good, great, and classic books, including the King James Bible, and then add mastering the basics and consistency in schedule, you are well on your way to success.

Save Money
You can scour flea markets or antique shops for vintage books. They are far superior in content to most materials today. We now use vintage books from our own library and reprints from companies like Vision Forum and Mantle Ministries. You may add a sprinkling of other books and workbooks, and - to save money - purchase them used. Some are amazed that homeschooling can be absolutely free. But it's true! There were years we even came out ahead when we resold items we weren't using anymore. A primary resource in our early years was the public library. When reading aloud, you can skip over, or teach over, objectionable passages in secular books. You can send for free materials, such as history newspapers, nature magazines and guides from your state departments of history and parks-recreation respectively. For a catalog of art videos to borrow, write to The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 20565.

Save Time
We can all learn to be more efficient. Even if you work outside the home, you can still homeschool. Planning is the key. A time inventory is a good place to start. Keep track of everything you do for a two-week period to see where your time is going. Then set goals and list steps to meet those goals. Once a year, do school planning and write your daily schedule. Finally, spend a few yours each day snuggling in with good books. This is pure and effective learning!

Lorraine Curry has written for Homeschooling Today, Practical Homeschooling, and other publications and is the author of the 5-star book, Easy Homeschooling Techniques. She and Andrew have homeschooled their children from early childhood. Easy Homeschooling Techniques is a concise, how-to manual. To purchase, email Lorraine at: lorraine@easyhomeschooling.net with credit card info. See more about this book and also FREE ideas (including phonics for free!), tips, subscriptions, articles, checklists, author's bios, reviews and vintage books to purchase at http://www.easyhomeschooling.net.