The comparison of “capturing lightning in a bottle” to homeschooling two teenage boys in Florida, the lightning capital of the world, may be more than mere coincidence. In the Sunshine State where we live, warm tropical sea breezes can give way to monsoon-like thunderstorms at a moment’s notice. These rapidly changing weather phenomena can be a lot like the ebb and flow of two energetic teenage boys.

Meet the Bailie family: Jim, Jan, our two boys, Jonathan and Jeremy, and we can’t forget our little sheltie, JJ. We have lived in Florida for over 25 years after escaping the subzero temperatures of the Great Lakes state of Michigan. One of the most important decisions for our family was not our move to Florida but our decision to homeschool. The initial consideration, of taking into our own hands the full responsibility of our sons’ academic performance, was staggering. My wife has her master’s degree in Nursing and has taught many college-level nursing courses; however, the thought of taking responsibility for our boys’ education was sobering. With much prayer and research, we launched the J Bailie Homeschool. That name seemed only natural since all of our names begin with J, including our dog’s. Although there have been many challenges and trials, we have never regretted our decision. The opportunity to disciple our boys is greater now, and the freedom for extracurricular activities is unlimited.

Our boys are enrolled in Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA) through Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.). LCA is an accredited program, and we begin the year with an academic projection from an A.C.E. advisor to keep us on track in our academic plan. The Christian character built into each PACE gives us further opportunity to disciple our boys. Jan begins the day with each of them having his personal devotions, doing daily chores, and then eating breakfast together. Working with the “individualized system of learning” allows wonderful flexibility in the day’s schedule. Both boys study piano, voice, guitar, and brass instruments. These musical talents are used for ministry opportunities in our church and family devotions. Practice time paid off when it came time for A.C.E.’s Regional and International Student Conventions. The boys traveled to Florida’s Suncoast Regional Convention and competed in piano solo, vocal solo, preaching, web design, and more. Conventions provide opportunities for healthy competition and include evening rallies with challenging messages designed to soften the hearts of young people. After Regional Convention, they attended the International Student Convention (ISC) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

What a wonderful blessing that Jeremy placed eleventh out of 64 in the 13–15- year-old preaching category during his first year at ISC. Jonathan competed in seven categories, winning first-place medals in both the 16–19-year-old preaching category and in website design. It was a great honor for him to go up on stage in front of several thousand attendees (and an Internet audience of many more thousands) and have the president and founder of A.C.E., Dr. Esther Howard, drape two gold medals around his neck. It was an awesome climax to an eventful year. The phrase “Where else can a week last a lifetime?” illustrates the milestone of ISC in their young lives. Student conventions at A.C.E. are an incredible way for our boys to explore areas where God has gifted them. ISC offers over 130 events in five different categories, from academics to athletics and just about everything in between. For our family, A.C.E. is more than a curriculum, it is a whole program designed to help develop our children spiritually, academically, and socially, and student convention is a time for our young men to try out their wings.

We have an action-packed, event-filled school year that spills into the summer and transitions back into the new semester. However, it’s not all work and no play. We live a short distance from some of the biggest theme parks in the United States, and a field trip is a great incentive for all their hard work. Although we are called “homeschoolers,” much of our educational experience is accomplished outside the home. Every trip to the doctor, grocery store, or home improvement center is an opportunity for learning and a time for discipleship. A tennis game or a round of golf with our teenage boys is a God-given opportunity to disciple in the midst of life. Deuteronomy 6 tells Christian parents whether standing or sitting, getting up in the morning or going to sleep at night, whatever we are doing, to teach our children to love God and to serve Him in whatever they do. It is a great responsibility to guide our children in the way they should go in order to properly prepare them for a life of service to the Lord.

Jonathan is following in my footsteps regarding a career choice. I have over 25 years’ experience in broadcast and nonbroadcast television production, and now Jonathan has a similar proclivity. Last year he began a small business producing websites for global mission boards, computer companies, and camping ministries. He is working on several video projects for two schools and has produced a CD yearbook, compiling over 600 pictures for a local Christian school. Winning the website design competition at ISC was a confirmation of God’s direction.

Jeremy, a people person, is very good at establishing friendships with adults and peers. Recently his golf team went to the state finals, and he has used that sport to develop lifelong friendships and skills. Jeremy plays piano in our early church services and has accompanied several choirs in regional and state competitions. Part of his summer was spent at two different youth camps and a speech and drama camp at a Christian college. Jeremy believes the Lord is leading him to be an attorney, and we pray that God will continue to give him guidance and direction.

Our homeschool has a management team, with Dad as the school administrator, dealing with challenges and logistics, and Mom as the principal, executing the development and implementation of the educational program for our children. Homeschooling takes a motivated parent who desires to see children succeed, not just academically but as well-rounded, spiritually mature adults who will become a legacy to the next generation. The Bible says in Psalm 127 that children are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man. We as parents send our children as ambassadors for Christ into the future.

Capturing lightning in a bottle is not easy, but neither is properly training up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6). We have the opportunity to hold on to these bright flashes of light that can impact the world someday. As you attempt to harness that creative spark in your children, take advantage of every opportunity. With A.C.E.’s individualized system of education, we are able to configure a program to fit our individual needs. As we see the flashes of potential in our children to be God’s choicest servants, we are humbled by God’s wonderful grace and bountiful blessings in these teenage years, and we are thankful for the opportunity for Christian education.