Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask

by Israel Wayne

The decision to homeschool is difficult. There is so much to learn, and there are often radical changes that take place in your family. Unfortunately, not everyone will be supportive.

Well-meaning friends and relatives may believe you are going to "ruin your child." How can you make sure that you have laid a good foundation for your child's future? How can you respectfully defend your choice to those who disagree with you?

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Christian

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a Biblical worldview. He is the author of the books "Questions God Asks," "Questions Jesus Asks," "Pitchin' A Fit! Overcoming Angry & Stressed-Out Parenting," "Education: Does God Have an Opinion?," "Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Asks," "Raising Them Up - Parenting for Christians," and "Foundations in Faith."

Israel has been a regular columnist for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Home School Digest, Home School Enrichment and Brush Arbor Quarterly magazines. He is also the site editor for ChristianWorldview.net.

Since 1995, Israel has traveled the nation speaking on family, homeschooling, revival, discipleship, and cultural issues.

He is frequent guest on national radio and television programs. Israel's family began home educating in 1978 and has been featured in national and international publications including TIME Magazine, WORLD Magazine, Answers, Revive, HSLDA Court Report, The Arizona Republic, The New American and the Wall Street Journal. Israel has been featured as the keynote speaker at various conferences, with over 5,000 in attendance.

Israel and his wife Brook were joined in marriage without dating and share their testimony of God's faithfulness on an audiobook titled, "What God Has Joined Together." Israel and Brook, both homeschool graduates themselves, are homeschooling parents of eleven children.

Israel desires to see God's people learn to think and live Biblically.

Aiming for both the head and the heart, Israel's goal is to challenge audiences to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. In his words, "God's Word applies to all areas of life. There is not one facet of our existence which does not fall under the direct claim of Lordship by Jesus Christ. This includes how we spend our money, what entertainment we consume, how we educate our children, how we use our time, etc. All of life must be understood from within a Biblical worldview."

Reviews

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a Kindle deal, and I’m so glad I picked it up! Answers For Homeschooling addresses many of the common questions that people have about homeschooling, and answers them from a biblically-based perspective. I have heard many of these questions myself, so it was really interesting to see how Wayne, who was homeschooled in the 70’s and 80’s, answered these concerns.

My favorite aspects of this book were 1) getting the practical advice about how to manage a household, how to homeschool multiple ages, etc (chapters written by his wife, which were so helpful), and 2) reading some of his opinions from the perspective of someone who homeschooled when it was largely illegal. His mother was really one of the pioneers of homeschooling, and as a modern homeschooler I didn’t even think about how hard-won our homeschooling freedoms really are. This aspect also made me appreciate my own mother’s decision to homeschool me in the 90’s, since even then it was so much more difficult. It made me realize there is a certain amount of diligence that is still required of homeschoolers from a legislative standpoint to keep our freedom to homeschool intact.

While I am not sure I’d say I agree with 100% of his opinions (maybe only 98% 😉), I thought every point he presented was really solid and well-thought out, and it gave me a lot to consider. As someone who has always known I’d homeschool my children, I found this book really encouraging and affirming. Newer homeschool moms or moms who are seriously considering homeschooling will find this book really helpful - definitely one to check out!

[Deon]

*This is a review copy from the publisher, Master Books. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.*

https://www.masterbooks.com/r/4431/

[Kristy Hetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Easy to read, well-written, thought-provoking book. Maybe not quite as unquestionably persuasive on some points as I expected but also more grace-filled than I was maybe expecting.👍

[Summer Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers for homeschooling

The best and one of the clearest books on such a subject, well written and worked out, everyone should read

[Daniel Mount · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to give to new homeschoolers and people considering homeschooling.

[Andrew Mcneill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good content in here and I agree that homeschooling is a good option. However, there are some significant issues that I have:
1. The downplaying of common grace leads to a downplaying of the value of secular education. Common grace means that there is value in secular education even if there are shortfalls and errors.
2. The advocacy of homeschooling is merged with a particular view of US politics that advocates for limited government. A good case can be made for homeschooling that doesn't involve strange (from my UK perspective) US political views.
3. The spectres of communist and socialist bogeymen appear throughout the book. This just poisons the well. Not everyone who argues for state education has got a socialist or communist agenda.
In short, the book is too US focussed and simplistic to be of much use outside that context.

[Katie (GnomeSweetGnome) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel the author does a good job of outlining the many questions that homeschoolers may face from those "outside" the home education realm. I appreciate his conviction as a Christian homeschooler to follow a Biblical pursuit of education for his family, but his book is a bit heavy-handed in its anti-government stance. This book is not for you if you are not even nominally Christian, but even if you are, you may find an unpleasant taste in your mouth at points throughout the book. Good information, but I don't care for the presentation necessarily.

[Laura A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant book for all Christians who are starting homeschooling and need a confidence boost! I dropped a star as I had to skim over a lot of the book which was not relevant to us, living in the UK, while the book relates to America primarily. However, there was still lots that was super relevant, especially biblical based parts. I would have no issue recommending this book to anyone! Wonderfully written - straight to the point!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of answering all the most common questions that are asked about homeschooling. It is worth the read even if you are homeschooling. I love Israel Wayne's passion and logic for describing why homeschooling provides such a wonderful education to our children.

Definitely a quick easy worth while read.

[Cheralyn Raymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful book for homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling

This book answers questions those who are considering homeschooling ask as well as giving helpful advice to those already homeschooling. Written from a Christian perspective.

[Sandie Bushey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was an ok book. Seemed very judgmental to me.

[Bethany Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. If you are just starting out, or need a pick me up after feeling discouraged, this is a great book for you

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickest answers to common objections to homeschooling, from a Christian perspective

[Joann Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of lots of great questions and good information