Enjoy and Bless

This is kind of a part two to the idea that yes—Christians can unschool.

I’ve been reflecting on how my theology actually led us to unschooling.  There are many layers, but today I want to focus on one:

The way God exercises authority—through freedom, relationship, and guidance—has deeply shaped how we approach parenting and education.

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I shared before how I was troubled that many people think Christian unschooling sounds like an oxymoron.

Faithful Christian parents land on many different paths regarding parenting styles and educational choices. So why would someone think that unschooling is incompatible with the Christian faith? 

I think most of the concern boils down to two issues: authority and training.

Unschooling can be perceived as abdicating your God-given authority as a parent.  

It can also be seen as failing to direct and “train up” your children in the way they should go as Proverbs 22:6 advises.

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In my own life, I’ve noticed something surprising about how God exercises His authority.

He doesn’t restrict my movement, my access, or my choices.  He doesn’t dictate how my hours are spent or carefully measure my outcomes.

Our Creator—who knows exactly what is best for us—allows us the freedom to choose.

That’s incredible to me.

The God of the universe, with all wisdom and power, allows simple, small, faulty creatures like us the freedom to choose.

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So if our perfect Heavenly Father exercises authority this way, why do we think we need to exert more control over our children?

You might ask, “If given this type of freedom, won’t children choose the wrong path?”

Well, yes—they will sometimes. We all do.

Yet God still gives us freedom and, through relationship, grace, and guidance, He draws us back toward what is good.

He wants us to choose the good from a heart that desires what is right—rather than simply doing what is “right” out of fear or a desire to earn approval.

He knew we would sometimes choose the wrong path. That’s why He mapped out and executed a plan to free us from needing to measure up to His perfect standards. That’s why He sent Jesus. 

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Authority in Action

If God doesn’t restrict or dictate, what does He do?

He explains.  

He models.  

He invites.  

He guides.  

He provides.

He allows natural consequences.  

And yes, He instructs—but with endless patience, grace, and chances to try again and again.

Is He abdicating His authority by allowing us these freedoms?

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You may also be thinking:

“But don’t children also lack maturity? What about the call to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’?”

Personally, I think adults often overestimate their own wisdom when it comes to knowing what’s best.

Sure, we have experience and understanding to share.  

But so do peers and mentors in our own lives.

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And honestly, I feel like I learn just as much from my children as I do from anyone else. 

Learning doesn’t just flow one direction.

Because I’m learning alongside them, parenting becomes less about giving instructions and more about walking with them as they explore.

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This doesn’t mean no guidance or involvement.

Scripture calls us to raise our children with care and intention (Ephesians 6:4), but training doesn’t have to mean control. Presence, modeling, and guidance draw children toward the good—just as God draws us.

Unschooling doesn’t remove training in the sense of guiding children toward what is good and true, but it does change the method and posture of the parent.

It’s less about knowing what’s best and managing behavior  and more about humbly living out our responsibility through relationship, example, and daily life.

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Modeling Faith Daily

As a Christian mom who unschools, our approach looks a bit different than secular unschoolers.

My husband and I teach our children about faith by sharing and modeling.

We share the story of Jesus—the Son of God who came to show us the Father, lived a life of compassion and mercy, and radically changed the world through His upside-down Kingdom.

He came to serve, to rescue the lost, and submitted to an unjust crucifixion—yet was miraculously raised, confirming He is God’s final King.

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And He invites us into His kingdom, to live as His children—choosing love, mercy, justice, compassion, and service.

As Christian parents, we model, imperfectly, how to follow Jesus practically day by day.

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So we share our faith, and we model our faith.

But at the end of the day, we recognize that God is the only one who knows the best path for our children.

He understands and provides what they truly need.

We’re less concerned with outward behavior and more concerned that they know they were created by a God who loves them and whom they can trust.

We walk alongside them as they discover the unique paths God has designed for each of them.

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A Front-Row Seat

It’s a beautiful, messy journey.

I feel honored that God placed these children in my care and that I get a front-row seat watching His plan unfold in their lives.

Part of the beauty of knowing there is a Creator God who has a plan and purpose for each of us is feeling less burden and more joy as I care for my children.

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It’s incredibly freeing to know I can entrust them to His capable care.

Instead of worrying about their misbehavior,  

or that I’m not teaching them the right things, or not training them well enough—

I’m free to love them just as they are and truly enjoy each precious moment I’ve been given with them.

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I’d like to conclude with two powerful verses that have been anchor points throughout my life:

“Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

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I’d like to leave you with two questions:

What cares are you holding onto regarding your children that need to be cast on our capable and caring God?

And how might your own understanding be keeping you and your children from the unique path God has in mind for each of you?

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I pray you find ways to step out in confidence, faith, and freedom this week—

free of care and full of joy  

as you trust God’s guiding hand in both your children’s lives and your own.