Heaven, Not Harvard: Discipling Children Through Home Education

In a world increasingly focused on academic achievement and societal pressures, Steve Craig, Executive Director for Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC), offers a refreshing and profound perspective on education: it's about heaven, not Harvard. His journey into leading CHEC, an organization founded in 1990, is a testament to the power of faith-driven commitment and the transformative impact of home education.

Craig's personal story is deeply intertwined with his passion for homeschooling. Both he and his wife were homeschooled from kindergarten through high school, an experience they are profoundly grateful for. Their parents, like CHEC, viewed homeschooling not primarily as a means to a better education (though studies show it often provides one), but as a method of discipling their children. “We’re not really about raising smarter kids,” Craig explains, “we’re about raising children that love God and have the faith of their parents passed on to them.” This philosophy became the bedrock of his calling.

His transition to CHEC was anything but conventional. While working as a controller and awaiting the birth of his third child, Craig received an unexpected call from a friend in Colorado. The proposition: quit his full-time job, move across the country, sell their newly bought home, and take a part-time leadership role at CHEC. Initially, his wife’s reaction was understandable skepticism. Yet, through prayer and a deep sense of calling, they made the leap. “By early September,” Craig recounts, “we had packed our bags and were out here, been out here ever since.” This act of faith underscores a core principle of his life and CHEC’s mission: trusting God’s provision.

CHEC’s Mission: Discipling through Education

CHEC’s mission extends beyond merely promoting homeschooling; it’s about equipping parents to fulfill their biblical duty to disciple their children. They provide comprehensive support, including training events like the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference, an umbrella school serving thousands of families, legislative advocacy for parental rights and religious liberty, and extensive outreach to encourage hesitant families. Craig emphasizes that parents are their child's first and best teachers, a role they’ve been fulfilling since birth. Homeschooling, in this view, is simply a continuation of that natural process.

One of the most dangerous dichotomies, according to Craig, is the separation of religion from education. He argues that education is inherently religious, rooted in presuppositions about God and the world. CHEC seeks to integrate discipleship into every aspect of learning, viewing subjects like math and science not just as academic disciplines, but as opportunities to understand God’s order and awesomeness in creation. “We want to not separate parenting and discipleship from education and teaching,” he states, “we want to combine those two things together.”

Living Out Discipleship at Home

This integrated approach mirrors Christ’s method of discipleship. Jesus didn't primarily use a classroom setting; He lived life with His disciples, teaching them through real-world experiences. Similarly, homeschooling allows parents to live life with their children, modeling faith, character, and a love for God in every moment. This constant presence fosters a deep relationship where children learn not just what their parents say, but what they do. “Relationship is what makes a worldview stick,” Craig asserts, highlighting the critical role of parental involvement in passing on faith.

For parents who fear they lack the expertise to teach advanced subjects, Craig offers reassurance. Often, parents learn alongside their children, acting as guides in a co-learning environment. More importantly, the primary goal isn't just academic mastery, but character development. Math, for example, becomes a tool for teaching discipline, critical thinking, and perseverance. “It’s very much a parenting thing,” he says, “more than it is an education thing.” This perspective shifts the focus from parental academic prowess to their commitment to their child’s holistic growth.

Biblical Foundations for Home Education

Craig points to Deuteronomy 6:7, which instructs parents to teach their children diligently, as they sit in their house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up. However, he emphasizes the preceding verse: “And these things that I command you today shall be on your hearts and you shall teach them diligently to your children.” This highlights that the parent’s heart, turned towards the Lord, is the wellspring from which true discipleship flows. Without this foundation, efforts to instill faith in children are likely to falter.

Reflecting on the current state of society, Craig notes the alarming trend of Christian children walking away from their faith. He attributes this, in part, to outsourcing education and discipleship to secular institutions. “Let’s not give our children to Caesar for seven, eight hours a day and expect them not to come back like Caesar,” he warns. Instead, he advocates for parents to nurture their children in the fear of the Lord, demonstrating love through a life of sacrifice and commitment.

A Call to Faithful Parenting and Ministry

For those called to non-profit work, especially in faith-based ministries, Craig advises a deep consideration of how to best steward one's time and talents for God's glory. In a culture where faith foundations are eroding, he believes strengthening the family and encouraging parents to engage deeply in their children’s spiritual formation is paramount. His own journey, marked by initial uncertainty and God’s faithful provision, serves as a powerful testimony to stepping out in faith.

Steve Craig and CHEC are on the front lines of addressing one of society’s most critical challenges: the education and spiritual formation of children. Their work is a powerful reminder that true education is not merely about acquiring knowledge, but about cultivating hearts that love God and are equipped to serve His Kingdom. It’s a call to parents to embrace their divine mandate, to disciple their children with intentionality, and to prioritize heaven over Harvard.