Kirk Cameron talks homeschooling: Biblical transformation of culture must ‘begin in the home’
Written by G Njuguna on May 4, 2022
Kirk Cameron recently opened up about the importance of parental involvement in education and shared why he believes the biblical transformation of culture begins in the home — not in the government-run public school system.
In a sit-down interview with The Christian Post, the 51-year-old actor and author shared why he and his wife, Chelsea, decided to homeschool their six children.
“[Homeschooling] is this biblical concept that parenting, and particularly the education of children, is a parental responsibility and privilege,” he said. “It’s not some job that God gave to civil government to do. And yet for generations, we’ve handed our children over to the government, essentially giving to Caesar the things that belong to God, and our children, made in the image of God, belong to us.
“And so we know them, we love them. And if we’re going to disciple them seven or eight hours a day in some sort of a school institution, it sure as heck better be something that’s going to reinforce the things that God wants us to be teaching our kids. And I think that that’s best done in a community where moms and dads are running the show and leading the way.”
The “Growing Pains” actor is gearing up for the release of his new documentary, “The Homeschool Awakening,” in which he “dives into the adventures of dynamic American families on a mission to put fun and faith back into learning.” The film will be in theaters this June for two nights only on June 13–14.
“The pandemic made parents grossly aware of what public schools are teaching our kids,” Cameron said in a press release announcing the Fathom Events documentary. “It’s up to us, the parents, to cultivate the hearts, souls and minds of our children, and today’s public-school systems are not working for us, they are actively working against us. Public education has become Public Enemy No. 1.”
When he was first introduced to the concept of homeschooling, Cameron joked that he was under the impression he had to have “14 kids that all played the violin.” Now, decades later, he’s on a mission to debunk common myths about homeschooling and give an honest look at the practice.
Homeschooling “looks different for different people,” Cameron told CP, adding: “Sometimes it’s private schools, sometimes it’s in-home lessons. Sometimes it’s co-ops and networks and conventions and curriculums. Other times, it’s reading novels and exploring and pursuing your passions and talents.”
“This homeschool documentary is going to explore all of that and give people an idea of how to homeschool their kids. Because the true biblical transformation of culture has to begin in the home,” he added.
He stressed that investing in children from a young age and teaching them biblical principles is always “worth it,” even if the fruits of that labor aren’t evident until later.
“You begin to see the good and the bad seeds that you’ve planted when they were young, and whoever educates our children control the future,” he said. “So what I would say is, the future of the Kingdom of God is built and it hinges upon faithful moms and dads believing the promises of God and faithfully training their kids up in the way they should go.”
Though parenthood can be scary and difficult in an increasingly secularized culture, Cameron offered that reminder that God is present in even the hardest moments. He encouraged parents to model biblical Christianity for their children in the way they parent and conduct their lives.
“Don’t worry that [your house] is not perfectly kept in and picked up; your house is not supposed to be a museum,” he emphasized. “Your house is more like a workshop, and you’re building little humans, and you’re shaping their hearts and their souls and their minds. There’s supposed to be sawdust on the floor. It’s supposed to be a little messy because you’re building something, and it’s difficult. And God is there with you, and the Bible is your blueprint.”
“Go for it. Do it with joy, and depend on the grace and the promises of God to help you through, because this whole process is molding and shaping you as a parent as well,” he continued. “God’s not done with you yet, either. So lean into it. It’s lean into it, joyfully. And trust God, it’s all worth it.”