The Great Human Quest
From the time that Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, the great human quest for every generation has been to learn to distinguish, by their own experience. the difference between good and evil, truth and error, light and darkness. Ancient prophets taught the children of Adam and Eve about God, but to follow Him in an environment of both good and evil, temptation and uncertainty, required faith.
Members of many religious denominations are concerned about how to build faith in God while educating their children at home. Faith in God is an individual matter. It is developed over a lifetime of experience and intentional effort in seeking the truth about God. The skills of observation and reflection are fundamental in this quest.
The following elements of education are evident in Biblical teachings and patterns. Parents may consider how to include these elements in their home learning environment in a manner that builds faith in God as they study and apply the many different disciplines of their educational pursuits.
Members of many religious denominations are concerned about how to build faith in God while educating their children at home. Faith in God is an individual matter. It is developed over a lifetime of experience and intentional effort in seeking the truth about God. The skills of observation and reflection are fundamental in this quest.
The following elements of education are evident in Biblical teachings and patterns. Parents may consider how to include these elements in their home learning environment in a manner that builds faith in God as they study and apply the many different disciplines of their educational pursuits.
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1. Environment of Love and Beauty: The attributes of love and beauty are attributes of God and are evident in His creation of this beautiful world for His children and also in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Learning through Story, Music, and Poetry: The Bible is filled with stories. Jesus taught the people by using stories and parables. Also in the scriptures we find poetic literary devices and repetition patterns that facilitate more effective communication and understanding. Music has always accompanied people of faith and places of worship. Music has been proven to be a powerful tool for spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth.
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Observation and Inspired Reflection:
Essential skills for life long learning and building of faith. Please consider how each of these elements develop skills of observation and reflection in your children. 
5. Promises and Commitments
"If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:2) Integrity in communication is fundamental to integrity of character. When we keep promises to each other, we are more likely to keep the promises we make to God and to ourselves.
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3. Symbolism and Imagery: Figurative language carries deeper meaning that becomes accessible through reflection and study. Symbols, imagery, and artwork will communicate messages to mind and heart in a manner that words cannot express.
4. Service and Sacrifice: "Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22: 37-39)
Service to God and service to each other are fundamental to developing and strengthening faith.
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