Creating a Gospel-Centered Vision Statement for Your Homeschool
“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”
Antoine De Saint-Exupery
What kind of “cathedral” do you hope to build with your homeschool?
Have you even considered the idea that you are even building one at all? (This is a question for all parents, not just homeschoolers!).
FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHERE ARE YOU AT?
- Formerly in Institutional Education
Some of you reading haven’t even thought past the act pulling out your children from institutional education. Your kids have been in the hands of certified educators for some time, and whether it be the system itself or personal negative experiences in the classroom, you only know that you are done with others overseeing their learning and growing. Hence, the jump into homeschooling. You may be utterly overwhelmed and afraid … but also know this is the journey God is calling you to now.
- Just About to Embark on Your Homeschool Adventure with Your Very Young Kids
Some of you reading have very young kids and have -for a long while – had it in your heart to homeschool them as soon as they reached the school-age years. You’ve been stalking all the lovely Instagram accounts on your feed, stockpiling ideas and resources for the day your tot could finally begin his or her “formal learning”. You are actually giddy with excitement and can’t wait to start your journey. Homeschool vision statement? Let’s do it!
- Have Been Homeschooling For Some Time But Needing Direction
Some of you reading have been at this homeschool gig for awhile, mostly flying by the seat of your pants, tired of leap-frogging from one method or curriculum to another, struggling with whether what you’ve done so far is “enough”. You may have vacillated between “Yes, we’ve got this,” to “I’m enrolling these kids at the school down the street TODAY.”
Wherever you find yourself, my biggest piece of advice (after heeding God’s voice) is to determining your homeschool vision. And then put it on paper. And then refer to it often.
WHY EVEN CREATE A VISION STATEMENT
- It serves as a guide to keep you on track for what you hope to accomplish in your homeschool journey, whether for a short season or a long one.
There’s a reason that we’ve all heard the saying that without vision, the people will perish. If you don’t know where you are going, how are you going to get there? Beginning with the end in mind is a very basic success principle, not just for business, but for life … and for homeschooling!
Additionally, I believe God calls those of us who are His children to intentionality and purpose, for His glory. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to ” … run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus …” I mean, I don’t read that and interpret it as: meander aimlessly, hoping for the best, until the day Jesus calls us home.
If you are reading these words, I trust God has placed this same conviction in your heart and you are wanting to run as God calls you to. A vision statement will simply help you run efficiently and in the right direction.
- It helps you filter out the noise.
There are so many options – and opinions – on methods, resources, communities, how-to’s, blogs to read (including this one) and more. And while all the options may be great and all the opinions well-intended, they can also be overwhelming. So many things can seem amazing, but will they really be for you and your family?
Having a vision statement can help remind you about what you value and hope for most, so that it is easier for you to sift through the barrage of information and ideas that come your way … which also means you waste less time trying on things that are not edifying to your journey.
WHY CREATE A GOSPEL-CENTERED VISION STATEMENT
- Most Likely You Already Have a Vision
I’m sure you already have some sort of vision for your children; what you hope they will get to experience, as well as what you hope they will become as a result of getting to learn and grow in your home.
And that vision is most likely informed by your own upbringing, whether you are wanting to change a legacy or continue one.
While your own story will undoubtedly play into how you plan to teach and train your own kids, I encourage and challenge you to also remember that there is a much better and bigger redemptive story we all find our lives in.
- But is Your Vision Aligned with God’s Vision?
As believers, our identity as God’s children trumps all other identities we may label ourselves with based on what life in this world has handed to us. We want to make sure that our vision for our families and homeschools is aligned with God’s purpose, not just ours.
3 TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR VISION STATEMENT
- Let God lead the process
- Assess the unique aspects and core values of your own family
- Determine your “whys“
- Think about how you would complete this sentence: “When our kids graduate from our homeschool. we want them …“
I unpack these tips in more detail in my guide, Homeschool on Purpose, if you need more help in curating a vision statement for your family!
This is more than just a guide – it’s your roadmap to cultivating a gospel-centered homeschool that reflects your family’s unique calling. Designed as a practical workbook, this guide walks you step-by-step through the process of creating a clear, intentional vision for your homeschool.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or seeking fresh direction, Homeschool on Purpose will empower you to:
- Define Your Core Values: Discover what truly matters to your family, and how to make these values the foundation of your homeschool.
- Craft a Gospel-Centered Vision Statement: Learn how to set faith-driven goals that guide your decisions, shape your curriculum, and foster spiritual growth.
- Establish Meaningful Goals: Create a customized plan that nurtures your child’s unique gifts and talents, while keeping Christ at the center of your homeschool.
- Gain Confidence and Peace: Feel empowered to make decisions that reflect God’s leading, free from the pressure to conform to worldly standards or others’ expectations.
In it, I also share our family’s homeschool vision as inspiration for yours, plus there is a bonus section that dives deep into our compass approach for helping kids create their own vision and stay on track with it.
VISION IS A REFLECTION OF GOD’S CREATIVITY
I once heard the saying: “Dreams are free, so why not dream big and often?” And it literally shaped my adult life.
It’s not wrong at all to dream. In fact, I believe dreaming/imagination/designing ideas is a reflection of the creativity of God, who we are made in the image of. And as long as we are dreaming within the context of giving Him glory, then let’s dream away!