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Is it your child’s job to be the salt and the light? Should they be missionaries in the public school? This is an argument many make against homeschooling. But, it’s NOT my child’s job to be the salt and the light.
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One of the biggest things I hear when I talk about homeschooling with other Christian parents is that their kids go to school to be the salt and the light. I have heard that our local public school would be a better place if I let my kids go there because they could be a light in a dark place. Both make me cringe.
Because it’s not my child’s job to be the salt and the light.
The other day we were doing our daily bible study and we came across the verse where Jesus was choosing His disciples and he said to them, “Come and Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). Recently, my teenage daughter, had a friend tell her that she was glad she wasn’t homeschooled because she was able to witness to kids at school. The same week she was discussing ministering to young kids at a bible camp she is working at this summer in a leadership training. She was told at that meeting that she was not going to be as equipped to answer some questions from kids because she hadn’t “experienced” things because she was homeschooled.
I found this verse to be the perfect time to explain to my CHILD that it is not their job to be the salt and the light.
What is the Salt and Light Argument?
The salt and light argument finds its source in Matthew 5:13–16, where Jesus tells His disciples that they are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” and that they should let their light “so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
This argument is the one that Christians use as their valid argument for Christian kids to attend public schools as a witness for Christ. They also use this scripture to argue that without Christian kids in public schools the students and teachers left behind will be stranded without a voice of truth or the opportunity to see a positive Christian witness.
Jesus’ Ministry Started as an Adult as Did His Disciples
When we take a look at the “Salt and Light” passage it is important to acknowledge WHO Jesus is speaking to. In Matthew 5, verses 1-2, we read:
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…”
Jesus was speaking to his disciples-adult MEN. Therefore, the context of the salt and light passage is addressed to ADULTS NOT CHILDREN. The same can be said in the fishers of men scripture. He was calling ADULTS to come and follow Him. They were going out as adults and ministering to the community. He did not call children. He called full grown men.
In addition, let’s take a look at when Jesus started his ministry He was an adult. He was not a child. As a child, he spent time with his parents, and in the temple learning. Being trained. I don’t’ think this was a coincidence (Luke 2: 41-52).
Our children have a job. It is being a CHILD. It is to be trained up by their parents. It’s to hide the word of God in their heart. When they are older, they will be better equipped to go out and serve him (Psalm 119:11). This does not mean they can’t be a positive witness to those around them. But, it also does not mean they should be placed in a spiritually hostile environment at a young age as a means of being a missionary.
Let’s take one more look at scripture and how Jesus spoke to adults vs. children. We know that Jesus commanded his adult disciples to go out and be the salt and the light. He sent them out to do his work. But, what did He say when he spoke to children?
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
Summary? For adults, the word was GO. For children, the word was COME.
What does this mean? I believe he was demonstrating how important it is in the early years for children to be taught about Christ. For them to come to Him, be nurtured, and discipled. Once they are adults, they can go out and make a difference for Christ. By this point, they should be more prepared for what the world will throw at them, and they will be well versed in their faith and the word of God.
Children are Ill-Equipped to be the Salt and Light
Think back to when you were a child. Were you able to explain the Gospel effectively? Could you defend your faith without a doubt in your mind? If you were not a Christian in school, think back to when you first got saved. Were you strong in the faith from the get-go? Or did you grow as the years went on?
I was a Christian in the public schools. I had a good grasp on my faith, even though I was a church bus kid. However, I also remember being tempted. Daily I remember being mocked for my faith. I remember being laughed at for wearing Christian t-shirts. I had a good group of friends, we were all Christians, but I still struggled to defend my faith. This was over 20 years ago. How much different is it now?
“How much salt and light can untrained, silent Christians be? Must we not rather train our children in Christian schools that they may become salty and brilliant lights to transform a society wandering in darkness?” – Dr. Wayne Grodin
Most kids are not mature enough to handle the pressures of ministry. Which is exactly what we are asking them to do by using the salt and light argument. They are still at a time in life when they need to receive salt and light, not provide it.
And even if you think your child is the exception, is that an experiment you are worth risking? Many studies have found that around 80% of Christian kids walk away from the faith. I was one of them. Thankfully, I came back to the Lord later, but, had I been trained in the word of God more, had I had a stronger faith that was tested later rather than earlier? I may not have walked away at all.
- Proverbs 13:20 tells us that “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed”
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”
To me, both of these verses warn us that those who are around fools or evil doings are at risk of being deceived. So, why would we send our kids into a den of lions for the sake of being a missionary?
Good influences can make a huge difference in our kid’s lives. Bad influences can too. Which do we want our children to be around the most in those early years? The years where they are forming a foundation? Where their minds are learning each and every day. Do we want it to be good? Or evil? Who do we want to have the biggest impact on our kids? The world? Or Christ?
But Public Schools Need a Christian Example
So, how can public schools get that Christian example? Who can be the salt and the light? It can happen through programs like the Good News Club . It can happen through teachers or other employees who are believers. They can imitate Christ through their actions.
When I look back at my school experience I remember those who were Christians. Even if they didn’t proclaim their faith from the front of the classroom. I could tell those who were different. These people can be the “light” of the school.
The lady who introduced me to homeschooling raised her children, homeschooled them, sent them off to the world (both are still serving the Lord, one is headed to the Middle East his summer with his wife as missionaries) and is now serving the Lord in the school system. She is being a light to those kids. And she didn’t risk the souls of her children in the process.
Our churches can also be the salt and the light to the community. This happens through Bible Schools, church camps, back to school bashes, community outreach, and so much more. This light can be spread throughout the community, not just within the schools. We can reach FAMILIES for Christ. What better way is there to fulfill the Great Commission?
How Can You Respond to the Salt and Light Question?
The biggest thing I think you need to ask yourself when responding to the salt and light argument is that if the argument was valid and Christian kids were really making a difference in their schools, why have we not seen a great spiritual awakening in our public education system? Instead, we see our church pews more and more empty of young people as they leave the faith. Our Christian youth are not winning the world, the world is winning our Christian youth.
As we learned above, research indicates that up to 85 percent of young people from Christian homes who are raised in church end up walking away from the church by the time they graduate high school. You may argue your kids will be the exception. But, is that a risk you are willing to take? For me, it’s not.
As parents, scripture commands us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 to
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Can we really do that if our kids are away from us up to eight hours a day? Do we want to risk our kids being the salt and light? Let’s instead choose to focus on our home, and raising our children to know and love the word. Then, as they get older, we can release them, slowly into the world to make a difference. We can find ways to be a salt and light as a family. We can train our children in the ministry instead of sending them into a den of lions.
It’s not our children’s job to be the salt and the light. It is ours. Let’s start that in our homes, with our own children.
References and Additional Resources
- Shouldn’t Christian Children be the Salt and Light
- Indoctrination, the Movie
- Salt and Light: A Valid Argument or a Misuse of Scripture?
- Why I Don’t Send My Kids to School as Missionaries
Sarah, thank you SO much for sharing this story. I have friends who have had similar experiences. Whether you homeschool or not, we are all making sacrifices of some sort. Everything has a cost. We have to measure what that cost is worth. I love hearing from people who have been on the other side. Thanks again for sharing!
Hi Misty, and all..
I have recent experience of putting my three children (7-10) into a small public country school as I thought I just could not carry all the tasks of homeschooling, homemaking and bringing up the children. I was also advised to do this by people in my church due to health difficulties, which still continue.
The children were in school for a term.
Having decided to try again with a new curriculum, I now have been homeschooling again and have another child on the way 🙂
My experience is that, two things came out of the children being in school.
1. They supported me in contributing what we could of the Gospel through a small opening (which has since closed) in the school.
2. The children found it impossible not to imitate the language and dress of the people who they were trying to fit in with. Our children were always hopeful for the salvation of peers they were getting to know and love, and so was I, but the down-pulling effect on their thoughts and behaviour was clear.
Now the bad language and compromised dress inclinations have disappeared again since I have given them the home and homeschool group environment again.
I guess I’m saying that there may come good out of sending our children to school, for others, but for our own children, the best for them is to be at home. My assessment is that people of God often had periods of training in the wilderness before God used them. May this period of training for our children end in excellent service for Him once they are ready.
Love and thanks for your inspirations to take pleasure in the work of raising God’s little ones.
Sarah
Exactly! And that fear you feel? We should not feel that way! It’s not fair that everyone else can go and push their thoughts and beliefs on us, they can judge homeschoolers, but we can’t counter that with our own thoughts.
“Our children have a job. It is being a CHILD. It is to be trained up by their parents. It’s to hide the word of God in their heart. When they are older, they will be better equipped to go out and serve him (Psalm 119:11)”
– This is great and I totally agree – it is not our children’s job yet. It is sad that I find myself scared to share this with non-homeschoolers – for fear of others being “offended”. I don’t believe that you are saying parent’s who don’t homeschool are in the “wrong,” but I do think it should challenge the belief that our kids are being “lights.” God may certainly use them, but it is not their calling or job as children. So ALL parents have the job of training them up to be salt and light wherever they are schooled. Let the little children come, and grow in Him – then they can go prepared.
Thank you, Misty! I have certainly had this conversation with people, and I appreciate the clarity with which you lay it out.
At times, we have even stopped attending various church kids’ activities, because my sensitive kids were overwhelmed by the noise and disruptive behavior of an “outreach” program’s attendees.
I have to do what my kids need. You are absolutely correct that our first duty (after the Lord) is to our family.
Very good points. Thank you.
My stance is do what’s best for your children, and to do what God has called you to do. If that is homeschool, great! If that is public school, great! But, don’t judge homeschoolers or try to push them into public schools based on the salt and light argument. Period. I think the judgment goes both ways. I do think every Christian parent should pray about the education path they choose for their children. It is our job to follow God’s will for our lives. I do not think that is going to be homeschooling for every family. But, I also feel, those who choose public school feel that sometimes they need to justify that choice (they don’t) and they do so by using the salt and light argument (which I do not believe is a valid argument). No parent should feel the need to justify their choice. No parent should push an educational choice on another family. This is true whether they choose private, public, or homeschooling. In regard to “risking” the souls of your children, if you feel that God has called you to send your kids to public school than it is not my job to question that choice. But, if God has called ME to homeschool my children and I am being pushed by those in the public school system to send them into the schools as a salt and light, and I do so, against what God has called me to do, I am absolutely risking the souls of my children as I am going against God’s calling for my family.
I understand this is meant for a homeschool parent audience, but am I correct in assuming the arguments you present are for that audience to use with those who take the “salt and light” stance? If so, these arguments will be presented to an outside audience and will probably offend. I’m in the camp that says do what’s best for your family, and for us at this time, it’s public schools. I take issue that you imply I am “risking” the souls of my children, but am wondering if you can clarify that statement. Is that strong sentiment based in personal conviction, or do you truly feel all Christian parents do so when choosing public schools? Thank you.
Hi Charity! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it. I want to say a few things.
1. I was NOT trying to shame anyone. I am sorry if it came across as that. My goal was to encourage homeschooling parents or those who are considering homeschooling but are being told not to because their kids need to be the salt and the light. As parents, we need to do what God has called us to do, and not push parents to educate their kids one way or the other. Yet, as homeschool parents, we are SO often encouraged to abandon ship, and put our kids in school by well-meaning public school parents, officials, and even church leaders. My audience is NOT public school parents, it’s homeschool parents. So, if this offended you, I’m sorry. But, you are not my target audience. However, I can see how you, as a public school parent, could be offended. Again, this was not my intention. Please look at the post in context.
2. In regards to the statistic, you are correct, it is children who were raised IN the church, not public school children. I appreciate you making that point, I went in and edited that.
3. It is wonderful that your children are doing so well in public school. I applaud you as a parent, for raising your children right, and for being passionate about your education choice. It sounds like your kids are part of the 15-20%.
4. Can you show me in scripture where children were sent out to be the salt and the light? Where scripture shares John the Baptists ministry as a child? I never said that children couldn’t be filled with the holy spirit, or that they couldn’t work for Christ as a child. I said that Christ never called children into the ministry or mission field. I stand by that. Our children need to be trained, they need to grow their own faith. It is NOT their job to be missionaries, which is what people who use the salt and light argument against homeschoolers are asking us to do. My stance on that will not change. That does not mean I am shaming anyone. If parents choose to send their children to public school, so be it, we all have the freedom to choose. I have friends whose kids go to public school. I don’t judge them. We are all called down different paths. I know many kids who have gone to public school and came out wonder Christian young adults who are still serving the Lord. But, don’t shame homeschooling families with the salt and light argument to justify your decision to send your kids to public school That’s what this post boils down to.
Thank you again for your thoughts.
I’m not sure that it’s true that children are not called to be salt and light. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb. If a child is filled with the same Holy Spirit as an adult then they are fully equipped to share the gospel. My children have shared Jesus with many people and even prayed publicly over their teachers in their public school. I am NOT called to homeschool my children, period. I feel no sadness or shame about this. I am sad that you as a “Christian” would shame other “Christians” for sending their children to public or private schools. Some families don’t even have a choice, yet they should feel shame?! That’s awful! Also your statistic about children turning away from the church or Christianity is incorrect. The statistic is for children who GROW UP IN THE CHURCH, not children that go to public school. Please check your facts. I prefer to cling to Proverbs 22:6, train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. WHEN HE IS OLD, he may stray while he is young, maybe, but that is my promise from my good good Father who has kept and protected all 3 of my children in their public schools, and he will continue to do so. My oldest son, 21 years old, grew our youth group at church by inviting so many friends from his “terrible” public school, some of those kids lives were changed forever, maybe generationally. My 14 year old daughter does the same, she exudes joy when she walks into a room and people are drawn to her, but yet she (as you say) is not called to be salt and light? Homeschool, do it to the fullest, do it well, but DO NOT dare shame others who choose differently than you.
Exactly!!! And at their age, that is exactly what they can handle. And that’s okay!
My husband and I have had this conversation. I was that Christian kid and I hung on but it is not a risk I want to take with my kids—and my kids are salt and light in smaller doses in our activities 🙂