Greetings PAACH homeschooling families. I hope this month finds you well and looking forward to the PAACH convention. Much is happening in our country and around the world as times grow more challenging for Christians. Animosity toward truth and morality grows daily. Meanwhile we are called to be light in this darkness, which puts us directly in the line of fire in this spiritual battle. I want to challenge you with two questions. Are you earnestly contending for the faith? (Jude 3) Secondly, are you preparing your children to be contenders?

The spiritual battle is all around us, but the most dangerous battles are happening inside the church. Scripture is clear that the biggest threat to the gospel is a false teacher. Paul, Peter, John, and Jude all warn of the dangers of false teachers who dilute the gospel and lead people on a path to death. Jesus also tells the parable of the Sower where he warns about those who would snatch away the seed of truth. (Matthew 13) I recently watched an episode of Wretched in which Todd Friel questioned why Christians are willing to protest and fight for political issues, but not as willing to protest and fight bad doctrine. His charge was that we are not facing the bigger danger which is far more damaging than the other causes that keep our attention. He contends that eternal souls are more important than political/moral issues, and that keeping a pure gospel should be a priority in every church and every home. Are you contending for the faith?

As parents, we should also contend for our children. We need to help them have a clear understanding of the gospel and give them ample opportunities to respond to it. We need to demonstrate God’s grace in their lives as we raise them up. We also need to teach them how to study scripture so that they may “rightly divide the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) We must teach them to have discernment (Hebrews 5:14) and to “test every spirit” (1 John 4:1) so they will recognize ‘truth-twisting’ and reject false teaching. There is no greater tool for learning discernment than knowing scripture. Get in the Word with them. Have conversations to work through bad ideas and the consequences that follow them. Talk with them about what they learned from Sunday school or the sermon. Train and equip them to be contenders for the faith.

The PAACH board is excited to offer this year’s convention. We desire to help and support you throughout your homeschooling journey. We also desire to help you disciple your children by providing encouragement, wisdom, and resources that will enable you to be Godly parents who lead your children towards Christ. We pray that your family learns together, grows together with others in community, and glorifies Christ in everything you do.

James Cox
PAACH President