For 32 years The Teaching Home has provided families information,
inspiration, and encouragement from a distinctively Christian perspective.

Co-Editors: Veteran Home-School Sisters, Sue Welch and Cindy Short

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Our Nation Desperately
Needs Our Prayers.

"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways,

Then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14



Our Family's Contribution

"The Christian religion is the most important, and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed . . .

"No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people."

  – Noah Webster in the preface of his 1828 edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language. Free online or buy online from Foundation for American Christian Education.


The Foundation of Individual Families Living Godly Lives

The family is recognized as the basic building block of our nation. As your family lives Godly lives, you will be making a strong and solid contribution to our country.

Your children's salvation is your first priority. Then follows spiritual growth through loving dedication and obedience to God, knowing and speaking to God in prayer, Christian fellowship, and ministry to others.

Teaching and training your children at home provides the optimum opportunity for your children's spiritual training and character development, as well as their social and academic welfare.


Saturate Your Family
in God's Word.

Teach your children that God's Word is the final authority for our faith and practice, and teach them how to look up what God says about any given thing, using Bible study tools such as a concordance.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  (Romans 12:2)



Vaccination Research

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Dr. Brian Ray of National Home Education Research Institute and his colleague Dr. Tony Mawson are conducting a study which concerns a major current health question: namely, whether vaccination is linked in any way to children's long-term health.

The pilot study involves homeschool families with children 6-12 years old in the four states of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oregon.

Study participants fill out an online survey and will remain anonymous.

For more information and to participate go online here.



Register & Vote

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The goal is to mobilize Christians to:
•  Pray for the upcoming election
•  Register themselves and others
•  Vote on November 6

Never in our history has there been a greater need for engaged, informed Christian citizens to participate in electing our leaders - David Crowe, Director, Restore America.




Freebies

My Country Book. Learn about the different countries of the world, their geography and cultures.  Knowledge Quest offers a free set of printables that includes Country Pages, 119 pages of full color Country and Flag Flashcards (this takes a while to download, so be patient), World Map, and Project Instructions.

Although this project was set up to use in conjunction with the recent Olympics, it is a good learning aid as you study about governments of various countries.

Free 17-page Unit Study eBook on New Zealand and South Africa Unit Study from Knowledge Quest.

Choose a Country Unit Study: printables, mini books, lapbooks, crafts, and food.  Also How To Do a Geography Based Unit Study, including information on countries of the world at infoplease.com.

CIA World Factbook.  See a list of the 195 countries of the world and their government type.  Then use the "Select a Country or Location" pull-down menu to get in-depth information about your selected country.

Operation World provides information on each country of the world, including maps, flags, prayer suggestions and prayer videos.

Joshua Project list a different people group each day of the year with information and prayer requests for them.

Printable Reading Log includes covers, and pages to record time and book titles read, pages to draw a picture from your favorite book, and pages to choose a favorite book and write about it.

Alphabet Book Template includes lesson ideas, book recommendations, link to more free resources, covers, and one page for each letter of the alphabet.




Save $20 on Your HSLDA Membership




Home School Legal Defense Association offers homeschooling families a low-cost method of obtaining quality legal defense that gives them the freedom to homeschool without having to face legal threats alone.

Use this link and discount group number 299142 for $20 off your membership fee.  (Be sure to enter the discount group number 299142 in the "Discount Group Code" area, not the "Coupon Code" area.)




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Fifty-one Back Issues
are offered for sale online.

The information, inspiration, and encouragement packed into each back issue never goes out of date.  They are always relevant, applicable to your needs today.

"The Teaching Home has been a part of my continuing education since I started homeschooling, and I have kept every issue. I often go back to old issues to find creative, helpful hints or inspiration." - Meredith C., Florida





Sunnyside Up




The Master Artist

Our youngest, now 3, has become meticulous about her coloring.  We thought she was comparing her work to that of her older brothers and sisters until one day it became apparent that she had a higher standard of measure.

During a discussion of Creation, Carissa informed us, "God created the world, and He didn't even color outside the lines!"

Submitted by Sharon W., Georgia.

Send your humorous anecdote to [email protected].




God's Plan of Salvation

1.  God loves you.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who- ever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)


2.  Man is separated from God by sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) For the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)


3.  The death of Jesus Christ in our place is God's only provision for man's sin.

He (Jesus Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)


4.  We must personally receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)




God's Word

Immerse your family in God's truth through systematic reading and study of God's Word.


The Teaching Home's
Unique Bible Reading Schedule

Features include:
•  Start any month.
•  Read 6 days a week
   (allows for church on Sunday).
•  Read 4 weeks per month
   (24 days per month).
Online at TeachingHome.com.

Listen to the Bible Online.  Choose from six English versions (plus Spanish and other languages) at BibleGateway.com/Audio.

Search God's Word at BibleGateway.com.  Options include Passage Lookup, Keyword Search,and Topical Index.




Christian Music Online 24-7

Listen to beautiful traditional, sacred, and inspirational conservative Christian music (commercial free!) when you tune in to these online stations:

 •  Old Christian Radio

 •  Abiding Radio.  Choose from four stations: vocal, instrumental, kids, and seasonal. Information for listening on many different devices.




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Copyright 2012 The Teaching Home
   Government & The Election Series
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 Invite a Friend! 

Encourage your friends and support group to sign up to receive these free newsletters.


Government & The Election Series, Part 1
     1.  The Biblical Basis for Human Government
     2.  Our Duty To Obey Human Government
     3.  The Nature of Government
     4.  Forms of Government


 Sidebar 

•  Our Family's Contribution
•  Freebies for Study of World Nations, plus more

 Recommended Resources 

•  Judah Bible Curriculum: Biblical Philosophy of Government
•  KONOS: Electing America's Leaders Unit Study
•  Summit Ministries: The Political Animal Video Course
•  Christ-Centered Curriculum: Phonics and Math Programs


Greetings,

The study of government is not merely academic; it is extremely relevant and practical, especially at this time in our nation's history!

Your children need to know how governments work and their relationship and responsibility to our government – starting with what God says about it.  We hope that this series will be helpful to you.

May the Lord bless your family for His glory!


Cordially,
The Pat Welch Family, Publishers
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian

The Teaching Home is a homeschool, family-run business operated in our home since 1980.


Teach Your Children the Biblical Philosophy
of Government and Its Application in America


 The Third Alternative: Christian Self-Government 

by Bill Burtness

 "Excellent for high-school students ... simple yet profound."
– Susan Olasky, World Magazine 

•  Buy paperback (Save 22%) or Kindle version at Amazon.
•  Get more information at EducationforLiberty.com.
•  See YouTube Video: "The Three Philosophies of Government"
   (Chapter 3 of The Third Alternative and Self-Evident Truths, below)

 Self-Evident Truths 
 The American Philosophy of Government 


This is the expanded version of The Third Alternative, above.

 Ideal for your American government study. 

     Biblical worldview of government,
     written in simple terms.

     Biblical ideas and principles
     on which America was founded.


•  Learn more, Read a free excerpt,
   and Buy pdf e-book for only $7
   at Self-Evident-Truths.com
•  Buy paperback (Save 21%) or Kindle version
   at Amazon or Nook version at barnesandnoble.

Judah Bible Curriculum
www.JudahBible.com


1.  The Biblical Basis for Human Government

     God's establishment of, and involvement in,
     earthly government.


1.  God is the ultimate authority over all His creation.

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
     And His sovereignty rules over all.”  (Psalm 22:28)


2.  God establishes governments.

“Every person is to be in subjection
     to the governing authorities.
     For there is no authority except from God,
     and those which exist are established by God.”
     (Romans 13:1)


3.  Human government is to punish evil and reward good.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake
     to every human institution,
     whether to a king as the one in authority,
     or to governors as sent by him for the punishment
     of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”
     (I Peter 2:13)


4.  God can use even evil rulers to accomplish His purposes.

“The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
     And bestows it on whom He wishes
     And sets over it the lowliest of men.”
     (Daniel 4:17)


5.  God influences the thoughts of kings.

“The king's heart is like channels of water
     in the hand of the Lord;
     He turns it wherever He wishes.”
     (Proverbs 21:1)


6.  God can remove and replace rulers at any time.

“He removes kings and establishes kings.”
     (Daniel 2:21)


7.  The ideal government supports righteousness, justice,
      and peace.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,
     petitions and thanksgivings,
     be made on behalf of all men,
     for kings and all who are in authority,
     so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life
     in all godliness and dignity.

“This is good and acceptable
     in the sight of God our Savior,
     who desires all men to be saved
     and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
     (I Timothy 2:1-4)



Electing America's Leaders
A Timely Unit Study for Your Whole Family!

A fabulous 9-10 week unit study for 3rd grade through junior high on the electoral process and how to positively influence the process through hands-on, real-life grass roots campaigning.

This is a manual the entire family will want to use to train the next generation to not only love freedom, but to be equipped to exercise freedom to effect change in the political arena.

This is not book work.  This is a "Go do it" instruction manual.


See more information and order.
Special Price Now Only $15 (reg. $35) – Save $20!

KONOS
Biblically-Based Unit Studies
www.konos.com


Watch KONOS author, Jessica Hulcy,
Walk Thru a Unit as she explains
how to use KONOS unit study curriculum.


2.  Our Duty To Obey Human Government

     Why we should obey and participate in
     our government.


Our Duty To Obey

God's Word makes it clear that we are to obey our government's authorities.

1.  Pay Taxes
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s;
and to God the things that are God’s.”
(see Matthew 22:17- 21)

2.  Obey the Law
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake
to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one in authority,
or to governors as sent by him
for the punishment of evildoers
and the praise of those who do right.”
(I Peter 2:13-14)
(See also Romans 13:1-7 and Titus 3:1)

3.  Exception
When obeying the government would actually cause you to disobey God, chose to obey God instead.
“But Peter and the apostles answered,
‘We must obey God rather than men.’
(Acts 5:29)


Our Duty To Vote

Voting is the process designed by our Constitution whereby our government is directed by us, “the people.”

Ultimately, all parts of our government are affected by our voting – not just Presidential elections.

It is a privilege and a responsibility of every citizen to participate in our government on all levels and to take part in the direction our nation is going.

Yet a significant percent of Americans do not register or vote!  This should not be true of Christians.

Christians can impact our society and nation if we all make a concerted effort to cast informed votes guided by biblical truths.  We should also seek to influence others to do the same.



The future of America depends
on what Christians do – or don't do!

The Political Animal is a 6-part video course by Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries.  How Christians can become more like Christ – and change the world – through political involvement.
The 6 videos are:

1.  How Christian involvement changes the world and why we're on the brink of losing it all.  Click HERE to watch the first lesson for FREE!

2.  Responding to myths that keep Christians ignorant and uninvolved

3.  Why Christians avoid politics and how they can embrace it with integrity

4.  What's right with America and how biblical principles keep a nation stable and happy

5.  Not just voting: creative ways to get involved and make a difference

6.  Political power's trap: how to stand with grace and not be ensnared

Now only $36.95 plus s/h (save $13). Find out more and order here.


Summit Ministries
www.summit.org
Box 207, Manitou Springs CO 80829  |  866-786-6483


3.  The Nature of Government

As we have seen from the Scripture above, God has set up government, and He ordains is always for our benefit and His glory.

Government is primarily direction, regulation, control, and restraint.  This can apply to oneself, parents in regards to their children, or to nations.

(See Bill Burtness' excellent explanation of the nature and philosophy of government in his YouTube presentation of "The Third Alternative: Christian Self-Government.")

Government of nations is "the exercise of authority; direction and restraint exercised over the actions of men in communities, societies or states; the administration of public affairs, according to established constitution, laws and usages, or by arbitrary edicts."   – 1828 edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language.

The basic functions of governments are to provide internal and external security, order, and justice.  Most governments are also involved, at varying degrees, in providing welfare services, regulating the economy, and establishing educational systems.

The extremes of government are anarchy, lawlessness and the absence of governmental authority, and totalitarianism, the governmental regulation of every aspect of people's lives.


Classifications of Government

Forms of government can be classified in different ways, although most countries combine two or more and every country is different, regardless of how it is classified.

General classifications include:

1.  Power/Authority - held by one, a few, or a majority.

2.  Institutional organization and the degree of control exercised over the society (see list below).

3.  Economics - control of goods and services that are bought, sold, and used.

Summit Ministries Worldview Dictionary defines the the three major economic systems as follows.

Capitalism: an economic system based on the peaceful and free exchange of goods and services without fraud, theft and breech of contract; free market or economy.

Socialism: an economic system in which the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution (land, factories, railroads, etc) are controlled by the government. According to Marxism, socialism (i.e. abolition of private property) is the transitional phase between capitalism and communism.

(See video online, "Socialism: A Clear and Present Danger," produced by Truth in Action Ministries. "Socialism essentially is the redistribution of wealth.")

Communism: the Marxist dream of a future Utopian society brought about by a proletariat revolution and ultimately leading to a classless society in which all property is publicly shared and each person works and is compensated according to their abilities and needs.



New: Home School Edition with Better
than Ever Phonics and Math Programs!


Christ-Centered Phonics
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Whether you start your child's education early or later,
Christ-Centered Curriculum is for you!


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Toll Free: 1-800-778-4318


4.  Forms of Government

The following are the major forms of government. The definitions below are from the CIA World Factbook.  (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.)

Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Also see Ecclesiastical, Islamic republic.

Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Also see Absolute monarchy, Parliamentary monarchy, Sultanate, Emirate.

Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.

Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.

Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).

Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. Also see Maoism, Marxism, Marxism-Leninism, Authoritarian, Totalitarian.

Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite.

Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Also see Commonwealth, Confederacy (Confederation), Federal (Federation), Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government), Presidential.

Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Also see Constitutional democracy, Parliamentary democracy, Democratic republic.

Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Also see Federal republic.

Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority.

(See a list of the 195 countries of the world and their government type at the CIA World Factbook.  Use the "Select a Country or Location" pull-down menu to get in-depth information about your selected country.)

More resources: YouTube video Types of Government, Explained; YouTube PowerPoint Types of Government, Based on Basic Features; Summit Ministries online Worldview Chart comparing six major worldview in 10 different areas.  Mouse over each item for an expanded explanation.