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Earlier this year, I wrote a lot about the impact that attending the Teach Them Diligently Convention had on me and my perspective on our homeschooling priorities. One concept that became more clear to me throughout each session was the calling of home discipleship — not just homeschooling.

Although I am a homeschool graduate who appreciated my personal homeschooling experience, I struggled with the decision to homeschool my own daughters, and we held off for several years. When we did finally decide to homeschool, the discipleship of our children was a primary motivator — although I didn’t have a “label” for it at the time. I just knew that in my heart, following the Deuteronomy 6:5-7 admonition included bringing formal schooling and more into our home.

When I was offered the opportunity to review a preview copy of the book Home Discipleship by Kimberly Williams, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! The graphic for her cover said it all: I’m not just homeschooling for the sake of schooling, I’m “home discipling” for the sake of fulfilling God’s call for me as a mother who is diligently following Him and training my children to do the same.

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I’m happy to report that I was really blessed by the message of this book, as well as the followup questions and Bible exploration that concluded each chapter. Reading this book was like having a conversation with a Christ-following mentor mom who could rein in all my disparate thoughts, concerns, and challenges with homeschooling/parenting/motherhood, and point me in the right direction — with focus and Biblical wisdom.

Kimberly Williams is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mother, and author who shares practical advice, tips, and encouragement for Christian homeschooling parents who understand and accept the Word of God as the final authority on all things — including the realms of family, home, and education. Her passion for writing has one purpose, to point others to Jesus Christ. Along with her latest book Home Discipleship, she is the author of Living Out the Word, a series of expository ladies Bible studies through the books of the Bible.

 Here’s what I loved about Home Discipleship:

  • The Message: Homeschooling is truly much more than ABC’s and 123’s, as the book cover suggests. However, the concept of home discipleship isn’t limited to homeschoolers, and the author makes that clear from the start. Home discipleship is a calling for all Christ-following parents. We all have the unique role of being the primary spiritual guides and examples for our children — a role that we are created for, equipped for, and called to. Whether you are homeschooling or not, you can and should invest in the discipleship of your children.
  • The Scope: This book addresses a wide variety of fundamental topics for Biblical parenting, from our Biblical mandate as parents and the structure of the home as described in scripture, to the everyday practicalities, individuality of our children, and expected opposition. Mrs. Williams covers the most vital topics in a conversational, easy-to-read format, with accompanying scripture and followup for each subject.
  • The Study Opportunity: I am a fast reader, and although my first pass on the book only took a couple of hours (which is ideal for the busy parent), I was excited to go back and read each chapter with “pause” for the study questions and Bible study suggested at the conclusion of each chapter. This would be an ideal book for parents to read together, with use of the conclusion for discussion, as well as a study for a small group of parents or within a homeschool group. It’s an encouraging and inspiring read on its own, as well as an ideal launching point for group study on this topic.
  • The Integrity: I am a homeschooling mom in the trenches who wants to learn from other moms who have been where I am and are willing to talk about it. I really appreciated Kimberly’s honest perspective and willingness to share all that God has revealed to her through her own personal parenting journey. It’s very apparent that she’s also done “the homework” in her personal Bible study, and she brings to light vital and relevant scriptures to exhort and encourage us all as we pursue the same calling in our own lives.

My overall opinion of Home Discipleship is this: If you are a parent who’s interested in getting Biblically “real” about the role and responsibility God has placed on you — and only you — in the upbringing of your children, this book is for you. It’s been a while since I have read a book that I felt was a “must read,” however Home Discipleship is one of those books that I would give as a gift to any Christian parent. Kimberly Williams does a stellar job covering the key fundamentals of home discipleship in an easy-to-read, relevant, conversational format, while including a wealth of followup study.

To celebrate the launch of her new book, Kimberly Williams has graciously provided me with TWO autographed copies of Home Discipleship to gift to two NextGen Homeschool readers! Enter to win below — our raffle ends on Sunday, Oct. 14! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win. Don’t forget to share this giveaway with your friends! THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.

Special Reader Discount: Although the giveaway is over, Kimberly Williams is offering NextGen Homeschool readers a special discount on Home Discipleship. Simply go to HomeDiscipleship.Net and use the coupon code (U9KNMTVM) to receive 20% off your purchase — just $9.56 per book!

What does the term “home discipleship” mean to you? What are your motivations for homeschooling? Let us know in the comments section below and receive a five-point entry into our giveaway!

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29 Replies to “Book Review & Giveaway: Home Discipleship”

  1. I would like to learn how to help my children to grow to be not only followers of Christ but leaders who will lead other to know Him too.

    1. Sarah, this is a great resource for doing exactly that — it’s my heart’s desire too and I’m thankful to be learning from moms such as Kimberly Williams and Sally Clarkson in this area!
      Renée

    1. You are right, to disciple others one must first be discipled. I pray you will find a strong fellowship of believers who will come alongside and disciple you so that you can in turn disciple your precious children. Blessings to you!

  2. This book probably couldn’t have come at a better time. So many parents are looking for something more, something to assist them in their journey to raise Christ-like children.

  3. I would love to learn how to incorporate the bible so that our four children can learn and apply God’s message…

  4. I would love to learn practical application. I need specific ideas to implement. Thanks for the Giveaway. This book looks fantastic!

  5. I would love to learn more about this and step out in faith to homeschool our daughter next year who will be in 1st grade. Thank you so much for this website! God bless you and your family!

    1. Meg, It is a step of faith, but remember you take it one step at a time. My husband and I decided when we first began that we would take one year at a time with our children. Each year our convictions about home education have grown. Now looking back our family wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Many blessings!

  6. This is my first year homeschooling my 4 kids. I want to teach them to become strong, godly children when they grow up, so that they can take on the sin that they will have to overcome. I want them to be success men and women. So, I have to start now! 🙂

  7. I would love for my boys to have a deep aching to share God and His strength and perseverance to do that in any situation.

  8. I have 3 girls & so long for them to have the heart of their Father & hear His voice. I’d love to hear her take.

  9. As a graduate of public school and now a homeschooling mom, I would like to learn how to break out of “school-must-look-like-THIS” mode, and ease into a more Scriptural way of home-educating our 7 kiddos.

  10. I need to learn all I can. We are just starting out considering starting next year and I am looking for all resources I can in homeschooling/discipling our boys. Would love this resource- sounds great!!! Thanks so much for this offer!!!!

  11. I am just beginning my homeschooling journey and I love the idea of being able to soak up more knowledge that can help me in this journey. Thank you for hosting this giveaway and giving us an opportunity to win this book.

  12. I have a 3-year old daughter and this year I began to homeschool her in a more serious way than before. I want her to grow up to be a follower of Christ and a good mom, able to teach her children the faith given to us by the fathers.

  13. I like the term home discipleship, this is my heart behind homeschooling. Sounds like a great book!

  14. This book sounds wonderful. We too attended Teach Them Diligently and my heart is burden to share the idea of home discipline with young mothers. This book sounds like it would be so good to share with them.

  15. Even tho I am a “veteran” homeschooler (and mom!) I still look for spiritual refreshment for me…..which ends up helping my kiddos. This sounds like an interesting read!

  16. We have been working towards more focus on home discipleship in our home schooling. This book sounds like a great tool.

  17. Congratulations to the winners, Shanon and Traci!

    For all other NextGen Homeschool readers I would like to offer a discount on Home Discipleship. Simply go to http://www.homediscipleship.net and use this coupon code (U9KNMTVM) to receive 20% off your purchase, making it just $9.56 a book!

    It’s great to see so many families with a heart for discipleship. Many blessings to each of you!

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