Almost every father has heard that he is to lead his family spiritually, physically, and in every other way. However, many fathers will tell you that no one has ever told them how to effectively lead their children, especially in the area of spiritual development. Michael Smith presents encouraging and practical tips to fathers for becoming a helpful participant in the home education program and a leader in the home. He provides insight on the mental and emotional bene?ts to mothers and children fathers can provide through speci?c activities, and offers suggestions to men on being more effective as husbands. Mike candidly shares his many failures and a few suc- cesses. The session concludes with a list of the six things homeschooling mothers have identi?ed as the primary ways their husbands can be more effective in the family’s homeschool program. In one father’s words, “Inspiring and convicting—thanks for the straight talk!”

Revisit the challenges, burdens and bene?ts of home schooling with a veteran homeschool father and leader. Addressing the potential, new, and veteran homeschooler and all homeschoolers in between, Michael Smith outlines the success of homeschooling in academics and social- ization, describes legal and legislative advances, and concludes that homeschoolers have earned the right to be left alone. For homeschoolers who are losing the vision, he reminds them of the bene?ts of homeschooling and offers some practical suggestions for relieving the pressure on the homeschooling family, especially Mom. “Thank you for con?rming the experience of my public education,” writes one parent, “and for convicting us even more of our commitment to bettering the lives of our children

Why aren’t your Christian neighbors homeschooling? What is the number one reason that parents do not homeschool? They lack confidence to believe that they can actually do the job, or, put another way – they fear failure. Many homeschoolers wonder how to determine whether they are successful or not. Mike explains in very clear biblical terms how to know whether or not you have been successful when you get to the end of your homeschool experience. The Bible gives clear and decisive direction in this area which should be very encouraging to all of us – even in the most difficult situations.

A general overview of the challenges, burdens, and benefits of homeschooling from a veteran homeschool father and leader. Michael Smith encourages homeschoolers who are losing the vision, reminds them of the benefits of homeschooling, and offers some practical suggestions for relieving the pressure on the homeschooling family, especially moms.

Almost every father has heard he is to lead his family spiritually, physically, and in every other way. However, many fathers were never taught to effectively lead. Michael Smith presents encouraging and practical tips to fathers. The session concludes with six ways mothers say their husbands can be more effective in leading the family’s homeschool. In one father’s words, “Inspiring and convicting – thanks for the straight talk!”

Parental rights and religious freedom are the two pillars of the constitutional right of parents to teach their children at home. But today homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. This session shows how growing opposition to homeschooling by the intellectual elites is based on a belief that the state, not the parents, has the exclusive right and responsibility to educate children. Homeschoolers are in their crosshairs and we are clearly at risk.

This charge was given to high school graduates at the Graduate Recognition Event of the 2009 OCEAN Conference. The text of the address is found in Micah 6:8: "And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NASB) Mike explains what it means to "do justly", to "walk humbly", and to "love mercy" as we go through our daily living. The aim of the address is to remind graduates of what's important in life and how to evaluate true success.