7 FREE Mission Ideas for Homeschooling

By Contributing Writer, Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry

The Great Commission is not an option to consider;
it is a command to be obeyed. –Hudson Taylor, missionary to China

For this month’s Visionary Womanhood theme of practical homeschooling ideas, I want to share some ideas (all currently FREE) to incorporate a heart for world missions into your homeschooling. Instilling a vision for God’s Great Commission (Matthew 16:15, Mark 15:16) is not an “extra” subject to tack-on to our education. Having a heart to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be a focus of our lives and a foundation for our homeschooling.

We won’t all be called to international missionary service (although some, like our family, definitely are . . . and perhaps some of your children will be too!) but we’re all called to love God and to love others. We’re all called to expand God’s kingdom in our own sphere of influence . . . and beyond!

This generation can only reach this generation.
–David Livingstone, missionary to Africa

 #1 – FREE Mission-Minded Articles and “Family Leadership Online”

“God’s mission is for your family . . . to expand His family!”

Family Leadership Online is a new vision to provide training for Christian families — through various online media (audios, teleseminars, videos, materials, and classes) — for increased effectiveness in family life and Christian leadership.

FREE mission-minded family articles
Family Leadership Online – Training Classes

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,
and by the word of their testimony,
and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
–Revelation 12:11

 #2 – FREE “M.A.P.S. for KIDS” Curriculum – on PDF

“Missions is not just for missionaries! God’s call is for all!”

MAPS for KIDS! – Missions Adventure Preparation School
FREE Vacation Bible School Curriculum

Invest 5 days to train children for global missions! Missionaries-in-training will travel through customs with “passports” on M.A.P.S. for KIDS International Airlines to learn about the world and missionary heroes. They’ll taste international foods, experience adventures, make fun crafts, learn to share the Gospel, pray for the lost, and get ministry training in perhaps puppetry, the EvangeCube, worship, or drama!

Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice,
before everyone has heard it once? –Oswald J. Smith

 #3 – FREE – Teaching With God’s Heart for the World I and II

“A whirlwind missions expedition, through-history and across-the-globe!”

FREE daily unit-studies for homeschooling or family discipleship with BONUS File Folders – to train children to be self-motivated & self-disciplined

While your kids are young (older elementary), devote a year of your homeschool commitment to establishing a life-long family foundation in God’s Great Commission. This one-year (or two-year) study presents a whirlwind tour all-through-history and all-around-the-world. You will learn the importance of your personal relationship with the Lord and how to develop a love for the world and the lost. In 2 big volumes, this curriculum has hundreds of pages (with 52 weekly units, also available individually – all on PDF).

“Expect great things from God;
Attempt great things for God.”
–William Carey, missionary to India

 #4 – FREE Mission-Minded Passport Craft

“Mission-Minded Passports — Just for fun & just in case!”

FREE craft project– to make “Mission-Minded” Passports

A great learning tool for children. FREE PDF files and how-to instructions to make fun passport crafts to encourage children in missions, with a link to FREE coordinating international flag stickers.

Lost people matter to God,
and so they must matter to us. –Keith Wright

#5 – FREE Life Planning & Prayer Guide – on PDF & YouTube

Seek God — through diligent planning and prayer — for a Mission-Minded Life!

At the end of every year (or a few times during the year), it’s effective to get away and to seek God — for a personal retreat or even a special quiet time — to evaluate your short-term priorities and your life-long dreams. How can you keep in balance? How can you be more effective for His kingdom? This study includes 5 FREE videos and a 30-Page Life Planning/Prayer Guide.

FREE Focus Videos
FREE 30-Page 2012 Mission-Minded Planning & Prayer Guide

I have seen the Vision
And for self I cannot live.
Life is less than worthless
Til my all I give.
–Oswald J. Smith

#6 – FREE 4-Week Study Guide – for Families and Small Groups

“Mentor families for global impact . . . right from your living room!“

Mentor families or a friend to get more of God’s heart for world missions with this 4-week study guide (utilizing our books). Especially designed for small groups.

FREE Mission-Minded Families Study Guide – For Mentoring & Small Groups
FREE sample download of The Mission-Minded Child
FREE sample download of The Mission-Minded Family

Don’t Waste Your Life.
–John Piper

#7 – FREE 40-Days of Family Mission Mentoring – on YouTube

“It’s eight weeks to becoming more effective . . . for eternity!”

Take the 40-Day Mission-Minded Family Challenge!
FREE online mission class

In just 4-5 minutes each day, your family will be encouraged to obey God’s Great Commandment (to love God and love others) and God’s Great Commission. Progress Monday through Friday – for eight weeks, or at your own pace. Or gather a few families and encourage others in the challenge!