I am going to write about something that consumes my life! Christian Education: the process of giving or receiving systematic instruction that is specifically and intentionally Christian in nature. As a trained teacher, parent, pastor, elder – and person of faith – my life has been devoted to and consumed by Christian education – I have worked and continue to do so in Christian schools for most of my life. But whether Christian schools even existed or not, Christian education would be my passion and one of the most important things in my life. Here is why.
Christian Education is important because it is a biblical commandment. I could argue that it is found in the BIG 10, but in reality, not one of them actually says, “Thou shalt attend a Christian school.” However, given what is being taught in most publically funded schools— the first two commandments might just apply! “You shall have no other gods” and “You shall not make idols”— could point Christian parents in the direction of Christian schools but (absolutely) do formulate the basis of all education that can call itself “Christian, biblical, or godly!”
Okay—first bunny trail! Christian schools are not commanded in scripture. They didn’t even really exist. But what is commanded is godly education, and I believe the best method of godly education today can and ought to be Christian schools. But not all Christian schools or Christian school systems and curricula are, so be careful! Some schools and school systems have a Christian name on the building, but that doesn’t make them biblical or godly education systems. Let’s hope they are trying!
Let’s return to the topic and first point: Where is Christian education commanded in the Bible? There are a lot of places that come to mind, but none so blatantly obvious as the “Shema Yisrael.” It was and is the central affirmation of Judaism – found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
If you need further proof that godly (Christian) education is a command of scripture, take the time to meditate on the following verses: Matt. 28:16-20, Prov. 22:6, Eph. 6:4, Psalm 78, Col 3:16-17.
Christian Education is important because it is a moral compass. Morals are a person’s standards of behaviour or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do. Compasses (is that the correct plural?) point us in the right direction when we get off track. People, children and adults alike, who receive godly, biblical education are given a moral compass by which to live. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Not only does Christian education point us in the right direction, it keeps us travelling in the right direction toward our God-given purpose. (Isaiah 55)
I don’t believe that “morally neutral education” exists. For further reflection and discussion on this idea, please refer to this web article: https://teacherfulton.wordpress.com/2021/09/06/can-education-be-neutral/. The author explains it better than I would here, other than to quote their quote: “All teaching is moral.”
Christian Education is important because it is a truth detector. We live in a world of confusion and deception, which is rampant due to misinformation spread through social media, biased news sources, and deepfake technology. For instance, misleading headlines and manipulated videos often create false narratives, leading to widespread distrust and misunderstanding. This environment makes it challenging to discern truth, fueling division and skepticism across various aspects of life. (If you believe I wrote the last three sentences, thank you for proving my point! ChatGPT, an AI platform, wrote them for me.) Confusion and deception! But Christian education is a truth detector.
A biblical worldview helps people discern truth from falsehood. It views the world through the lens of scripture and biblical principles and sees reality the way God sees it, not as the world sees it. Raising a standard of morality and ethics based on biblical commandments is essential to combating our world’s rampant moral relativity and immorality. Learning to think critically (biblically critical, that is) equips believers to identify truth and reject deception rather than being blind followers of anti-Christian leaders and groupthink. Being able to discern spiritually the events and matters of the world in which we live comes from being educated in God’s truth. As Frank Gaebelein once wrote, “All truth is God’s Truth.” By integrating biblical faith and learning we see the consistency and coherence of truth that lies across different disciplines, topics, and subjects.
Christian Education is important because it is incarnational. At the heart of Christian education lies the incarnation. God modelling truth, morality, and unwavering obedience to biblical commandments and principles through His own life and demonstration as the Master Teacher – Jesus. A person who embodies in their flesh – the life, the mission, the attitudes, and the actions of Jesus – can proclaim with the same boldness as the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1:
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Christian education is important because it is a biblical command, a moral compass, a truth detector, and incarnational. Learn it, Love it – Live it!
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