Christian Education Defined (pt.7)

Why Christian Education

Why should we even have Christian schools when, for all practical purposes, public education is free? Are drugs and rebellion the only reasons to place children in a Christian school? I believe that, as in all areas of life, the Bible has the answers within it to govern the education of children. Nobody with any common sense and discernment can deny the fact that secular humanism has gained control of the public school system. The teaching of God and His precepts has been cast out of the public educational system. That is all the reason needed to place children in a Christian school. The problems commonly cited, such as drugs and violence, are no more than the results of secular humanism. One of concerns in regards to Christian education and why people choose it is that the focus is often on what it does not have: drugs, gangs, etc. rather than a focus on what it does offer: Biblical instruction, character training, an emphasis on God. Christian schools should offer protection from the baser elements of society and the elements that seek to destroy our children, but that protection should come through what Christian schools offer by way of a Bible-centered atmosphere.

There is a surprising number of passages in the Bible that relate directly to the education of children. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says quite clearly that the commandments of God are to be taught to young people. Parents are given the responsibility for education, so they must be willing to sacrifice to enroll their children in a school that teaches in accordance with the parent's beliefs.

Martin Luther believed that Satan was a great enemy of his school because it trained children properly (Kepler 1979, 38). Christian education is not simply an escape from trouble, nor is it a pleasant alternative; it is a necessary part of raising children for Christians. The public school system will not train young people to serve Christ, so it must be expected that Christian young people in that system will be more likely to fall by the side than those in Christian schools (Proverbs 22:6). A teacher who cares is important and may for a period of time be effective in giving out facts, but the student learns more at school than the facts presented in the classroom. The overall atmosphere of a school must make it easy to learn and easy to serve God; only then will the student receive a proper education (Smith 1976, 67). An education that does not include a proper perspective of Jesus Christ is fault, for as Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life:   no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

Some of the goals of Christian education are as follows:

Christian education ought be based on the Bible principle of glorifying God (Colossians 1:17). Christian education should help to save children from an ungodly society by being a refresh­ing oasis in the world where young people gain strength and nourishment for life (Smith 1976, 28). Perhaps the most import ant goal, or result, of Christian education is the salvation of lost young people (Smith 1976, 26). Most Christians believe that the school is an extension or ministry, of the church, yet the idea of using it as an outreach for evangelism seems foreign to them. If governed properly, the Christian school can be useful for evangelism because it reaches the entire family (Baker 1979, 25). Christ, in the Great Commission, commanded us to reach the lost, yet we often neglect an outreach with unlimited potential.

Ephesians 4:11-12 provides a Biblical philosophy, a pur­pose, for Christian education. It is “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”   This cannot be done in or by public education, so we Christians must separate from it and fulfill the will of God (II Corinthians 6:14-18).

Christian education is necessary in the raising of young people. We are to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Out of that same chapter, verses ten through eighteen provides an illustration for the need of an education based firmly on Bible philosophy, while Colossians 3:12-17 lists some of the character traits that a Christian education ought produce in the life of students

In the introduction, Colossians 2:6-8 were quoted. To conclude, I would like to quote Colossians 3:1, 2, 23, and 24.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Many Christian schools are secular schools name of Christian. Christian education should be different because of its beliefs and teachings That is not to say that every Christian school needs to fit the same mold; however, the Bible should be an integral part of the program, not simply an add-on.  Christian educa­tion does not need to rely on new truth. We have the sole authority to base our philosophy upon, the Holy Word of God. Even as we train our students in math and English, we need to train our young people to serve God, to be good citizens, and to reach the lost for Christ.