WHY a CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Scripture makes it clear that parents are accountable to God for how their children are educated and trained. Psalm 127:3 teaches that children are God’s “homework assignments “to parents. Parents may delegate some portion of their child’s education to others, but they will still answer to God for what and how their children are taught.

Have you assumed responsibility for your child’s education?

• Who or what controls the education of your child at home?
• What influence does the media have on your child at home?
• What is your child being taught in church, Sunday school, and other church related activities?
• What is your child learning at school? From their teacher? From the textbook? From the curriculum? From other students? From the school’s policies and procedures?

Deuteronomy 11:19 – And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

The Bible teaches that education must be a consistent and comprehensive effort that occurs when our children get up each morning, when they are at home or away from home, and when they lie down to sleep.

Are you consistently and continually teaching your child?

• What are you doing to diligently teach your child the truths of God when they wake up each day?
• How are you diligently teaching your child God’s ways while they are at home?
• Is your child being taught God’s truth in all their activities?
• What are you doing to impress God’s Word into your child’s heart as they finish the day and go to bed?

Psalm 78:6-7 – …that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

We must never forget that the only goal with true meaning for the education of our children is that they know Jesus Christ as their Savior. If our children become renowned scholars, skilled athletes, or accomplished artists, and yet they do not know Christ, we've achieved nothing of lasting value.

Are you sharing the gospel with your children?

• Are you a true and growing follower of Christ?
• Is your life characterized by love, trust, and obedience to Him?
• Do all your educational efforts, both at and away from home, point my child to Christ and help him follow Christ (music, recreation, schooling, etc.)?

Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Life has no meaning apart from truth. God’s word is eternal and, therefore, is man‘s only source of truth. Every claim to truth must be critically viewed through the lens of scripture. This is the only way we can find true knowledge that will lead us to wisdom. Whatever we teach children must be based on the absolute truth found in God‘s Word.

Are you certain that your child’s education adheres to God’s truth?

• Do you, as a parent, know God’s Word and are growing in this knowledge by daily studying and meditation on it?
• Is what you teach your children at home, both in words and actions, founded on the truth of God’s Word?
• Do you, as a parent, know what is being taught to your children through the media, entertainment, recreation, church, Sunday school, and school?
  Is everything that is being taught to your children outside the home grounded in the Word of God?

Colossians 1:18 – He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Because of the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for all men, His name is exalted above every other name. Scripture tells us that not only did Christ created everything, but everything was created for Him. He is to be preeminent in everything – including the education of our children. When He is preeminent, our children will live in an authentic and personal relationship with Him.

Do you give Christ preeminence in your home?

• Would your children know that Christ is your first love by your actions?
• Is Christ the focus of your church as it relates to training your children?
• Is Christ the center of your children’s schooling?
• Would Christ be welcomed into your family’s activities?

Matthew 19:13-14 – Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus loved children throughout His earthly ministry. When the disciples tried to keep children from getting too close to Jesus, He rebuked them and spoke plainly about the seriousness of causing a child to stumble into sin.

Are you directing your child to Christ?

• Are your children being exposed to or taught anything in your home that will draw them away from Jesus?
• Are your children being exposed to or taught anything at home, church, school or in the community that will draw them away from Jesus?

Proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

God created the entire universe. Scripture makes it clear that God reveals His very character and nature to us through our understanding of His created world. The education that we provide our children must not merely give our children knowledge but must lead them to true wisdom and understanding by causing them to see the God-intended meaning found in everything they learn.

Are your children developing biblical wisdom?

• Have you developed a biblical frame of reference (worldview) that causes you to interpret the meaning of all knowledge and every aspect of life with its God-intended meaning?
• Does the education your children receive at home, church and school require them to submit their minds to God?
• Does the education your children receive lead them to interpret every aspect of creation in the light of His word?

1 Samuel 1:27-28 – For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

The task of raising our children is overwhelming. Every parent will in some way delegate some of the responsibility to others to properly educate their children. This happens when we take them to church, allow them to go on the Internet, or send them to school. Who are you permitting to help you educate your children?

What do you know about those who are educating your children?

• Do they fear God, love truth and hate covetousness?
• What are you doing to ensure that these types of people are the only ones who are helping me educate your children?

Philippians 4:9 – Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Every person has a worldview, an underlying belief system that drives their attitudes and actions in life. There are only two possible worldviews one can hold – a God-centered worldview or a man-centered worldview. It is critical to understand that our worldview is primarily determined by the worldview of our teachers.

Do your children see life from a biblical worldview?

• Do you have a God-centered worldview? Do you think and act from a biblical perspective?
• What type of worldview is your child receiving and seeing in your home, in your church, and in his school?
• What type of worldview is being presented through the music your child listens to? In the media he is seeing and reading? In the textbooks he is studying?

Colossians 3:1-2 – 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.

God calls every child in two ways. The first and most important is an eternal call for that child to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The second call is to live a life of surrender to Christ. The education of a child must not only prepare him for life here, but also for his inevitable meeting with God.

Do your children see life from an eternal perspective?

• Why do you want your child to receive a good education?
• Does your life reflect an eternal perspective as you live before your children?
• How is the eternal perspective expressed in the teaching of your children that takes place in your home, church, and school?
• Do you want your children to get a good job and have a comfortable lifestyle more than you want God to use them in any way He sees fit?