Christian education is a very broad
topic. In
general, Christian education could be considered any
education that is based upon a Christian worldview or
teaches Christian principles.
The word intentionally should be added to this
definition however.
Even our public school system teaches some Christian
values such as honesty and integrity without endorsing
Christianity as they are generally accepted good traits.
Moreover, because the US has a Christian heritage
there will always be some Christian principles taught even
if they aren’t acknowledged as Christian in origin.
What is Christian education will vary
based on the context of whether it takes place in a school
setting or within a church.
In formal education it is impossible to make math
Christian but overall the school may strive to grow students
into mature Christians.
This would make it a Christian school and one would
receive a Christian education there.
In the context of a church, Christian education
should only have one goal, make fully functional disciples
of Christ.
There are four things that separate
Christian education from other types of education – people,
purposes, products, and processes.
In respect to people, Christian education is
different because it involves Christians.
Christians are the students and more mature
Christians are the teachers.
This can be found in any public school in America
however, so that is not all that is required.
The most important person in Christian education is
the Lord. God is
involved in the education of Christians, both as the subject
of the education and as the giver of spiritual gifts.
The spiritual gifts are then used for the glory of
God, completing the circle.
The purpose of Christian education is
different because it involves the reconciliation of our
relationship with God.
All Christians have already been forgiven and that
part of our relationship with God has already been restored.
However we continue to sin and need to continue to
ask for forgiveness.
We are taught to seek God in prayer and to worship
Him. The more we
do this, the more we attain spiritual maturity.
The products of Christian education is
brought as a result of the purpose of Christian education.
As a believer is brought into maturity, they will
worship the Lord more deeply and whole heartedly.
As they attain maturity, they will seek out others to
pass on their knowledge and begin the discipleship process
over again, this time as the teacher.
The final thing that makes education
Christian is the processes.
This is probably the biggest separation from secular
and Christian education.
The Bible is the core textbook in Christian
education. The
people are devoted to one another in a way that is not found
in normal teaching.
As a result of using the Bible as the authoritative
textbook, the education is Christ-centered and focused on
the disciplines that Jesus taught.
