This fool of a writer is a teacher at an international school in an Asian mega-city. He has recently been working on a statement to describe his philosophy of Christian Education. Perhaps you, beloved, will be edified.
Statement Outlining My Christian Philosophy of Education, Q3, 2014
Christian Education is not just about giving kids tools to learn how to learn and think; though it is this (Colossians 1:28). It is not just about teaching kids how to see their world in the light of Scripture; though it is this too (Romans 12:1,2). It is not just about mastery of wholesome and important content; though it is this as well. (2 Timothy 2:15)… It is not just helping students become good, Christian citizens; though it is this also (1 Peter 2:17)
Christian Education is about teaching students WHY they are learning what they are learning. And it is to learn HOW to actually live out what they learn, in a loving relationship of robust faith in their faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. If the Christian educator does their job well, a student who chooses to learn what is available to him/her will be able to understand how to view the world (its origin, the meaning of life, the structure of morality, and the destiny of mankind), and move into that same world with strength. They will know who they are in Christ – and how He might live out His Life in them and through them in an Abundant Life, and in skillful fulfillment of the Great Commission. The entire Gospel, actually lived, is incredibly good news that brings about profound spiritual, societal, institutional, industrial, artistic, medical, and academic improvement in society. Said simply: Jesus is good for the world, and we are His body, bringing His goodness to the world. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
The best milieu for the education of children is with their parents. Parents bear the primary responsibility for raising a child. The initial setting of a child’s moral compass, and his/her view of what God the Father is like, occurs in their early years, and in the home. Christian educators can support this, but not substitute for it. So, In support of the parent’s efforts, a Christian educator must team with the parents to obtain the best possible outcome. (Deuteronomy 6:4-19, Proverbs 22:6, 1 Corinthians 12, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 6:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14-17)
It is vital to understand that a human being is made in the image of God. We (both educators and students) have an astounding capacity to think, learn, feel, choose and cause change in our sphere of influence. We are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Different students will learn different ways and at different rates. It is the responsibility of teachers to differentiate methods and modes of instruction that will best fit the students in a given learning environment. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Christian educators have a profound responsibility to be skilled in their profession and to take their calling seriously. We cannot teach to students what we have not fully learned. Further, we cannot promote a relationship with Christ if we do not have a real, and active one with Him. Hypocrisy and bluffing is easily identified – and the offending educator quickly ‘dismissed’ – by students. We are working with infinitely valuable students, on subjects of eternal importance. This truth should crush us into humility and drive us to seek God’s help in our work. For apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:1-26, James 3:1-18, 1 John 2:1-6).
Students are people who need help to grow in understanding and wisdom. We exist, in their lives, to serve and to guide them into the knowledge of God, as revealed in Scripture. Further, we are to be ushers into the goodness and wonder of creation, that they may find their skills and calling in this life. Finally, we must assist them as they begin to learn and grow into their identity as children of God, and sojourners in this world. We are assistants to parents, and the Heavenly Father, in bringing the potential fruit in a child to full growth. (Romans 12:6-7, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Ephesians 3:16-19, Colossians 3:16, Titus 2:7-8, James 1:5)
Winning Through Abiding
