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Christian Education and the Bible

 

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God has called, anointed, and equipped those whom He trusts to teach His people with Christian education being the major method by which we know about Him and His ways. If the message about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is not honestly taught by Christian men and women, then the world will do the work with its own standards and ideologies....​

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The fundamental objective for teaching Christian education is to instruct students about God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the main source for spiritual knowledge with its expansive records relating to these topics. The scope of knowledge in this book encompasses more than the human mind can comprehend without the influence of the Holy Spirit. Beginning with the observation of God’s intricate creation: natural scenes, the evidence of mankind’s intellectual abilities through empirical examination, along with practical demonstrations, and the intricacy of the human mind, all exceed our expectations. This includes investigation into the secrets of God’s word through spiritual discernment, historical evidence, interpretation, cultural explanation, all proving the Bible’s applicability to modern man. Biblical study increases reflective knowledge for introspection, thoughtfulness, theoretical, conceptual, and insightful understanding. It is also experiential which deals with practical evidence through study and application.

   Accurate transparency of the Bible comes through discernment from the Holy Spirit Who knows the mind of God (I Corinthians 2). It is from the teachings of the Bible, which is the living word of God, that we learn about creation, the fall of man, sin, God’s forgiveness, and His redemptive power through Jesus Christ Who redeemed mankind from eternal damnation. Christians, along with others refer to the Bible for moral and spiritual knowledge for life’s interactions, communicating, and socializing with one another. The Bible teaches about wholeness of the spirit, soul, and body. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I (pray) God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:23). It gives information how we are to live among one another (Matthew 5; Exodus 20), and how we are to relate to God (John 4:24). Concerning Jesus, the Bible states that He was before the world began even though He was not evident to mankind in the flesh; until His birth. This message must be brought forth to the student to give clear understanding, and explaining Jesus’ advent, and His eventual presentation to the world. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).

  Unless the educator knows, believes, and accepts these facts and communicates them to students with positive transfer, Christian education would be unproductive. The aim of teaching is to transform the minds and lives of students to make them better people, especially when we consider Christian education which gives knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Successful Christian education is accomplished by consciously and prayerfully teaching appropriate subjects and methods, with the use of spiritual and practical demonstrations. This is required for all forms of teaching students at different ages and levels of learning. Failing this, the message would be meaningless, and students would not gain pertinent spiritual perception to improve their understanding and knowledge of God, or for successful practical application of the word. Unless the word is presented in both spiritual and practical demonstrations so that everyone understands, teaching would be ineffective, and transfer may not be realised.

The Bible with its sixty-six books presents a library of its own, with a plethora of information for teaching and learning about every subject, age, culture, and time. The major problem when using the Bible as a text, would be the honest and factual interpretation of the message. This also requires devising spiritual and practical methods and techniques for transference without intimidation to the learners regardless to the age and ability of the student.

  Since the Bible is such an operative text for teaching and learning, the structure of Christian education must begin with God, Who is the Creator of the entire universe (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 33). He is the Source of all knowledge and wisdom. Next, we have Jesus Christ God’s Son Who came to the world to save sinners, and finally the Holy Spirit Who is the Comforter, Teacher, and Guide. These factors must be the main subjects for Christian education.

  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Questions such as “How could Jesus have been in the world and then came as a baby?” “How could this be?” The questions are relevant and require real answers. When referring to the godhead, they existed before the world began. They have no beginning, and they have no ending. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8). These are mysteries which require time, study, and investigation through the Holy Spirit. Not everything will be written. Some things are only revealed, and no one knows everything except God. Whatever the answers may be, we must accept by faith that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are eternal with no beginning and no ending.

  The educator must produce prophetic facts from the Old Testament teachings about Jesus and link these with the New Testament to illustrate that He was present in the world, even though disguised in many situations, through the workings of various people and incidents. They include (Joshua 5:13-15; Daniel 3:25; Revelation 13:8; Genesis 3:21). It is through Jesus Christ that we have the opportunity to know God and to be reconciled with Him (II Corinthians 5:19). Paul alluded to this in Colossians 1:13-20, where he stated that Jesus translated us from the darkness of sin, and through His blood we have redemption. Jesus gave His life on Calvary’s Cross in agony so that we might have eternal life, which He gave more abundantly.

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

  Although Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, He sent us the Holy Spirit our Comforter who guides us into all truth (John 16, 14). These truths must be translated in a format so that students are able to understand and assimilate, to apply them spiritually, theoretically, and practically. Christian education presents Christianity through the medium of teaching the word of God for enlightenment and understanding. This type of learning is necessary so that we are not in ignorance, and to avoid being vulnerable to the enemy to be used as his prey (I Peter 5:8). Christians should study, interpret, understand, and apply the word to make them wiser than the people of the world; rather than the world being wiser than they are as was alluded to by Jesus (Luke 16:8). If leaders do not prepare the Christian community to face the world by teaching them how to overcome the assaults of the enemy, they will most certainly will fall under his influence. Therefore, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Christian educator will be directed through revelation and discernment to define, interpret, and transmit knowledge about Jesus and other topics resulting in spiritual excellence for the students. Paul was extremely protective concerning the stabilization and maintenance of the purity and accuracy of the gospel. His aim was that the gospel would remain intact, and the message would not be corrupted or distorted. With this concern, he instructed Timothy to teach the gospel to others after his departure.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2). Jude further voiced his concern for the protection of gospel of Jesus Christ. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3).

  As members of the body of Christ, we must avoid being deceived by corrupt theology which only emphasize humanistic thought while it excludes the origins and dangers of sin. We must do all in our power to teach the word with the influence of the Holy Spirit Who will empower and anoint us.

  Jesus also instructed the disciples to reach the entire world with the message of salvation through the great Commission stating:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20).

  Teachers of Christian education must truthfully and honestly present the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and refrain from being led into apostasy or legalism. They should adhere to the fundamental doctrine laid down by Jesus and followed by the Apostles; which the local church must continue to teach.

  Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2).

  These are essential principles for salvation which, through the Holy Spirit will change and prepare those who are willing to accept it in readiness for the coming of the Lord. These teachings are the pillars on which Christian education and Christianity rest. If the Christian educator maintains the truths of the gospel message, the students will be inspired to tell others about Jesus Christ.

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The Christian Educator

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