For the Christian family Christian education is not an option. Nor does Christian education take place in a certain place or at a specific time. The Christian, child or adult, must see that in every area of life we are practicing disciples, building upon the Word of God our moral character. Home Schooling, Christian Schools, and even state schools, are in process of teaching one of two world views; either the Biblical Worldview or the Atheistic Worldview. We are either obedient to God or obedient to man. We cannot have two masters; we will love the one or love the other.
Education bears either Christian character or humanistic characteristics. Though the humanist may develop some moral characteristics in their teaching corresponding to the moral teaching of the Bible, they do so as they have no moral foundation of their own to build upon. Like in the movie, the “Borrowers” must borrow from the “Big” people in order to have some substance to their teachings and, therefore, to their lives. Except in the movie the Borrowers had a measure of moral character in their recognition of who they were. The humanists write books and then use the books as their foundation of what truth is. The Christian, hopefully, endeavor to put self behind and rely upon the objective truth of the Word of God.
The Christian, whether they are teaching good manners at the table, or respect for elders, or loving obedience in the home, or prayer, or math, or reading of stories, learning grammar, etc., do so upon the teaching of Scripture. It is the Word of God which nourishes the soul and develops a true Christian character and spirit in each of us.
Take for example the giving and teaching of the Ten Commandments. Moses, moved by the Spirit, speaks of the moral fiber of the Commandments in the life of God’s people: “Hear, O Israel; the Lord thy God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:4-9).
Among others, there are two strong admonitions from this Word. First there is the truth that the Lord God Almighty is our Lord, and by implication, that our hearts are being made ready for instruction because of our love for God. The second truth is that the foundation of the teaching of the Word is to be found in the home. These passages, I believe, also teach that Christian teaching effect all areas of our lives, especially strengthening the home, and therefore the greater family, the Church, of which Christ is King and Head. Every teaching of Scripture is practical, affecting the whole person, in every relationship. Dr. Chuck Baynard, in his book, When the Mountain Thundered, introducing his teaching of the Ten Commandments, reminding us of its practical applications: “I believe we can then see that it is the utmost importance for us to understand and apply as a very minimum this summary of the Moral Law as a most consistent basis in our daily lives. Once more, what man is ignorant of, he also is indifferent towards. There have been many commentaries written and sermons preached on the Ten Commandments. I will attempt here not to plow another’s field so to speak, but Lord willing bring to us how this works out in the practical application to life of these ten rules of life. It was and is my desire that wherever possible show how these ten core rules as disclosed by the Westminster Divines apply to the classic points of Calvinism. If the Calvinist is right, then his precepts must latterly roll from the pages of God’s Word, even in this summary we find in the Moral Law.”
Christian Education does not begin in the home; it is part and parcel of the home. Whether we teach objectively, subjectively, or place our children under another teacher, we must know and understand that we are responsible for what is being taught. The teaching of lies is not a part of our agenda as Christian families under the tutelage of the Spirit and his wonderful Word, written. For the “scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (S.C. 3), in ALL areas of life.
Grandpa
Robert L. La May
http://www.disciple107.com/
http://www.lulu.com/observer/ for books of helpful teaching in Christ
Education bears either Christian character or humanistic characteristics. Though the humanist may develop some moral characteristics in their teaching corresponding to the moral teaching of the Bible, they do so as they have no moral foundation of their own to build upon. Like in the movie, the “Borrowers” must borrow from the “Big” people in order to have some substance to their teachings and, therefore, to their lives. Except in the movie the Borrowers had a measure of moral character in their recognition of who they were. The humanists write books and then use the books as their foundation of what truth is. The Christian, hopefully, endeavor to put self behind and rely upon the objective truth of the Word of God.
The Christian, whether they are teaching good manners at the table, or respect for elders, or loving obedience in the home, or prayer, or math, or reading of stories, learning grammar, etc., do so upon the teaching of Scripture. It is the Word of God which nourishes the soul and develops a true Christian character and spirit in each of us.
Take for example the giving and teaching of the Ten Commandments. Moses, moved by the Spirit, speaks of the moral fiber of the Commandments in the life of God’s people: “Hear, O Israel; the Lord thy God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:4-9).
Among others, there are two strong admonitions from this Word. First there is the truth that the Lord God Almighty is our Lord, and by implication, that our hearts are being made ready for instruction because of our love for God. The second truth is that the foundation of the teaching of the Word is to be found in the home. These passages, I believe, also teach that Christian teaching effect all areas of our lives, especially strengthening the home, and therefore the greater family, the Church, of which Christ is King and Head. Every teaching of Scripture is practical, affecting the whole person, in every relationship. Dr. Chuck Baynard, in his book, When the Mountain Thundered, introducing his teaching of the Ten Commandments, reminding us of its practical applications: “I believe we can then see that it is the utmost importance for us to understand and apply as a very minimum this summary of the Moral Law as a most consistent basis in our daily lives. Once more, what man is ignorant of, he also is indifferent towards. There have been many commentaries written and sermons preached on the Ten Commandments. I will attempt here not to plow another’s field so to speak, but Lord willing bring to us how this works out in the practical application to life of these ten rules of life. It was and is my desire that wherever possible show how these ten core rules as disclosed by the Westminster Divines apply to the classic points of Calvinism. If the Calvinist is right, then his precepts must latterly roll from the pages of God’s Word, even in this summary we find in the Moral Law.”
Christian Education does not begin in the home; it is part and parcel of the home. Whether we teach objectively, subjectively, or place our children under another teacher, we must know and understand that we are responsible for what is being taught. The teaching of lies is not a part of our agenda as Christian families under the tutelage of the Spirit and his wonderful Word, written. For the “scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (S.C. 3), in ALL areas of life.
Grandpa
Robert L. La May
http://www.disciple107.com/
http://www.lulu.com/observer/ for books of helpful teaching in Christ
