The subject of Christian education is very broad and contains a variety of different topics. However, at the core of Christian education, is the gospel of Jesus Christ, His love for us, and His will. Jesus included Christian education in the great commission when Jesus said, “Go therefore, and teach all nations …”. Matthew 28:18-20 states “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Some ways can we educate children and others about God are as follows:
1. Holy Spirit: John 14:26 says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” We should seek the Holy Spirit to teaching us, and those around us, “all things” pertaining to God and His will. There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit’s presence in a worship service, sermon, testimony, song or anything else. The Holy Spirit is God here on earth and will teach us all things.
2. Parents and family: Family members can be a child’s greatest teachers.
A child brought up in an environment where both parents teach and talk about God with reverence and love is a blessing. A child’s education will likely suffer if raised in a home of divorce, or where only one parent is saved or close to God.
A child’s peers have a great influence over them. Parents should monitor their child’s friends and encourage their children to make close friends with children at their church. If parents’ value anything of the world greater than God, the child will likely do the same. Any sport or activity which will take a child away from a number of church activities should be avoided.
3. Sunday school: Each church member should attend Sunday School. Everyone needs to learn more about our Lord. When we attend Sunday School, we are supporting the education of everyone.
4. Retreats: Youth, women’s, or men’s retreats are great opportunity for intimate groups to worship, study, and fellowship together.
5. Vacation Bible School: This is an opportunity to teach the children of the church and children of the community. VBS is the only exposure many children get to biblical gospel. Knowing this, churches should make every effort to provide simple and doctrinally sound lessons.
6. Bible studies: An opportunity to educate everyone on a variety of topics including Baptist doctrine. Also, we should be teaching how to navigate through the bible by using a concordance, a dictionary, and maps.
7. Being good examples of servants to God: Much of what is learned comes from watching others and seeing the importance and reverence others place on God. Many learn what is important from our spiritual condition, worship services attendance, if we read the bible, our prayer life, if we’re slow to anger and quick to forgive, our love for others, humility and on and on. Set a good example of how to live.
8. Ministries: Churches can and should use other ministries to teach the gospel. This includes supporting missions, TV, radio, podcasts, and through social media. Even simple ministries such as visiting the sick and helping the poor are opportunities to teach others and give examples for others to follow.
9. Encourage: Churches should encourage everyone to read and study the bible, pray often, attend all services, and for parents to educate their children at home.
Our personal Christian education is a lifelong endeavor. We should be constantly learning about God. We should constantly seek His will in all things in our lives.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Anderson