Bible Question:
What are the scriptures that talk about Christian Education? What does the Bible say about it?
Bible Answer:
Christian education is teaching others about God and godliness through the Bible. Godliness is what God wants us to be like. It starts when one trusts Jesus to forgive one’s sins. God wants us to be holy just as He is holy. Christian education is something that should occur with every person – child and adult. It takes place in the home, at church, and in the Christian schools. It can occur between a parent and a child, between a teacher and students in a classroom, or between a pastor and the congregation. One of the first passages in the sacred scriptures which encourages us to teach others about God and godliness or holiness is found in Genesis 18.
For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him. Genesis 18:19 (NASB)
Old Testament
In Deuteronomy 6:7 Moses encourages us to teach our children about the Lord when we talk, sit, walk, lie down, and wake up.
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NASB)
We are to teach our children and others all the time about God. One of the most common passages used to support Christian education is found in Proverbs 22:6. But the literal Hebrew actually means that if we allow a child to grow up according to his/her early sinful wishes, then he/she will be like that when he/she is older. Christian education is not a promise that a little one or an older adult will believe in Jesus and in response live a godly life, but it gives one the wisdom to make the most crucial decision in life about Jesus Christ. It will make the difference between heaven or hell.
New Testament
In the New Testament, the concept of Christian education is repeated in Ephesians 4:11-13 and in Colossians 1:28.
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Colossians 1:28 (NASB)
Christian Education is simply teaching others about Jesus Christ and His will for our lives.
Conclusion:
Christian Education can be summarized with the following verse:
. . . and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NASB)
It gives them wisdom which leads them to faith in Jesus Christ and what they discover in the Bible will also show them how to live a godly life. It teaches them about God and godliness.