Aron Helfinstine

Biblical Educational Plan

Educational Philosophy – April 2011

As I attempt to construct my Biblical Model of Education plan I found myself asking the

question – What is Christian Education? In Contrast, Looking at Christian Education today,

what is it not? I grew up the son of an Assemblies of God Pastor; and there are two things I

attend to my experience that I treasure today. 1) Education. 2) Church and Politics. (And oh

how they differ ever so narrowly). Number two has nothing to do with this paper, so let’s leave

it at that for now and nothing short of a smirk. Number 1; however, that’s a totally different

grin.

I contributed a deep hatred growing up for the ministry that sounded a lot like this: “I’ll

never grow up and be in the ministry dad because it has robbed me of a normal life like

everyone else!” And after it was all said and done, I thank God “normal” is something I’ll never

have the fortitude of experiencing. Even in my own educational experience I find this to be

true. How so? Try a different public school each year of high school, homeschooling two

years, and 3 different private Christian schools. In short, I had the privilege of experiencing

just about every major facet of today’s educational institutions.

I plan to use this experience along with my degree in Education to someday shake the

foundations of American education in today’s society. Today I deepen my understanding as I

embark on an adventure of learning to fly an airplane while simultaneously obtaining my

master’s degree in education through Southeastern University. Upon completion of these two

goals; I hope to develop a research industry that travels the Nation endeavoring on a journey
that will examine the school systems of modern-day America. With my findings I hope to

create a vivid picture of the pros and cons between some of the best and worst schools in the

nation today. In turn, providing a template for education to improve as a whole and refine their

current models for instructing the American student of tomorrow.

Clearly, I have yet to obtain the “right” to define a better educational system than what

exist in today’s world. However; taking into account what the Bible says about education is

nothing short of a wise start. Below I will attempt to portray many of the key findings regarding

education in the bible and combine much of this knowledge to create a clear trio-relationship

between the roles of families, the church, and schools in education. This in turn will help

illustrate principles one can use according to the Word of God to implement as part of a biblical

education plan.

I begin with the question posed at the beginning of my introduction. “What is Christian

Education? What is it not?” According to my own experience; I can establish the following to

be true: Praying before a class with a humanistic curriculum is not a Christian education.

“Meeting at the Flagpole” – this is not education based upon a Biblical approach. Having a

Christian staff with a secular or Christian curriculum does not constitute a Christian Education.

Providing avenues for students to express their religion – definitely not; and while after-school

assemblies are wonderful outreach opportunities that may seize a student’s heart for God –

they too are far from what defines the characteristics of a Biblical Model for Education. What

does the Bible teach us about education and how was its models implemented?

The Bible serves as the cornerstone of theological and historical foundations for

Christian Education. As such, Scripture is regarded as the primary lens through which Christian

educators perceive and prescribe the character of Christian education. The main reason for
placing such emphasis upon the Scriptures is the claims of revelation and inspiration made by

the Bible. It is a special revelation of God, and the Christian educator is compelled to formulate

a model of Christian education consistent with it; as Paul contends, Scripture "was written for

our instruction" (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:5-11; 2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Of course, caution is to be heeded when considering models from the Bible due to the

fact that some models and methods of education in the Scriptures are by nature culturally

specific. While the biblical principles are undeniably essential to Christian education, the

specific methodology may have to be assessed in light of relevance to the contemporary

culture we live in today.

In the Bible, educational responsibility was placed primarily on the Hebrew family

(Exodus 12:26-27; 20:4-12; Deut. 4:9-10; 6:6-7; 11:19-21; Ps. 78:2: Prov. 6:20). Both parents

were to be involved (Prov. 1:8), as well as other family members; making education within the

family an intergenerational matter. The parents are the primary role-players in the child's

education, discipline, and rearing in the fear of the LORD. They support their child going to

Church, heeding the Word of the LORD, and receiving an education. This is the first and

most-important of the three legged stool relationship reflecting a biblical model of education.

The Church constituted perhaps the most vocal and obvious group of teachers in the

Bible. One example can be found through the definition of a priest. Priests were to receive

formal education as well as provide instruction to the community (Hag. 2:11; Mal. 2:7). In fact,

Deuteronomy 31:9-14 indicates that priests were to read the Mosaic Law to the assembly of

Israel for the instruction of the Hebrew nation including "aliens living in your towns."

Another group of Old Testament teachers are the wisemen or sages. These were men

versed in the Torah and readily able to make application of it. Similarly, emerging near the
close of the Old Testament, but frequently mentioned in the New Testament are the scribes,

rabbis, or doctors of Law (Neh. 8; Jer. 8:8). Elders were indeed far more than teachers;

however, among their qualifications the only "ability" listed is that of being "able to teach" (1

Tim. 3:2). In the book of Acts, the church body introduced and reinforced the formation of faith

through exposure to and involvement in the community (Acts 2:42-47).

Ultimately, it is the Churches role is to preach Biblical doctrine and truth, which forms

the theological foundation of the school and the family. They encourage and guide parents,

from Scripture, to take up their Biblical responsibility to educate and raise their children in the

fear of the LORD. This is the role of the Church in the 2 nd leg of my Biblical Education Model.

The school expounds on the Biblical Worldview, looking at all areas of life, from

mathematics, to the sciences, to the languages and the arts from a Biblical Christian

perspective. This is to equip the Christian child to take dominion for Christ and His Kingdom. It

really is an extension of the parent's mandate to "train up a child in the way he should go

(according to his character, calling and God-given talents), and when he is old he will not

depart from it" (Prov. 22:6) and the Church's mandate to "make disciples of all nations" (Math.

28:19).

All three “legs of the stool” act as key role-players. Together, they re-enforce one

another and eradicate the mixed-messages between the values of the Church and home being

put against the secular humanist values of the public school. One without the other, and the

model-like-stool missing even one leg, cannot stand. They mutually support godly discipline

and therefore reduce delinquency and increase Christ-like character. Godly discipline allows

for greater learning, hence greater academic achievements. It is important that parents be the

main governors of schools to keep accountability to a maximum. All three are subject to Word
of God.
In conclusion, The parents are the primary role-players in the child's education, the

Church reinforces Biblical doctrine and truth, which forms the theological foundation of the

school and the family discipline, and rearing in the fear of the LORD, and The school expounds

on the Biblical Worldview, looking at all areas of life from a Biblical Christian perspective..

Though each serve as an intricate part that constitutes a Biblical Education Plan,

without a teacher centered in the Word of God and portraying a Christ-like lifestyle of

instruction, there is no implementation of this model. To encourage the teacher with a Biblical

approach consider taking into account the methods from the greatest teacher of all – Jesus.

Among other titles, Jesus is called "teacher." As Mark 10:1 reminds us, it was Jesus' custom

to teach. Hence, the Gospel writers refer to Jesus with a variety of instructional titles:

Discipleship was his instructional context and method. The term "disciple" is used 142 times in

Synoptics, adequately demonstrating this fact (Matt. 28:20; Mark 6:30; Luke 12:12). Jesus'

former pupils assumed the task of teaching through instruction, preaching, and writing. Acts

depicts the apostles as completing Jesus' mission (Acts 1:1) by making disciples for Christ

(Acts 14:21). The pastor-teacher of Ephesians 4:11 would exemplify this task. Today, the

church has expanded globally, constituting an even greater need to continue the task. If we

embrace the model left by Jesus we too can continue this educational model by illustrating

God’s principles through our instruction. By doing so, we both fulfill our duty to provide

students with the proper education and one centered on the Word and Principles of God.

“…And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some,

pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for edifying

of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son

of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we
henceforth be no more children, toss to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But

speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in things, which is in Christ.” (Eph. 4: 11-15).